5 string fretless showcase: Habanero V

[Beauchene Implements]

Hi LC, getting started on my third complete build, this will be for the fretless five mini-contest.

Fretless five, 34" scale, bolt-on. Here's the plan, it's based on my last build:



I widened the body a tiny bit, increased the scale to 34" and added a headstock. Planning on a cocobolo top, mahogany body, ziricote fingerboard on maple neck. Gotta replace the relay in my table saw, I'll make final wood decisions once I get stuff resawn. Also planning to go with a Hipshot A bridge with graphtech piezos, Sperzel tuners, and a Delano humbucker in the neck spot.

Edit: Hope no one counted the lines and dots on my fingerboard layout...

[Musiclogic]

Very cool Adam looking forward to it

[15000volts]

I love it already!

but i suggest you move the D pole from aligned with the A to between the E and A poles

[Praxist]

man, one thread into this competition and I can already tell i'm in over my head! That looks so sweet, really nice lines. Can I ask a couple of q's? No neck angle? How thick is the body? How thick is the neck where it meets the body? How proud of the body is the neck in the pocket?

this is going to be awesome!

[tubby.twins]

I like this design. Subscribed!

[Beauchene Implements]

Originally Posted by Praxist

man, one thread into this competition and I can already tell i'm in over my head! That looks so sweet, really nice lines. Can I ask a couple of q's? No neck angle? How thick is the body? How thick is the neck where it meets the body? How proud of the body is the neck in the pocket?

this is going to be awesome!

Hi, and thanks! The design isn't final yet. I will determine the neck height once I have the bridge in my hands. I'm not a big fan of angled necks, I like the bass to be able to lay flat without the headstock hitting the floor...that's just me. I'm paranoid of broken-off headstocks.

@15000 Volts: heasdstock isn't final either, but I like the look of the headstock on Zon 5's, that's how they have them arranged.

[Beauchene Implements]

Here's the top:



or more likely...



Scored this gorgeous 8' hunk of maple from Lowes, of all places. For 35 bucks. I have enough cocobolo to do a fingerboard, but IIRC ziricote has a lot higher Janka hardness, so it's probably more appropriate.

[tubby.twins]

Originally Posted by barnaclebeau

I have enough cocobolo to do a fingerboard, but IIRC ziricote has a lot higher Janka hardness, so it's probably more appropriate.

Excellent choice. Ziricote works very well as a fretless fingerboard.

What's the string spacing at the bridge? Which Delano pickup were you planning to use?

[pacojas]

love the name (of my new favorite peppers),... gl.

[Beauchene Implements]

Originally Posted by tubby.twins

Excellent choice. Ziricote works very well as a fretless fingerboard.

What's the string spacing at the bridge? Which Delano pickup were you planning to use?

I do like Zirocote as a fingerboard, I used it on the second neck of my first build. Lignum Vitae seemed to not like the trussrod telling it what to do...

I'm planning to use a SBC 5 HE/S

[roberthabraken]

So subscribed like your designs and wood choices

[15000volts]

Originally Posted by barnaclebeau

@15000 Volts: heasdstock isn't final either, but I like the look of the headstock on Zon 5's, that's how they have them arranged.

I think the headstock would look better with the rest of the bass if it were less symmetrical.

btw, those woods look drooling

[Beauchene Implements]

Originally Posted by 15000volts

I think the headstock would look better with the rest of the bass if it were less symmetrical.

btw, those woods look drooling

I've been playing with some different shapes, I'll settle the design once I've got the tuners in hand.

Thanks, I'm excited to get cutting! I have a dead relay in my 80's Craftsman contractor saw though, don't know if I'll be able to find parts. I have gotta figure another way to split the top piece, won't quite fit in my Little Tykes bandsaw.

[Darkstrike]

Some wicked wood you have for this.

[miziomix]

the heat is on eh? cool project!

[jmorbita]

beautiful wood, cool design! good luck with this!

[pushifier]

Originally Posted by barnaclebeau

I've been playing with some different shapes, I'll settle the design once I've got the tuners in hand.

Thanks, I'm excited to get cutting! I have a dead relay in my 80's Craftsman contractor saw though, don't know if I'll be able to find parts. I have gotta figure another way to split the top piece, won't quite fit in my Little Tykes bandsaw.

Lovely woods you have got there!
I have split a maple top with ...... hand saw
It is hard work but doable, got some bicepts now

[KNURRR]

that design looks very promissing. good luck with your work!

[Beauchene Implements]

Originally Posted by pushifier

Lovely woods you have got there!
I have split a maple top with ...... hand saw
It is hard work but doable, got some bicepts now

I salute you, sir. Your saw-fu is greater than mine. I'm not even gonna try it with that cocobolo.

[Big B.]

Hand resawn cocobolo? No thanks Nice looking wood barnaclebeau, I love cocobolo but ziricote is my favorite wood of all. I have a nice ziricote fingerboard I was thinking about using but maybe I will go with something else for the sake of diversity. Looks like the beginnings of a nice bass my friend.