I just started to build an 8-string octave bass. After searching for bridges I decided to machine one out of brass.
The bass is going to have maple/maple/walnut veneer stripes neck with single truss rod and two carbon bars. The body is going to be walnut top on alder. It's going to be either bolt-on or set-neck.
Here's a pic of the bridge. More pics tofollow when the building continues. I have the neck blank glued and headstock scarfed as well.
Marko
- What alloy of brass did you use?
> No idea, I bought it from local metal supplier.
- How did you deburr and eliminate milling marks?
> It's sanded with 600 grit water sanding paper before finishing.
- What method did you use to finish it?
> It's blackened with liquid I got from an engraver. I diluted the liquid with water. The parts were dipped into the liquid and dried and buffed with cotton cloth betwen dips.
Marko
That bridge is hot. Do you have any pictures of the back of it or the milling process or when the bridge was in pieces?
For that matter, I'd love to see what kind of setup and jigs you used to build this.
I used no jigs. I have drill press and that's about the machines I used. Good old hacksaw, different files and sanding drums was all I used. It would be nice to have machinery for working with metal but the cost of those is way beyond my wallet.
Brass is very nice to work with, I used Dremel router bit in drill press as router. With proper guides I managed to rout the parts by hand-feeding the brass bar I was machining.
Marko
kudos on being able to control the bar. Any time I do anything other than drill with my drill press, it ends up having that part for lunch, if you know what I mean. Very groovy with the 8-string idea as well, I wouldn't have been ballsy enough.
I used no jigs. I have drill press and that's about the machines I used. Good old hacksaw, different files and sanding drums was all I used. It would be nice to have machinery for working with metal but the cost of those is way beyond my wallet.
Brass is very nice to work with, I used Dremel router bit in drill press as router. With proper guides I managed to rout the parts by hand-feeding the brass bar I was machining.
Marko
I don't believe this for one minute.
__________________ Member of the FOG - Kawai FIIB owners group
You better believe it. That's all I have. It took about 12 hours to make this bridge minus blackening. It's not made of solid brass, I used U-shaped brass and 8x50mm brass bar. As I said, brass is nice to work with.
Marko
Some progress with the neck. Headstock veneers and backstrap glued and headstock shaped. Tuner holes drilled and tuners on their place for looks. Tomorrow I'll get bookmatched walnut for body top.
Marko
