Andy Zoldo custom bass build underway

[ZoldosCustom]

Arizona sure is nice. The wife and I used to visit there quite a bit before the kids. I am more drawn to Sedona than the sun valley, but don't have the funding for that move. We always joke about getting out of Michigan, but as time goes on and winter gets colder, it is looking more and more like a viable option. Anyway, I just emerged from my dungeon of a basement with the completed inlay in hand. I used rosewood in order to tie in with the bridge and truss rod cover. I took a different approach this go around since there were a ot of tight corners. The picture of the screwdriver was actually my mini chisel. I sharpened the tip down in order to cut into the corners. It didn't hold an edge for a long time so I had to continue sharpening, but it did the trick. I used a dremel to hog out most of the material on the interior. This will be the last update with pics probably until wednesday.

[suraj]

Originally Posted by ZoldosCustom

You are exactly correct with the foam. The pickups are a tight enough fit that they just need a small amount of upward pressure to keep them secure. I use a pretty dense foam,and always have, and it works out great. This is the first time that I have tried the whole moveable pickup thing, and it seems like it will be a pretty cool feature.

That a great idea..!! Your pickup housing makes for 6 combinations..!! Better than the idea of sliding pickups for sure.. Great looking bass

[ZoldosCustom]

I just want to thank everyone again who is watching this build progress, and it is almost coming to an end on the woodworking side I do have a few updates, not as many as I hoped for, but still quite a few. I was able to get the holes drilled for the string through ferrules, and countersunk in order to be flush with the back. The holes were drilled for mounting the pickup housing. I also was able to route for the control cavity and also recess the conklin style input jack. This was the first time that I have messed with this type of jack, so I had to figure out a mounting scheme. This was also an afterthought after the design was finalized, so I had to find the best (flattest) spot to mount it to. I am very pleased with the results. I always liked these jacks, and I am glad that I had a chance to utilize it. I wanted to drill for the strap locks and make the control cover, but I will get that done this week sometime. Here are some pics:



still need to detach stock input jack. plenty of room for 18V setup.

So I got real excited and sealed the pickup housing, since it was all sanded and ready to go. It still needs to be sanded down and built up with finish coats, but I just wanted to show the variance and characteristic of this wood to you guys. I think that it will look awesome once its all topcoated





More to come in a few days.

[Macrocosmcwh]

Thank you again Andy... Thank you so much!

[wraub]

Man, you sure are lucky this thing will be way out in Gilbert or you'd probably find me asking to play it.
A lot.

wraub

[Macrocosmcwh]

Always welcome to play it! Come visit!

[RedMoses]

Awesome! Sub'd

[ZoldosCustom]

Just a quick update without any pictures, sorry. The flush mount strap locks are all drilled and ready to go. I was also able to get the control cover plate cut out and fitted today. The only thing let is to drill the holes for mounting the bridge as well as the truss rod cover. I do need to cut the nut, but that's pretty easy. Slotting it takes a bit longer, but is still a pretty straight forward process. Just about there...at least with the woodwork. Lets not forget about all the fun with sanding. I will have some more pictures this weekend, hopefully a full mockup. I will probably wait until the end of next week to start finishing everything. I figure a few days of sanding and touchup, a day to look over and tweak any small details, and then spray time. Its kind of sad that this bass is coming to an end, it was a very fun build for sure. More pictures soon.

[Macrocosmcwh]

Sad for YOU it's ending.... HAPPY time for me!!!

[preside]

Macrocosmcwh are you in a local band that plays out? I love this build and would like to come see you put it thru it's paces at a gig. I live in south Scottsdale.

[Macrocosmcwh]

No band.... But you are welcome to play it when I get it! I am very excited!

[Doodaddy]

That looks incredible!

[Macrocosmcwh]

I could not agree more!

[ZoldosCustom]

Good afternoon everyone, just a few things to update you all on. The control cavity is done, strap locks are drilled and a bit more carving has been done. I know that I mentioned earlier that I have a bit more sanding to do along with cleaning up some of the carving. I will hopefully have all that done this week so I can start sealing and finishing this puppy. Here are a few pics of what is done. Nothing too extraordinary, but some progress nonetheless. Probably wont have a whole lot of updates as far as pics for a few days to a week. Nothing really exciting about sanding. Once I get this bass sealed then I will post some pics. So very excited to coat this bass and see it in all its glory. Here are the pics, enjoy and have a great week:

[Macrocosmcwh]

So close I can almost smell it! LOL Just sold my current 6 string... So my hands wont touch a six string until this one gets here! I am so excited!!!!! Andy... It is just awesome!!! Thank you so much!

Oh man... I hate this wait!

[shporsche]

Truly one of the best shapes I have seen, the contour's help with the shape aswell.
Great work, cant wait until its done.

[ZoldosCustom]

I know that I said before that I had my reservations about this design, but it was very brief. Once I started tweaking some things and did a scale rendering I felt quite confident in the design. It has a very unique look, but I think that it has a very balanced look to it as well. It is different enough to attract a lot of attention while still maintaining a certain level of class.

I know the wait will be worth it for you Christian. You mentioned that you have been wanting a custom bass for quite some time now, so a few short weeks for finishing shouldn't be that bad. I think that it will test my patience more than yours since I am itching to get this bass done for you. I also want to play it for a brief moment before I turn it over to its rightful owner. I will keep you updated, even if it isn't all that exciting of information.

[Macrocosmcwh]

Perhaps some sanding pictures today?!? Hahahahahahaha I miss the pictures!

[ZoldosCustom]

Sorry, but no pictures today. I still have the bass at work in the final stages of sanding. Just a few contoured areas that need a bit more attention. I should have something to look at come friday or saturday. Hang in there, patience, patience, patience. Everything is coming along nicely.

[Macrocosmcwh]

thank you Andy!!!