Buckeye Burl 6 String

BassCycle · #1 02-12-2011, 04:41 PM

I've haven't been participating here since before NAMM, but I'm back for now. The 8 string is in temporarily in limbo so I'm officially starting a new bass based around a bookmatched buckeye burl top. The pile of lumber you see here will eventually be transformed into intense Classic Bass Works badness! Some of the other woods include maple, rosewood, walnut and bloodwood and alder.

BassCycle · #2 02-12-2011, 05:28 PM

Using my fret saw to make some pickup covers.

BassCycle · #3 02-18-2011, 04:48 PM

I got a little more work done. I'm making a control cover from the walnut back.

Dead Ed · #4 02-18-2011, 10:11 PM

That looks like a sweet piece of Buckeye. I'm excited to see how this turns out.
Have you worked with Buckeye before? Do you like it? I love the way it looks, but I wonder sometimes if it's worth the hassle. I am a newb though, so my frustrations could be coming from a lack of experience.

BassCycle · #5 02-18-2011, 11:53 PM

1st time. It seems to be kind of soft and lightweight, but plenty stable and easy to work. I love the color and grain variations in this piece. The white is very white so I'm thinking of doing an amber or orange tint to give it a little more color. I'll also be finishing it with a high gloss poly, which should provide plenty of protection.

BassCycle · #6 02-22-2011, 09:56 PM

I got the sandwich glued up and trimmed.
Walnut back

Buckeye burl top

dremy2006 · #7 02-24-2011, 05:54 PM

lookin good...!!

jeepin_jer1 · #8 02-24-2011, 06:35 PM

Love the wood!

BassCycle · #9 02-25-2011, 08:38 AM

Thanks guys. I'm gonna get started on the neck soon.

tjclem · #10 02-25-2011, 10:05 AM

Nice a lot more solid piece of buckeye than the one I have to try and figure out what to do with. Good luck!..t

BassCycle · #11 02-25-2011, 01:02 PM

My wife says it's ugly. I think it's totally fascinating. To me, the figure really accentuates the lines of the bass. I'm really excited about this one.

Lonnybass · #12 02-25-2011, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassCycle

Using my fret saw to make some pickup covers.

Can you explain the process shown here?

BassCycle · #13 02-25-2011, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lonnybass

Can you explain the process shown here?

I just started scratching the wood with the saw along the pickup outline. It didn't take long to cut all the way through the wood. The saw is designed to cut on the pull stroke, which makes this a fairly simple process.

BassCycle · #14 02-26-2011, 09:28 PM

The neck blank is done. It's Bubinga with Maple stringers.

There's just enough of the top left over to make a matching headstock.

BassCycle · #15 03-04-2011, 09:21 PM

I realize these pics are pretty ugly looking. Sometimes you just have to close your eyes and imagine how it will look after grinding and finishing.

Ok, now I have a little bit of grinding done. Still a ways to go, though.

PaPaVB20 · #16 03-04-2011, 09:32 PM

I`m following this thread without a doubt, looks awesome!

Omnipharious · #17 03-04-2011, 10:14 PM

I can't even put into words how beautiful that body is. I can't wait to see this thing. If there was an "Asymmetrical Exotic Wood Body" competition- well, you get where I'm going with this.

Dead Ed · #18 03-04-2011, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omnipharious

I can't even put into words how beautiful that body is. I can't wait to see this thing. If there was an "Asymmetrical Exotic Wood Body" competition- well, you get where I'm going with this.

Okay, but mine would at least be runner up right?

Dead Ed · #19 03-04-2011, 11:59 PM

P.S. It's looking good Basscycle. Are you going to carve the body, or just round the edges a bit?

BassCycle · #20 03-05-2011, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaPaVB20

I`m following this thread without a doubt, looks awesome!

Thanks PaPaVB20!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omnipharious

I can't even put into words how beautiful that body is. I can't wait to see this thing. If there was an "Asymmetrical Exotic Wood Body" competition- well, you get where I'm going with this.

I'm with you Omnipharious! My wife just doesn't get it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dead Ed

P.S. It's looking good Basscycle. Are you going to carve the body, or just round the edges a bit?

Well, it's not going to be nearly as radical as your Buckeye Burl bass, Dead Ed. It's just getting the basic roundover treatment.