considering a new fun build - the Solo King bass

[JIO]

Originally Posted by Hopkins

That color will be just the right shade of ugly for that body

Yes, this is the bass that was hit with the ugly stick.

Splods; Is it going to be a slab all round?, or will there be a contour on the back for the belly?

Good question. I continually bump up against an unpractical archival urge to keep it as authentic as possible, and a practical want of certain concessions to make it playable. I think a balance will be that yes, I will do a belly bevel which most likely the original Solo King guitar did not have.

Which brings me to the headstock. I am drawn to the way it looks but all things considered, as much as it functionally works as a guitar headstock, it is problematic for a bass. I've worked up a sketch, but for whatever reason, all of the sudden IMGBOX is not allowing me to download pics and it removed all of my other pics ~~ will attempt a restart and hope for the best...

[JIO]

Thank (celestial deity of your choice here) that my pics returned and I can continue to download more. Here's a rough visual estimate of its (short) scale.



...and the aforementioned problimatic headstock. My (for the time being) solution is to keep the tuners in-line w/the neck, and wind the E string reverse. It ain't pretty, but on paper it could work. Also, considering I oversized the scale of the headstock to balance the larger bass tuners, I may need to make the body as heavy as I can to balance neck-dive. All in the name of, er... ugliness.

[SGD Lutherie]

I wouldn't wind the E string backwards on the tuner like that. They aren't made for it. Just move the tuners farther from the nut.

I understand you are trying to keep them more-pr-less in a straight line, but following the headstock shape and having the string angle up is better than going around the post backwards.

If you want to get fancy, make it a slotted headstock.

[Splods]

I think it would be better to just got 2L 2R for the tuners, it fixes your issue, and probably ends up being closer to the original look of the headstock.

[JIO]

I wouldn't wind the E string backwards on the tuner like that. They aren't made for it. Just move the tuners farther from the nut.
I understand you are trying to keep them more-pr-less in a straight line, but following the headstock shape and having the string angle up is better than going around the post backwards.

If you want to get fancy, make it a slotted headstock.
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I think it would be better to just got 2L 2R for the tuners, it fixes your issue, and probably ends up being closer to the original look of the headstock.
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Thanks, your advice needs to be considered. This is a design problem that needs further thought. Stay "tuned"...

[wraub]

I kinda liked the original sketch-up w/ the 3 string trees, but I see how that could be an issue. Looked funky cool, though.
Definitely consider placing them further from the nut. Also like the idea of a slotted headstock, could hit the vintage vibe.

Also, I see in the updated drawing above that you follow the "curves" of the body at the top of the peghead. Perhaps follow that theme, from the bottom of the body, bring that curve into the line where the peghead breaks from the nut. This would move the headstock edge up some, which would move the tuners up also, improving the lie of the E & A strings.
Does any of that make any sense at all?

wraub

p.s. and aged white for the PG with that color, imo.

[JIO]

Trying to make the guitar headstock design work for bass was not going to happen any other way! This, if not for any other reason is why that a bass version probably was not made... and so an old design trick once again saves the day. I reversed the headstock profile and ~vuala!~ problem solved! The integrity of the club-footed design is intact, I can use the vintage tuners and both visually and functionally it works! Yay! Rock & roll!

[wraub]

Well, yeah, see... um, that's what I meant. Yeah.



wraub

[JIO]

Originally Posted by wraub

Well, yeah, see... um, that's what I meant. Yeah.



wraub

Hah! That was funny! I failed to notice your post when I sent my last one because I was so excited to have solved the dilemma. Your description was pretty much what I did! Another example of great minds thinking alike!

[JIO]

Got the pu's and the selector-switch. Ordered alder blanks (2 pieces to be glued together) for $34.59 delivered, so all that's left to secure is the neck. (Sunday I hope) Need to fabricate an adjustable bridge, but that's for later. I found a vintage Kawai bridge on ebay (too much $) but it will help act as a guide to making my own.



sketched out my control cavity and parts locations attempting to remove as much as possible to try and get it lighter. The ledge will not be removed to support the pg and bridge location will be determined once I get the neck. The bridge pu may need to move up depending on that.

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by JIO

Trying to make the guitar headstock design work for bass was not going to happen any other way! This, if not for any other reason is why that a bass version probably was not made... and so an old design trick once again saves the day. I reversed the headstock profile and ~vuala!~ problem solved! The integrity of the club-footed design is intact, I can use the vintage tuners and both visually and functionally it works! Yay! Rock & roll!

That looks cool!

The original headstock barely worked for guitar.

[Ironfingers]

Kinda like a meat cleaver with tuners! Loving this ugly thing...

[JIO]

Originally Posted by Ironfingers

Kinda like a meat cleaver with tuners! Loving this ugly thing...

Kind of a cross between a cutting-board and a meat cleaver... with tuners

[JIO]

got the alder, glued it together, planed it to 1 1/4", taced the drawing and cut it out. (really tricky)




rasped the body bevel (concession to reality)

routed the cavity - freestyle!

done - and sanded!

and 1st coat of sanding sealer



I didn't get the vintage neck on ebay - more than I wanted to pay. Did get an Epi EB-O 30.5 scale neck (w/cosmetic flaws) instead for $46.74 delivered which puts me a bit over my $200 ceiling-goal, but not by much. Perfect! - as it will be completely transformed for the Solo King Bass. Stay tuned!

[Splods]

Looking cool! even if it does look like a shovel and a bass tried to get it on :P

[JIO]

Originally Posted by Splods

Looking cool! even if it does look like a shovel and a bass tried to get it on :P

How about the Kool-Aid pitcher bass?... if you turn your head sideways, squint and let your imagination wander.
It could be called the "Jimmy Jones Special". (probably has been done)

[Splods]

Oh wow, you are terrible.

So what do you think you will do with it once you are done?

[JIO]

hummmm.... could put it in a room full of vintage gear w/a hang-tag and volume knobs that goes to 11 and 12 respectively, and never touch it. Or I could get as much as I could for it ($20?) at a local pawn shop and wait years for it to appear on ebay for a gazillion dollars (and bid that same $20 on it just for fun). Or, I could get it into the hands of a famous (but ugly) bass player who tours extensively and is pictured holding it on the cover of Bass Player magazine, as if to say "I look pretty good in comparison".
There are other options that are classified and if I told you I'd have to have you sign a waver first.

[jmorbita]

subscribing!! this looks really cool!

[JIO]

Originally Posted by jmorbita

subscribing!! this looks really cool!

or do you mean.., refreshing!