FatStrings Oversized Strat Bass - Page 4

FatStrings · #61 07-13-2012, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShiftyShift

This may sound like a dumb question, but how did you cut out your nut slot? And good idea on that round over, I just hand rasped out the entire back profile on my neck, as it starts out fat, then thins up, then gets real fat again.

I use a 1/8" carbine endmill in my milling machine while I'm doing the outer profile and other features during that setup. I suppose you could set up a nice blade (thinner than the nut width) on a table or radial arm saw (like I did with the fret slots), make your first cut for one side of the slot then move the neck over a hair and keep trimming until you have your 1/8" slot. Make sense?

I had been rasping and using the spoke shave on the back neck contour too (I'm sure I still will from time to time) but I like using the large round-over bit. Gets you pretty close.

ShiftyShift · #62 07-13-2012, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatStrings

I use a 1/8" carbine endmill in my milling machine while I'm doing the outer profile and other features during that setup. I suppose you could set up a nice blade (thinner than the nut width) on a table or radial arm saw (like I did with the fret slots), make your first cut for one side of the slot then move the neck over a hair and keep trimming until you have your 1/8" slot. Make sense?

I had been rasping and using the spoke shave on the back neck contour too (I'm sure I still will from time to time) but I like using the large round-over bit. Gets you pretty close.

Yeah, that makes a good amount of sense, I think I could do something similar with a mitre box and a file. I wish I had your milling machine though, haha. I though about using a roundover, but since I was doing a transitional neck profile I decide not to.

dremy2006 · #63 07-13-2012, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FatStrings

Pressing the frets in....

Where can I get that kind of truss rod from?

FatStrings · #64 07-13-2012, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dremy2006

Where can I get that kind of truss rod from?

I made this one myself but Stewmac has them in standard lengths. There are others also I'm sure.

FatStrings · #65 07-15-2012, 07:00 PM

Ok, on then. The neck was sprayed with a few coats of clear nitro lacquer after that,(just to seal) fret board and all, but you'll have to wait a bit to see pics!

I'll go quickly through the body fab since it's generally the same as my other builds.

One difference this time; the body is made from African mahogany instead of American cherry. Mostly because my hardwood supplier didn't have any chunks of cherry that I liked. I was kind of looking forward to making a mahogany body anyway.

Mahogany slabs before planing and jointing...

FatStrings · #66 07-15-2012, 07:07 PM

Here they've been planed but since I don't have my jointer going yet (it's a mid 50's Craftsman and needs a bit of rehab) I'm milling the joint and drilling a few dowel holes to keep it from sliding around while gluing.

Slab glued and ready to go. I lay the template on just be sure the profile fits nicely.

Keano · #67 07-16-2012, 07:41 AM

Love the attention to detail you're giving to your builds, and I like how you are progressively doing something new/different along the way.

Looking forward to seeing how this one turns out!

BassGreaser · #68 07-16-2012, 07:47 AM

looking nice!

FatStrings · #69 07-16-2012, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keano

Love the attention to detail you're giving to your builds, and I like how you are progressively doing something new/different along the way.

Looking forward to seeing how this one turns out!

Thanks very much! I'm definitely learning and discovering as I go. Keeps me from getting bored too

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassGreaser

looking nice!

Thanks!

FatStrings · #70 07-16-2012, 08:08 PM

I scaled this Strat body to be just a hair under 13" wide. That's the max width of my new Delta surface planer. As you can see it JUST fit on the slab!!

I like the grain on this wood. I believe Brett is going to paint this a cool metallic color, but clear on this would look outstanding IMO.

FatStrings · #71 07-16-2012, 08:10 PM

Milling out the p'up pockets...

Ahhh...fits like it was made for it!

FatStrings · #72 07-16-2012, 08:13 PM

Completed the rest of the pockets...

Test fit the neck...

FatStrings · #73 07-16-2012, 08:24 PM

Too cool already!!

Dry fitting. I love it when a project starts to come together. I think Brett is gonna like this!!

And yes, I am standing on a stool, lol.

FatStrings · #74 07-16-2012, 08:27 PM

A couple more and that's it for tonight. It was a long day today and there will be another tomorrow.

Hopkins · #75 07-16-2012, 08:34 PM

Man, that is some seriously clean work.

Are you using a Bridgeport or CNC?

bassfran · #76 07-16-2012, 08:42 PM

Looks fantastic- big fan of that reverse headstock.

FatStrings · #77 07-17-2012, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hopkins

Man, that is some seriously clean work.

Are you using a Bridgeport or CNC?

Thanks! I'm using a Bridgeport retrofitted with a CNC control.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassfran

Looks fantastic- big fan of that reverse headstock.

Thank you!

FatStrings · #78 07-17-2012, 10:42 AM

The body needs corner rounding, arm and belly contours.

I didn't get any pics of the process, but I use a 6" hand plane for most of the arm contour and a wood rasp for the belly cut.

Here it is with enges rounded and contours done...

SallyGrowler · #79 07-17-2012, 10:48 AM

sweet!

afzoomie67 · #80 07-17-2012, 10:52 AM

Damnn. Nice job. I don't like Starts or Strat Basses, but this thing is great.