First build thread 'Roberts JB4' - Page 18

vbasscustom · #**341** 05-06-2009, 06:55 PM

dont change it because of me, like i said, after you posted the second round of pics, it looks really nice and rounded off. looks like a good player

powerbass · #**342** 05-06-2009, 08:09 PM

i noticed you used a spokeshave blade to shape your neck, a cabinet scraper works really well too. after the rough shaping w/a rasp or file the scraper works well to remove file marks and to shape the neck.

jordan_frerichs · #**343** 05-06-2009, 11:15 PM

thick and oval is currently my preference. It always changes though. Rob, who cares about my preference. Who cares about anyone elses preferences? You are building a bass for YOU, not anyone else, so it it should have your ideal features and preferences.

Go almost purely on feel and instinct. I wold love to work blindfolded and let my hands take over, but we aren't exactly working with butter knives ya know. ;0)

roberthabraken · #**344** 05-07-2009, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vbasscustom

dont change it because of me, like i said, after you posted the second round of pics, it looks really nice and rounded off. looks like a good player

I know, but I already was in doubt a little bit.. I think it's okay, but the strings still have to go on top of it, making it even thicker in total.

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerbass

i noticed you used a spokeshave blade to shape your neck, a cabinet scraper works really well too. after the rough shaping w/a rasp or file the scraper works well to remove file marks and to shape the neck.

Ah thanks, I guess I used my spokeshave like this

. Didn't know it existed. But for the next time I'm going to buy some decent tools, because the blade I used is already dull.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jordan_frerichs

thick and oval is currently my preference. It always changes though. Rob, who cares about my preference. Who cares about anyone elses preferences? You are building a bass for YOU, not anyone else, so it it should have your ideal features and preferences.

Go almost purely on feel and instinct. I wold love to work blindfolded and let my hands take over, but we aren't exactly working with butter knives ya know. ;0)

Yeah, I know what you mean.. if you start working, it's a bit scary, but along the way, the feeling takes over and you kinda trust your hands.

Ol'Bass'ead · #**345** 05-07-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roberthabraken

In a way, you're right. But peoples reactions do mean a lot to me as a first time builder, that's why I'm on TB.

Thanks btw

It is nice to get feedback and advice, but remember that you have the bass in your hands and we all are living vicariously through you, so your thoughts about any part of it have more weight than anything else.

and you're welcome.

Mikey R · #**346** 05-11-2009, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roberthabraken

Ah thanks, I guess I used my spokeshave like this

. Didn't know it existed. But for the next time I'm going to buy some decent tools, because the blade I used is already dull.

I sharpen all of my bladed tools several times during one session (except the A2 steel ones), I just keep a super fine arkansas stone handy on the dining table and give it a few swipes just to put the edge back. Ive found that keeping the tools sharp means that it takes less time overall, as I need to do much fewer really big sharpening sessions.

I cant remember who told me that but it really helps.

And the two minute break is also a good opportunity for a warm beverage.

DanSwain · #**347** 05-13-2009, 06:08 AM

Nice work on the neck Robert! I can say that on my Bass, the neck came out thicker than I originally intended - possibly through a bit of fear of what the wood would take, and also the thickness of the fingerboard adding to it.

The thing is though, the neck FEELS right, so I'm happy with the result. It could have been on the edge though, as slightly thicker could have completely changed how it felt.

Then again, I played a friends Status with a really thin graphite neck once, and that felt too thin. It's probably just me and my wonky hands, but it felt like at some point the muscle between my thumb and knuckle of my index finger would cramp up.

How does the neck of your Bass feel to you?

roberthabraken · #**348** 05-13-2009, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanSwain

Nice work on the neck Robert! I can say that on my Bass, the neck came out thicker than I originally intended - possibly through a bit of fear of what the wood would take, and also the thickness of the fingerboard adding to it.

The thing is though, the neck FEELS right, so I'm happy with the result. It could have been on the edge though, as slightly thicker could have completely changed how it felt.

Then again, I played a friends Status with a really thin graphite neck once, and that felt too thin. It's probably just me and my wonky hands, but it felt like at some point the muscle between my thumb and knuckle of my index finger would cramp up.

How does the neck of your Bass feel to you?

Good to hear. My neck feels alright, although a bit chunky at the first frets. But I just routed the neck pocket (will post an update soon) and I decided to first see how it'll feel when it's on the body. And than, maybe, thin it towards the end of the neck.

roberthabraken · #**349** 05-13-2009, 08:29 AM

There we go: made the neck pocket. Lots of pics!!

I aligned the neck very carefully using ... well, see for yourself.... then routed and cleaned up the corners with a chisel.

It came out very, very nice and clean and the neck fits like a glove!!!

I can highly recommend this method of routing neck pockets! It takes very little time to get a 'template' and you don't need to cut and sand a template by hand.. just clamp wood around your neck and it'll fit

.

But, one question I do have: the neck sits a bit high on top of the body. I can lower it, but then I'd have to lower the bridge (sink it into the body) too.. and I don't know if that's okay for me. Also, I am wondering if this isn't too high to get the pickups working properly. What do you think?

The neck sits like a good 12 mm (without frets) above the body..

The pics:

Rickett Customs · #**350** 05-13-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roberthabraken

But, one question I do have: the neck sits a bit high on top of the body. I can lower it, but then I'd have to lower the bridge (sink it into the body) too.. and I don't know if that's okay for me. Also, I am wondering if this isn't too high to get the pickups working properly. What do you think?

This is where a bolt on will have an advantage, you can always shim it if you need to, so you'll have some play room if you went a little deeper (Of course, mock up the hardware and string up, to test before doing so, just to make sure.)

roberthabraken · #**351** 05-13-2009, 09:29 AM

Well... since the neck pocket came out that nice, I was thinking about just glueing it in...

Rickett Customs · #**352** 05-13-2009, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roberthabraken

Well... since the neck pocket came out that nice, I was thinking about just glueing it in...

Go for it then, just a cautionary note: If the height ends up being too high, you'll need to raise the bridge up, instead of down, also account for some neck angle too.

Zombbg4 · #**353** 05-13-2009, 11:31 AM

Wow, it's been a bit since i've checked in on your build and its coming together VERY well. Keep up the great work Robert!

ctmullins · #**354** 05-13-2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roberthabraken

It came out very, very nice and clean and the neck fits like a glove!!!

Yes, very nice workmanship!

Quote:

But, one question I do have: the neck sits a bit high on top of the body. I can lower it, but then I'd have to lower the bridge (sink it into the body) too.. and I don't know if that's okay for me. Also, I am wondering if this isn't too high to get the pickups working properly. What do you think?

Personally, I would add a bit of a neck angle to overcome this. But then I like instruments with a bit of a neck angle.

mongo2 · #**355** 05-13-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roberthabraken

Nicely done.

What's the fingerboard radius? It looks very flat in that photo.

roberthabraken · #**356** 05-13-2009, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mongo2

Nicely done.

What's the fingerboard radius? It looks very flat in that photo.

Thanks!

The radius is 0. That's why it looks very flat

. I thought it would be nice to have a flat board, I've seen other builders doing it and I like it on a Spanish guitar, and this one has some 'acoustic' properties..

roberthabraken · #**357** 05-13-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zombbg4

Wow, it's been a bit since i've checked in on your build and its coming together VERY well. Keep up the great work Robert!

Thank you, I will

Ol'Bass'ead · #**358** 05-13-2009, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctmullins

Personally, I would add a bit of a neck angle to overcome this.

Yeah ditto, just mock up a string see what your bridge height needs to be and drop the headstock a little by routing a LITTLE angle into your neck pocket.

roberthabraken · #**359** 05-13-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ol'Bass'ead

Yeah ditto, just mock up a string see what your bridge height needs to be and drop the headstock a little by routing a LITTLE angle into your neck pocket.

Well, that would make the bridge too low, because then the pivot point is the end of the neck..

I heard a standard depth for neck pockets is 5/8". Does this also apply to basses? I don't want an angle..

Rickett Customs · #**360** 05-13-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roberthabraken

Well, that would make the bridge too low, because then the pivot point is the end of the neck..

I heard a standard depth for neck pockets is 5/8". Does this also apply to basses? I don't want an angle..

Robert, if you're going to glue the neck, you may regret not adding some neck angle on it, but do what you've got to do.