First build thread 'Roberts JB4'

[Rickett Customs]

Originally Posted by pushifier

Zo dat is een mooie bass Robert!

I agree, that is a nice bass....Zeer mooi.......

[Engine207]

Originally Posted by jordan_frerichs

solution: templates and neck guides. with the pup templates, test them out on pine first, and lay the pup in there. that should give you a good look at if the template is too small, too big, unequal, lumpy, or any other things that the builder usually only notices until after the deed is done...for the neck, there are several plans for routing it. are you going to round the end of the pocket, like a fender...?

I am just getting here, and admittedly haven't read all of the previous 541 posts, but this one caught my attention. I am also building my first, and creating a template for the neck picket is giving me fits. The reason? I am using a Fender P-bass neck, which has a compound radiused heel. I cant seem to shape it properly, without some uneven areas.

I've clamped two pieces of wood along the neck, as Robert did, but the small block that completes the back of the pocket is troublesome, because it just doesn't seat perfectly against the neck.

Any suggestions (or downloads) on how to best form the neck pocket of these curved-end necks? Thanks!

[Beauchene Implements]

Originally Posted by Engine207

I am just getting here, and admittedly haven't read all of the previous 541 posts, but this one caught my attention. I am also building my first, and creating a template for the neck picket is giving me fits. The reason? I am using a Fender P-bass neck, which has a compound radiused heel. I cant seem to shape it properly, without some uneven areas.

I've clamped two pieces of wood along the neck, as Robert did, but the small block that completes the back of the pocket is troublesome, because it just doesn't seat perfectly against the neck.

Any suggestions (or downloads) on how to best form the neck pocket of these curved-end necks? Thanks!

Stew Mac has a template. http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Sp...or_Fender.html

[Engine207]

Originally Posted by barnaclebeau

Stew Mac has a template. http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Sp...or_Fender.html

Thanks, barnacle! I was trying to make one of my own that spans the entire length of the body, and includes both the P and J routes, as well as the 5 holes for the bridge. I want to keep everything on a centerline of a single sheet of acrylics from which to route.

Short of buying that individual one, how can I accurately form the neck pocket?

[roberthabraken]

Originally Posted by Rickett Customs

I agree, that is a nice bass....Zeer mooi.......

LOL

Originally Posted by Engine207

I am just getting here, and admittedly haven't read all of the previous 541 posts, but this one caught my attention. I am also building my first, and creating a template for the neck picket is giving me fits. The reason? I am using a Fender P-bass neck, which has a compound radiused heel. I cant seem to shape it properly, without some uneven areas.

I've clamped two pieces of wood along the neck, as Robert did, but the small block that completes the back of the pocket is troublesome, because it just doesn't seat perfectly against the neck.

Any suggestions (or downloads) on how to best form the neck pocket of these curved-end necks? Thanks!

I've made a square pocket. I used a small block, which I held in place with a small piece of tape and another piece of wood clamped against it to counteract the pressure of routing. Then I used a chisel to finish of the square pocket.

For a curved pocket, I would have made a template myself. You can easily trace your neck on a piece of MDF, cut it out, see if it fits, adjust it by sanding until it fits perfectly. If you mess up your template, you make a new one. If you have a template that suits your exceptations you can start routing.

This way, you have a lot of chances without messing up your real work.

[Engine207]

Originally Posted by roberthabraken

For a curved pocket, I would have made a template myself. You can easily trace your neck on a piece of MDF, cut it out, see if it fits, adjust it by sanding until it fits perfectly. If you mess up your template, you make a new one. If you have a template that suits your exceptations you can start routing.

This way, you have a lot of chances without messing up your real work.

As it turns out, this is exactly what I wound up doing. The confounding part - not being able to nail the curvature was largely a result of two mistakes I made:

First, using a piece of scrap wood to make the curved block that was too soft. The shape of the curve was quickly altered when sanding. After I switched to oak, I had much more control. Next, I donned a pair of magnifying goggles, so I could see the trace line better while I was sanding. I'm gonna test the template on a few mock bodies for snugness, before I transfer the neck pocket route to the acrylic master template.

Live and learn...thanks for the tips, guys!