The first one....

[GrinchBass]

This is the prototype I built a few years ago. Things got crazy on me and I had to shelve the second project (the one from the other thread where I broke the CUP, it's done now). I don't have raw wood photos, and since my computer was pretty wrecked, I'm missing some of the build stages, but I've got a bit of it here to show the more odd things I did.
Well, I'll post what I have, and post when I can due to file size restrictions.
Here goes:

The body being carved (this is actually the second body, the first was almost exactly the same, and though the slab pics are gone, this is more important anyway). The slab started out over two inches thick, about 2.25, but the full thickness is only retained along the farthest treble edge of the body. the next thickest part of the body is under the d string, losing about 3/8 of an inch. Though, the front and back of the body are carved, thinning as they move away from center, and obviously much more so for belly/arm contour. The bass horn is tapered, thinning where it meets the body, and growing at the strap button to about an 1.75 inches. A trough is gouged where the corners of the knobs will peek through. I like to make plugs out of scrap wood and insert them into the routes, helps keep edges clean. Used a #11 gouge for the scooped out parts on the horns, and cleaned up with a scraper. Flat scraper and rifflers for the other body details. *What you don't see-The back is bookmatched maple, with the treble side cut in two, one of the two sections not glued but bolted to the body as the control cover. Back is carved similar to the front, without a deep trough where the knobs go, though). Also, the prototype had the string ferrules mounted in the maple, which makes it a pain in the --- to service the electronics with the d and g strings tuned up. I corrected this by mounting them in the mid layer (walnut in the second bass, mahogany in the prototype), before gluing on the back. Also, I ran a wire from ferrule to ferrule and on into the cavity for grounding.




This shot is kinda deep into the neck, but I wish I had some photos of the tapering. Simple math: if a laminate takes up 1/4 of the width of the nut, it takes up 1/4 the width at the 24th fret. The neck blank was made with all parts just under two inches tall. Overall length is a little more than three feet (39, I think, can't remember). Boring and routing done for tuner posts, footprint next. The square cavities are where the string goes. Little bit of drafting and test routes, too.

[GrinchBass]

The body at about 90%. Still a little sanding, and some final tweaks, but you get the idea.



The body and neck, test fit. I was also working on the truss rod cover, which is the fingerboard from the 25th fret on down. If you look really close, you can see the line in the fingerboard.

[GrinchBass]

The "buttons" glued on, getting ready to carve. Note the tricky headstock stuff. The body in the background. Thick. Surprisingly, the instrument only weight 10.24 lbs when finished. Heavy, but not the heaviest by any means.



Detail shot of the position markers. The smallest are the 3rd and 15th, then they get bigger at 5th and 9th, 7th a little more, and the 12th the biggest with a flame maple accent (looking for good picture, think that's gone, but maybe.....)

[GrinchBass]

Meh, best photo of the accent at the 12th fret. Looks more white than it is. Pre-fitting the bridge, and getting ready to glue the neck into the pocket.


Right before gluing in the neck. Too much fun.

[GrinchBass]

Startin' to carve.....



Getting closer.....

[GrinchBass]

Just a little finish sanding left.

[GrinchBass]

Back of the headstock, kinda wish I had some of the mid-stage carving pictures.


Headstock face, some preliminary work before the final appointments. Fingerboard still not glued at this point, so, no position markers yet either.

[GrinchBass]

Getting some of the cavity work done. Mounting plates, make the knobs, alignment issues.....




Tuning machine test fit.

[Gord_oh]

its looking awesome!
i want to see it finished...
good luck!
keep us updated...

[GrinchBass]

Strung-up test.


The cocobolo fingerboard, nut and headstock accents are all inline from the same board. As well, the nut flows with the surfaces from the headstock.

[grifff]

Love the carving on that headstock.

[GrinchBass]

final assembly......



Done, with the next one on the way. The neck didn't make it, though, for the one on the left. Cocobolo delamination problems. The body became the instrument from the other thread.

[blopazone]

Oh my god that bass its beatiful. You should put some more beatiful pictures of it, specially that headstock!

[Ruckus_Instrmts]

Your carving skills are most impressive, but that headstock looks to be of Lou Ferrigno's design.

[bronzehydra]

That head stock made me crap myself. Its amazing!

[Beej]

Well done, I'm glad to see this one, the problems with the other thread had potential to get in the way of a nice contribution to this forum. I'm glad you're still posting, this is informative and fresh...

[Headless Llama]

You got skills man. Great shaping going on here.

[pilotjones]

That's some impressive stuff. Thanks for showing the build steps.

[Getaway Driver]

That thing is... just... lovely. I want it.

[Musiclogic]

The back of the headstock is gorgeous, I am a carving nut, nice build.