First (and probably only) bass build

[johnnymiz]

I want to thank all here who post for your help, whether you knew you were helping me or not. I didn't post, I just used the search function.
I have a basement shop with lots of tools and some extra wood. I was bored this winter so I decided to build my son a bass(I don't play...I'm tonally challenged, to say the least). I had already bought him a G&L ASAT through the "for sale" section here so I tried to build something a little different. It's a semi-hollow with a shape kind of like a Gibson EB-2. Took waaaay longer than I thought it would.
I finished it about a month ago. looks good, sounds good, stays in tune.
a few things I'd change...maybe make the neck slimmer, and make the body slimmer.....it's a little heavy.
some specs:
neck is a lamination of red oak(flooring),maple and poplar from lowes.
fretboard is maple from lowes
body is 1x12 poplar from lowes
tuning keys are hipshot HB5 open back
hipshot aluminum 5RK400c bridge
dimarzio ultra jazz pickups
wiring harness from Butch at Bayou Cables.....vol,vol,tone with series parallel switch
Labella flats
the body is finished with red tint so the grain can be seen with 10 or so coats of poly over it
the neck is oiled and waxed

pics to follow

[johnnymiz]

neck laminated and routed for trussrod; fretboard cut for frets

[johnnymiz]

fretboard being attached to neck

[johnnymiz]

neck before shaping

[johnnymiz]

body rough shaped and hollowed out; half being glued

[johnnymiz]

halves being glued together; whole body

[johnnymiz]

finished

[Bassenstien]

Originally Posted by johnnymiz

finished

Nice!
I like the orange/maple look.
How does it play/sound?

[johnnymiz]

well, I honestly couldn't describe how it sounds because I can't play it. he says it sounds good...good enough that he told his little sister she could have his asat. it does sound a little different from the G&L, but I can't say more.

[Bassenstien]

Likes it more than his G&L.
Must sound pretty good.
Props, it looks good.
Cool build.

[Choosh]

I wish my dad was as cool as you.

[johnnymiz]

thanks. but I'm not really cool. I've got a ton of tools and I figured I needed something to do. started out thinking I'd build an ABG...til I researched it a bit and realized it was WAY past my abilities

[Bassguitarbubba]

Nice job, especially for building a hollow body on the first build.

[ElDunco]

Simply fantastic looking!

Would love to hear it too, anyway you could record a clip of him playing?

[blueskid]

will you be my dad?

[johnnymiz]

thanks guys.
i wouldnt know how to even begin to make a recording. my boy isnt in a real band...just plays a bit with his friends. but he likes playing, so i try to be supportive. he doesnt have a lot of equipment.
i can see how this could easily become an expensive habit....all the bits i bought for it weren't cheap at all.

[stflbn]

Yes, but custom basses sell for a lot more then a bunch of drill bits.


:-)

[johnnymiz]

well, yes, they do. I did find that when I was checking out basses to buy him. some are shockingly expensive. but I am quite sure that they are worth whatever they sell for. mine sure wouldnt be worth that....but for the price of a mim fender j bass(plus a lot of hours spent in the basement), he has a handmade one with a fairly unique look and jazz pickups and electronics(i wanted the sound to be different from his G&L). it has his initials under the finish on the headstock....and, it's made by his dad. not so bad.

[pilotjones]

Very nice! +1 on the orange and maple being nice.

[Luke Sheridan]

Johnnymiz will make another bass. Just a prediction, but I'm sure of it. Most people can't get only one tattoo or eat just one Lays.

Very nice.