first real neck-through build; unlined fretless pine/padauk jazz.

dave-chaulk · #1 06-20-2011, 09:42 PM

Hello!
I was recently so inspired by a post by Ledbelli Bass (LedBelli Noah Solid Body, Neck-thru, Single Cutaway, #007) that I decided to use a technique that he did in my most recent build, to help me accomplish something I've always wanted to do - build a neck-through. This technique being to laminate a neck to thickness, instead of actually cutting it down to size, which saves time, effort, and waste. But enough about that, it's all shown in the pictures.

So, some specs.:
4-string Jazz
unlined fretless
pine and padauk body
maple and padauk neck, with maple fingerboard

ebay-standard tuners and bridge
Wilkinson Jazz Bass pickups
probably to be strung with d'addario chrome flats, light gauge.

on to the pictures!
I started this thread fairly late in the build, and I didn't really document the early parts, but hopefully that's alright.
The round-over is only just the rough start, since I only glued the body up since these first pictures were taken. there's still a lot to be cleaned up, as you can see...

the picture is fairly big, so it might take a minute to load.
excuse the disgusting floor in my stove-room.

dave-chaulk · #2 06-20-2011, 09:44 PM

In case you can't tell, I'm a really big fan of fairly simple designs/colour schemes, with classic lines.

pilotjones · #3 06-20-2011, 10:15 PM

Looks good. I'm looking forward to seeing how you handle the padauk and maple sanding.

Musiclogic · #4 06-20-2011, 10:58 PM

Simple Man with Simple tastes, sometimes the best way to be Dave, we'll be watching, looks great so far.

dave-chaulk · #5 06-21-2011, 12:58 PM

Thanks a lot guys! the padauk dust contaminates every thing within roughly 200 feet.

Today I got the neck shaped (needs to be touched up), the heel roughly cut out (though it's still blocky, needs to be fine-tuned), the pickups and bridge lined up, and the belly carve started. I'll post some pictures this evening, as I've got to clean up and go to a school supper tonight.

dave-chaulk · #6 06-23-2011, 02:26 PM

Time for a quick picture update.
I hope to get the pickups routed and perhaps a small slot routed the thickness of the bridge base, just to help lower action further, as I have mounted the fingerboard flat to the body height, so it's 1/4" to go, instead of the usual.

dave-chaulk · #7 06-23-2011, 02:27 PM

Since I took those pictures, I have got the bass almost done.... pickups routed (somewhat poorly, but all the same), back electronics thing routed, sanded to 220 and ready to be brought to the local cabinet store to get sprayed!

dave-chaulk · #8 06-29-2011, 09:15 PM

The pickups are routed, and the first four or five layers of clearcoat are on.. should be done some time fairly soon.

jmorbita · #9 06-30-2011, 06:18 AM

very nice!

dave-chaulk · #10 07-03-2011, 09:03 AM

So, the bass is done except for the wiring - I'm waiting on a pre-wired control panel to take the electronics from (I am awful at wiring).

I did, however, temporarily wire the bridge pickup straight to an output I had around, and this thing sounds pretty dang good - if I do say so myself.

dave-chaulk · #11 07-03-2011, 09:03 AM

P.S. don't mind some of the weird stuff on that shelf....

Big_Daddy · #12 07-03-2011, 11:52 AM

Love the build, as always.

I assume you're a fan of Brian Jaques?

dave-chaulk · #13 07-03-2011, 09:07 PM

Hahah, I am indeed! Almost all of his books in multiple prints/editions back there.

jallenbass · #14 07-03-2011, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave-chaulk

P.S. don't mind some of the weird stuff on that shelf....

Vinyl records, World Book Encyclopedia! Whoa Dave, it's the 21st century you know?

dave-chaulk · #15 07-04-2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jallenbass

Whoa Dave, it's the 21st century you know?

Since when?

LedBelli Bass · #16 07-21-2011, 06:08 PM

This is a beautiful instrument, and I'm flattered that you found the layup method I used in #007 to be of benefit. Beautiful work!

dave-chaulk · #17 07-27-2011, 03:19 PM

Thanks very much! I think that this will be my preferred method for future builds - it was a lot more enjoyable than I expected it to be.

dave-chaulk · #18 09-25-2011, 07:07 PM

Finally the conclusion! I've been playing this bass for ages, and used it at three gigs and numerous jams - I love it. A great, full sound and long sustain (which I don't care about, but some people are interested in it).
some day I will make videos or at least sound recordings of these basses, since they sound different than a lot of others to me... it might just be my head, though.
Two pictures to put this one to bed!