Gildaxe Teardrop fretless

[JIO]

This is a build I did a little while ago to visually spearhead my new business called Gildaxe, which is creating custom gilded (gold, silver and copper) finishes on instruments. More on that in a bit. As the bass is already done, I will post in segments to illustrate its progression. I won't give away the ending.., but it turned out better than I could have anticipated! Join my build...

I am a life-long bass player and artist and a chronic customizer. I've never been able to leave anything 'stock' and love designing. I came of age in the 60's and loved the basses being made/played, most of which I couldn't afford. My first bass cost $40, a new Japanese made generic design solid body. My 2nd bass was a used VOX Cougar hollow body. It was Gibson ES-335 style w/a classic sunburst finish and 2 pu's. I really wanted the VOX Phantom bass, mostly because "FANG" (pre-"Sting") of Paul Revere and the Raiders played a white one. Fast forward to now-

The other VOX bass that was probably the most iconic late 60's bass was the Italian designed Teardrop bass. Very Italian in that old-world way, re-presented in a very cool modern design persona - both in hollow and solid bodied configurations. Brian Jones (Rolling Stones) played the guitar version and Bill Wyman had his own signature "Wyman Bass", which he actually disliked! My Teardrop build is of solid body nature, and is a hybrid of a few classic basses - namely the Fender Jazz and MM Stingray.

I started w/a single slab of kiln-dried spalted and flamed/figured maple.





Next, I determined a pattern based on pictures as I don't own a VOX Teardrop. Close enough for jazz, as the saying goes.



I cut out the shape, routed, sanded and repeated sanding-sealer coated w/more finish sanding to level the grain.









Positioned a mock-up for the Stingray control-plate placement.



...and placement of an Allparts Fender Autherized unlined ebony fretless J-neck and P-bass bridge cover.



Next stage.., gilding - stay tuned!

[Gabeja15]

I have no doubts that your gilded finish will look awesome, but that is a really pretty piece of wood to cover up

[JIO]

Originally Posted by Gabeja15

I have no doubts that your gilded finish will look awesome, but that is a really pretty piece of wood to cover up

Exactly - it's an exquisitely beautiful example. I always make it a rule to start with good stock and follow the roadmap of aspiration to excellence based on solid ground. Stick with me mate, the best has yet to come...

[Stealth]

I like what I see so far.

[TannerManner]

Looks sweet, but I died a little inside when you said you covered up that beautiful wood. The figure works with the shape so well!

[JIO]

I applied variegated gold leaf, which has modulated/swirling colours caused by a heat process composed in what I call "Shatterburst", echoing a sunburst halo. My intent from the beginning was to incorporate the beautiful character of the wood w/the gilding.



I kept the shards on the back open to allow the woods character to peak through.



The completed/assembled bass after a stunning 3-colour classic sunburst plus clear-coat by Pat Wilkins. (Pat Wilkins Guitars)

Bartolini MM4CBC Stingray humbucker pu, John East Stingray active pre-amp, Fender high-mass string-thru compatible bridge w/P-bass cover, Hipshot control knobs.



neck plate location for locking strap button and integrated battery case cover



side showing body bevel contour - pre brass position markers



Fender headstock redefined to reflect the VOX paddle style - hand-cut water buffalo nut



Late 70's large clover-leaf/small back plate pegs



an early shot showing different knobs and headstock decal



Brass position markers to help fretted/lined-fretless players like myself. The existing white dot designates the 12th position.

GHS flats - the sound/tone of this bass... amazingly rich, deep and full of character/expression. Especially through my '75 Ampeg B-15N. I wish you could all experience it in person!

I have 2 other build threads - Coming soon; Steinbacker fretless bass, and Custom Performer/Supersonic bass if you are interested. Thanks for following!

[KramerBassFan]

Looks great!

I love my Phantom Guitarworks Hollowbody.

[Stealth]

Wow... Just wow. Wish I could hear it.

[HolmeBass]

That is stunningly beautiful work!

[oleskool]

Nice build. Vox released their new version of this in a travel bass. Would make a good next to the couch bass.

http://www.voxamps.com/us/guitars/apachebass/

[JIO]

Originally Posted by KramerBassFan

Looks great!

I love my Phantom Guitarworks Hollowbody.

post a pic! I love the VOX Phantom bass! Both the Phantom and the Teardrop are strap-only designs!

[JIO]

Originally Posted by Stealth

Wow... Just wow. Wish I could hear it.

Maple was the ideal wood for the combination of elements (ebony board, Bartolini pu, string-thru, flats, John East active pre-amp) tonally as it balanced the big bass-y pu w/the defined focus that maple embodies. Creamy rich but still w/a lot of mid range definition - perfect for fretless!

[JIO]

Originally Posted by oleskool

Nice build. Vox released their new version of this in a travel bass. Would make a good next to the couch bass.

http://www.voxamps.com/us/guitars/apachebass/

Thanks! - interesting... I was not aware of these.

[KramerBassFan]

A 2010.

[RedMoses]

Nice Build man! Love thew Gold Leaf, i bet she sounds great.

[ArtGuy9516]

Are you using a technique similar to 'Keum Boo' or are you applying gold leaf to the wood?

[HaMMerHeD]

The leaf on the back makes me think of oriented strand board.

Pretty nice work!

[curbowkid]

Sooooo aaaahhhhhhhhhhh I will take about 5. That's an awesome build. Simple but effective. And the finish is beautiful! A new take on a classic

[JIO]

Originally Posted by ArtGuy9516

Are you using a technique similar to 'Keum Boo' or are you applying gold leaf to the wood?

No heat or pressure here - the leaf is applied on a size (glue) over the (sealed) wood in this case. Gilding can be applied over most surfaces, both (sealed) natural or painted wood, metal or plastic (or in decorative arts - metal clay/plaster/ceramics). With Gildaxe, I can gild an instrument over its existing finish incorporating the (base) colour (of the instrument, say red or blue or sunburst etc) into the look. Control cavity/battery case covers/tremlo cavity plates and pick-up covers can also be gilded which blends them into the finished look.

This SR505 body was originally natural (maroon stained) mahogany which I finished in black prior to gilding.
It is done in the Shatterburst effect in etched silver-leaf with a hand applied multi-layered tung-oil finish. The red sphere was composed to balance w/the reddish colour of the headstock face. The sky is the limit as Prince had a Statocaster completely gold-leafed top to bottom!

My Gildaxe website will be launched in the next couple of weeks (or hopefully sooner!) and I hope you'll visit it once it's up.



the above shot was taken w/a flash and the one below in natural lighting

[JIO]

Originally Posted by HaMMerHeD

The leaf on the back makes me think of oriented strand board.

Pretty nice work!

thanks! - You must be readin' my mail! yes, I'm currently mimicking an OSB look/effect using differing leaf layers. Look for it in the near future on my Gildaxe website.