I've never built a bass before, so in November I thought that it would be a great learning experience - and maybe I'd end up with a cool instrument. Since I didn't really have any tools to do it with, I knew I'd have to make a few trips to the hardware store.
Body: The Top is curly cherry and the center has both curly maple and bubinga strips. The Neck is a German Warwick 5 String neck, 34 inch scale, made of Bubinga and Wenge with brass frets.
So, the first issue I had to deal with was routing the body (control and pick up cavities - and the neck pocket - it was originally routed for a 4 string). I could've paid the guy I bought it from to do it for me, but I figured that was not going to teach me anything. Albeit, in hindsight, it probably would've been wise to at least have him route the neck pocket.
When I received the bass and some of the parts, I began to make mock ups to see what it would look like:
This one I did with photoshop before I got my pick up and 5 string bridge (Notice this is a four string bridge, and the chrome tuners).
Here I have both my Seymour Duncan Basslines MM pickup and my 5 string bridge (got on ebay - no name brand). I also have my wood knobs here. Close up:
I began to do some shaping on the edges of the body. I began with rasps, breaking the sharp edges down. Once again, let me preface, I have never done this before. I read a bit of articles here and on the internet for ideas and advice. I do have some woodworking ability as I did do some carpentry many years ago (my father is a cabinet maker).
Here is the headstock with the black tuners installed. I am planning on covering the "W" with something. After all, I am not building a warwick. Perhaps a "FrankenWick" or a "WarFrank". Maybe I'll call it "Frank's War". HA!
I began to do some sanding and shaping of the "armrest". My work with the rasps help round the edges faster. When I got to the sanding, it was just a matter of smoothing it out.
So, I borrowed a router and began to route for the control cavity. I just used the control cavity cover I bought - once again - on ebay - to outline where it was going to go. I thought that this would make the most sense to do first because if I messed it up, it would not really be visible when the bass was done. Yes, I had a lot of trouble with it. I didn't clamp the bass down, or have any kind of set up to hold the router. I just did it free hand. And HOLY CRAP...was there a lot of wood particles flying everywhere. It's a good thing I was wearing protective goggles and a dust mask! I still have to clean that mess up...
Oh great! The router I borrowed only goes down so far. So I went and bought a 1/4" bit which I was going to need anyway for the pick up cavity. That worked. I was able to get it to go down far enough so I could finish routing the control cavity.
So, then I made a major mistake. Actually I made a few. First I routed the neck pocket unevenly. Then, when I attached the neck to the body with the neck plate, I was stupid and didn't drill the pilot holes first. So the cheap screws broke off at the head. CRAP!!! This was not good. I left it for awhile and asked a friend what I should do. I eventually grabbed my sawsall and just cut the thing apart - separating the body from the neck. I realized that I would have to route the neck pocket more into the body so I could attach the neck in a different place. The screws are still in the neck, but I filed them down so they're flush.
Then, the next major mistake I made was not routing the neck pocket evenly. So, when I put the neck on the body to drill for the bridge holes and attach the bridge (I wanted to do this before I routed for the pick up cavity so the strings would be lined up), the neck was not level to the body. NOT GOOD!!! I screwed the bridge on, and strung it up anyway.
Shown here:
It actually played alright. The action is a little high, but that's okay. The neck didn't end up being on straight either, but as long as I have the bridge lined up with it right, it's okay. UGLY, but works. And with all the mistakes I made, I just want to get the thing functioning.
I still haven't quite figured this out. But I puttied up the neck pocket and will get it leveled one way or another after I'm done with the sanding.
So next up is the pick up cavity. Well, I did a crappy job on this too, but I think it will look okay if I get a pick up ring around it.
Oh yeah, here's my neck plate:
I'll post more when I'm done with the sanding and the finish. I've got about 3 more grits to go through, then I can begin applying the Tru Oil Finish.
The Armrest
The part that will rest against my body
Front views
