My First Build and I need help!

[JJDMusic]

This bass will be a multi-scale five string. Walnut core sandwiched with a maple top and back. Three piece maple neck-thru design with walnut stringers. And, a macassar ebony fingerboard. I am somewhat far into the build already so, I will just post the photos I have and brief descriptions to catch everyone up to date.

He is my body design and Walnut core wood.

[JJDMusic]

Next is the maple board I used for the top and back pieces. I re-sawed this and tried to book match it best I could.

[JJDMusic]

Neck woods being glued up and the scarf joint in the clamps. I had some trouble with the compound angle scarf joint(multi-scale)but it came out decent. I had to make a second neck blank to use for the headstock. Result... the walnut lines are slightly askew.

[JJDMusic]

I notched the neck blank so I could sink in my top piece to keep it level with the top of the neck. Not sure I did this the best way possible but it worked out.

[JJDMusic]

Gluing up the walnut core pieces. Dry and wet run. I did use biscuits, not sure if that will come back to haunt me when I start routing for the pickup.

[JJDMusic]

The top piece rough cut and glue up. It had a slight warp so it required an copious amount to clamps to keep it down without squeezing out too much glue.

[JJDMusic]

Here is a rough cut of my body template made from acrylic glass and a shot of my carbon fiber rods being glued into the neck.

[JJDMusic]

I have a bit of my carbon fiber rods hanging over the headstock angle break and would like to get them flat with the headstock... How do I do this and what should I use? A file of some kind?

Also the fingerboard is planed flat but does not sit flush on my neck anymore. It is because there is some of the carbon fiber rods sticking out above the level plane of my neck blank. I should have routed the channel deeper... How can I get this neck back to flat before gluing my fingerboard on?

[DigthemLows]

are you sure the neck is warped and it's not that your channels are routed off? With regard to the rods in the "headstock" I don't know what to tell you.........were you planning to have them go that far??

[tZer]

Originally Posted by JJDMusic

I have a bit of my carbon fiber rods hanging over the headstock angle break and would like to get them flat with the headstock... How do I do this and what should I use? A file of some kind?

Also the fingerboard is planed flat but does not sit flush on my neck anymore. It is because there is some of the carbon fiber rods sticking out above the level plane of my neck blank. I should have routed the channel deeper... How can I get this neck back to flat before gluing my fingerboard on?

I think there are some things about working with carbon fiber that you need to be very careful about if you are considering cutting or filing it. I don't know the facts, but I remember when I did my first build that included CF rods that CF sliver and dust is very nasty and you want to avoid it like the plague.

I think it might even give you the plague... but like I said - I cannot recall the specifics. I didn't have to cut or file mine so it was never an issue.

[JJDMusic]

The neck is straight, with no warping.

Yes, I did want the rods to extend into the headstock, at least just past the neck break angle like they are right now. I have seen a few builds done this way and liked the idea. I will be placing a headstock veneer over this once I get the rods flat with the headstock. Then I will rout for my truss rod. and glue up the fingerboard.

Looks like I will be filing them down. Thank you tZer for the heads up about the hazards of CF. I have actually had splinters from this stuff before and it is extremely painful not to mention almost impossible to get out. I will be wearing goggles, gloves, long sleeves, and a mask.