My first from scratch build, single cut headless fiver

[Droot]

Well here is another first build thread. I am trying a single cut headless fretted fiver. I figured I should make it as hard as possible to kill this passion to build or hook myself for good. I am a ways into this but I am going to post it a few steps at a time so the pics don't get too overwhelming.

The Raw stock. Spalted maple body over a Osage orange core. Curly tiger Maple and Osage orange neck, Wenge Fretboard, a few balck walnut odds and ends.

Gluing up the neck, Reminder to self... get more clamps.

Gluing the wings to the neck

A little taste of the final product.

My rig for cutting sanding blocks for the neck. 24" Radius

That is good for today. More pics tomorrow.

[vbasscustom]

i use a system very much like that, works very well.

[Droot]

Here are a few more pics of the headless single cut fiver I am working on. I started this project thinking I would use up some of the odds and ends I had around my bench, this included standard tuners. I quickly found that five tuners in a 2x3 setup don't fit into the area of a five string bridge. Much thought brought me to the conclusion below. A two up and three back setup. Looks a little different (I like it) but works flawlessly.


Next is the routing shots. I could have taken mid process, but I was just too into it.


Gluing the fingerboard. This was a little interesting because of the curved end. I had bought this wonderful flame grained wedge board for the project (payed a pretty penny for it) and I had lucked out when cutting it to the final thickness because the table saw I have is less then great. Anyway, I was cutting the final dimensions with my router table and I splintered the end because I was feeding it wrong. I was able to fix it in such a way that it is completely hid, but oh what a learning experience.

Gluing the board in place. Not much to it, just a lot of clamp. Why is it you can never have enough clamps.


Lastly for today, the overall shape with a few of the final pieces setting in place for feel.


I have really gotten a respect for the people of olden times who did artist woodcraft by hand. I have very few power tools and it has become obvious to me that, although you can do anything by hand that a power tool can, most take much practice to master (got to get a planer and band saw before next full build)

It seems that this project has been as much about learning to fix the minor errors that I make as a beginner as it has the building of a custom bass.
DRoot

[mikeyswood]

Originally Posted by Droot

Well here is another first build thread. I am trying a single cut headless fretted fiver. I figured I should make it as hard as possible to kill this passion to build or hook myself for good. I am a ways into this but I am going to post it a few steps at a time so the pics don't get too overwhelming.


The Raw stock. Spalted maple body over a Osage orange core. Curly tiger Maple and Osage orange neck, Wenge Fretboard, a few balck walnut odds and ends.


Gluing up the neck, Reminder to self... get more clamps.


Gluing the wings to the neck


A little taste of the final product.


My rig for cutting sanding blocks for the neck. 24" Radius

Here are a few more pics of the headless single cut fiver I am working on. I started this project thinking I would use up some of the odds and ends I had around my bench, this included standard tuners. I quickly found that five tuners in a 2x3 setup don't fit into the area of a five string bridge. Much thought brought me to the conclusion below. A two up and three back setup. Looks a little different (I like it) but works flawlessly.



Next is the routing shots. I could have taken mid process, but I was just too into it.


Gluing the fingerboard. This was a little interesting because of the curved end. I had bought this wonderful flame grained wedge board for the project (payed a pretty penny for it) and I had lucked out when cutting it to the final thickness because the table saw I have is less then great. Anyway, I was cutting the final dimensions with my router table and I splintered the end because I was feeding it wrong. I was able to fix it in such a way that it is completely hid, but oh what a learning experience.

Gluing the board in place. Not much to it, just a lot of clamp. Why is it you can never have enough clamps.


Lastly for today, the overall shape with a few of the final pieces setting in place for feel.


I have really gotten a respect for the people of olden times who did artist woodcraft by hand. I have very few power tools and it has become obvious to me that, although you can do anything by hand that a power tool can, most take much practice to master (got to get a planer and band saw before next full build)

It seems that this project has been as much about learning to fix the minor errors that I make as a beginner as it has the building of a custom bass.
DRoot

Now without the spam!

You should drop the url section of the image tag as well as the .th part. Flicker and photobucket both list direct img tags for images hosted there. You may want to consider them for further image hosting.

[Droot]

Originally Posted by mikeyswood

Now without the spam!

You should drop the url section of the image tag as well as the .th part. Flick and photobucket both list direct img tags for images hosted there. You may want to consider them for further image hosting.

So is this to say that the way I posted my pics (the first/second time for me) is not loading right on your end? They seem to load much faster my way then yours, although a person needs to click on them to get the "non thumbnail" version. I am not trying to be dense, I just want to understand the issue at hand. I have not seen any spam on my end, but I assume it must be showings it's ugly head for others who don't use my picture service. Thanks for your input, I will try what you suggest, also let me know if my comments above fit the problem you are seeing.
Thanks
DRoot

[mikeyswood]

I find imageshack to be slower on the whole. I use photobucket for the ease and speed. Other uses here are on flickr with equal success. Imageshack does not provide a direct img tag and adds a url tag to their links causing the viewer to go to their site. That is an annoying version of clickjacking.

I find it easier to post clean images directly to the pages as more users can see them without having to go to an external site which can be a security concern.

[bassy7]

Congrats on getting into your first from scratch build! I seem to find the "figuring things out" part one of the most enjoyable aspects of building at the moment.

How is that Osage Orange to work with?
I fellow I workied for (building basses) had a ton of that stuff in his kiln, but I never got a chance to work with it.

[Dream Weaver]

The thumbnail images didn't open to the corrent size for me when opening the link. With Imageshack, I use the "Forum" option which is a hotlink to the image. I think it works out better for the viewing.

The new imageshack links have a hotlink to Imageshack embedded with evey linked image. You have to delete that part by hand when you paste the links.

Neat build. Definitely something out of the ordinary. Nice grain on the finger board too.

[Droot]

Originally Posted by bassy7

Congrats on getting into your first from scratch build! I seem to find the "figuring things out" part one of the most enjoyable aspects of building at the moment.

How is that Osage Orange to work with?
I fellow I workied for (building basses) had a ton of that stuff in his kiln, but I never got a chance to work with it.

Osage orange is terrible to work with. It is stringy, open grained and hard as nails. On a good note, it is very nice looking and has the straight line strength of hickory so it makes an indestructible neck. It will mellow in color to a yellow chocolate color if exposed to sunlight. You will get lots of comments on how nice it looks if you get some that is as bright yellow as what I found.
DRoot

[Droot]

Originally Posted by Dream Weaver

The thumbnail images didn't open to the corrent size for me when opening the link. With Imageshack, I use the "Forum" option which is a hotlink to the image. I think it works out better for the viewing.

The new imageshack links have a hotlink to Imageshack embedded with evey linked image. You have to delete that part by hand when you paste the links.

Neat build. Definitely something out of the ordinary. Nice grain on the finger board too.

Thanks, I really like the grain pattern on it also. Thanks for the advise on the pics from both you and mikeyswood, I will try to clean things up tomorrow when I post.
DRoot

[Droot]

Originally Posted by mikeyswood

I find imageshack to be slower on the whole. I use photobucket for the ease and speed. Other uses here are on flickr with equal success. Imageshack does not provide a direct img tag and adds a url tag to their links causing the viewer to go to their site. That is an annoying version of clickjacking.

I find it easier to post clean images directly to the pages as more users can see them without having to go to an external site which can be a security concern.

How do you post the images directly?
Thanks
DRoot
(search would most likely find this answer, but I figured you might be able to tell me just as quick)

[mikeyswood]

[img]image address[/img]

grab any image:

http://www.liquidsilver.org/wp-conte..._20failing.jpg

and then add the img tag



Quote this message if you need to see the code.

[pilotjones]

Mikey, your link and the image below it don't work on my computer or phone. However, if I copy and paste the displayed text of the link, that works. Odd.

[mikeyswood]

That link appears to have crapped out.

[Droot]

I had planned to post a couple more pics but I am running late....
Bump to the top till tomorrow.
DRoot

[mikeyswood]

...why the bump of your own thread if you have nothing to add?

[Droot]

Originally Posted by mikeyswood

...why the bump of your own thread if you have nothing to add?

I guess I was hoping for some further commentary related to the build. I have honestly been rather disappointed in the somewhat slender input from other readers on my build. I guess it is hard to except that other are not as moved by a first real build as the builder him or herself would be. I don't suspect that you will see it again, just not that big a deal. I work third shift and although I would like to add a little each day, it just does not seem to happen.
Anyway, hope I didn't waste too much of yours or anyone else's time, if I did I beg your forgiveness.
DRoot

[DanSwain]

Well, I'm interested to see how this project goes DRoot! I imagine that most people are watching in anticipation, as the body shape is quite interesting, and your approach to the tuners is unique. I like the colours you've chosen, and how defined the grains are in the wings - I hope you keep them visible!

What kind of sound are you aiming to get from this instrument, and what have been your main influences for this project?

What are the pickups you're going to use, and what method are you planning on finishing the Bass with (nitro, oil, wax)?

Keep up the good work!

[mikeyswood]

Originally Posted by Droot

I guess I was hoping for some further commentary related to the build. I have honestly been rather disappointed in the somewhat slender input from other readers on my build.

You're doing great. Take the silence as our collective "aw." When you reach a decision, the luthiers around here will offer their advice.

[Droot]

Thanks for the encouragement, it helps to know others are watching.

Here are a few more pics of the work on the fretboard.


This is cutting the fret slots. I got a saw from stewmac, great purchase. I did not do any real practice cuts (very dumb) and only got it right because I had read how bad it could be and because the bass gods smiled that day . Also notice the paper template. This was a TB idea that I picked up from a different thread, way better then marking it off and attempting to build a jig of some kind.




I do a lot of my work at the table, at least what the wife will tolerate.

Here are a couple shots of the inlay work. I tried to keep it simple yet somewhat more then the dots you see everyday. This was my first attempt and I think it went OK. I will be getting jewlers glasses before my next try.




The finished product. Sorry the focus is not so good. I did not get any shots of the actual fretwork (slapping forehead moment) but I can tel you I used a hammering method to put them in. I pre-bent the wire with my hands to a close fit and then tapped the ends in and attempted to seat the centers on as few blows as possible. I have checked the frets and they seem right on and should only need a slight dressing to be dead on.


This last shot is another taste sample of the final build.


Thanks for watching and the comments. This has been a great deal of fun. Till next time.
DRoot