New Project

samniner · #1 10-21-2009, 03:21 PM

I am attempting a run at my first Bass.
Woods to be used,

Body,

Top - English Red Oak Burl
Core - Brazilian Mahogany
Back - Copper Beech

Neck is still up in the air, but it will be having,

Indian Ebony Fretboard
Schaller M4S Machine Heads
and the rest is on stand-by

Wood picked up and prepped today and tomorrow the joining process
begins.
I will keep posting pics as the process goes on.

Rochey6957 · #2 10-21-2009, 04:22 PM

That's a nice looking burl you've got there my friend

.

For the neck are you going to build a neck or buy one and craft a neck pocket around it?

Regardless you got some nice looking wood and make sure all youe measurements are dead on! If you remember "measure twice and cut once" you're project will turn out great!

Good luck

samniner · #3 10-22-2009, 07:49 AM

Thanks much, it was a pain tying to find the wood but hope this works out.
I think as far as the neck goes I might buy one. I would like to build one but that might be a bit more than I can handle. But I am still debating it...

samniner · #4 10-22-2009, 09:30 AM

All three pieces measured, cut and ready to be sanded.

Now the joining with small tacks to keep wood from sliding once the glue is applied.
And we went nuts with the glue.

Clamp time.

Will post up more progress tomorrow as we will cut and shape the body.

T2W · #5 10-22-2009, 10:28 AM

please please build your own neck. With access to a shop like that, id be willing to drive to where you're at and smack you behind the head if you didnt. a friendly smack that is.

I think if you're ready/able to do clean routes for the pickups, neck pocket, control cavity... building a neck is fairly simple. fretting is a whole different story but then again, if you practice on scrap material first, it really aint that hard. It would be more rewarding to have built the entire bass in my opinion, especially with such nice body woods. I, like many others, bought my first neck off ebay and I regret, both body and neck are in my closet now collecting dust. With careful planning, you can pull it off no problem.

oh and that's way more glue than you needed

tdogg · #6 10-23-2009, 08:52 AM

subscribed. cool build so far. nice shop!!!!

abarson · #7 10-23-2009, 11:24 AM

Subscribed!

bassteban · #8 10-23-2009, 11:36 AM

Two questions: Why are you sanding before glueup, & can I borrow a tool?

samniner · #9 10-23-2009, 02:00 PM

Thanks much for the subs and replies.

Yes you may borrow a tool

and as far as the sanding goes it's just to make sure the surface is smooth and good to go.

Here is what was done today.

Wood all glued and prepped for template.

Template laid over to trace out body.

Body with rough cut.

Routing shape to the template.

Now sanding sides of the body.

Edge routing and hand carving the body.

More carving to do tomorrow but this is where we currently stand.

samniner · #10 10-23-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T2W

please please build your own neck. With access to a shop like that, id be willing to drive to where you're at and smack you behind the head if you didnt. a friendly smack that is.

I think if you're ready/able to do clean routes for the pickups, neck pocket, control cavity... building a neck is fairly simple. fretting is a whole different story but then again, if you practice on scrap material first, it really aint that hard. It would be more rewarding to have built the entire bass in my opinion, especially with such nice body woods. I, like many others, bought my first neck off ebay and I regret, both body and neck are in my closet now collecting dust. With careful planning, you can pull it off no problem.

oh and that's way more glue than you needed

I do want to build my own neck but want to do a bit more research before I jump right in. I need to look and see what all goes into a neck build but strongly considering it.
You are more than welcome to swing on by to give me a smack behind the head as long you assist in the neck build.

On another note, has anyone ever used the G&L L2000 Pickups for a build?
I have been looking at them and do like the fact that they have adjustable pole pieces but not sure if there is another option.

samniner · #11 10-24-2009, 02:30 PM

Here is today's progress...

Cutting out the Pre Cavity and doing some more routing.

A little oil added to clean her up.

Manana, neck pocket & pickups cutout, and a possible neck start...

PasdaBeer · #12 10-24-2009, 02:38 PM

lookin good, but whats with the HUGE control cavity?

Ol'Bass'ead · #13 10-24-2009, 02:48 PM

Just in case I read this wrong, you dont want to cut the neck pocket until you have a neck to template from......

samniner · #14 10-24-2009, 02:53 PM

It will be holding a pair of ACG EQ-02, (EQ3 K/S)that Alan of ACG and John East are helping me out with. Both are going to be running together as one unit with one volume. This way I can fully control the voicing and tone of each individual pickup without affecting the other.