New TB member(Tons of pics)

Ruckus_Instrmts · #1 01-05-2010, 01:58 PM

Hello TBer's!

First off my name is Mark and I guess you could say that I've been a "lurker" here for a while. I don't like the word "lurker", I prefer "observer" instead. Kinda like the guy on the other side of the large mirror.
Anyways, I've been playing bass for just over ten years now and I'm 24(go ahead, do the math). I decided three years back to start building, repairing, and maintaining stringed instruments. With the bass being my "main" focus. Lutherie is (unfortunately) still a hobby for me, I hope to one day make it full time.
I currently have only two builds going on at the moment. The first one is a swamp ash body with a 5 string bubinga neck(can anyone say "neck heavy"). The dive really isn't that bad. Pickups are Lindy's and the cover for them is a combo of spalted blue mahoe sapwood, cocobolo, and lacewood. Headstock veneer is blue mahoe sapwood as well. The neck has a worn black finish and originally I did the body in the same manner. However I disliked how the body came out, so I stripped her down(can I say that?) and dyed her "blood" red and cleared with poly. I love it! The body design is of my own mind and somewhat looks like a rehash of an LP. Most people seem to like the design and I'd love to hear your take on it.
Here come the pics and some progress ones. As not to violate the "cup".

The wood used for the headstock veneer.

First string up or as I call it "Mock up"

Here is the first finish.

The "new" finish

Here you can make out the body dish or contour.

And thats all for now on that one. I'm awaiting bridges and some other small screws and such before I can finish that one up. My other build is pure eye candy (IMO) and I may start a proper build thread for that one, as it isn't even close to being done. What do you guys think I should do? I can't wait to see reactions to the top wood on that one. Wanna Clue? BLUE MAHOE.

capnsandwich · #2 01-05-2010, 02:00 PM

Dude, that's a cool looking bass. I love that body shape and the pickup cover.

Ruckus_Instrmts · #3 01-05-2010, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

Dude, that's a cool looking bass. I love that body shape and the pickup cover.

Thank you! Any ideas on what I should name the shape. I've been calling it "Osiris".

capnsandwich · #4 01-05-2010, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruckus_Instrmts

Thank you! Any ideas on what I should name the shape. I've been calling it "Osiris".

Osiris sounds cool to me.

Zombbg4 · #5 01-05-2010, 02:11 PM

Wow, heck of a body design! I dig it. Cool that you're using blue mahoe, such a beautiful would that isn't used often. Here are some pics of my first build with BM top and back.

Pardon the silver screws...

Oh, and welcome! I look forward to your future builds and insight.

stflbn · #6 01-05-2010, 02:14 PM

Honestly, with that modern shape I'd love to actually see the pickups in it. That body with a couple MM's laying there would look great.

Zombbg4 · #7 01-05-2010, 02:16 PM

Also, could you share how you go about the pickup cover? I'm doing the same thing for my current build and would love to see how others do it.

Ruckus_Instrmts · #8 01-05-2010, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zombbg4

Also, could you share how you go about the pickup cover? I'm doing the same thing for my current build and would love to see how others do it.

If and when I do it again, I'd do it differently. But basically I cut the top piece first, then the sides, then I cut the "filler pieces" to take up any unused space inside the cover. Glue up is kinda the opposite. I'll glue the filler pieces to the top first then its easier to glue the thin side pieces on.

And here is a sneak peak at the huge piece of blue mahoe(in its rough sawn form).

4StringedFiend · #9 01-05-2010, 05:09 PM

Man this bass looks amazing! I can't wait to see it's brother! I really dig that bridge on the the first finish. Was that a permanent bridge, or just a placeholder of sorts? That body design is a little out there.... but I dig it!

J. Crawford · #10 01-05-2010, 05:17 PM

If you ever want an to endorse a bassist...

Thats really cool!

vbasscustom · #11 01-05-2010, 05:48 PM

man, thats a really cool lookin bass. really modern curves

Ruckus_Instrmts · #12 01-05-2010, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4StringedFiend

Man this bass looks amazing! I can't wait to see it's brother! I really dig that bridge on the the first finish. Was that a permanent bridge, or just a placeholder of sorts? That body design is a little out there.... but I dig it!

Nah those are just little triangles I made so I could string up the bass and here how she sounded. Although in the future you may see a more advanced "permanent" version.

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Crawford

If you ever want an to endorse a bassist...

Thats really cool!

Haha...I'll think about it......maybe.....probably not....

Quote:

Originally Posted by vbasscustom

man, thats a really cool lookin bass. really modern curves

Man, all this positive reinforcement is going to completely revamp my initiative to get in the shop and work my butt off.
Thanks!!!

iamlowsound · #13 01-05-2010, 09:27 PM

That thing looks really cool. I think that it would have some neck dive with the wood and shape, but it looks darn cool. I love modern lines in architecture and it is nice to see it carried over into bass building. I think that body on a guitar would be killer.

lowsound

Headless Llama · #14 01-05-2010, 09:50 PM

I like it, it looks like a Bongo had a fight with a samurai warrior and won

M.Wrenn · #15 01-05-2010, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruckus_Instrmts

Hello TBer's!

.

damn, that was quite the first post, welcome to TB my friend

irishpride28 · #16 01-05-2010, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Headless Llama

I like it, it looks like a Bongo had a fight with a samurai warrior and won

Haha that's good.

I like this build alot, a rich red is my second-favorite finish! (besides teal/peacock blue) and you certainly have good craftsmanship.

El-Bob · #17 01-05-2010, 10:06 PM

honestly, the pickup cover looks a bit distracting on that first one (+1 to whoever said the MM's would look good on it), but otherwise i think it looks amazing. loooooooove the body shape, and that bridge looks sweet.

Mad_Phingers · #18 01-06-2010, 04:39 PM

This is awesome! I am a big fan of more squared off shapes, shapes with sharp edges, and the way you bring organic flow into it is sweeeeeet.

Ruckus_Instrmts · #19 01-12-2010, 02:00 PM

Update: I have begun wiring the bass starting with the shielding. I am using 36guage(.005) copper foil. Fairly thick compared to the tape stuff most use. You'll see a couple progress pics of the shielding and if you have a question, by all means, ask away. I'm trying to decide on a cap(brand & value) and could use any suggestions you may have. Wiring will be a jazz setup but with a series parallel switch.

mikeyswood · #20 01-12-2010, 02:08 PM

That is some serious sky engineering with the Faraday cage.