Nomad98 second build...

Nomad98 · #1 04-20-2007, 01:53 PM

Time for build number two.

semi-hollow fretless 6
spanish cedar body
maple top
maple/purpleheart neck
black hardware
piezo pickups under bridge saddles
one soapbar

The design is a modification of my first build (Learning to Crawl, or Bass Building 101). A little tweaking with the lines and of course the semihollow body with sound holes.

I have the body routed out. I stained the inside of the body holes black which makes it look like the routes are bad along the edges but really they are not. Spanish cedar is nice to work with... I also routed out wiring channels for the soapbar and piezo, I am not sure about the placement of the soapbar so, the channel goes far enough that I could place the pickup anywhere or use two soapbars if I want?

I made two neck blanks and will have to decide which to use now and later in "build 3." I want to try using NO carbon fiber rods and one 2 way truss rod?? The neck is not wide at the nut, (2 inches) and I'm hoping that the purpleheart will stiffen things enough to keep the neck stable. Any thoughts on this strategy will be welcome.

Body with maple top not glued...

Top glued and routed. This weekend I am hoping to put a radius on the body edges and contour the back. When I routed out the semi-hollow cavities I varied the depth to allow for a belly contour.

Thanks for looking...

Greenman · #2 04-20-2007, 02:00 PM

Nice top. I like the figure at the end of the neck. Good idea doing all the routes before gluing the top on.

Geoff St. Germaine · #3 04-20-2007, 02:27 PM

Nice! Love the design.

britrit · #4 04-20-2007, 03:34 PM

Just for future referencing, could you tell me how thick your cedar core is? It looks really nice.

Sterling_Bass · #5 04-20-2007, 03:44 PM

Great design. Can't wait to see this one finish.

Nomad98 · #6 04-20-2007, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by britrit

Just for future referencing, could you tell me how thick your cedar core is? It looks really nice.

The cedar core is about 1 1/2 inches (35mm) and the top is a 1/4 inch (6mm) give or take?

Nomad98 · #7 05-01-2007, 10:35 AM

I have the neck cut to shape and the body contoured... Next step is to cut the lines for the fingerboard and contour the back of the body where the neck pocket/neck meet.

I am going to glue the FB on, then shape the back of the neck... My first build I did it the other way around and ran into clamping issues. Do most builders glue the FB then shape the back of the neck??

Anyway... take a look. Phil (Nomad98)

Maurits · #8 05-01-2007, 10:40 AM

Looks very good, really like that fingerboard.
For the bass I'm building at the moment I'm also glueing on the board first, then shape the neck.

Fishbrain · #9 05-01-2007, 10:47 AM

+1 on the board. love it

wilser · #10 05-01-2007, 11:08 AM

amazing looking bass. Love that fingerboard. Many of the purists would scuff at the flatsawn board ...not me, though, I'm a recent graduate of the university of ADDON-GIVASHT.

seems like you had some issues there with the neck taper and the laminates.

Ray Holt · #11 05-01-2007, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilser

Many of the purists would scuff at the flatsawn board ...not me, though, I'm a recent graduate of the university of ADDON-GIVASHT.

That's sig quality material right there!

The bass is looking good... that's a beautiful top. And yeah, it does look like you had a little trouble with those neck lams.... have a picture of the back of the neck?

Nomad98 · #12 05-01-2007, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilser

amazing looking bass. Love that fingerboard. Many of the purists would scuff at the flatsawn board ...not me, though, I'm a recent graduate of the university of ADDON-GIVASHT.

seems like you had some issues there with the neck taper and the laminates.

Well... the neck tapers to 2 inches, I knew that the purpleheart would show at that point but I am going to dye the back of the neck black so it won't be so noticable. My intent is to use some hefty purpleheart stringers (3/4 inch) to compensate for not using carbon fiber rods and only one 2-way truss rod!? Am I crazy?...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Holt

That's sig quality material right there!

The bass is looking good... that's a beautiful top. And yeah, it does look like you had a little trouble with those neck lams.... have a picture of the back of the neck?

The neck is pictured in the original post (look up) it is the maple/purpleheart/maple/purpleheart/maple on the left.

I am really hoping that the neck will be stable and not look too bad with the purpleheart showing through!?

Thanks,
Phil (Nomad98)

wilser · #13 05-01-2007, 12:34 PM

IMHO and limited experience, what you're doing is good, but definetely not necessary. My most recent bass is a 6 string with a 35" scale. The neck is carved pretty thin out of QS padauk (thanks Larry!) and it's very, very stiff. It's got a single dual action truss rod and no carbon fiber.

But hey! that's just me!

It's a great looking instrument, nevertheless.

I see you also use the dining table as a 'workbench'

I did my last wiring job on the dining table and have been given an ultimatum by the boss (wife), do not attempt to get your tools near that table ever again.

Nomad98 · #14 05-01-2007, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilser

IMHO and limited experience, what you're doing is good, but definetely not necessary.

I see you also use the dining table as a 'workbench'

I did my last wiring job on the dining table and have been given an ultimatum by the boss (wife), do not attempt to get your tools near that table ever again.

Just to clarify, is the "not necessary" the thick PH stringers?

P.S.
My "Boss" allows the dining table for display/planning only. Although I have also soldered at it. Why press my luck.

Linkert · #15 05-01-2007, 02:29 PM

Wow! Going big at the first two builds

Like that. She looks like something i would buy

wilser · #16 05-01-2007, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomad98

Just to clarify, is the "not necessary" the thick PH stringers?

P.S.
My "Boss" allows the dining table for display/planning only. Although I have also soldered at it. Why press my luck.

Let me clarify what I'm trying to say. In my limited experience, most of the time, a multi laminate is overkill. Sure, it looks good and customers love them, but as far as being absolutely necessary for a neck to be strong enough, I don't think so.

I hope I didn't just unite the masses against me with that one there.

Nomad98 · #17 05-01-2007, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilser

I hope I didn't just unite the masses against me with that one there.

Seems like the masses don't care today! Just as well...

Chandler Bing · #18 05-16-2007, 06:48 PM

This is looking great so far. I'm bookmarking this one. Cant wait for updates!

Nomad98 · #19 05-22-2007, 12:58 PM

Well a slight bit of progress...

I cut my first fingerboard and added maple and mahogany lines on the fretless F.B. The maple is for the fretmarker lines and mahogany is for the others. I was after something that was a little less offensive then maple lines for each fret. It's a little hard to see in the picts but when the F.B. is finished the lines will pop a little more. I will have to see how I like it after it's done.

I also got the neck fit to the pocket.

Thanks for looking.

wilser · #20 05-22-2007, 01:29 PM

top job! Can't wait to see it finished. Are you going to spray a burst on it like on the first?