Time for a headless!

shai-ga · #1 03-01-2013, 04:50 AM

Hello everyone, this is my 5th build, which going to be a smaller version of... nothing you have ever seen before!

Some specs:

4 string, 34" scale bass, with a maple body, maple neck and a Pau-Ferro board.

24 Bell brass jumbo frets, plus a zero fret.

Spector Tone Pump preamp, combined with two active gold jazz MEC pickups.

ABM bridge system headpiece, all black.

Clear amber finish for the body and neck.

The neck will be glued into the body, with a standard neck pocket.

Here are some photos of neck progress, and trying the body design on a swamp ash blank.

shai-ga · #2 03-01-2013, 04:50 AM

Here is the neck:

shai-ga · #3 03-01-2013, 04:54 AM

The Morado board, and a little sketch.

Pau Ferro is easy to work with, has a beautiful color, feels heavy and dense, with tiny straight pours, for this quarter sawn piece.

Splods · #4 03-01-2013, 05:13 AM

It sure looks beautiful, cannot wait to see more

lbridenstine · #5 03-01-2013, 06:24 AM

That looks almost exactly the same as the Pau Ferro board I just got from LMII, slotted the same too. I'm glad to hear it's easy to work with. I haven't used Pau Ferro before.

shai-ga · #6 03-01-2013, 10:19 AM

Just to make sure everything fits before gluing the truss rod and fretboard

shai-ga · #7 03-04-2013, 10:22 AM

I decided to cut the neck into its final dimensions before gluing.
What a perfect match!

shai-ga · #8 03-04-2013, 12:09 PM

Does anyone know if such a router bit exists? (1.5" long)

devo_stevo · #9 03-04-2013, 12:12 PM

Not sure. You could use a dovetail bit with a guide collar. Just make sure your template is a bit oversize to compensate for the collar diameter being bigger than the bit.

pilotjones · #10 03-04-2013, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shai-ga

Does anyone know if such a router bit exists? (1.5" long)

How are you looking to use a giant dovetail bit?

suraj · #11 03-04-2013, 11:25 PM

I'm guessing you want to route the body profile with a bit like that to achieve an angled cut? I don't know where you are from, but in my area I can ask a router bit manufacturer to custom make a bit for me. Although if you want to make a bit like that, you should make it taper from the shank to the tip, i.e. the thicker part should be near the shank, and the shank itself should be thicker. Ask some manufacturers around you as I'm not sure you'll find a bit like that off the shelf.

shai-ga · #12 03-11-2013, 12:46 PM

Thanks!

Here's a rough cut of the maple blank before routing the body shape

shai-ga · #13 03-12-2013, 04:47 AM

No love for this one?

Ok ok, I'm adding 8 strings, triple neck, onboard Avalon compressor and original Mu-tron circuit, and of course - kryptonite inlay dots

Splods · #14 03-12-2013, 06:47 AM

Dude, look at the views, Most people are content to just watch.

I've been checking this everyday, just haven't felt the need to comment.

Also, Kyptonite inlays is the best thing. Ever.