Yet another "My first build!" thread. But this time... It's personal.

PseudoGnosis · #1 01-07-2008, 05:30 PM

Well, figured it's time I posted my pictures of where my build is at right now. This is not only my first attempt at building a bass, it's really my first attempt at building...anything. I decided to strip the neck off an old, extremely POS-y bass I bought off some kid and refurbish the turd out of it as opposed to building my own.

The body is black limba, because I think it's a beautiful wood.

Here's what I got so far:

Original design:

How that turned out:

And the Back:

I'll probably start routing tomorrow. I'd love to hear what you peoples think.

Greenman · #2 01-07-2008, 05:35 PM

Looks Good so far. Any idea of the weight as it sits.

PseudoGnosis · #3 01-07-2008, 05:36 PM

6.2 lbs, pre-routed

wdinc01 · #4 01-07-2008, 06:08 PM

I must say, that's a very interesting shape! How did you come to that?

And are you going to put some contours in it?

treebranch13 · #5 01-07-2008, 07:32 PM

I think given the right contours taht would be a VERY cool and unique bass.

wdinc01 · #6 01-07-2008, 07:53 PM

That's what I'm thinking. Maybe something for the forearm, definitely a tummy cut, maybe something near where the knee would go.

...and a huge cut the back for a giant belt buckle!

PseudoGnosis · #7 01-07-2008, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdinc01

That's what I'm thinking. Maybe something for the forearm, definitely a tummy cut, maybe something near where the knee would go.

...and a huge cut the back for a giant belt buckle!

Haha. Yeah, It will be contoured AFTER i route it. Makes it a lot easier to route :P

As for where I got the shape from... I basically just free handed it. I fiddled around with different ideas for the shape and came up with that basic design. Drew it up in a 1:1 scale print, and then made a template out of it. Completely original design.

PseudoGnosis · #8 01-07-2008, 11:34 PM

Oh, and I forgot to mention the best part of this build project:

The entire thing is costing me about $250. (College student, go figure)

PseudoGnosis · #9 01-09-2008, 03:32 PM

finshed routing the neck cavity today. After doing so I totally understand the benefits of building a neck-through bass. It's not looking too bad, though.

And with the neck in:

fryBASS · #10 01-09-2008, 03:39 PM

Hey man, that's looking awesome so far! Can't wait to see the finished product!

sleepy_monkey · #11 01-09-2008, 03:42 PM

No kidding...looks great. I bet when you put that neck in it's slot you were pumped! Seeing it all come together.

eleonn · #12 01-09-2008, 04:30 PM

How tight is the neck in its cavity?

pilotjones · #13 01-09-2008, 06:52 PM

Not much chance of reaching those last two frets, is there? Not too late to increase your treble-side cutaway.

erikbojerik · #14 01-09-2008, 07:42 PM

Do you have your bridge in hand, and have you figured out the height of the strings above the body and whether or not you need a neck angle?

Nice black limba! Where did you score that? It is very hard to get right now....my local wholesale lumber guy, who probably has 20,000 board-feet of inventory, waited 2 years to get his new shipment (upon which I promptly bought as much as I could afford...). He sold it all (about 200 bf) within 2 months.

PseudoGnosis · #15 01-09-2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eleonn

How tight is the neck in its cavity?

Almost perfect. I spent the entire day making the router template just right. The fit is much better than the original bass I stripped the neck from, actually.

PseudoGnosis · #16 01-09-2008, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotjones

Not much chance of reaching those last two frets, is there? Not too late to increase your treble-side cutaway.

The reach to the last 2 frets will be fine after I contour the body. It's going to be sloped down to make hitting those last frets fairly easy.

PseudoGnosis · #17 01-09-2008, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikbojerik

Do you have your bridge in hand, and have you figured out the height of the strings above the body and whether or not you need a neck angle?

Nice black limba! Where did you score that? It is very hard to get right now....my local wholesale lumber guy, who probably has 20,000 board-feet of inventory, waited 2 years to get his new shipment (upon which I promptly bought as much as I could afford...). He sold it all (about 200 bf) within 2 months.

I'm using the same neck and bridge from the bass I stripped, so, in theory, the same routed height would work. Which I did. I'm going to attach the bridge in a few days and see how everything is angled.

I got the wood from Larry at Gallery. He's stuff is pretty much always quality, so I knew I'd get good results from him. And yeah, working with Black Limba has been a breeze so far :P

PseudoGnosis · #18 01-13-2008, 12:12 AM

Honest opinion, fellas: Best way to finish black limba?

I love the way it looks finished in the pictures I've seen. For example this one by Skelf from AC guitars that I found on the forums:

How would I get results similar to that?

Jonsbasses · #19 01-13-2008, 02:01 AM

By asking Alan himself, I'm sure he'd be more than happy to let you know what finish he uses. It's a semi-gloss clear coat, likely a kind of poly.

jokerk874 · #20 01-13-2008, 08:52 PM

Wow man your bass is looking really good so far especially for your first time.
I'm beginning my first home-made bass in a few weeks here and I hope I can pull it off as well as you!