FatStrings five string, Bass VI inspired...

[FatStrings]

I finally have some time to post one of my latest projects, a Fender Bass VI inspired five string bass. I just love the look of the originals, but don't have much use for one.

I'll be shooting for a real pre-CBS feel on this one. Nitro lacquer finish, thick tort pickguard and lots of chrome!

Here is my CAD drawing that I'll be working from. I like to build things in CAD first, it really helps eliminate a lot of guess work and mistakes. This drawing was very much done by "eye" and I'm quite sure none of these parts would fit a real Bass VI. If they did it would be a miracle!

As you may have guessed, I like to build basses that never were (but maybe should have been )

You can also check out my other builds by following the links in my signature.

 

[FatStrings]

I'll start with the pickups. I was winding several sets at once for a few different projects. These will be A5 magnets, AWG 42 wire, push back leads and wound to around 8K ohms. RWRP for the middle p'up.

Bobbin material. Gray bottom and black for the tops.

Machining the bobbins....

 

[FatStrings]

OK, ready to start assembling.

 

[bongomania]

Groovy idea, and nice machining!

 

[FatStrings]

Thanks Bongo!

 

[natw42]

Sub'd... gotta love a bass built from the ground up

 

[FatStrings]

After brushing a few coats of lacquer to insulate the magnets, I've mounted the bobbin in my winding setup and let it spin! This pic is of a four string p'up, but otherwise identical.

These came out nice. And vary from 7.8k -8.4k. I'll probably put the 8.4k in the bridge position.

 

[FatStrings]

After wrapping the coil in white cotton string, these have been wax potted. They're looking vintage already!

 

[DWest1981]

Extremely cool! I'm really looking forward to watching this one come together, really enjoyed the other two also!

 

[FatStrings]

Sub'd... gotta love a bass built from the ground up

I feel the same way!

Extremely cool! I'm really looking forward to watching this one come together, really enjoyed the other two also!

Thank you DWest! I'm wicked glad your diggin' it

 

[Stealth]

The other two were amazing - I'm sure this one'll be too. Subbed.

 

[ShiftyShift]

Sub'd, I LOOOVE your builds. What are you planning to use for the tremolo on this?

 

[FatStrings]

The other two were amazing - I'm sure this one'll be too. Subbed.

Thanks for the vote of confidence man!

Sub'd, I LOOOVE your builds. What are you planning to use for the tremolo on this?

And thanks to you too! No trem planned for this build(IMO trems belong on guitars not basses ), but I will have to make the bridge, as I don't think there is anything out there that looks even remotely right for this.

 

[reverendrally]

you da man!

 

[ShiftyShift]

Thanks for the vote of confidence man!



And thanks to you too! No trem planned for this build(IMO trems belong on guitars not basses ), but I will have to make the bridge, as I don't think there is anything out there that looks even remotely right for this.

Something like a modified Jaguar bridge I'm guessing?

 

[FatStrings]

you da man!

Something like a modified Jaguar bridge I'm guessing?

Yeah. Nothing fancy, just functional and cool looking. More of a combo design, but made from scratch.

 

[FatStrings]

On to the body...

Here I've glued together a body blank from a few American Cherry scraps I had from previous builds. I'm recycling!

I made a cardboard template to check the blank size and outline position. This should work nicely!

 

[FatStrings]

Starting to mill the outside profile. The body is a little too wide to mill it all in one step, so I have to do the upper portion, slide the machine head out, then mill the lower portion.

It's starting to look like something already!!

Pickup and control cavity done, along with pickguard and bridge holes.

 

[MarkusBass]

Sub'd... gotta love a bass built from the ground up

Me too! Sub'd!

 

[bassman314]

Looking good!