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FatStrings Oversized Strat Bass

FatStrings

FatStrings

Nov 16, 2001
485
16
Southern NH
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#1
Hi All!

Just thought I'd start a build thread for this cool project. A fellow TBer (Jumbofriendly) asked me to build him a Strat bass with a few key mods.

First, he's a big guy, so the shortscale versions I've been building won't do. He wants a full 34" scale.

Second, he wants to incorporate a MM style bridge pickup and forgo the 5 way selector switch for individual mini toggles.

Third, he'd like a reverse headstock to give it a Hendrix vibe.

Here is the drawing we started with. Adjusting for the 34" scale wasn't as easy as I had thought it would be. Just about everything needed to be scaled up to look proportional to the neck.

StratBassLarge2.jpg
 
#2
I started with the neck this time around, so I'll show that first. I changed some of the fabrication methods I was using to either speed up the process or end up with a better finished product.

Truss rod.... a spoke style double acting. The suppliers I've tried usually don't have these in the lengths I want them, so I make my own.

The brass threaded ends
DSC03680A.jpg

DSC03682A.jpg
 
#6
Geoff St. Germaine said:
Very nice work! I look forward to seeing the build progress. Are you going to be winding the MM pickup?
Click to expand...

Thank you Geoff! No, the MM style p'up chosen is a Wilkenson I believe. But I may build one in the future to replace it. We shall see.

MrLenny1 said:
Hello from So.NH
Nice project, there's nothing lile having
your own axe made for you.

Stambaugh owner.
Click to expand...

Hello! And thank you MrLenny :) Stambough makes some amazing instruments. I can only hope to be that good someday...
 
#7
Brett (Jumbofriendly) let me decide what wood to use for the neck. I like to spend some time poking around my local hardwood supplier, Highland Hardwoods, and pick out a stack and then narrow it down from there. I chose a nice piece of birds eye maple and piece of black walnut for the finger board.

Here are the rough boards...

DSC03675A.jpg


And a little closer...

DSC03677A.jpg
 
#12
subbeh said:
Absolutely love the design and I genuinely can't wait to see it taking shape!
Click to expand...

I'm really glad you like it! I can't take full credit for the design since Brett made a lot of the decisions.

joeyl said:
love the attention to detail, waiting for more
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Stealth said:
You sure are productive, sir. I like the concept so far, though it's a shame the bridge pickup won't be one of your own. A dual-coil model of your pickups'd probably sounds great.
Click to expand...

I wish I could be productive enough to have several builds going at once, but this one is already complete. I'm just posting pictures and info when I have time.

Yes, I'm anxious to build some p'ups other than the single coil style I've been building. Soon I hope :)
 
#13
Here I've glued a small wedge of maple into the top end of the truss slot. This will give it a cleaner, finished look.

DSC03693A.jpg


I tried a new (to me) clamping method for gluing on the fingerboard. I use my machine table for the clamping surface. The half round cuts along each edge are clearance for clamping bolts.

DSC03694A.jpg
 
#14
So close to a Perfomer but yet so far. Great build, there is no question, but if I was going that far it'd be a Performer shape.

iJazz - The Performer was inspired by the back of the Strat and intended to be the ultimate Jazz.
 
#16
iJazz said:
So close to a Perfomer but yet so far. Great build, there is no question, but if I was going that far it'd be a Performer shape.

iJazz - The Performer was inspired by the back of the Strat and intended to be the ultimate Jazz.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

I think the Performer is/was very cool, but i don't see the similarity here. Different shape, different p'up setup, different neck (more like a Ric), and way different headstock.

But I do agree that a Performer like build would be way cool!
 

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