• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

First Build - 5 String, Neck Thru, Fanned Fret

DigthemLows

DigthemLows

Oct 10, 2003
1,632
1,541
53
Sacramento CA
#1
After lurking for 8 months, planning for 4 months, I finally have my plans, the wood, and I have begun! I tried to come up with a design that incorporates my favorite things and my favorite builders. In the end it may not be the most original design, but it's mine, and I like it. Since it's my first build I chose not to do a fancy top and to keep it basic.
Specs are:
5 string 37 to 34 scale
5 piece neck - Flame Maple / Walnut / Flame Maple / Walnut / Flame Maple
Finger Board - Birdseye Maple
Body Wings - Walnut
I got the wood from Larry at Gallery Hardwoods..........There's a pretty cool "from order to shipment" thread about preparing the wood Link Removed

I have Bart Soapbars and a Bart NTBT 2band. Not sure exactly how I'll wire it yet (I actually have no clue how to, so I need to keep reading:) )

I printed out the drawing I did in Corel Draw to scale and taped it together, I'll use this to make a template on MDF or 1/4" plywood. I have since changed things a bit to bring that B string bridge up a little.

Link Removed
Link Removed

Here's the body wings, end pieces for the headstock (since it's wider), Cap for the headstock, wood for the control cavity, and the birdseye board (man is it nice up close, can't wait to see it pop when it gets finished)
Link Removed

I also glued the neck up last night (The flame is nice dont you think?)............I added more clamps after the photos.....every one is right, you can't have to many....from what I've read having the excess glue is good, means I covered it all! I'll be sanding of excess glue tonight!..........This weekend may be the scarf joint!
Link Removed
Link Removed

I'll try and keep a good progress report as I fumble my way through this build. I figure if it ends up playable I'll be pretty happy!
 
#6
It was knowledge passed down to me not to use the quick clamps, you dont get enough pressure!
I am also on first "batch 'o' basses" and I tighten the crap out of every one, my quick clamps have twist ends on them and I use "C" style clamps too

Looks great!

oh yea corel draw..EXCELLENT program!!!!
I use it like its my religeon!
 
#8
I'm not sure on how I'll do the fret slots. I'm going to practice carefully by hand with a stewmac fret saw,
I figure i've got plenty of time. ....right now I'm dealing with excess glue, what's the best
way to remove the tightbond 1 that's everywhere?

And Cliff, thanks a lot. You are one of my favorite builders and an obvious inspiration!
 
#9
I cut a template out of plywood and started sanding and filing it to be a template for routing.
Link Removed
I traced about a 1/4" around the outside with chalk on to body wings.
Link Removed
I'll rough cut the body out and use the template for a guide for my router.

There's a light area running through the walnut and I can't decide whether to have it be cut off. Any ideas what it will look like when oiled? I'm leaning toward flipping it to the outside and keeping it off, but I do like the grain flow with it like it is here.......What are your thoughts?
Link Removed
 
#13
Good luck with your build!

Here's a link to cut a fanned fretboard:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

And, this is WAY cool:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Just punch in the numbers and you can print a fretboard template. I'm hoping to do this for a future project, similar to yours.
 
#16
DigthemLows said:
.... I think carving the neck is the thing I'm worried most about.
Click to expand...

DON'T!!! it's the single most enjoyable part of making guitars (bass guitars or any other kind). First one you'll be worried as heck and take it very slow, but you'll learn that it's not hard if you just use your hands and fingers to tell you when it feels right. I LOVE this ...and my wife always gives me a hard time about the way I 'rub' on a neck when I'm carving it. :( mojo, me thinks.
 
#18
wilser said:
DON'T!!! it's the single most enjoyable part of making guitars (bass guitars or any other kind). First one you'll be worried as heck and take it very slow, but you'll learn that it's not hard if you just use your hands and fingers to tell you when it feels right. I LOVE this ...and my wife always gives me a hard time about the way I 'rub' on a neck when I'm carving it. :( mojo, me thinks.
Click to expand...


The above statment could'nt be more true

im part way through my first build (6 headless neckthru SC) & was dreading carving the necksection so much so that i let it grind my build to an almost hault for almost 2 months!.....then after reading and reading and reading some more i decided that the worst i could do would be to stuff it up and have to start again

i did a test on an offcut just to see how the woods im using reacted to the tools(zebra/purpleheart/cherry)as id never used a spokeshave or rasp before and after about 30 mins of carving/rasping/sanding/feeling i was happy with the profile a of my test section so i decided to hit the main neck and have some fun and as wilser said sofar its been one of the most fun parts if not the most fun part of the build(btw im really hating veeneering atm)

heres a quick pic of the progress of my neck sofar(still needs a little work but im waitting for a new FB after a router mishap with the other one)i'll try and get a new build thread started soon as my isp lost all my other pic's in my last thread during a server upgrade...

Link Removed
 
#20
I'm pretty sure that making a jig would have been easier than sanding the scarf joint, but it worked! Since I don't have a band saw I did make a jig for thinning the neck to 1". I'll get pics of that boring little thing up later. I also cut out roughs for the body wings. Next up is cutting the slots for the fanned frets.

Link Removed
Link Removed
Link Removed
The angle of the photo is off, but it actually lined up quite nice. I'm putting a walnut cap on it anyways, but the back will flow nicely.
Link Removed
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back