Recent content by Elias Graves

Thanks. Some searches of that forum have answered my questions. Plus answered questions I didn't even know to ask lol. Some knowledgeable folks. Thanks. Last night, as we were laying everything out and the body shape began to emerge, my brother began drooling a little, I think. Caught him...

With the neck mostly complete, I begin to turn to the body. Last night, my brother and I worked on the shape and got it mostly sussed out. It's a slightly enlarged ES-339 shape with an extended upper horn. 15" total width. Yes, I know the F holes don't match. We were trying different designs...

The nyc pickups. Anyone use them before? Can you answer some questions?

I work on projects as time permits and my limited shop space means many operations normally done with power tools are done with hand powered versions. That slows things down a lot. Wait til you see how I make the body for this. It won't be a quick thing but should be worth it. The camera adds...

The final headstock shape. And the neck tenon getting sorted out. Anyone have experience with Duncan NYC pickups?

We have a 9 1/2" fretboard now with complete inlays. This is my first go round with ebony. Man, it's like cutting steel and the dust makes a horrible mess. Looks great, though. I hope I can pull off the finish idea I have for the neck. I plan to lacquer only the inlays. This could...

The headstock shape is pretty much there. A little cleanup and it'll be ready for the binding. But right now, Kevin and I are working on the other end.

Working on the headstock.

We're back! Been busy finishing this project up. That's my new "tele." The body was originally cut by Gretsch in 66 to be an Astro Jet but was never completed. A whole stash of these bodies have been sitting in a warehouse for 50 years and I got one. It's some really light old Honduran...

Thanks. A few more shots of the carving. At 1" even at the first fret. And at .91". The goal is around .85" or so. The volute is beginning to take shape. The maple is working easily. It's hard but predictable. It's not bad about ripping or chunking out like some more brittle woods.

Alright, with the fretboard on, I can get busy shaping the neck. Man, these bass necks are long! A lot of carving to be done. My brother likes the shape of Fender necks, so I'm basing the profile on his 73 Jazz Bass neck. One tricky part is that most necks with a glued on fretboard...

It worked. Looks like we have a neck with a board now.

Hey all. We are back with an update. It's been cold, mom's been sick, I've been busy, etc. etc. etc....... At any rate, today is the Gluing Of The Fretboard so I though I'd post the affair live, as it were. Working at my brother's house, so the tailgate becomes a workbench. I've spent the...

I did that to a six string neck once. Made for a very stiff neck. Some liked it and some didn't. On a bass, though, it seems like stiff is good. A long piece hanging out there.

Shellac is the bomb. Buy flakes and mix it as you need it. The stuff brings wood to life like nothing else and it makes a perfect barrier coat between dissimilar finishes. It'll stick to anything and it dries thin and fast.