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$100 Bass Challenge - Marceline's Axe Bass
- Thread starter mapleglo
- Start date
- May 1, 2014
- 2,494
- 2,341
- 56
- Disclosures
- Owner Melodious Resonance Constructs
That's been my experience as well. I have found a little brown goes a long way. It warms the black up and helps to combat the blue tinting.
I've got the black fret markers glued in. The undyed maple laminate seems to be a little thicker. I suppose I'll have to sand it a little thinner.
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,618
- 222,148
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I'll let those fret markers cure, and then sand everything smooth again.
Interesting observation about the black outlines. Because this is a cartoon item, of course it would be outlined in black, but I guess I never really noticed it until you pointed it out. On page 4 of this thread, mellowinman posted a video of a guy who made a version of the axe bass, and as I'm looking at it, I couldn't help but think that something was off about the way it looked, other than the incorrect headstock. Now I think it's the lack of the black outlines. Thanks!
That means you will have to use black binding all around, so I get to shamelessly benefit from you learning how to do it! Just using black paint would be entirely unacceptable, of course.
I think the complex curves around the body would render the installation of binding too difficult for a first attempt. Even binding the neck at this point, after I radius'd the fingerboard, would prove too difficult. I'm thinking I'll have to go the unacceptable route and paint the black outlines.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,618
- 222,148
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I'll let those fret markers cure, and then sand everything smooth again.
Interesting observation about the black outlines. Because this is a cartoon item, of course it would be outlined in black, but I guess I never really noticed it until you pointed it out. On page 4 of this thread, mellowinman posted a video of a guy who made a version of the axe bass, and as I'm looking at it, I couldn't help but think that something was off about the way it looked, other than the incorrect headstock. Now I think it's the lack of the black outlines. Thanks!
The object of your build is for you to be Marceline and it be her axe - You'll do all you can to imitate her with cloths/wigs/makeup etc I'm sure, so follow through with the finish. Also, not just reds - but those two specific reds. (another trip to the paint store!) And I wouldn't worry about spray (this is a prop - abet being playable)- just use acrylic enamel house paint in matte (which you can get in a very close or even custom colour if you bring in a 2D print of the cartoon) Find a local sign-painter to do your stripes/outlines - he'll probably give you a good price because he'd be amused by it!
Dang! Guess I'll have to learn how to do binding on my own afterall. You can get pinstripe masking tape at Autozone, its made to follow a curve and gives a nice crisp paint edge, or just freehand it and call it good.
Remember, this is planned to be my entry into the $100 Bass Challenge, so I'm going with low cost stuff. I already bought the Rust-oliem, and I think the colors are pretty close. If it doesn't come out close enough, I can always sand off the paint and re-finish, after the challenge is over.
There's an AutoZone right around the corner from me. I'll have to check out that masking tape. Thanks!
In other related news, I was searching for a suitable speaker for the small, battery operated combo amp I'll need, and found this on Parts Express.
For a 6.5" woofer, the specs look really good, and since it has a neodymium magnet, it only weighs just over a pound and a half, compared to over 5 pounds for other standard magnet models.
It'll fit in a small sealed enclosure, and the frequency response is great at 50Hz to 8k. A little pricy, but it should sound pretty good. I have a small 50 watt car stereo amp which I'll use to power it, and run it off of 8 "D" cell batteries.
For a 6.5" woofer, the specs look really good, and since it has a neodymium magnet, it only weighs just over a pound and a half, compared to over 5 pounds for other standard magnet models.
It'll fit in a small sealed enclosure, and the frequency response is great at 50Hz to 8k. A little pricy, but it should sound pretty good. I have a small 50 watt car stereo amp which I'll use to power it, and run it off of 8 "D" cell batteries.
Cut and sanded the fret markers to size.
As expected, some of the dye was sanded off, so I'll apply a second coat, which should also get the maple markers to blend in a little better.
As expected, some of the dye was sanded off, so I'll apply a second coat, which should also get the maple markers to blend in a little better.
Well, for $4.99 and another buck or two for crossover bits, the Invalid Link Removed (you buy the capacitor and resistor separately - otherwise $13 with those included - go figure) was too good to pass up for me, though the specs are quite vague; but supposedly works great in a 0.25 cubic foot sealed enclosure. I need to cobble one far enough along to do some testing yet...
It is just under 2-3/4 lbs, so that might be a downside (actual measured weight at home, not the shipping weight listed.)
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Another coat of the dye is on. I added a little brown to give it a slight maroon color.
Once this dries, I think I'm ready to glue up the body wings.
Once this dries, I think I'm ready to glue up the body wings.
Thanks!
I drilled the bridge grounding wire hole, and glued up the body wings.
I'll let that cure at least overnight.
