You could use wenge veneers for the darker lines, and matching veneers for the non-darker lines.
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$100 Bass Challenge - Marceline's Axe Bass
- Thread starter mapleglo
- Start date
I was going to suggest the same thing. Lines that contrast the color of your fingerboard where her bass has them, and a color that nearly matches your fingerboard on the rest.
That's actually a great idea. I don't know what I'm going to use for the fret board yet. Or whether or not I'll paint it red like the "real" one. I do have a piece of maple I could use, or even mahogany - I'd coat either with epoxy for strength. Another decision...
- May 1, 2014
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- Owner Melodious Resonance Constructs
I have some red aniline dye that might help in getting a maple fingerboard the right color - want some? 
I have some red aniline dye that might help in getting a maple fingerboard the right color - want some?
That may be just the ticket. I'd imagine that the dye would act differently on maple compared to mahogany veneer, maintaining the same contrast?
- May 1, 2014
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- Owner Melodious Resonance Constructs
Maple can be challenging to get a consistent color, but there are techniques to help with that. Both the maple and the mahogany will take the dye differently so color tests ahead of time would be wise in my opinion. You can also mix the dye in with epoxy to get a more even covering and consistent results.
PM me an address to ship to and I will send you some red, brown, and black dye powders.
Started gluing up the body wings.
So each wing will be comprised of 4 pieces. Due to the cost constraint, I wasn't able to buy wood that was wide enough. No matter, just takes a little longer to put the wings together.
So each wing will be comprised of 4 pieces. Due to the cost constraint, I wasn't able to buy wood that was wide enough. No matter, just takes a little longer to put the wings together.
This is one possible trade off when you try to build on the cheap. Instead of buying one piece of correctly sized wood for the body wings, I spent a few hours yesterday cutting and gluing, and a couple of hours today sanding and gluing, and I have one body wing curing, and one yet to be glued tomorrow. Didn't have enough clamps to do both.
I don't want to think about the differences in thickness between the two wings. That will be an hour or two of thickening with the router.
You may also be able to see the small 1/8" hole in the piece of unglued wing toward the left, propped up on the rear of the bench. Another compromise. Hopefully, it'll fill up with glue when I clamp it. Not too worried about it because these wings will be painted.
Good thing glue isn't added into the cost. I think I used half a bottle on this build so far.
Anyway, I'm hoping to have rough cut body wings by the end of the week. Then I can start on the finger board. I've been saving the scrap strips of mahogany for use as fret lines. And I can finally use my fret cutter.
That's assuming these wings come out ok.
I don't want to think about the differences in thickness between the two wings. That will be an hour or two of thickening with the router.
You may also be able to see the small 1/8" hole in the piece of unglued wing toward the left, propped up on the rear of the bench. Another compromise. Hopefully, it'll fill up with glue when I clamp it. Not too worried about it because these wings will be painted.
Good thing glue isn't added into the cost. I think I used half a bottle on this build so far.
Anyway, I'm hoping to have rough cut body wings by the end of the week. Then I can start on the finger board. I've been saving the scrap strips of mahogany for use as fret lines. And I can finally use my fret cutter.
That's assuming these wings come out ok.
I did a bit more work today when I got home from work. I pulled the glued up body wing out of the clamps, glued up the other wing, cut out the first wing, and did some rough sanding.
It's nice to see the neck is a little thicker than the wing. I was a little worried, as I didn't check it.
I also got the truss rod and jazz pickup templates from Best Bass Gear yesterday. I'll probably not get a chance to work on this tomorrow, but should resume on Thursday.
The bad news is I really haven't been practicing, but the good news is I'm making progress on this build, and have the sore muscles to show for it
It's nice to see the neck is a little thicker than the wing. I was a little worried, as I didn't check it.
I also got the truss rod and jazz pickup templates from Best Bass Gear yesterday. I'll probably not get a chance to work on this tomorrow, but should resume on Thursday.
The bad news is I really haven't been practicing, but the good news is I'm making progress on this build, and have the sore muscles to show for it
- Apr 18, 2008
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- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
I don't know anything about anything having to do with television, but I do know that any axe-shaped bass is intrinsically awesome!
So how are your fretless skills? I love the idea of playing some sophisticated, refined, and expressively nuanced music on something designed to decapitate humans...
So how are your fretless skills? I love the idea of playing some sophisticated, refined, and expressively nuanced music on something designed to decapitate humans...
- May 1, 2014
- 2,494
- 2,341
- 56
- Disclosures
- Owner Melodious Resonance Constructs
I don't know anything about anything having to do with television, but I do know that any axe-shaped bass is intrinsically awesome!
So how are your fretless skills? I love the idea of playing some sophisticated, refined, and expressively nuanced music on something designed to decapitate humans...
I have been holding myself back from the puns so as not to take away from this killer build. It's so kick axe! When she plays it there will be blood on the dance floor. Sorry, I know it's not the sharpest humor. I need to hone my skills. Please don't flame me - be knife.
I don't know anything about anything having to do with television, but I do know that any axe-shaped bass is intrinsically awesome!
So how are your fretless skills? I love the idea of playing some sophisticated, refined, and expressively nuanced music on something designed to decapitate humans...
I had one fretless bass back in the early 70's. It was one of those Ampeg Dan Armstrong clear lucite basses. I saw it, and couldn't resist. Playing it was another matter. No fret lines, only side dots. Never got the hang of it. I traded it in for my first RIC. I'm hoping my understanding of bass playing in general has improved over the years, and I'll be able to play this thing, without decapitation...
I love puns! My favorite type of humor
Thanks!
You're on the cutting edge with this bass, axe me how I know!
Couldn't resist
You slay me! Heads will roll!
;p
Ok, so it appears I lied. Just don't put me on the chopping block [groan].
I was able to find a little time to work on the bass this afternoon.
I think the next step is to start on the neck. Maybe I'll cut (or rout, based on my previous experience) the headstock angle at the top. I'll use my existing jig for a 4 degree angle. Either that, or start on the fingerboard.
I was able to find a little time to work on the bass this afternoon.
I think the next step is to start on the neck. Maybe I'll cut (or rout, based on my previous experience) the headstock angle at the top. I'll use my existing jig for a 4 degree angle. Either that, or start on the fingerboard.
My husband just noted that I'll be able to show my chops, once this build is complete.
Somebody stop us!
Somebody stop us!
- May 1, 2014
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- Owner Melodious Resonance Constructs
Just be careful while you work. We don't want to hear any reports of an axe-ident.
