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$100 Bass Challenge - Ripper Style 30"

#21
Hm? The Ripper/Grabber (R/G) is very thin (approx. 1" 1/4 to 1" 3/8) but the body size is very large. The upper horn was shorter, compared to a PB or JB but the R/G was not neck diving.

But it might be an issue, so it could change my plan. The short scale neck is shorter but the headstock is huge and heavy and the neck is wide like a 34" neck. The wood I have chosen for the body is pine, much lighter then hardwoods.

....or I could change the body wood to white ash, makes it much heavier.
....or I could change the thickness of the body to approx. 1" 3/4, also makes it much heavier.
 
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#22
So, the weather ist much better and the weekend is not far. Saturday ist the day to clean up my garage and to start with the cheapo project, can't wait...
Btw, there is a mistake in the comparison of the body sizes. The slightly larger body is not 100% of the Gibson Grabber, it is only 92%. I think I'll give it a try to avoid neck diving.
 
#23
mapleglo said:
I like the look of the smaller body, but the larger one may be less prone to neck drive. I'm not sure it's an issue with this bass, having never played one.
Click to expand...

Rippers/grabbers never had an issue with neck diving. Probably due to the upper strap pin located on the inside of the horn rather than the standard fender position at the top of the horn. But the smaller body size looks better for this bass build.
 
#25
Start! After vacation the first steps are done.

The Plan.JPG The Plan!

Top in clamps.JPG 3/4" Pine boards glued, there are four boards. Two for the top and two for the back.

pickup cavity.JPG If you use two layers for the body, some jobs are much easier to handle. Routing the pickup cavity on a router table.

top routed.JPG The top has nice grain, the pickup fits perfect in the cavity.
 
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#26
Lunch time is over....

05 routing the back.JPG Routing the shape of the back side.

06 jig saw the electronics cavity.JPG Jig saw the electronics cavity.

07 routing the EC.jpG Routing the e.c.

08 routing the EC cover cavity.JPG The templates are old, I have already used them for other projects.

09 back is routed.JPG The place for the e.c. cover is ready.

10 routing some channels.JPG Top from the back side. Channels for a possible pickup upgrade and channel for the piezo bridge. Electronics cavity cover on top side is aprox. 1/8". I'll glue a hardwood veneer on the inside to make the thin pine more sturdy.

11 ready to glue.JPG Top and back are ready to glue.

12 The ripper in the cage.JPG The Ripper is in his cage ;)

13 cleaning up the mess.JPG Cleaning up the mess .... ;)
 
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#34
Installing the fret markers.

36.JPG

The FIMO Clay dots have an ivory color.

37.JPG

They are a little bit dirty because of my dirty fingers when I pushed the FIMO clay into the holes of the aluminum baking form.

38.JPG

After sanding.


39.JPG
After sanding.


40.JPG

The dirt in the ivory gives it a natural pattern. :D ;)
 

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