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$100 Bass Challenge - Texas Jelly

#81
Whew. Today I tore apart the saddle. There is a surprising amount of nails in one. I also applied 3 or 4 coats of spray poly. Can't remember. I like the finish it has now, and may stop there. Got the tuners mounted and made bridge v1. I know nothing of metallurgy, so it took me until the 3rd bend to get it right. I went ahead and drilled it so I could do a few tests. I mounted some saddles I had just to have a look at what it will end up like.

Here's a few pics.



tmp_7389-20150318_144906-78095335.jpg tmp_7389-20150318_204401-1373952931.jpg tmp_7389-20150318_2055331541955773.jpgtmp_7389-20150318_093238-205802782.jpg
 
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#86
Progress! I had the day off. Here we go. From day 1, the copper nut has been my nemesis. I sat down with it today, determined. I got the slots cut and filed down, still need to trim it a bit but it's much closer. I strung it to do the adjustments. I used old shell casings until I finish making saddles and drilling the bridge.

I made the bridge today. I decided against bending the sides because with 3 sides bent I don't think I could get it to sit flat. I drilled it for string through. I'm using shells on the back for the string through ferrules.

I made the control plate. I've got the wiring done but not tested. Maybe tomorrow, maybe not.

It's getting close, and I can kind of make out the light at the end of the tunnel.

It is a little bit top heavy, probably because of the cheap wood. I'm hoping the pickups and electronics help balance it a little bit.

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#87
To do list:
- Work on the saddle leather to flatten for pickguard
- Cut the pickup hole in the bridge
- Drill the bridge for the saddle stays and mount saddles
- Trim the bridge down to proper height
- Test electronics
- Mount both pickups
- Mount electronics
- Mount pick guard
- Setup
- Thunder!!!
 
#88
I'm not much of a fan of gold hardware, but I am really liking the copper. I love the shell casing string ferrules. I probably have a few thousand 9mm casings (I can't seem to just leave them at the range), perhaps I'll start using them in my builds :P
 
#89
mapleglo said:
I'm not much of a fan of gold hardware, but I am really liking the copper. I love the shell casing string ferrules. I probably have a few thousand 9mm casings (I can't seem to just leave them at the range), perhaps I'll start using them in my builds :P
Click to expand...

Coming from the builder of the infamous and beautiful leafenbacker, I really appreciate the comment. To be honest, I wasn't sure about the copper myself. Growing up in Texas, my mom collected copper in our house made of logs. I associate copper and wood with Texas and my childhood, so it seemed right. I think the copper will look better as it begins to tarnish just a bit. In any case it's too late to change it now! :)
 
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#93
I've still got a lot of work to do, but it was fun to get some sound out of it. I'm still fighting with the wiring, so I just wired it for parallel for these clips. I wired it in series, and it sounds mean (in an awesome way), so I'm definitely still aiming for both.

sound clips. they're pretty sloppy, the strings are a mile up off the pickups, not quite lined up on the pickup poles yet, the nut isn't done, and the bridge saddles rattle a little in person (and i can't adjust action with my temporary saddles - you can hear some string rattle) (they are hollow bullet shells right now - won't be when I'm done). I *think* it can only get better.
pardon the sloppy playing - I'm not that great, it's my first time on a 5 string, and the bass isn't finished :) . 3 clips, i try to cover different areas of the neck, including the b string. all of them are both full, neck solo, bridge solo. tone is about 7-8 on all of it. once again, listen for tone, not my skill :). I'm really liking the neck solo, and have been playing with blending in a bit of bridge for some grit.


good and bad feedback welcome!
 

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#95
A few more pics. I shined the copper, and added the string restraint. Still working on the knobs, the saddles, and the pick guard trying to flatten out the leather a bit. I have some static in the electronics. I assume it's a cold solder joint.

After the pics I'll update my totals and see where I am in relation to cost.tmp_18033-20150328_211846201285146.jpg tmp_18033-20150328_211854-1665963530.jpg tmp_18033-20150328_211915762927347.jpg tmp_18033-20150328_2119251950305756.jpg tmp_18033-20150328_211951-211734103.jpg tmp_18033-20150328_212003-140760123.jpg
 
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#96
total price
6.88 - wood
13.38 - pickups
9 - bridge and control plate (1/4 of a 12x12 sheet)
18.68 - tuners
33 - neck
finish - 6 (1/3 total of stain at 6/can, 1/2 can of $6 poly spray)
Concho - 2.50

Total - $93.44

I may have to make the knobs. Not enough cash to buy them! :)
 

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