• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

3rd Bass questions (help needed)

Marvin3242

Marvin3242

Guest
Jun 17, 2015
7
1
27
#1
Hey everyone,
So I have been itching to build another bass, and finally appear to have secured the money to do so. For starters, the general layout is heavily inspired by this: Bass number two: 4-string headless single cut | TalkBass.com

I intend to modify this design to allow for a traditional bolt on neck (that I will buy from Stewmac) with a string through design. Money is in shortage, and, being in the southeast, it appears that the closest exotic lumber place is riverside lumber in NOLA.

Depending on the money, I Intend to use the same woods (walnut, maple, and cocobolo)

OVERALL:
Aguilar OBP-3TK (vol, blend, 3 EQ, mid switch)
Hip shot Bass Bridge
Bartolini 9J1 pickup set
Replacement fender neck (rosewood)



Now, for what I need help with.

I need to know what tools I can get for a fairly good price that would be invaluable on this journey. I also need to know the general prices for the walnut and cocobolo. Is the preamp necessary? (As in is there a cheaper one out there?) recommended power supply? Any questions or thoughts? Please help!!
 
Last edited:
#2
I'm doing a build pretty much entirely on my apartment's balcony (building the neck too). I haven't got a workshop and too many tools, but these ones seem vital so far:

A long steel rule. 60cm min. And a good set-square.
Hand plane: a jack plane / no 5. Big, hefty, useful for everything.
Plenty of clamps, but probably not too important if you're buying a neck.
A router's going to be a great asset for pickup and control cavities, plus neck pocket. And also for creating the rough shape and rounding it out. They're not too pricey, and not half as terrifying as I suspected!

A pillar drill! I haven't got one of these...yet! I hope to get some kind of compact system for doing accurate drilling though (for pots and screws).
I haven't a hefty cutting rig, ie band saw, but do have a jigsaw. However I'll probably borrow someone's band saw for cutting the neck shape and body shape after advice on this forum.

I haven't yet done any shaping or sanding, but I am planning on buying a "shinto rasp" for this stage. You may wish to check this out.

I was going to use an OBP preamp, but was advised to "start out with good pickups and add the preamp down the line" so that may be of interest to you. I went for some EMG P6 (p bass pickups for 6 string). Saves some money and work up front, and allows you to upgrade and tinker down the line.

Without wanting to sound rude: how did you build 2 other basses without this know-how?
 
#3
Thank you very much! And no worries. My first bass was done with a little micro router and the as very forgiving wi mistakes (based on an old devo guitar). My second was a little harder (the red in my icon) that was laminated poplar and therefore a tiny bit more complicated, that I used entirely hand tools of mine and a friends. Since then, I no longer even have a handsaw (borrowed and never returned), so I was just double checking on the necessities.

For the EMG's is that with their 5pin connector system? Cause I was looking at some better pickups but all the EMG's i could find had that system. If so is it too much of a headache?

I intend to learn a lot from this build, and am in no hurry whatsoever. Hopefully I'll be able to get my tools back and be able to use some in addition (drill press and router)

Thanks for the help so far!
 
#6
Eastern (black) walnut is in the $6-10/bf range and cocobolo is in the $25-50/bf range. Check out woodfinder.com, maybe there is a place closer. I also generally use Google Maps now to hunt for lumberyards with the query "hardwood lumber" or "exotic lumber".
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back