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4001 Mashup
- Thread starter mapleglo
- Start date
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,587
- 221,942
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
If that were the only issue, I'd probably just live with it.
That said, there's at least three major issues with this build, not including the fact that there's that bubble in the clear on the back which needs to be sanded out and redone, and at some point, one has to assess the situation and decide if it's time to set this aside, and just rebuild the darn thing. The amount of work to fix this - at least those items that can be fixed, is more than to build it again. Use this as a learning experience, and don't make the same mistakes.
So that's what I'm doing.
New wood. Maple for the neck, and I found this beautiful piece of walnut for the neck stringers and body wings. Clear coat only on this one. No dye, no paint, no drips, no runs, no errors.
So I cut this wood down, and clamped it up.
I think I almost have enough clamps.
Next up, body wings. But I think I've worked on this enough for today. Other chores beckon.
Good move Nexy. That's what I would do.
BassHappy
Supporting Member
So I've been living with this bass for a week, trying to decide what to do. I've decided I'm not too keen on the orange. It's not a bad color, however orange is not a color that I'd choose for a bass. If that were the only issue, I'd probably just live with it. There's also the issue of the frets/fretboard. This was my first neck with frets. I'm amazed that it's playable and in tune. But there's that dip on the treble side that occurred during the radiusing, and while I was able to compensate to some degree with the fret leveling, if these frets wear down, there's no room to do another leveling on some of the frets. So I'd have to pull them off and re-fret it. And there's that one low fret, somewhere around the 9th fret. If that were the only issue, I'd probably just live with it. And there's the headstock issue, with the truss rods too far north, when they should be level with the end of the fretboard. That would have prevented the crowding of the truss rod adjustment channel to the tuner, and the lumpy back of the neck. If that were the only issue, I'd probably just live with it.
That said, there's at least three major issues with this build, not including the fact that there's that bubble in the clear on the back which needs to be sanded out and redone, and at some point, one has to assess the situation and decide if it's time to set this aside, and just rebuild the darn thing. The amount of work to fix this - at least those items that can be fixed, is more than to build it again. Use this as a learning experience, and don't make the same mistakes.
So that's what I'm doing.
New wood. Maple for the neck, and I found this beautiful piece of walnut for the neck stringers and body wings. Clear coat only on this one. No dye, no paint, no drips, no runs, no errors.
So I cut this wood down, and clamped it up.
I think I almost have enough clamps.
Next up, body wings. But I think I've worked on this enough for today. Other chores beckon.
Hey Nexy
I admire your dedication and grit - given the circumstances of the "big three", you are making a gut-wrenching and difficult - but wise choice. I don't have to tell you what a big fan I am of your work. As i think you know I am nearly an activist when it comes to finishes that emphasize the look of the natural wood grain shining though and keeping that the star. Paint should only have a supporting role in my view - unless you have some extraordinarily fugly wood. Of course, what our friend JIO does with his "gilding" process would be an exception to the no paint rule - at least for me.
Yes, those walnut Rick's are certainly head turners and IMHO among the sexiest Rick's out there. Plus that walnut IS special.
From a purely selfish standpoint - I am thrilled that I get to watch another "Mapleglo"build thread so soon. Other than the additional minimal expense you mention - this is a win-win for everyone!
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Maple,
You mentioned that the trussrods were too far out in the headstock. Isn't that where they should be with a double action rod? Mine lays out nearly that far and just makes it by around 3/16" from the end of the fingerboard on the bridge end. Mine is a standard bass DA trussrod, I wonder if the shorter 33.25" scale makes a difference, maybe all these rods are sized for 34" scale?
You mentioned that the trussrods were too far out in the headstock. Isn't that where they should be with a double action rod? Mine lays out nearly that far and just makes it by around 3/16" from the end of the fingerboard on the bridge end. Mine is a standard bass DA trussrod, I wonder if the shorter 33.25" scale makes a difference, maybe all these rods are sized for 34" scale?
Thanks!
Yeah, that was one of the big three issues, but the only one that I could not fix on that body/neck. One of the main factors in re-doing the whole thing.
I agree that it'sworth redoing to be satisfied. Life's too short, ya know?
But... What'sto becomeof orangey-pink version 1.0?
Paperweight, doorstop, kindling, maybe pass it on to another TB-er...
Regardless, definitely still watching.
I suppose I could be persuaded to sell it, but I'll probably just hang it up on the wall as a reminder to stay more focused.
After careful measuring, the rods will completely fit under the fretboard. The standard RIC truss rods have a hex end, around which a wrench must fit, so they have to stick out from the top of the fretboard. These truss rods, or more specifically, most modern double action truss rods have a allen wrench adjustment, so they can be completely buried under the fretboard. My fret board is a 21 fret with a zero fret. so it may be longer then a "standard" RIC fretboard.
That said, I did a little more work this morning.
I am really liking that walnut. The only downside is that it smells like an old closet when you cut or sand it.
More sanding.
Being that my arms are like rubber now, I think I'll take a break. Lots of chores around the house that I've been putting off.
The neck came out a little wide, so there's not going to be too much room for headstock wings. But yeah, likely walnut. And the finish, well, I'm still deciding between that Varathane clear and Forby's tung oil. The tung oil looked great on the Leaf, and it was soooo easy.
Being that my arms are like rubber now, I think I'll take a break. Lots of chores around the house that I've been putting off.
The neck came out a little wide, so there's not going to be too much room for headstock wings. But yeah, likely walnut. And the finish, well, I'm still deciding between that Varathane clear and Forby's tung oil. The tung oil looked great on the Leaf, and it was soooo easy.
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,002
- 1
- 31,693
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
Did a little more work on the wings and started the headstock angle.
I think I hear a vodka and lemon/lime calling my name.
By the way, have I mentioned how much I love that walnut?
I think I hear a vodka and lemon/lime calling my name.
By the way, have I mentioned how much I love that walnut?
Hopkins
Commercial User
Hopkins
Commercial User
I guess I browsed too fast, I thought you were going to just saw off the maple wings and build a new neck and continue with the pink.
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