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5 String Jazz Build Thread - Giveaway Bass @ VA,DC,&MD 2011 GTG

#22
I have to say, I have two basses that Darron made and they are monsters! I have yet to send them out for paint, but the build quality, playability and sound is top notch! I actually gig it along with my Sadowsky. This is going to be a killer bass and some lucky cat is going to have a monster instrument. :bassist:
 
#23
thanks gang!

Some good progress this weekend. I do need to get better with the pictures……I kinda zone out and then realize that I forgot to take pics.

Cleaned up control & battery cavity (poplar can get a bit fuzzy when routed):

DSCF0937.jpg


Neck roughed out. I am very much digging the ebony/roasted maple combo:

DSCF0947.jpg
 
#25
I suggest the controls be arranged Volume/Volume or Blend/Bass/Treble/Tone, in a curve. That's the arrangement that's most intuitive to me but to each their own. Very pretty basses, by the way. What's the nut width? String spacing at the bridge?
 
#27
colcifer said:
I suggest the controls be arranged Volume/Volume or Blend/Bass/Treble/Tone, in a curve. That's the arrangement that's most intuitive to me but to each their own. Very pretty basses, by the way. What's the nut width? String spacing at the bridge?
Click to expand...

ah the Fodera-esq (on the NYC basses). yes, good idea and very cool. This one most likely will have a pickguard and control plate but that very well may change:) Nut = 1 3/4, Bridge = 19mm.

Made some good progress today and left my camera at the shop DOH! I am really liking the weight of the body and I haven't done any bevels yet……my wild guess @ final weight for the whole thing is 8.7lbs.

Ran the big monster on the router table to remove excess neck and start the shape (Erik B. taught me that tip), threaded inserts in the control cavity and end jack plate (with a few other OCD features), tuners drilled, and headstock shaped….all in all not too bad of a day. Will post pics tomorrow.
 
#29
a few shots of some of the small stuff, brass inserts and wire tubes:

DSCF0978.jpg


DSCF0977.jpg


The discoloring around the inserts is thin super glue that secures the inserts and soaks into the wood making it stronger and less likely to let go. The brass sleeves run between the pickup and battery cavities. I'll concede that they don't make the bass sound better it is just that I am making the bass to my specs and I like having them there :)
(the rear pickup sleeve has been trimmed down since the photo was taken)
 
#32
Ha! thanks Aaron. Working on bringing a few to the GTG. Pretty much each one is slightly different. You'll have to tell me which and what features you like and we can design the Hollow Man Model :bassist:

thanks Jonno and Instagator.

it is time we start talking pickups and hardware. I am a big fan of the Hipshot Uls. Anybody have any suggestions? I have several of the wide 5 pickup covers (which I have routed the body to) and can use pretty much any jazz style pickup. While I tend to go with Nordstrand or the new Aguilar single coils I am open to suggestions.

thanks again gang!
 
#33
Haha, the Hollow Man Model, eh? I kinda like it!

Regarding hardware, I've always liked the Hipshot UL series; they seem to work as well as anything else while reducing neck dive. I also like Hipshot bridges... simple aesthetic, easy to use, and quick release slots for faster string changes.

For the 'Hollow Man Model', I'd probably go with Nordstrand single coils, the ones with the long pickup covers. And I'd go passive, but if I did want a preamp, again, I'd look at the Nordy stuff.

But that's just me!
 
#34
I kinda like the concept of going passive and (provided you run a pedal board) running an outboard preamp. Very easy to switch out and compare tones of different preamps in a live situation. I don't currently do it, but like the idea.

After the GTG, I am thinking of building a nice fretless for my damn self :).....passive, singlecoils and maybe talk Dave R. into helping me do some epoxy magic on the fretboard. Granted I have more ideas than time or sense.
 

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