Acoustic Electric Bass

[mapleglo]

So I started routing the neck pocket this morning.

Because the piece was square, it somehow seemed easier for me this time.

The neck fits nice and tight into the insert, which fits nice and tight into the brace.

And here it is getting glued in.

I'll let that cure over night, sand it flat, and start mounting it to the top tomorrow. Obviously, I'll have to rout the top too, but since it's only 1/4" plywood, that should go fairly easily. Though now that I think of it, I may have to get a bottom bearing pattern bit. Routing, or cutting the shell where the neck will go thru may prove a little more troublesome, especially since the shell is curved, so it will be difficult to clamp steady. I'll ask my husband to hold it while I cut, I suppose.

 

[michaelwayneharwood]

At the risk of sounding like a fan boi I have to tell you that this build literally has me on the edge of my seat. It's so much fun to watch this come together! Go go gadget mapleglo!

 

[Shovel]

At the risk of sounding like a fan boi I have to tell you that this build literally has me on the edge of my seat. It's so much fun to watch this come together! Go go gadget mapleglo!

I've been reading so much of this thread that when I read your post I thought you said "sanding" instead of "sounding"

 

[mapleglo]

Today I cut down the surface of the brace to allow the proper depth of the neck rout.

Made all the center lines.

And cut the brace to fit inside the shell.

I had been going back and forth between gluing up the brace to the top first, and then to the shell, or gluing up the brace to the shell, and then gluing on the top. But I think now, I'll glue the brace to the shell, rout the neck pocket into the shell, and then gluing on the top. I'll have to get a bottom bearing pattern bit for the router to rout the neck pocket into the top.

 

[mapleglo]

Ok, it's glued up. I'll let that set up overnight.

 

[michaelwayneharwood]

I think that this bass needs to be extensively play tested by someone other than you....just to make sure you get a good third party opinion mind you. I will very generously offer my services to take on this task once the bass is complete. No don't thank me...it's all in service to the ultimate good.



Seriously though - really nice job so far!

 

[mapleglo]

I think that this bass needs to be extensively play tested by someone other than you....just to make sure you get a good third party opinion mind you. I will very generously offer my services to take on this task once the bass is complete. No don't thank me...it's all in service to the ultimate good.



Seriously though - really nice job so far!

Thanks!

And if you're ever in the Phoenix, AZ area, let me know - I'd love an outside opinion

 

[joelns]

I assume you've figured out how to get in there to bolt on the neck? And are you ever expecting to have to remove the neck?

Just a random thought that popped into my head when I saw that.

 

[ICM]

I assume you've figured out how to get in there to bolt on the neck? And are you ever expecting to have to remove the neck?

Just a random thought that popped into my head when I saw that.

Maybe removable access panel on the back?

 

[mapleglo]

Like the previous version, I'll be able to access the neck bolts through the sound hole.

 

[mapleglo]

I routed out the rest of the neck pocket. The neck is nice and tight. No bolts yet.

I've got some maple laminate which I'm attempting to glue up to the top. We'll see how that comes out. I also weighed it so far. 7 lbs. Not too bad.

 

[mapleglo]

Apparently, I didn't have enough pressure on the laminate during the glue up, as it came out all wavy. I'll have to stop by to pick up a new piece of plywood. Lesson learned.

 

[Hopkins]

Apparently, I didn't have enough pressure on the laminate during the glue up, as it came out all wavy. I'll have to stop by to pick up a new piece of plywood. Lesson learned.

Try to flatten out your laminate with a steam iron, you may be able to salvage it.

 

[joelns]

Like the previous version, I'll be able to access the neck bolts through the sound hole.

Ok good. I wasn't sure and thought I would mention it.

 

[mapleglo]

So once again I realize that all things are, somehow, meant to be. I was all set to glue the top on yesterday, until the "ripple" incident. Today, I realized I should rout the pickup location in before gluing on the top. So I started that process.

And then I glued in an upper and lower portion, so I can use the router to rout out the top once in place. I used mahogany blocks to help smooth out the tone. Actually, because they were laying around

I'll let that cure for an hour or so while I work on the top. I bought a piece of Birch veneer 1/4" plywood yesterday. I think it'll be easier than trying to glue on veneer, especially after the incident yesterday. Here's the failed attempt:

It looks much worse in real life. Those ripples are about 1/2" deep. I'm not sure if the iron can smooth them out, but I'll hold on to the piece in case I want to try it later.

 

[mapleglo]

New top is cut out from the birch veneer plywood.

And reference holes drilled.

I'm ready to glue up the top to the shell, unless anyone can think of something I've forgotten to do.

 

[mapleglo]

Glued. For some reason, I could only find one leftover big rubber band. Inner tubes work well also, apparently.

 

[Shovel]

I'm always excited when I get a notification that you posted here. I think it's fantastic that you're taking a different approach than most ABG makers.

 

[reverendrally]

...I bought a piece of Birch veneer 1/4" plywood yesterday. I think it'll be easier than trying to glue on veneer, especially after the incident yesterday. Here's the failed attempt:

It looks much worse in real life. Those ripples are about 1/2" deep. I'm not sure if the iron can smooth them out, but I'll hold on to the piece in case I want to try it later.

I'd have a go at ironing it. You haven't got anything to lose at this point right? Hot iron, oven paper between the iron and the timber. Iron the bubbles out to the edges. Might take a while but have a good go.

 

[mapleglo]

I'd have a go at ironing it. You haven't got anything to lose at this point right? Hot iron, oven paper between the iron and the timber. Iron the bubbles out to the edges. Might take a while but have a good go.

Since I've already bought and cut the birch veneer plywood, I'll shelve the other top for now. I may try to smooth it at some point, just to see if it's possible.

I did a little more work on the top, and trimmed it to the shell with the drum sander.

I also cut the frame to match the sound hole, and enlarged the hole in the pickup route to fit the router bit, but haven't taken a picture of that. I'll take a break, have my husband hold the shell while I rout out the pickup and neck pockets. It seems I've caught a touch of a cold, so I don't want to overdue it. Also, it seems winter (which is really more like spring) has hit Phoenix - we're out of the high 70's/low 80's and into the 60's, and it is rainy today.