Advice on body building (not pumping iron)

[DeanGallberry]

Basically, I'm thinking about buying a bass and then replacing the body.

Why?

1. I like the neck, which I can't buy separately.

2. I want to replace the pickups, but the Bartolinis in the bass are longer than the pickups I am considering, which may or may not be an issue depending on the final finish of the body.

3. I'm not too keen on the layout of the controls, so I could re-arrange them as well as adding a couple of switches needed for the pickups.

4. The body shape is okay, but I could possibly change it a little.

So I would not be making a bass from scratch. In my mind the hardest part (the neck) is already done. I'll have the original body to work from.

I've cut/joined/routed wood before but I'm not going to assume I can do something like this, so thought I'd start a thread and ask if it sounds optimistic?

Although I have some concerns about my lack of knowledge on the final shaping of the wood for the body, I have been looking at some videos and I think I could probably take it slow and learn as I go, using some off-cuts to practice on.

I think my biggest fear is the final finish and I expect there is no 'easy' way to do it myself.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Basically, I'm thinking about buying a bass and then replacing the body.

Why?

1. I like the neck, which I can't buy separately.

2. I want to replace the pickups, but the Bartolinis in the bass are longer than the pickups I am considering, which may or may not be an issue depending on the final finish of the body.

3. I'm not too keen on the layout of the controls, so I could re-arrange them as well as adding a couple of switches needed for the pickups.

4. The body shape is okay, but I could possibly change it a little.

So I would not be making a bass from scratch. In my mind the hardest part (the neck) is already done. I'll have the original body to work from.

I've cut/joined/routed wood before but I'm not going to assume I can do something like this, so thought I'd start a thread and ask if it sounds optimistic?

Although I have some concerns about my lack of knowledge on the final shaping of the wood for the body, I have been looking at some videos and I think I could probably take it slow and learn as I go, using some off-cuts to practice on.

I think my biggest fear is the final finish and I expect there is no 'easy' way to do it myself.

Welcome! You've come to the right place. Luthier's Corner is a library of threads about every aspect of building basses. From scratch built to heavy mods, pros to beginner hobbyists. There are many Build threads which thoroughly cover all the steps that one of us used to build the body. Many different techniques and levels of complexity. And there are separate threads about particular methods, tools, and design problems.

I think you have a good plan for getting started. Build a copy of an existing body, but with some changes. Then you have all the important features and dimensions right in front of you to refer to. Take it a step at a time, start simple, learn the techniques. And don't be afraid to make several bodies, changing your mind and pushing the design further with each one.

Start reading. We're here.

 

[DeanGallberry]

Welcome! You've come to the right place. Luthier's Corner is a library of threads about every aspect of building basses. From scratch built to heavy mods, pros to beginner hobbyists. There are many Build threads which thoroughly cover all the steps that one of us used to build the body. Many different techniques and levels of complexity. And there are separate threads about particular methods, tools, and design problems.

I think you have a good plan for getting started. Build a copy of an existing body, but with some changes. Then you have all the important features and dimensions right in front of you to refer to. Take it a step at a time, start simple, learn the techniques. And don't be afraid to make several bodies, changing your mind and pushing the design further with each one.

Start reading. We're here.

Thanks Bruce. I've seen a lot of your wonderful posts on here, so I'm glad you took the time to comment.

I know it's not going to be easy, but I figure I don't have much to lose by trying. Plus, like you say, I don't just get one shot at it. If I fail, I will have used some time and money, but at least I'd have learnt a few things along the way.

I haven't gone back that far through the threads on here yet, so I need to take some time look at more. I tend to look for something specific but get side-tracked on to something else, which is quite interesting at times.

 

[Flamingo21]

I tend to look for something specific but get side-tracked on to something else, which is quite interesting at times.

I think this is true for many people here in Luthier's Corner.
Be sure to share your journey here. We love build threads!

 

[KidAmnesia]

Go for it. Just don't use very expensive wood on your first build, ask all the stupid questions and remember to meassure (at least) twice and cut once.

 

[T_Bone_TL]

If you can bear that level of planning ahead, much easier to do all your routing on a flat full blank before you cut all the various parts away and put funny shapes in it.

But it does require planning it all out and then following the plan, at least insofar as where and how deep the cavities are.

You can always start with a glued-up-from-scrap-pine blank if feeling a bit unsure, then replicate that (benefitting from "more practice makes closer to perfect" on "nicer" (and usually more expensive) wood, as you've already digested the "you don't get just one shot at it" concept.

And some folks find they are quite happy with the "scrap pine" version, so there's that.

 

[DeanGallberry]

If you can bear that level of planning ahead, much easier to do all your routing on a flat full blank before you cut all the various parts away and put funny shapes in it.

But it does require planning it all out and then following the plan, at least insofar as where and how deep the cavities are.

You can always start with a glued-up-from-scrap-pine blank if feeling a bit unsure, then replicate that (benefitting from "more practice makes closer to perfect" on "nicer" (and usually more expensive) wood, as you've already digested the "you don't get just one shot at it" concept.

And some folks find they are quite happy with the "scrap pine" version, so there's that.

Thank you. You have reminded me that I have a bunch of spare 2x4, which I could use to practice on. Not sure what type of wood it is, as it was sold as "timber" and it didn't matter much for the original purpose.

Looking back at the order (7 years ago) it was C16 which is kiln-dried softwood timber, usually pine, cedar or fir.

 

[Videojunkie]

My first build was a 2x4 and 2x6 build and I learned a lot of things I didn't know that I didn't know despite reading build your own guitar cover to cover several times.

If you don't have access (or aren't comfortable) to design in CAD, you can always get some butchers paper and draw the whole thing in pencil at 100% scale. It works, and you can see how your parts all sit.

 

[DeanGallberry]

My first build was a 2x4 and 2x6 build and I learned a lot of things I didn't know that I didn't know despite reading build your own guitar cover to cover several times.

If you don't have access (or aren't comfortable) to design in CAD, you can always get some butchers paper and draw the whole thing in pencil at 100% scale. It works, and you can see how your parts all sit.

CAD would be nice (and somewhere I do have some professional CAD software from when I was in IT Support) but I think I'll stick to drawings. It'll be interesting to have knob/switch cut-outs, to play about with placement.

 

[DeanGallberry]

I have to make a decision on buying a couple of reduce priced basses (for the necks). It feels a bit early, but it could save me £200-£300 if I get them now. No pressure or anything.

 

[T_Bone_TL]

I think my biggest fear is the final finish and I expect there is no 'easy' way to do it myself.

That depends very much on what you want for a final finish. Many folks opt to ship them off to someone else and half the cost of the build might be that finish job, in that case. Plenty of folks DIY just fine, but that may require an additional investment in equipment depending what you are trying to achieve.

Some are quite easy to DIY, and some are definitely not so easy.

On the easy side there's "none" (nice wood feel, gets grubby, though; ) Wax only; buff and wax (Beall system or roll your own version; ) boiled linseed oil, or walnut oil, with or without additional wax or buff&wax after, Tru-Oil (only takes a bazillion coats if you are trying to get a finish probably better done with a different product) and wipe-on polyurethane. Also duct tape and/or stickers for the punk folks. I'm not personally knowledgable, but I guess that leads to "Vinyl Wraps" which seem to be essentially a giant stretchy sticker that some folks have used to get various graphics effects - I don't know how they handle edges/seams.

If you are after a deep clear super-shiny plastic-y layer similar to many factory finishes, yeah, that's harder. And more tedious.

 

[DeanGallberry]

Well it's make or break time.

It will either be another Stone Henge or I'll pull through this with great aplombe....

 

[Beej]

You got this.

 

[T_Bone_TL]

Well it's make or break time.

It will either be another Stone Henge or I'll pull through this with great aplombe....

 

[Lonnybass]

Just remember - you are building in three dimensions, so it's going to be very important to remember that something you do on the top facing (like routing a pickup cavity) might affect something on the rear facing (like a battery compartment or electronics cavity). Blueprint everything with full-size renderings so you can make sure everything lines up the right way!

 

[DeanGallberry]

I have some random thoughts, if anyone has any advice or suggestions please.

Bearing in mind I want to change the pickups in a bass to some that are shorter, plus re-arrange the control layout and maybe a little re-shaping of the body.

Would it be easier to:

1. Cut an existing bass body (leaving something like the picture below) then add 2 pieces back on to it.

2. Take off the top layer of the body (say 10mm) then add a new top layer of wood.

3. Just start with a new body.

 

[Mickey666]

I have some random thoughts, if anyone has any advice or suggestions please.

Bearing in mind I want to change the pickups in a bass to some that are shorter, plus re-arrange the control layout and maybe a little re-shaping of the body.

Would it be easier to:

1. Cut an existing bass body (leaving something like the picture below) then add 2 pieces back on to it.
View attachment 5051297

2. Take off the top layer of the body (say 10mm) then add a new top layer of wood.

3. Just start with a new body.

Having attempted each of those options in the past, I would suggest option 3.
The other 2 are way more work than you think they will be, and IME never end up being quite right.

 

[DeanGallberry]

Having attempted each of those options in the past, I would suggest option 3.
The other 2 are way more work than you think they will be, and IME never end up being quite right.

Thanks. Option 3 was my first thoughts. But I started thinking about the other 2 options, mainly because it removes the possibility of messing up the neck pocket. But the more I have thought about it, the more I have gone back to thinking option 3 is probably better.

 

[DeanGallberry]

Next up is about tools.

I don't have access to a band saw, but have the option of using a router or a jigsaw to make initial cuts for the body. I have only used the jigsaw 2 times and didn't get a straight cut, which is most likely my lack of knowledge (at the time) and attempting to cut too fast.

I have a portable workbench which I can turn in to a table saw using my circular saw and some MDF. Using a similar method I will also be able to use it as a router table. So I figure I could also use the same basic idea to turn it into a makeshift band saw, using a jigsaw with an arm and guide.

I've also seen the manual saw inwards and chisel method.

So which is best:
1. Router
2. Jigsaw
3. Manual

After the initial cutting of the body shape, I'll be using the router for the final outline.

Then, I'm thinking I'll be using the router for rounding the edges and probably a shinto rasp for the belly and arm cuts. Plus a whole bunch of sandpaper of course.

These are the basics, apart from routing the neck, pickups and controls, but just want to check I'm on the right track and not missing anything?

 

[Mickey666]

Can't help much with tools, I do everything by hand... scroll saw, hand drill, files, chisels, and lots of sandpaper.