Beginnings of the first build

[calmb4tehpwn]

Okay, I'm finally getting started on my first scratch build.
It's been in the works for some time, but now I have workspace, and am ready to get rocking.

So, today I post lumber porn.

the whole shebang (minus the maple veneer)

From left to right, we have Brazilian Cumaru (new wood for me), African Mahogany, Purple heart, Purple heart, Maple and Maple!

Another shot of the bunch.

A closeup of the Cumaru (I really love how the figure is broken up. It looks really nice up close)

I'm heading down next weekend to make some dust. Get them cut to the lengths and widths I need, and bring it home to glue. Then a weekend or two later, go rough out the neck, and router the truss rod cavity.

The plan?
Neckthru, the neck being maple veneer/ 3/4 PH / 3/4 Maple / 1/4 PH / 3/4 Maple / 3/4 PH / Maple veneer.
Doing angled headstock at 13 degrees, continuous wood, no scarf joint.

Doing fretless, no fretlines but vertical line fret markers, where the fret markers will be fiber optics, and the marker filled with Epoxy, so the whole marker lights up. Have some experimenting to do on that end, and will show my process and results. Stay Tuned!

Body will be African Mahogany body, maple veneer, Cumaru top.

Body style will be modeled after the alembic Epic, which is one of my very favorite body styles, and something I have on hand (got that took me awhile), so I don't have to figure out all the measurements, as I have them laid out on a working model. I am stylizing the body to my own tastes, but all the specs will be mimicking the Epic. 34 inch scale, two soap bar pickups, What ever on board preamp I can get for cheap here on TB used. Even the neck taper and string spacing I'm modeling after the epic.

Let me know if you have any concerns over my plans, as I go. Also, anyone who's ever worked Cumaru before, I'd love to hear how it went. This is my first experience with it, but I really like the way it looks, and am hoping for a good outcome. I think it will look gorgeous finished.

Take care! ... and wish me luck.

 

[ctmullins]

Take care! ... and wish me luck.

Fairly ambitious for a first build, so - good luck!

Seriously, go slow, be methodical, measure thrice before you cut, don't be afraid to ask for help, etc. We'll be watching!

 

[calmb4tehpwn]

Thanks, Todd! I don't think it's so ambitious, really. Except for the frets, but hey, why not start off strong right?

Very eager to go get cutting, now that I have all the wood in hand.

Also, anyone know if HD or Lowes sells veneer? I can't find a place online to get the size I need for an acceptable price (like, cheap as dirt) because of shipping. Hoping I can pick some up in person.

 

[calmb4tehpwn]

Well, having some serious problems using a shop I'm the area. Had a couple people offer, but it might be another month now before I get a straight answer on a date as to when is good. Still working on it though.

So, I've got this crazy and probably stupid idea of making this project a piezo only bass. I'm not looking for an acoustic sound exactly, but I do like the big open sound, and I think the look would be killer. Thinking of using a ghost bridge system but would like some feedback on piezo systems. What Do they sound like, and is the sound of piezo different enough to be off putting, or would you say 99% of listeners would never know a difference just by sound?

Thanks guys! I promise I'll post my butcher block drawing before the end of the weekend.

 

[FBB Custom]

certainly wood has a specials page with some really good veneer prices. maybe you can find something local on woodfinder.com but veneers tend to be a mail order item these days.

 

[miziomix]

Check out LMI veneers section. They carry veneers of many colours and occasionally offer discount on slightly damaged ones - which can be perfectly fine, depending on how you use it.

 

[Nidan]

I'm in the process of putting a ghost system in a bass I'm building , I let you know how it sounds.

 

[calmb4tehpwn]

You know, of the various ghost systems I've heard people talking about, almost none of them seem to be using the ghost preamps. Is there a reason for this? Or do people tend to include something familiar like a bart pre, to counter balance the notional step in doing something like having no traditional pickups?

Also, Nidan. Are you going Piezo only in your build? Or will it be aside some more standard pickups? In either case, keep me informed, I'd love to hear how it goes.

Also, thanks Mizio. I didn't even realize dyed veneer was an option. Plus, I'm curious about their hybrid veneers. They say the wood/paper combo shapes and sands very well, like lumber, but most people aren't using veneers for load bearing, so I'd be curious how they would hold up as part of neck laminations.

Either case, LMI seems to be the most reasonable option right now, I just wish they had more hardwood options.

Now that I know colors are an option, I think I'm putting red veneer between every lamination throughout. Maple/red/PH/red/Maple would be gorgeous.

I don't suppose they're happy to make 48in long ones? Any experience in that department?

 

[miziomix]

...I don't suppose they're happy to make 48in long ones? Any experience in that department?

I have some even longer than that. But only in natural Maple. I doubt you'll find coloured veneers in that length. However, you don't need that. If done properly the joint will be invisible.

 

[calmb4tehpwn]

Ebay has plenty of veneer rolls totally in upwards of 8 feet.

Any advice on gluing veneer? I expect you approach it like any other step in the neck lam. But there's a reason I'm asking!

 

[calmb4tehpwn]

Also, Certainly woods has a ridiculous selection, and prices aren't too bad.

Unfortunately seeing all this cocobolo and ziricote are giving me a big head, and I can't have that.

 

[miziomix]

Ebay has plenty of veneer rolls totally in upwards of 8 feet.

Any advice on gluing veneer? I expect you approach it like any other step in the neck lam. But there's a reason I'm asking!

Pretty much. Just, you need to be fast because a .3 or .6mm veneer warps almost immediately when wet with glue.

 

[calmb4tehpwn]

good to know.