Blondes have more fun - a weekend build.

[Gilmourisgod]

My build process has been kind of backwards, starting with neck through and fully scratch built. I have only done one parts build, a Warmouth Frankenjazz many years ago, but I had a pro Luthier do the nut and mount the bridge, setup, and final wiring. It doesn’t matter how you get there, just learning how to paint a parts bass is PLENTY hard enough to be satisfying/frustrating. I build basses because it keeps me sane and gives me an outlet beyond work drudgery, not because it’s cheaper (it definitely isn’t!) or because there isn’t anything out there that would be perfectly adequate for my mediocre playing ability.

 

[ChickWithaRic]

I figured that one out in the end.

 

[ChickWithaRic]

My build process has been kind of backwards, starting with neck through and fully scratch built. I have only done one parts build, a Warmouth Frankenjazz many years ago, but I had a pro Luthier do the nut and mount the bridge, setup, and final wiring. It doesn’t matter how you get there, just learning how to paint a parts bass is PLENTY hard enough to be satisfying/frustrating. I build basses because it keeps me sane and gives me an outlet beyond work drudgery, not because it’s cheaper (it definitely isn’t!) or because there isn’t anything out there that would be perfectly adequate for my mediocre playing ability.

I did exactly the same thing. My first ever scratchbuild was a neck thru fretless,, which coincidentally I've aways called the FrankenFretless, with maple body wings and maple/ walnut neck beam. The fingerboard is quite unusual - lacewood with a two pack polyester coating smoothed, buffed, and polished to a piano gloss. It's like playing on glass. I did the finish with the Iwata airbrush I used at the time for customizing motorcycle helmets, using Japanese GSI-Creos acrylics. I still have it, rocking a DiMarzio P/J combination. And yes, it's strung with flats.

 

[ChickWithaRic]

@ChickWithaRic now that you've thoroughly proven you can wrestle time to the ground and make it say uncle, please consider joining the fray this winter!

Winter Build Off 2022 - Get Ready

Now you mention it, I do actually have **just** the thing to tie in with the rebirth/ renewal theme. Some years ago I was given a Strat body that somebody had hacked out of a single piece of maple with a band saw, and then attempted to rout the body in the dark I think. It's a horror show, but I've always intended to rescue it.

Looks like the Strat-O-Jazz could be a go.

 

[ChickWithaRic]

Now you mention it, I do actually have **just** the thing to tie in with the rebirth/ renewal theme. Some years ago I was given a Strat body that somebody had hacked out of a single piece of maple with a band saw, and then attempted to rout the body in the dark I think. It's a horror show, but I've always intended to rescue it.

Looks like the Strat-O-Jazz could be a go.

Here is the offending item, and I swear on my babies' lives I had nothing to do with this crime against treemanity.

 

[RichterScale]

I don't understand why that sexy bass needed to be sprawled out on a bed like that, layin there all seductive.
Very inappropriate.
Couldn't you just take a pic of it in a stand, in front of an ugly wall, with laundry all over the floor?

 

[Jon Clegg]

I don't understand why that sexy bass needed to be sprawled out on a bed like that, layin there all seductive.
Very inappropriate.
Couldn't you just take a pic of it in a stand, in front of an ugly wall, with laundry all over the floor?

Or something like this: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[RichterScale]

Exactly.

 

[ChickWithaRic]

Reminds me of this (which I had to edit).

 

[RichterScale]

You mean the mess?
My favorite is real estate pics where the home owner didn't even bother to straighten up, let alone take all the crap off the walls and stick some of the junk in the garage for the pics.
And of course, real estate agents are usually terrible photographers. Oh cool, 6 closeups of a tree in the yard.

 

[Beej]

You mean the mess?
My favorite is real estate pics where the home owner didn't even bother to straighten up, let alone take all the crap off the walls and stick some of the junk in the garage for the pics.
And of course, real estate agents are usually terrible photographers. Oh cool, 6 closeups of a tree in the yard.

The mess in the shower is most excellent.

 

[ChickWithaRic]

The mess in the shower is most excellent.

But surely the point is the plight of hairstylists during a global pandemic. Perspective: It's important.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

But surely the point is the plight of hairstylists during a global pandemic. Perspective: It's important.

I think the point is if the nice lady had work she wouldn’t have to film things in the bathroom!

Also, nothing wrong with that Strat body. The guy just needed to sharpen up his butter knife before he “routed.”

 

[Flamingo21]

That blueburst is beautifully done.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

That blueburst is beautifully done.

She got some skills. I have tried my hand at burst finishes and concluded the following: I suck at Burst finishes.

 

[ChickWithaRic]

Airbrushes really do excel at burst finishes.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I actually own an ancient Paasche (?) airbrish and compressor, but all my attempts to use it were... less than satisfactory.... probably due to my ineptitude with an airbrush. I should drag it out and try it again with a better mindset.

 

[ChickWithaRic]

I think the point is if the nice lady had work she wouldn’t have to film things in the bathroom!

Also, nothing wrong with that Strat body. The guy just needed to sharpen up his butter knife before he “routed.”

There's actually more wrong with that Strat body than you think. The face has a couple of obvious knots visible. The back? A beautiful, unflawed, flame maple. He cut it the wrong way round! Why would you even... I can't. I just can't, even.

 

[RichterScale]

There's actually more wrong with that Strat body than you think. The face has a couple of obvious knots visible. The back? A beautiful, unflawed, flame maple. He cut it the wrong way round! Why would you even... I can't. I just can't, even.

Do you have a router planing sled?
If not, you can make one and plane the front down and add a maple top to match the back.
Or, run it through a regular planer if you have one or know someone who has one.
But, that's not as cool as a router/planer sled. And it's a great addition to the instrument making arsenal.

 

[ChickWithaRic]

Do you have a router planing sled?
If not, you can make one and plane the front down and add a maple top to match the back.
Or, run it through a regular planer if you have one or know someone who has one.
But, that's not as cool as a router/planer sled. And it's a great addition to the instrument making arsenal.

I have router thicknessing jigs (and the appropriate 4 wing surfacing cutters) of various sizes, but I also have a lovely old British made 3 phase powered Wadkin planer/ thicknesser/ edge jointer from the days when Britain had an empire, or something, and had an actual manufacturing industry that made lovely stuff. Now they just make Jaguars and Range Rovers over there, and as pretty as they are I wouldn't have one if you paid me to have it (unless it were an old school V8 90 inch wheelbase Defender, because they are cooler than Elvis even when they have broken down, especially in Desert Pink). To be fair it needs new cutters, which are fairly easily and cheaply obtained, to work at its best but it's capable of precision machining. Just watch those fingers. As for the front of the Strat body... I have a plan. A cunning plan. I think y'all will like it. But I said too much already. Shhhhh.