I am seriously considering to route a small cavity for the bridge, to bring the action down a hair (saddles are @ zero currently).
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Build #2: Fretless Headless 5
- Thread starter Rickett Customs
- Start date
looks unreal...sounds, well, sounds like EMGs (lol) - but really nice job.
might not be a bad idea to lower the action a bit. i feel like i can hear how high the action is in your attack on the clips. the bass will probably purr/mwah more if the action is closer to the neck...although judging by this build, i'd defer to your expertise. there is no way i could've created such a beauty...
might not be a bad idea to lower the action a bit. i feel like i can hear how high the action is in your attack on the clips. the bass will probably purr/mwah more if the action is closer to the neck...although judging by this build, i'd defer to your expertise. there is no way i could've created such a beauty...
That is exactly what I did...... Lowered the bridge 5mm
No, it's cool, if it's too low, I still have some 2mm black veneer I can cut for it.
Strap locks came on the UPS truck, while I was making a template for the bridge. Drilled the holes and then used a 5/8" forsner bit to countersink a little.
Strapped it on, feels good.
..wait that didn't sound right 
Gotta string it back up (kinda put the pics in reverse).
Find out where the action is. Get the rest of the prep work done, not this weekend but the next, It gets clear coated.
That's the most important thing, as well as how it sounds! The fact it looks fantastic too is an added bonus!
Thanks alot guys, I'm just doing what I can.
Looks like the next build after this is a guitar, so I'll keep that one off the TB radar. But I will have a bass to build in the near future, for a mom and pop local music store owner, It may lead to hanging one up in there for sale (see how it goes).
Officially I have no more than 8 days until I'm a father for the first time though, so I'll be at a stand still for about a month. I should have it ready and taped up for the spray booth before this event, so I did beat the clock on this one.
Looks like the next build after this is a guitar, so I'll keep that one off the TB radar. But I will have a bass to build in the near future, for a mom and pop local music store owner, It may lead to hanging one up in there for sale (see how it goes).
Officially I have no more than 8 days until I'm a father for the first time though, so I'll be at a stand still for about a month. I should have it ready and taped up for the spray booth before this event, so I did beat the clock on this one.
I guess there is one more thing I need to do 
I need to take a forsner bit and create some cavities for the pots.
The thickness right now is almost 1/4", I want to give a little more play. I'll just make the cavities a little bigger than the knobs.
I need to take a forsner bit and create some cavities for the pots.
The thickness right now is almost 1/4", I want to give a little more play. I'll just make the cavities a little bigger than the knobs.
ha ha, you think you'll only be out of commission for just a month with a new baby? tell that to my sister and brother in law, they are almost at 3 months now with hardly more than an hour to spare per week.
keep it going though...it'll keep you sane between feedings.
keep it going though...it'll keep you sane between feedings.
Fortunately, my wife is really supporting me on this venture, who's to know if that'll change too
Whelp,
I did what I was gonna do, make a knob recess.
It is now outta my hands and most likely made it's way into the spray booth. Can't wait to get it back......
Hello I'm new here always wanted to build my own and with this amazing job you've done I don't see why I shouldn't.
Again amazing work and nice progress pictures can't wait to see more from you.
P.S. nice vette
Again amazing work and nice progress pictures can't wait to see more from you.
P.S. nice vette
That is an AMAZING instrument, and I love the explanations and photos. As someone who is about to start the project of adding bodywings to a headless I really appreciate the detail! And once that's done I'll be removing the bodywings from a righthanded headless to convert it to a lefty. (Actually to be completely honest, my brother will be doing all of the work...I'll just be giving him headaches with my ideas about what I want.) Any advice?
Thanks.
I can only see one downside to converting a right to left:
Due to flipping over the wings, you'll have to plug up any cavities, routes holes etc and hope you'll be painting it, it'll be almost impossible to match with out painting it.
Of course, unless the wings are being made, that could have a different outcome. I guess it'll all depend on what you are transforming too (type of bass it is). What are you planning on converting?
I've attached images of both basses. The bodyless is going to be squared off and then the wings will be added. As for the other one, the current wings will be removed and then new ones will be made and attached so that I can get the body contours that I want. Are there any concers about the neck when this is done? (To answer your question, the righty to lefty is a Hohner Jack Bass.) One other question...is it possible to use shell laminate for the face or is that just a really dumb idea. thanks for your time and good luck with the baby...
Just make sure you're close to the same width that you cut from each one, so it does not throw off the body size too much. IDK about the shell laminate, haven't done one that size. Look around for a nice piece of bookmatched piece of figured wood, somewhere between .20" to 3/8", that's what i'd do, but you'll probably want to plane off the original body wing thickness to accommodate it though. The baby has turned out to be a good sleeper, which is great. Who knows how long it'll last though.
I probably won't use this logo on mine, but the others that I do will bear this logo, i'll get them made up by a company out of a shell material:
