Build diary - 33” 4-String Scale PJ

[turindev]

It’s been a while since I posted a build here, pesky guitars have been getting in the way (sometimes you have to give the people what they want). This build diary is one of my Type V models, for the first time as a 33” scale variant. Let the fun begin!


Let’s start with the fun part.. wood! This build will feature an East Indian Rosewood fretboard on a maple neck, with a 2-piece chambered Alder body for weight reduction.

Fretboard and Neck:

Milling the body and top:

After milling it is blank glue up time

 

[turindev]

Now that we have woods established, let’s look at the design:

This will be a Daphne Blue finish with a Tort pickguard.

 

[turindev]

Now on to chambering and final blank glue-up. I chamber on the CNC with indexing pins so that after I glue the top on I assure myself of perfect alignment when cutting the rest of the body. I then use a vacuum bag for the top glue up and I’m ready for the full body.

Now let’s check out the body being cut:

Once I have the body ready it’s off to the spindle sander to clean up the outer edge before roundovers.

I also do any drilling at this stage:
-Neck ferrules
-Cable routes
-Bridge ground
-Strap buttons
-Pickup screw threaded inserts

 

[turindev]

After sanding the body to 320, I have been using Solarez UV sealer to grain fill and seal. I’m very happy with this products performance right now for from a grain filling perspective (no shrinking) as well as cure time.

I block sand the sealer with 400 grit, and usually apply 2 coats to Alder. The product sands beautifully when cured for 2-3 minutes in direct sunlight (plenty here in Florida).

After sealing I did a quick test fit of electronics. One time I got bit by bad drawings on pickup dimensions, so I’m a bit wary.

You can see the socket cap screws I use along with the threaded inserts.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Now that we have woods established, let’s look at the design:
View attachment 4343176
View attachment 4343177
View attachment 4343179

This will be a Daphne Blue finish with a Tort pickguard.

Kinda sandberg-ish

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

After sanding the body to 320, I have been using Solarez UV sealer to grain fill and seal. I’m very happy with this products performance right now for from a grain filling perspective (no shrinking) as well as cure time.
View attachment 4343209

I block sand the sealer with 400 grit, and usually apply 2 coats to Alder. The product sands beautifully when cured for 2-3 minutes in direct sunlight (plenty here in Florida).

After sealing I did a quick test fit of electronics. One time I got bit by bad drawings on pickup dimensions, so I’m a bit wary. View attachment 4343211
View attachment 4343212

You can see the socket cap screws I use along with the threaded inserts.

I dig it

 

[turindev]

Now it’s time for finishing the body. I’ve been using PPG base and clear coats lately with great results.

My finishing schedule looks like this for a solid painted body:
-Spray Primer, let dry for 30 mins -1hour
-Inspect Primer for any surface flaws, sand to 600

-Next day, spray 2-3 coats of Base (color) coat, 8 mins apart
-Let base sit for 45 minutes
-Spray 4-5 coats of clear (slow hardener) 8 minutes apart. First coat light/medium, remaining coats medium/full

After 6 hours I’m ready to buff/polish:

 

[turindev]

Now for the neck/fretboard:

This board will have a 10-14” radius with block inlays and Luminlay side dots.
Here is the board on the CNC after radius:

Here are the neck and fretboard ready for CF rod install and sanding:

I had to custom order a 22” truss rod for this one, as a standard 24” was too long and 18” (guitar size) was too short. It was a little pricey but immaculate quality. I may build my own one day, but I am content to buy it for now.

Here is the side dot install. I use a fence in combination with a flat milled board to get the dots aligned perfectly. I used to do this by hand but I don’t trust it

I then glue the fretboard/neck with my vacuum bag and a caul, and we are ready for fretting.

After the frets are leveled and polished, we are hitting the home stretch!

Here is a look at the polished frets and luminlay:

 

[turindev]

Now we are really getting close. Time for shielding and final setup. I use copper foil for shielding, and run a ground lead from each pickup cavity to the control cavity.

Another cool finishing touch I have been doing is an anodized aluminum “Certificate of Authenticity” laser engraved with the specific model and owners name:

 

[turindev]

Finally, some finished product shots! This bass sounds amazing to me, one of my favorite combos. The P pickup nails the P vibe, while the bridge soap bar compliments it well with a bit of refinement and high mids. These pickups are Aguilar DCBs.

And last but not least, a picture of the bass ready to ship! I have been trying new packaging lately, and I am really happy with the Firm Foam I have been using from Foam Factory. I am working with them now to get some water-jet cut foam based on my supplied drawings, hopefully the final price is do-able.

 

[chinjazz]

Another immaculately executed build! Awesome! I’m looking forward to checking out AG DCB Jazz pickups on a future build myself.

 

[JimmyM]

First post at 10:12, last at 11:21...you work quickly!

Very pretty bass!

 

[turindev]

First post at 10:12, last at 11:21...you work quickly!

Very pretty bass!

Yeah this time I saved the pictures and posted them all in one fell swoop.

 

[GTx2]

Magnificient !

 

[nonohmic]

So sweet, nice work!

 

[Mr Matt]

Very cool, love the inlays!

 

[J-Mags]

Nice!!! A 33" scale JB would be in the sweet spot for me.

 

[BassTank84]

Very nice job. I want to see more pics of the special edition single cut on your website. I can see one of those in my future.

 

[Killing Floor]

Absolutely beautiful!

And not just saying that because it's Daphne blue.

 

[Hounddog409]

Awesome job. Any sound clips?