Chop Shop: Bronco Edition

[Pilgrim]

It just hit me that a Bronco with that 2202 Jr. Jet/TV Jones pickup would STOMP. But it might sound too much like the Gretsch 2202 solid-body bass that I already have.

And then I'd have to find another alternative for the hollow-body bass, which should sound quite different than the Gretsch 2202 with the same pickup in it.

 

[Dark Horse]

I made a quick template and routed out the neck pocket -

 

[Dark Horse]

Then I did a bit of "cleanup" around the neck pocket area to make it look nicer -

 

[Dark Horse]

While I was at the drum sander, I fixed something that was bugging me. To my eyes, the upper neck side bout seemed a bit too large and bulbous. Not much, mind you....just a bit. Anyway, I did a slight bit of resizing and reshaping. Picture one is the old shape, picture two is the new. I think it looks better, though the difference is subtle. I may shave off a bit more, but I'll save that decision till later, when the bass is a bit more complete.

 

[brickerenator]

Definitely an improvement.

 

[KramerBassFan]

Looks good!

 

[Dark Horse]

I made a quick F-Hole template using a Forstner bit and my jigsaw. It's just a design I came up with - traditional, but not exactly like a Fender or Gibson. Anyway, I positioned the template, clamped it down, and routed -

 

[Dark Horse]

Then I cleaned it up a bit with a file and mocked it up with the neck - looks good so far !

(long way to go though)

 

[Dark Horse]

Just a quick mock up to see what it might look like -

 

[colcifer]

Looks good. What will you do with the old body, make a dulcimer from it?

 

[Dark Horse]

Looks good. What will you do with the old body, make a dulcimer from it?

No idea what will become of it. Right now it's a paperweight.

 

[Pilgrim]

NICE work!

 

[Yakob]

I like where this thread is going... Wish I had your skill, man.

 

[Dark Horse]

I can't just have it looking "normal", so I got out the Roman Ogee bit and routed a nice contour around the edges....front and back !


One pic below is "partially done", so you can see what a change it makes !

 

[Dark Horse]

Here's what the body looks like after contouring -

 

[Dark Horse]

And more importantly, here's the mock up with the neck -

 

[Diogenes]

It's looking really good. But where the hell do find the time to work on all of these projects? I haven't even had the time to look at mine much less work on it for almost 3 weeks.

 

[stylonpilson]

The body shape looks a bit squared off in the lower-left corner. Is that deliberate? I'm guessing it's to make it easier to install an edge-mounted jack?

S.P.

 

[Dark Horse]

The body shape looks a bit squared off in the lower-left corner. Is that deliberate? I'm guessing it's to make it easier to install an edge-mounted jack?

S.P.

Yep - it's squared like some of the classic Teles to make a jack plate (or cup) sit flush.

Good eye.

 

[Dark Horse]

It's looking really good. But where the hell do find the time to work on all of these projects? I haven't even had the time to look at mine much less work on it for almost 3 weeks.

Just gotta make time for the things you enjoy, I guess....