Coming soon; Steinbacker fretless bass

[RaniBrandt]

Alternately, you can copy just the url for the image, as shown below...

http://i1168.photobucket.com/albums/r494/Jioreo/IMG_3431.jpg

Paste that into your post, then just type

directly after after it, and the image will then show up when you submit the reply, like so:

 

[Meatrus]

Stienbacker...sounds a bit too close to Steinbacher, which is a goose!

 

[JIO]

SUCCESS! Much thanks to you all for your help and also thanks for hangin' in there! Let the story unfold!
Here's a recap of my concept visualization. Note the sb and RIC neck are nearly the same width. Also note my optimism that the tuners would end up at the bottom!

The body is the same but the spacing of pu's/bridge/tuners needed correction due to the long scale sb neck.

This is the korina being planed from nearly 2" down to 1 1/4th" ala RIC 4000 series body.

once again, my outline drawn on the slightly sanded wood.

I took a lot of pics while routing on a friends camera, so w/have to post later. For now, pics of routed and rough-cut body, including this one of the neck pocket/platform w/and w/o neck.Although rough, I accounted for the neck butt slight taper on the 3 sides that face the cavity. Tricky that Steinberger.
I'm wondering if I'll need to do a carbon rod reinforcement in that pocket (down the length of the body) to assure no flex once built and strung-up, as korina is not as hard as maple - any thoughts?

This is my solution to access the tuners w/o chopping off the lower body.

Drilled, routed and then hand-filed first using a corse rasp and then a file and sand paper. Pencil outline on the edge shows where fine-sanding w/end.

...and a mock-up showing the assembled bass w/and w/o custom cut white MOTO pg

...and one from below

More later - stay tuned!

 

[RaniBrandt]

Nice! I'm glad I could help with the pics upload issues, but I must admit it was purely for selfish reasons.

 

[Thumpin_P]

Wow!!! Love this! Great Job!!!

 

[SallyGrowler]

this is brilliant! I can imagine with a color-fade it would add a very coolnuance.

 

[JIO]

Stienbacker...sounds a bit too close to Steinbacher, which is a goose!

Absolutely! Thanks for cluing me in on that! Actually, their colouring is very inspiring! I'm planning a very special (mystery) finish that bumps up against such subtle beauty. Funny how serendipity works!

 

[JIO]

Got a chance to do some work on the project. Sanded the edges and enjoyed getting the various inner and outer arcs smooth w/even transitions.

I also routed the neck bucker opening in the pick-guard and drilled the pot/switch holes. I had to hand file the lower right corner due to the pu-wire channel. Next step is to round off the body edges and route for black binding on the front/side.

... and a mock up showing it's current state.

 

[Praxist]

wow, that is dope!

 

[JIO]

Colour swatch (pale blue), hex-head screws and brass washers on pu surround, and double-black velvet spray-glued on thin card-stock (inserted inside of the surround hugging the J pu) to create a rich black void. I know, they make the plastic piece that fills theat void, but I like using the edges of the chrome surround as a finger rest.

 

[tomersg]

very nice it is!

 

[attabass]

Wow, that is incredible. Can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[Meatrus]

Absolutely! Thanks for cluing me in on that! Actually, their colouring is very inspiring! I'm planning a very special (mystery) finish that bumps up against such subtle beauty. Funny how serendipity works!

Lol, when you play it live you have to duck (ok goose) walk all over the stage too.

PS; I love your hole too....ok that sounded weird

 

[JIO]

Lol, when you play it live you have to duck (ok goose) walk all over the stage too.

PS; I love your hole too....ok that sounded weird

...yes, it did. Maybe "slot" would be better suited. (the "Preview Post" option is always a good safeguard to second-thinking something expressed hastily in writing ) However, considering the puns, I trust you meant well. Actually the "slot" is very similar to that guitar god, Steve Vai's "handle" (hand "monkey" grip) on his signature Ibanez. I'll let everyone know if (once completed) this will be a carrying option...

The pale blue swatch is related to said honkers, and gives inspiration to the related finish which will unfold accordingly. (which has nothing to do w/accordions)

 

[reverendrally]

I'm wondering if I'll need to do a carbon rod reinforcement in that pocket (down the length of the body) to assure no flex once built and strung-up, as korina is not as hard as maple - any thoughts?

I think you need something. I can't see how 5/8" of softish wood is gonna hold that firm. I mean you could suck it and see, but I think you're gonna get a whammy neck. You can do a few things. Cut that off and rout a channel into the back of the body and use some rock maple. I guess carbon rod is another way of approaching it. You could even go steel flat bar set on end. Either that or laminate a piece 1/4" thick timber onto the back of it that extends the same distance down the back of the body. That will mean a slightly raised section on the back of the body, but I doubt you'll even notice it.

 

[JIO]

I think you need something. I can't see how 5/8" of softish wood is gonna hold that firm. I mean you could suck it and see, but I think you're gonna get a whammy neck. You can do a few things. Cut that off and rout a channel into the back of the body and use some rock maple. I guess carbon rod is another way of approaching it. You could even go steel flat bar set on end. Either that or laminate a piece 1/4" thick timber onto the back of it that extends the same distance down the back of the body. That will mean a slightly raised section on the back of the body, but I doubt you'll even notice it.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for your insight Reverandrally - that's what I figured. (potentially problematic softish wood at a critical juncture) I was originally going to use maple for the body but was having trouble finding what I wanted, so I switched to Korina. I think it will all work out, but just wanted to anticipate and address problems before getting any further along. To start with, I plan to put a Steinberger neck plate on the back, which would keep the neck/body joint stable (compared to inset bolts w/washers) and was thinking along the lines of carbon rods from the neck platform down into the body. The insertion (after routing) of a maple block is definitely doable and may also be the way to go. Either way, I'll blend it in so there isn't a trace of composite materials. I'm going to finish it completely so no bare wood will be showing.

 

[JIO]

I ordered this neck plate (an accurate/correct Steinberger aftermarket repro) from Don at headlessusa.com (which you Steinberger fans should know about) and as you can see it is the wrong size! It will be returned/reimbursed (no problem), but it has presented somewhat of a puzzle to the folks there. I will relate as the mystery unfolds!

I was originally going to make my own, so I guess I will have to after all. One more thing to do.

 

[Meatrus]

...yes, it did. Maybe "slot" would be better suited. (the "Preview Post" option is always a good safeguard to second-thinking something expressed hastily in writing ) However, considering the puns, I trust you meant well. Actually the "slot" is very similar to that guitar god, Steve Vai's "handle" (hand "monkey" grip) on his signature Ibanez. I'll let everyone know if (once completed) this will be a carrying option...

The pale blue swatch is related to said honkers, and gives inspiration to the related finish which will unfold accordingly. (which has nothing to do w/accordions)

Ok then, you have a sexy slot....no that was no better . I meant well, looks great.

 

[J Posega]

You could always do ferrules in the neck heel instead of a neck plate. Whatever you do, it's a cool looking project, well executed!

 

[reverendrally]

No, he really needs a neck plate on this one. The steel acts to stiffen the wood further.