Custom LaFleur bass - "A Wookie get's his stripes"

[BobaFret]

Hello All,

Long time lurker/reader here at TB and decided to make a body design for some parts I have around. Because it's my first project I decided to leave the neck work to the professionals.

History: I've owned what is termed the (Boner Bass) since '94 and learned to dislike the design. It's a MIA Fender Jazz bass with a really big body and wide string spacing. I decided to make it into something that I'll use again. I like Fenders and all but just not this one.

The design is loosely based on the Fleur De Lis (madbassplaya's avatar).

'94 Fender Jazz neck/tuners/micro shim adjuster/tuning pegs

Body - 1 piece solid mahogany
Pickups - Nordstrand Big Singles (x2)
Bridge - Babicz Full Contact Hardware
Stellartone Tone Styler

So, here is where I'm at today.

Working on the control cavity next.

 

[BobaFret]

Control cavity started and tone control installed. I'm waiting on a stacked pot set for the pickup vol's. On most standard J style basses I often hit the neck pickup control so I wanted that out of the way.

Did some sanding and all that jazz. I have a strong appreciation for what the 'real' builders can make. I've made quite a few mistakes but nothing that's made me have to can the project.

With the pickups in place.

 

[SansGroove]

That is a great shape. Good lookin bass so far... keep the updates comin.

Sub'd!

 

[BobaFret]

Man do I work fast.

I made some mistakes but it looks recoverable. For any other newbs, drill the input jack 'carefully'. Freehanding was unkind to me.


contouring. I ended up using a rasp with kinda gnarly teeth but radiused like a fretboard.

Little buddy thinks we're getting close.

the other side

Where the neck plate on the back is a big gouge I need to fix. Bad craftsmenship at it's finest.

Forearm contour up closer.

Sanding today and hopefully get to finishing it. I had to put it all together and string it up to figure out how I wanted it shaped. It works if nothing else.

If anyone reads this and has some good suggestions on a very natural'ish finish I'd love some advice. Minimalist may be preferred with my pace.

 

[FBB Custom]

Nothing wrong with Formsby's low gloss tung oil finish. You can get it at the hardware store and I think you'll be pleased with the result.

 

[BobaFret]

I am pleased with the result. Here is the control cavity cover. I've finished the wiring and it sounds really nice. Won't reveal the whole thing until I'm actually done.

 

[miziomix]

Looking good!