Finally revisiting a fretless project

[Beej]

I like the idea of the recess on the exterior as it would increase visual activity in that corner. The spaces held by the f holes create a similar visual interest that I think accentuates the interest of the spalting. I vote for using a bowl bit to keep the rounded recess feel. I love your idea of doing the knobs together though, and just may have to steal it.

 

[Dark Horse]

You’ll have to use your imagination, but here’s a “quick and dirty version” of what I’m talking about…

 

[Dark Horse]

I like the idea of the recess on the exterior as it would increase visual activity in that corner. The spaces held by the f holes create a similar visual interest that I think accentuates the interest of the spalting. I vote for using a bowl bit to keep the rounded recess feel. I love your idea of doing the knobs together though, and just may have to steal it.

you and i are on the same page…. And thats the exact reason why im thinking about doing it, to balance out that corner visually…. But im still about 50/50 on doing it

and steal away !

 

[Dark Horse]

I did a mock up of the recessed knob idea and though i like it (and will use it in the future), i dont think i like it for this bass….. so ill just do the standard rear route. I also need to make some knobs. Probably wont update this till next week sometime, i have a busy couple days ahead of me.

 

[T_Bone_TL]

QUESTION FOR THE HIVE MIND:
The other option would be routing in from the front so that the knobs are “recessed ” a little bit….. hopefully you can use your imagination with the picture below….

Thoughts and opinions???

Now that you've decided not to, my first instinct was to prefer the "PRS" style (or so I've seen it described here) of dishing each knob. but my second (which won't really work with the holes as drilled, anyway, from what I can imagine) would be to dish as the other half of the lower f-hole.

 

[Dark Horse]

… but my second (which won't really work with the holes as drilled, anyway, from what I can imagine) would be to dish as the other half of the lower f-hole.

I thought of that as well. Like you said, wouldn’t work with the holes already drilled, but may be worth mocking up at least on a future build

 

[Dark Horse]

Well… had a few minutes, so i finished routing the control cavity.

Then i drilled the hole in the side of the body for the electrosocket side jack. This can be tricky to get it straight and centered because the body is awkward, so i thought I’d show a couple pics how i do it.

first, i use a small bar clamp and some mdf (to keep the clamp from marring the wood) to clamp the body. Then i use another clamp to solidly clamp the force clamp to the work surface, with the guitar body in an upright position. This holds the body solidly at a good angle for drilling. I realize my description is tough to follow, so hopefully these photos explain it:

Then i make the center of the body with a punch, and use a 7/8” Forstner bit to create the hole. Perfect!

 

[Dark Horse]

I also decided to mix up some epoxy and brush it on the inside of the control cavity to strengthen the wood. Since the holes were already drilled, i used blue tape to keep any excess epoxy from dripping through the holes and getting on the top….. but this really wasn’t an issue.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Well… had a few minutes, so i finished routing the control cavity.

Then i drilled the hole in the side of the body for the electrosocket side jack. This can be tricky to get it straight and centered because the body is awkward, so i thought I’d show a couple pics how i do it.

first, i use a small bar clamp and some mdf (to keep the clamp from marring the wood) to clamp the body. Then i use another clamp to solidly clamp the force clamp to the work surface, with the guitar body in an upright position. This holds the body solidly at a good angle for drilling. I realize my description is tough to follow, so hopefully these photos explain it:

View attachment 5263781 View attachment 5263782


Then i make the center of the body with a punch, and use a 7/8” Forstner bit to create the hole. Perfect!


View attachment 5263787

Good thinking. I’ve used clamps to hold a body upright like that before but never thought to clamp the clamp.

 

[Dark Horse]

Good thinking. I’ve used clamps to hold a body upright like that before but never thought to clamp the clamp.

it holds it in place quite well

 

[GKon]

Good thinking. I’ve used clamps to hold a body upright like that before but never thought to clamp the clamp.

it holds it in place quite well

I'm sensing a new TB thread, "How many clamps have you used to clamp a clamp?", or "What's the best clamp to clamp a clamp with?".

 

[Dark Horse]

I'm sensing a new TB thread, "How many clamps have you used to clamp a clamp?", or "What's the best clamp to clamp a clamp with?".

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I'm sensing a new TB thread, "How many clamps have you used to clamp a clamp?", or "What's the best clamp to clamp a clamp with?".

The best metal for clamps?

 

[Mickey666]

And of course....
The best clamps for metal

(Somebody was gonna say it)

 

[Dark Horse]

Talking a little time today to build a new work surface. 1.5” thick oak top.

gonna start putting up Christmas lights in a bit….

i know, not guitar related… just a shop update

 

[Dark Horse]

Assembly table (mostly) built. I’m going to put some t-track on there, a bit more bracing, an outlet, a few other things mostly likely… but it’s almost done. Definitely not perfect or fancy, but it’s heavy duty and should last

 

[Lo-E]

I did a mock up of the recessed knob idea and though i like it (and will use it in the future), i dont think i like it for this bass…..

I was completely with you and @Beej on this idea and I gave it some further consideration:
After you’ve built this project for your nephew (making you the best uncle in bass history) you can build a fretless one for yourself. On that one, go with the recess for the knobs…. BUT… make the recess in the shape of the missing section of F-hole. The recess completes the F-hole and maintains symmetry. Rather than a bowl bit, use a smaller diameter core box bit so the edges are more defined to maintain the shape of the sound hole but still dished. The knobs can decrease in diameter to follow the contour of the recess. I think that would look sharp.

Yup; that’s what I’m thinking about while I’m at work. Sure beats work!

 

[Dark Horse]

I was completely with you and @Beej on this idea and I gave it some further consideration:
After you’ve built this project for your nephew (making you the best uncle in bass history) you can build a fretless one for yourself. On that one, go with the recess for the knobs…. BUT… make the recess in the shape of the missing section of F-hole. The recess completes the F-hole and maintains symmetry. Rather than a bowl bit, use a smaller diameter core box bit so the edges are more defined to maintain the shape of the sound hole but still dished. The knobs can decrease in diameter to follow the contour of the recess. I think that would look sharp.

Yup; that’s what I’m thinking about while I’m at work. Sure beats work!

I like that idea

 

[coy garcia]

Very nice table!!! Not f hole bass cool but very cool ....I also vote rear rout.

 

[Dark Horse]

It’s drizzling and miserable out and im just not in the mood to get covered in sawdust…… BUT…. On the bright side, i did get some fun new goodies today from StewMac, Rockler, and Lowes !!!