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First (and probably only) bass build

J

johnnymiz

Dec 31, 2007
16
0
#1
I want to thank all here who post for your help, whether you knew you were helping me or not. I didn't post, I just used the search function.
I have a basement shop with lots of tools and some extra wood. I was bored this winter so I decided to build my son a bass(I don't play...I'm tonally challenged, to say the least). I had already bought him a G&L ASAT through the "for sale" section here so I tried to build something a little different. It's a semi-hollow with a shape kind of like a Gibson EB-2. Took waaaay longer than I thought it would.
I finished it about a month ago. looks good, sounds good, stays in tune.
a few things I'd change...maybe make the neck slimmer, and make the body slimmer.....it's a little heavy.
some specs:
neck is a lamination of red oak(flooring:D),maple and poplar from lowes.
fretboard is maple from lowes
body is 1x12 poplar from lowes
tuning keys are hipshot HB5 open back
hipshot aluminum 5RK400c bridge
dimarzio ultra jazz pickups
wiring harness from Butch at Bayou Cables.....vol,vol,tone with series parallel switch
Labella flats
the body is finished with red tint so the grain can be seen with 10 or so coats of poly over it
the neck is oiled and waxed

pics to follow
 
#2
neck laminated and routed for trussrod; fretboard cut for frets
 

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#9
well, I honestly couldn't describe how it sounds because I can't play it. he says it sounds good...good enough that he told his little sister she could have his asat. it does sound a little different from the G&L, but I can't say more.
 
#16
thanks guys.
i wouldnt know how to even begin to make a recording. my boy isnt in a real band...just plays a bit with his friends. but he likes playing, so i try to be supportive. he doesnt have a lot of equipment.
i can see how this could easily become an expensive habit....all the bits i bought for it weren't cheap at all.
 
#18
well, yes, they do. I did find that when I was checking out basses to buy him. some are shockingly expensive. but I am quite sure that they are worth whatever they sell for. mine sure wouldnt be worth that....but for the price of a mim fender j bass(plus a lot of hours spent in the basement), he has a handmade one with a fairly unique look and jazz pickups and electronics(i wanted the sound to be different from his G&L). it has his initials under the finish on the headstock....and, it's made by his dad. not so bad.
 

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