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First bass - neck through.

#61
ctmullins said:
Ummmmmm...

Why is your volute backwards?
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hmm, excellent question. I didn't have a bass with a volute in hand and was working from inspiration and feel.

Now that you've said this, (and I've had time to look at a picture or two) I guess I've got some re-arranging to do. Thankfully, there's plenty of wood.

It's funny, because I definitely started shaping it in the traditional manner. Not sure when my brain switched gears.
 
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#63
ctmullins said:
Glad you still have enough material to work with! :thumbsup:
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How's this?
20190521_125933.jpg
 
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#69
Last night I glued the fretboard down and i spent some time adding the radius today. It's a 16" radius, so nothing vintage but also not completely flat.
20190522_122703.jpg

I used planes to get the radius started and then dialed it in with a sanding beam.

From the top of the curve of the fretboard there's exactly a 3/8" vertical drop to the body of the bass so I'm pretty pleased with that.

Next up, dialing in the sides of the blank to the angle of the fretboard and getting the wings jointed and ready.
 
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#70
I jointed the wings and then rounded them over with a 1/2 round bit. I'm going to shape the neck before gluing them on, but I'm happy with the basic vibe. I'm trying to decide if I'd like to go a little bolder with the carve on the bottom horn and add arm relief and a belly cut.

20190524_073920.jpg

As of now, I think I'm just going to get it all glued together and then make decisions about further shaping when it's assembled.
 
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#71
Roundovers and contouring are somewhat personal preference. Some folk like a slab body, others like the belly cut and forearm reliefs. Some people like the sharp-edged look of minimal roundover, others like everything rounded off.

Not that you asked my opinion specifically, but I think that too much roundover makes an instrument look like a marshmallow with strings (looking at you, Fender). A beveled edge is a good compromise, offering some comfort while still looking creased.
 
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#72
ctmullins said:
Roundovers and contouring are somewhat personal preference. Some folk like a slab body, others like the belly cut and forearm reliefs. Some people like the sharp-edged look of minimal roundover, others like everything rounded off.

Not that you asked my opinion specifically, but I think that too much roundover makes an instrument look like a marshmallow with strings (looking at you, Fender). A beveled edge is a good compromise, offering some comfort while still looking creased.
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Good perspective. There's a world of difference between a Warwick and a Rickenbacker. Neither wrong but you can easily see why someone who prefers one style would probably not be as keen on the other.

My vision for this bass has always been countoured more like a Warwick. I'm just working out how far that goes.
 
#75
ctmullins said:
Roundovers and contouring are somewhat personal preference. Some folk like a slab body, others like the belly cut and forearm reliefs. Some people like the sharp-edged look of minimal roundover, others like everything rounded off.

Not that you asked my opinion specifically, but I think that too much roundover makes an instrument look like a marshmallow with strings (looking at you, Fender). A beveled edge is a good compromise, offering some comfort while still looking creased.
Click to expand...
mmmm.... marshmallows... :drool:
 

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