First build: 5 string EUB

[Rickett Customs]

Decided to figure the layout, with the strings, found mistakes that I made...........

I figured that I would calculate the string layout, with 1/4" space on each side of the fingerboard, well the joke was on me

Looks like I'll need to redo the bridge, because the spacing is way off. That's what I get for making the bridge first. I had planned a 7/8" string spacing, now a hair over 3/4" (maybe a mm past).

That's alright though, I could've done better on the routes for the saddles, so now I can.

Pics so far:

Now it's more accurate

Here's the leftover piece that will be my next one:

There will certainly be more mistakes for you guys to laugh at soon

 

[Mikey R]

Hey Jason, looking good!

How did you enjoy handplaning on your workmate?

Mine drives me crazy, Ive figured out I need to stand on the bench to stop it skidding, but that makes it hard to keep the plane plumb and I cant get enough power behind it. I cant wait to get a decent bench!

 

[Rickett Customs]

Hey Jason, looking good!

How did you enjoy handplaning on your workmate?

Mine drives me crazy, Ive figured out I need to stand on the bench to stop it skidding, but that makes it hard to keep the plane plumb and I cant get enough power behind it. I cant wait to get a decent bench!

If you're looking to build a "somewhat" decent workbench, I built this rather inexpensive bench.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=477828

Yeah, she skids around, unless I put my foot on the foot step.
I have a nice big workbench, just have not had the opportunity to clear all the tools that are covering the top of it right now.
I remedied the skidding temporarily, by putting some weight under it (firewood logs).

 

[Mikey R]

If you're looking to build a "somewhat" decent workbench, I built this rather inexpensive bench.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=477828

Yeah, I saw that bench being built. I liked the oak laminate over the top - good touch to get a flat, hardwearing surface! Im looking into using bamboo flooring.

Also, Ive been watching these:

Link Removed

More traditional approach, and probably very tricky to move house with!

 

[Rickett Customs]

Yes,
I f'd up the bridge today

Maybe I should have stayed away from the shop today, no?

Anybody else ever felt like that?

After reading up on the "How to" section, I was looking at "building a wooden bridge", by Mario (T2W). Interesting..... I'm thinking to go that route, instead of what I'm doing currently.At least that put a smile on my face.

I should have just stayed away today. Wasn't in the right mood I guess.

 

[Rickett Customs]

A little bridge work.,

This time, instead of trying to slot the main piece, I hollowed it out. I'll put a thin laminate on the top, with the slots cut into it. For now though, I "picture framed" the main piece with 1/4" thick oak.

 

[Rickett Customs]

Made the top for the bridge, but first.......

A lesson from my uncle James:

"To make a thin laminate out of a thicker piece of wood,
cut the rough thickness with a bandsaw (in this scenario)
get another bigger piece of wood, glue a paper towel to it,
then glue the piece to the paper towel and run it through the planer".

Unless you already know this, and I'm an idiot

 

[Rickett Customs]

Had to clean up the shop, my father donates it to the Lions club/Boy scouts for food baskets for the less fortunate.

Cleared up shop pics:

So......... I won't be doing any more work until that finishes and I have a chance to re-organize again.

 

[Rickett Customs]

Looks like USPS left me a box today (trussrod):

.....But can't do anything until I get this mess organized :

 

[Rickett Customs]

Ok,
Got the shop somewhat organized.......... Lost the bridge somewhere in between, had to make another one. Cut the saddles out of 1/2" dia brass, cut them all the same height for now. Still have to get some small bolts 3" long, for the adjustment screws:

Went ahead and got the truss rod channels cut, then also routed a pocket, just beyond the fingerboard, any nicks you see, going down the truss rod channel, was the price I payed for not doing the channels before I tapered the neck, had to build a jig. I think it worked *alright*:

 

[alexei]

looking good!!

 

[mynameisandyb]

i friggin love you for using mspaint

 

[Rickett Customs]

i friggin love you for using mspaint

It's my most favorite to use, extremely simplified.

 

[jimmy rocket]

It's looking awesome man. That fingerboard looks nice and smooth with a perfect radius. I'm excited to see how this turns out.

 

[Rickett Customs]

Thanks Jimmy,
I don't think the radius is *that* perfect, but it should do

I was mowing over the possibility of putting some trim inside the rod cavity, like this gimpshop illustrates:

Then do a magnetic cover out of some of the blank scraps, I have left over:

 

[Rickett Customs]

A little bit of bridge work.

I messed up the first saddle, I need to remake 2 of them.
The second one came out the way i wanted it to via the drill press.
Now she's somewhat adjustable :

(some bolts may appear slightly crooked, the holes are oversized, for some movement)

Now I need to figure out how to layout the bolts with the end "cap" nuts (and trim the bolts down), would be able to just twist the capped end, instead of just the phillips heads for adjustment. Just need to figure on an vibration that will affect the tension of the nuts.

 

[Rickett Customs]

After making multiple saddles, I'm finally happy with the last ones I finished. Got them all drilled and threaded and then decided to sand the wood down a little, so that I could seal it up with a coat of wipe on poly:

Made a cover for the truss rod adjustment cavity:

I've decided to wait on gluing the fingerboard, until I work on the headstock, which also means I need to order some tuners here shortly.

 

[SDB Guitars]

Looks pretty good, so far... I'm wondering about that fingerboard... I don't recall - are you finishing it in poly, or did you something else in mind?

 

[Rickett Customs]

Looks pretty good, so far... I'm wondering about that fingerboard... I don't recall - are you finishing it in poly, or did you something else in mind?

I'm throwing around the idea of just sealing it with about 10 coats of poly, then sanding most of that down, should keep the dirt out.
Did not notice until I was finished with the saddles, they're aluminum........ I don't know if that's good enough (softer than brass, IIRC), I worry about the strings cutting into them. I'm still trying to find the best way to keep tension on the bolts. I was looking at the bridge on my Alembic epic, it almost appears that each end has a plastic or poly ring on each end, although the entire piece is brass and not wood.

 

[Rickett Customs]

Headstock has been slimmed down, fingerboard is glued and neck is in the process of being shaped.

Fingerboard went without a hitch, plenty of glue flowed out ( not too much)

1st session of neck shaping, used a rasp, micro planer and spokeshave.

Finally fornd some lock nuts....... Bridge is now attached togrther.