First Build - And May My Mistakes Be Minimal

[PDX Rich]

It is addicting isn't it?

a little bit ><

 

[wraub]

That is looking pretty damn good.

 

[Canadian APII]

a little bit ><

Just finishing up a silly divorce. Hopefully I'll be able to start a project like yours before Christmas. I am trying to get a local log . Up here the Emerald Ash Borer is killing trees like crazy. Thing is there are huge northern ash trees over two feet wide that have been dead and drying for two to three years everywhere here. I am considering a truly one piece build, But then a one piece ash neck scares me. I am considering sawing one inch out of the center then flipping and gluing it back to lessen warping. I wonder if there would still be significant creep in the wood after drying naturally for about two years? Maybe I should go with a build with fewer ifs and maybes?

 

[wraub]

I'd be of the opinion that 2 years in the outdoors in your climate is likely not enough to dry it for building.

 

[PDX Rich]

We had a similar infestation at Crater Lake a couple years ago. On the plus side, there was plenty of free firewood to go around. :|

 

[daveman50]

I just had a logger cut about 15 acres of ash in central NY, before the borer hit that particular area - it's only a matter of time. Lots of slash and trash on the ground - firewood for a few years for sure!

 

[scottyd]

Just finishing up a silly divorce. Hopefully I'll be able to start a project like yours before Christmas. I am trying to get a local log . Up here the Emerald Ash Borer is killing trees like crazy. Thing is there are huge northern ash trees over two feet wide that have been dead and drying for two to three years everywhere here. I am considering a truly one piece build, But then a one piece ash neck scares me. I am considering sawing one inch out of the center then flipping and gluing it back to lessen warping. I wonder if there would still be significant creep in the wood after drying naturally for about two years? Maybe I should go with a build with fewer ifs and maybes?

If it's been outside all of this time most likely it's still wet. In fact it's possible it may be even wetter than if it were alive, dead wood soaks water. Wet wood moves like crazy as it dries. Until it's cut and slabbed it will not dry properly.

 

[Canadian APII]

If it's been outside all of this time most likely it's still wet. In fact it's possible it may be even wetter than if it were alive, dead wood soaks water. Wet wood moves like crazy as it dries. Until it's cut and slabbed it will not dry properly.

What if I got a log under shelter? Would that dry some or would it need to be inside entirely?

 

[PDX Rich]

I just realized that my drill press doesn't have enough throat where I can hog out material for my pickup route. Hrmmmmm. Need bigger tools.

Any easy workarounds for not being able to hog out material prior to routing? I'd be quite hesitant to use forstner bits in a hand drill!

 

[Will_White]

I just realized that my drill press doesn't have enough throat where I can hog out material for my pickup route. Hrmmmmm. Need bigger tools.

Any easy workarounds for not being able to hog out material prior to routing? I'd be quite hesitant to use forstner bits in a hand drill!

Maybe a standard spiral bit in the hand drill and then clean up the bottom with the router or chisels. Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong,

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Good idea to ask some questions before you start.
I saw a guy posting on a guitar forum today that didn't know how to put his pickups in & he had already painted the body. He had painted the neck pocket & the control cavity too, LMAO!

 

[Canadian APII]

I just realized that my drill press doesn't have enough throat where I can hog out material for my pickup route. Hrmmmmm. Need bigger tools.

Any easy workarounds for not being able to hog out material prior to routing? I'd be quite hesitant to use forstner bits in a hand drill!

Invalid Link Removed

 

[PDX Rich]

Invalid Link Removed

Incremental passes is certainly a valid technique, and I may need to go that route (pun puns), but I'd prefer to hog some wood out first.

However, I may just start practicing in case I cannot reasonably access a larger press.

 

[Canadian APII]

Incremental passes is certainly a valid technique, and I may need to go that route (pun puns), but I'd prefer to hog some wood out first.

However, I may just start practicing in case I cannot reasonably access a larger press.

I respect your choices but I see this rout (punny) to be the easiest and most accurate.

 

[Hopkins]

Just finishing up a silly divorce. Hopefully I'll be able to start a project like yours before Christmas. I am trying to get a local log . Up here the Emerald Ash Borer is killing trees like crazy. Thing is there are huge northern ash trees over two feet wide that have been dead and drying for two to three years everywhere here. I am considering a truly one piece build, But then a one piece ash neck scares me. I am considering sawing one inch out of the center then flipping and gluing it back to lessen warping. I wonder if there would still be significant creep in the wood after drying naturally for about two years? Maybe I should go with a build with fewer ifs and maybes?

From what I understand the EAB's wont quit eating a tree once it becomes wood. Making a bass of a tree stricken with EAB's isn't a risk I would take.

 

[Deep Cat]

From what I understand the EAB's wont quit eating a tree once it becomes wood. Making a bass of a tree stricken with EAB's isn't a risk I would take.

Agreed. My parents have a gigantic ash in Ohio that's getting the bug and I weep for it. Kiln drying is supposed to kill the EABs and it's eggs and whatnot, but I still wouldn't knowingly put an infected log in my garage.

Just finishing up a silly divorce. Hopefully I'll be able to start a project like yours before Christmas. I am trying to get a local log . Up here the Emerald Ash Borer is killing trees like crazy. Thing is there are huge northern ash trees over two feet wide that have been dead and drying for two to three years everywhere here. I am considering a truly one piece build, But then a one piece ash neck scares me. I am considering sawing one inch out of the center then flipping and gluing it back to lessen warping. I wonder if there would still be significant creep in the wood after drying naturally for about two years? Maybe I should go with a build with fewer ifs and maybes?

I've similarly considered a one piece build from ash. The thing is... ash is wonderful because the wood grain hides or obscures a glue line. I think if one is skillful, crafty, and lucky enough, you can make a multi board bass from ash and hide every glue line.

I'll try it one day.

 

[Hopkins]

Agreed. My parents have a gigantic ash in Ohio that's getting the bug and I weep for it. Kiln drying is supposed to kill the EABs and it's eggs and whatnot, but I still wouldn't knowingly put an infected log in my garage.



I've similarly considered a one piece build from ash. The thing is... ash is wonderful because the wood grain hides or obscures a glue line. I think if one is skillful, crafty, and lucky enough, you can make a multi board bass from ash and hide every glue line.

I'll try it one day.

I might risk it if it were kiln dried, but not if it were just stickered and dried naturally

 

[Canadian APII]

Thanks a lot all.

 

[PDX Rich]

Routed pickup cavity and attached bridge and tuners. While I was there I put some old strings on. Sounds like a bass that needs some fret leveling and crowning! That is the next step this week.

Oh, and somehow I was 1mm off on bridge placement so I glued toothpicks in holes and will re drill that later as well.

How very convenient that the pickup route exposed the control cavity. One less thing to drill for wiring.

 

[wraub]

Really looking forward to seeing this with finish, should be a thing of beauty.