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First Build, Performer Copy

#241
RBS_Johnson said:
That looks a bit unstable to me. May not be, but it looks like a tower of Ampeg.
Click to expand...

Well, I'd avoid walking into it, or pulling the cable, but it is pretty solid. At least now, I've got my practice amp together, so I can start saving for an amp to gig with :P

I sprayed the 5th and final coats today. So now it's just the waiting game until the nitro cures. I've been thinking of building a custom fit case, which I may start on while I wait.

nziqgy.jpg
 
#242
mapleglo said:
Well, I'd avoid walking into it, or pulling the cable, but it is pretty solid. At least now, I've got my practice amp together, so I can start saving for an amp to gig with :P

I sprayed the 5th and final coats today. So now it's just the waiting game until the nitro cures. I've been thinking of building a custom fit case, which I may start on while I wait.

nziqgy.jpg
Click to expand...

If you are going for a gloss finish, I would guess you are going to need a few more coats. I have never been able to get that result with just 5. I usually end up spraying about 12 coats.
 
#246
I spent some time sanding today, as I've waited the recommended time to allow the lacquer to cure. I most likely did not spend enough time sanding, but I've run out of patience. A satin finish it is.

Started to wire it up, after lining everything with copper tape.

otooyt.jpg
 
#248
mapleglo said:
I spent some time sanding today, as I've waited the recommended time to allow the lacquer to cure. I most likely did not spend enough time sanding, but I've run out of patience. A satin finish it is.

Started to wire it up, after lining everything with copper tape.

otooyt.jpg
Click to expand...

If you intended on a gloss finish, don't give up on it. Buff that sucker out
 
#249
33u3nzn.jpg


Something is not right with the tone controls, but it's wired up and playing. I spent most of today working on it, and I have to say, these 57 year old eyes are not what they used to be. I may have crossed some wires, or when I stuffed everything into the control cavity, shorted something. I'll play with it more tomorrow.

I'll add that the Carvin neck is really sweet. It's like a cross between a Rickenbacker and Jazz bass. I've already started on a new build, and I'll definitely use another Carvin neck. Previews coming soon.

Regarding the finish, yeah, well patience was never one of my virtues. It's certainly better than my last attempt, when I stripped a 70's sunburst Precision with a disk sander on an electric drill, and slopped on a couple of coats of poly with a brush. No sanding after. I think my life subsequent to that was some kind of bass goddess retribution :hmm:

I'll take some better pictures tomorrow, if the weather is cooperative, after I see what's up with the tone circuit.
 
#252
RBS_Johnson said:
So, how does it balance on a strap fully assemble then?
Click to expand...

Incredibly, it is perfectly balanced. I copied the design as close as I could from JIO's build, and he extended the upper horn to the 12th fret unlike the original, which results in an excellent balance. I was afraid it might be pretty heavy, being maple, but I think going with a thinner body was the right move. It's about 1 3/16th inches in depth.

It's quite comfortable to wear, and I'm also glad I didn't do a belly cut or forearm cut. Totally not needed, at least for me.
 
#258
I worked on the control cavity a bit this morning. I disconnected the tone controls and the switch and volume knobs work as they should. In the 45 years I've been playing bass, I don't ever remember using a tone control. I think I'll just leave them out. Due to the cramped space inside the control cavity, I'm planing on swapping out the current concentric pots, and buying a couple of regular pots. I'll also look for some new knobs. The ones currently installed stick out from the face quite a bit, and I'm not real happy with the way they look. And oddly enough, since they are steel, they are very heavy. I might be able to shave off 8 oz from the weight by going to aluminum or plastic knobs.
 
#260
mapleglo said:
Incredibly, it is perfectly balanced. I copied the design as close as I could from JIO's build, and he extended the upper horn to the 12th fret unlike the original, which results in an excellent balance. I was afraid it might be pretty heavy, being maple, but I think going with a thinner body was the right move. It's about 1 3/16th inches in depth.

It's quite comfortable to wear, and I'm also glad I didn't do a belly cut or forearm cut. Totally not needed, at least for me.
Click to expand...

...especially for a 24 fret neck - the extended upper horn is what makes it work. Your build turned out really nice - enjoy playing it!

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