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First Build: SC5 Headless

#63
I've had a look at my process for gluing the tops and I think my glue line is a combination of needing more clamps and the veneer I'm using. Although the veneer is thin, it's not very smooth. I'm going to guess that the veneer (or fiber sheets) that other people use probably have a smoother surface.

I've got about 5 bodies trimmed to final shape. The glue lines for the ones that have tops are better than I originally though, but could still be better. I'll put the top chamfer on these bodies and then finish gluing up the remaining sets. One thing is for sure, I need to find a better way of lining up the center of the tops to the center of the bodies. I'm off a little on every one. Thankfully it's more of a cosmetic issue and they aren't off so much that it sticks out. Luckily, once I get the neck pockets cut and the bridge mounted, it will be pretty hard to tell.
 
#64
I take back my previous comments about the glue lines for the tops. I have 6 bodies trimmed to shape with the chamfer on the top edge. Three of them have tops. Now that the edges have been cut clean the glue line looks much better. Other than working on centering the tops a little more (I still have three more to glue), I don't think I'll change anything in my process.

I'm hoping to have all of the remaining tops glued and bodies trimmed by Friday so I can take some better pics in the sunlight.
 
#66
T-34 said:
Great build!
Click to expand...

Thanks T-34!

The weather hasn't been very cooperative so I haven't been able to get outdoor pics with natural light. However, I was able to make some good progress this past week, so these will have to do.

WARNING! There are LOTS of pics to follow. If you have an aversion to wood porn, please look away from your screen. :D None of these have been finish sanded so you will notice some small burn marks and scratches.
 
#67
2-piece Ash. This is the same one displayed earlier in the thread. I just thought I would take a few more pics. I has been routed for Nordstrand pickups and a Hipshot headless bridge.

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#73
Cherry with a Cherry top and Jatoba veneer. Now, this one is a little different, but I think it's going to turn out better than I had though. The veneer is right on the edge of the chamfer. The last pic shows the colour of the Cherry with epoxy on it. I think this one is going to really pop when it comes time to apply the finish.

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#74
Ash with Walnut and Yucatan Rosewood laminates and a Walnut top. I think this top is really going to pop with a finish too.

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A slip on the router on the upper horn resulted in this ...

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It looks bad, but it couldn't have happened in a better spot. Once the neck pocket gets routed I'll either stick an Ash plug in there or drill it out for recessed strap locks.
 
#75
And last but not least ...

The Habanero twins! These are just under 2 inches thick (I wanted them to have a little weight despite their small size) and rounded edges, not chamfered like the other basses. I would like to have a larger radius on the round overs, but this is as large as I can do with my router (1/4" shank).

Maple with Chechen top and back.

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I'm not sure what I'm going to do with these at this point. I'm leaning towards a fretted and fretless pair with a single Nordstrand DC5 pickup wired to a three way switch (rear coil, both coils, front coil) then straight to the output jack. Very minimalist.
 
#79
fretless_guy said:
I'm not sure what I'm going to do with these at this point. I'm leaning towards a fretted and fretless pair with a single Nordstrand DC5 pickup wired to a three way switch (rear coil, both coils, front coil) then straight to the output jack. Very minimalist.
Click to expand...

This would be sweet!

Or, how about a single Nordstrand DC5 pickup wired to a two-way switch ( both coils in series/both coils in parallel) then straight to the output jack?
 

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