First Build - Spector inspired

[pmarv]

And then just hand carved the rest?

Yep, exactly. The top was easier because I could just work my way back and forth and there was less material to remove. The back concave was more work. I removed the bulk of it with a router and a jig then once I got close I used a gouge to rough in the shape. To finish it off I 3d printed a sanding block with the radius I wanted and then just went to town. Probably an hour or two of sanding until I was happy with it.

 

[pmarv]

Amazing first build, looks much nicer than my first build and more ambitious at that! Very impressive. More important than the looks is how it sounds and plays, how did you do in that regard?

Thanks, my friends also thought I was a bit crazy for attempting this as my first build. Mistakes were made, mistakes were fixed. It sounds great, really awesome growl and a ton of sustain.

 

[pmarv]

Nicely done!! I love finish, especially on the neck. The attention to detail is fantastic too. That cavity cover looks great! I'm really impressed this level of quality could be accomplished in a garage on weekends.

Thanks. The cavity cover is a 1/8" veneer cut from the body blanks before shaping. It actually not 100% complete yet, It attached with magnets and I have a leather pull tab I still have to install. That's why it sitting proud in the picture, so I can get it off without having to pry it out. It actually sits in flush with the body and matches the body radius. I was pretty happy with how it turned out.

 

[QualiaJulien]

Hello @pmarv , well done your bass is a gorgeous one! I started kind of same project, my uncle was carpenter, he is in retirement. He gave me some piece of wood , paduk, ash, wenge and I want to build a spector like bass. Is it possible to send me the blueprint of your bass ? I found some informations but not a lot .

Thank you so much and happy new year !

 

[T_Bone_TL]

Thanks. The cavity cover is a 1/8" veneer cut from the body blanks before shaping. It actually not 100% complete yet, It attached with magnets and I have a leather pull tab I still have to install. That's why it sitting proud in the picture, so I can get it off without having to pry it out. It actually sits in flush with the body and matches the body radius. I was pretty happy with how it turned out.

Several people (I don't know who came up with it first) have a system where the ledge for the magnet-attached cover is cut deeper in one area so it can be pushed down in one spot to pop up on the opposite side for removal with no visible "pull tab" or finger-notch.

It's a slick look/idea for that, especially with a well-matched cover.

 

[shai-ga]

I almost thought I read "first build"

 

[pmarv]

Several people (I don't know who came up with it first) have a system where the ledge for the magnet-attached cover is cut deeper in one area so it can be pushed down in one spot to pop up on the opposite side for removal with no visible "pull tab" or finger-notch.

It's a slick look/idea for that, especially with a well-matched cover.

Thanks. Yeah, I like that idea. I experimented with a few variations but I couldn't get it to work the way I wanted it to so I ended up settling on a pull tab for this one. For future builds I'd like to use a method with no visible hardware/access.

 

[pmarv]

Hello @pmarv , well done your bass is a gorgeous one! I started kind of same project, my uncle was carpenter, he is in retirement. He gave me some piece of wood , paduk, ash, wenge and I want to build a spector like bass. Is it possible to send me the blueprint of your bass ? I found some informations but not a lot .

Thank you so much and happy new year !

Yes, I'll DM you, happy new year!

 

[pmarv]

I almost thought I read "first build"

Haha, yeah it was an ambitious first build. I haven't done anything like this before. Mistakes were made, lessons were learned. I look forward to making another one some day, maybe a 5 string (just to keep it interesting).