• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

First Built, finished, finally, 5 string fretless

I couldnt find my original thread with progress, but anyhow, here it is.

I am the happiest man today, so here is my first baby:

Jatoba/Maple body
Maple/Walnut neck
Bloodwood fingerboard with maple inlay fretlines and abalony dots
Big Singles Nordstrand pups
Audere pre

May be I did go a little overboard to pimp it out with gold hardware but I do like it,

I will take some better shots of it but I just couldn't wait and just grabbed a few to post.

JB1.jpg


JB2.jpg


JB3.jpg


JB4.jpg


Let me know what you think, I sure have learned a lot during this project. There is tons more to learn I know.
 
Looks gorgeous; hope it sounds the same. VERY well done.

One question, though: Is it necessary to learn thumb position to play the last few frets? Not a lot of cutaway there... was that intentional?

You are right the cutaway turned out unintentionally smallish, it is a bit aukward to play last couple of frets, but I can live with that until I build another one. There are a lot of things I will take into account next time. I am just happy Ipulled off this one.
 
I like it a lot. Very nicely finished, nice design. The headstock very much appeals to me(I like them big). All that said, I think there are going to be some functionality lessons(the already-mentioned cutaway & potential neck-dive come to mind)learned here, but the bass will teach you far better than my little comments. Bravo on your first. :cool: