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Fretless 5 comp/showcase - the "*@#$ Cancer" Bass

#24
Musiclogic said:
Kev, I see Ric influence in this, very cool, and very best hopes for recovery.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Yeah, as soon as I stepped back from the drawing, I said 'whoa, Ric!'. Funny (interesting) how the mind works; I'm not a fan of the look and feel of Ric basses. But, a buddy brought over his Ric 370/12 a few weeks ago for me to check out (I was rapt by its look up close), and at the same time I watched A Hard Days Night for the first time in years (okay, and The Rutles, too). So yeah, I'm totally guilty of that influence... In fact, there are other derivative features on the bass you may spot. Wait 'til you see the bridge design. :smug:

Peace,

Kev
 
#28
Happy New Year, all.

I had a great NYE gig in Ohio, and I'm back to muddling away, making a little progress. Neck blank glued up, and blocks attached and shaped to the form:

neckblankandblocks.jpg


The cherry neck lams should darken over time, providing a nice contrast to the maple. Next up - bending the cherry sides to the form! I've never bent cherry before, so I hope the Force is with me. I've also got to construct a few more templates and jigs, and I can start thinking about the scarf joint.

I ordered the hardware, etc. from LMI and Stewmac, so I've got real money into this thing now. No looking back! :eek:

Making it up as I go along, thanks for watching.

Kev
 
#29
Great build project and just the right and positive thing to be doing!
I had my own battle with the big C but I finally won, over 5 years clear now. Keeping a positive and upbeat attitude is crucial, so playing music and building your bass is definitely the ticket.

Keep on keeping on man, you can beat this thing. you are in my prayers.
 
#31
If it's Friday, it must be Bend Day!

Time to bend the cherry ribs to the form. Remember that I'm making this up as I go along...

Bending iron rig and form ready to go:

readytobend.jpg


The cherry bent a lot more easily than I thought it would. not as easily as maple, but still...

bendingironinaction.jpg


In fact, things moved along so well I was able to glue two of the ribs on to the form tonight. The two short ones will go on tomorrow morning.

ribglueing.jpg


January7004.jpg


That's it for now. Hoping to have the willow linings bent and installed by the end of the weekend so I can get going on the back.

Thanks for watching. :)

Peace,

Kev
 
#32
Looking sharp! I like the rib and corner block construction. Lots of strength with very low weight. This will be an awesome bass. I am learning a lot all ready watching everyone's methods during the competition. Saving up ideas for the future... :ninja:
 
#33
Wow, interesting construction. Can't wait to see it take shape.

I was diagnosed in 1999 and had radiation. Lance Armstrong inspired me to race bicycles and get in awesome shape (my doctor freaked out when I lost 30 lbs!). Then I had chemo in 2005, and that inspired me to play bass and start making them. So rock onward!
 
#37
Thanks everyone, for your comments supportive of the bass and my 'condition'. All are vey much appreciated. It's interesting that LM noticed the violin making form technique. After a lot of thought, it was only one that made sense so we'll see how it adapts to a electric bass. As a first build, everything about this bass is experimental for me, and I'm learning a lot.

Here's the tentative headstock design. I'm not entirely happy with it - something about the bass side curve doesn't really do it for me yet. I need to tighten up that first curve off the neck to make it flow better.

Headstock.jpg


Obviously I'm trying to keep the strings in line, but I think it looks a little 'clinical' at this point. I can fiddle with the tuner shaft angles when I get there. Truss rod access will be through the nut end, so maybe I can use the cover plate (ebony) to dress it up a little. Probably figured cherry veneer over the headstock, or maybe some of the WR cedar to match the top.

Peace,

Kev
 
#38
Kev2007 said:
Here's the tentative headstock design. I'm not entirely happy with it - something about the bass side curve doesn't really do it for me yet. I need to tighten up that first curve off the neck to make it flow better.

Headstock.jpg


Obviously I'm trying to keep the strings in line, but I think it looks a little 'clinical' at this point. I can fiddle with the tuner shaft angles when I get there. Truss rod access will be through the nut end, so maybe I can use the cover plate (ebony) to dress it up a little. Probably figured cherry veneer over the headstock, or maybe some of the WR cedar to match the top.

Peace,

Kev
Click to expand...

I don't know what it is about designing headstocks, I have a hard time with it too. It seems like such an inconsequential thing, but it can make or break the look of the instrument. Add in the desire for straight string break over the nut, and it complicates things even more. Good luck, looks good so far!
 
#39
I think your h/s works just fine. You probably just need to look beyond paper drawings. Make a prototype if you want to be sure. You'll find the way to fix what bothers you in a blink. There's no substitute for sculpturing, not on paper anyway.
To me it looks consistent with the design of the body and it has an edgy feel that makes me want to look at it again. Cool! :)
 

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