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Fretless 5 comp/showcase - the "*@#$ Cancer" Bass
- Thread starter Kev2007
- Start date
Thanks for asking. I'e got a few coats of shellac on the top, and one nice coat of tung oil on the rest of it. We had it strung up briefly, and discovered I need to cut the bridge and nut down a bit more to get it nicely playable. My buddy Paul is working out the last intricacies of the electronics. So, it's close! A couple more coats of tung oil, I think.
Kev
...and just in time for the deadline.
I'm very pleased with this, my first build. The goal when I set out on this was to:
a) learn, learn, learn
b) come up with a unique design and explore new techniques
c) overcome problems with creative solutions
d) use local woods and resources whenever possible
I feel that I've accomplished all of the above, though the bass has a few areas I could improve.. The bonus is that I've ended up with a really fabulous sounding instrument!
I'm really picky about tone, and this bass has a vibrancy to its sound that I can only atrtribute to the resonating top and the fabulous RMC piezo pickups. There is a nice acoustic sound to it, unplugged. The preamp, generously donated by TB's SM Perry, is clean, 'deep' and very hot - not at all like most piezo systems I've used. I've never used flatwound strings before, but I'm really digging these LaBella flats. I got the 'extra long set', but they still don't seem to be long enough, as you'll note in the headstock pics. Strange, it's only a 34" scale, and the string through isn't that deep. It plays very nicely inspite of that, thankfully. Very smooth up and down the neck, no buzzes.
So, some 'deck' pics, taken by my wife:
Truss rod cover is held on by four rare earth magnets.
The electronics drawer:
I can take more pics if anyone wants to see a specific part of the instrument.
For the finish, I used CA glue on the fingerboard, tung oil with a coat of paste wax for the body and neck, and dewaxed shellac for the top. The shellac darkened the cedar dramatically, and the tung oil really brought out that crazy grain on the cherry. Oh - looking for knobs? There are two thumbwheel pots, glued up inside the sound holes. Very convenient and descreet, and no holes in the top!
It's a featherweight axe, haven't weighed it but when I put it in the gig bag for the first time, I had to open the bag to make sure there was a bass inside.
Remember that I'm used to wearing Warwick Thumb basses... It balances about one inch back from the upper horn (12th fret).
Thanks to everyone for their feedback, to my buddy Paul for his invaluable work figuring out the electronics part of the project, and to the other 'contest' entrants, whose amazing builds inspired me and taught me so much along the way.
Thanks for watching,
Kev
I'm very pleased with this, my first build. The goal when I set out on this was to:
a) learn, learn, learn
b) come up with a unique design and explore new techniques
c) overcome problems with creative solutions
d) use local woods and resources whenever possible
I feel that I've accomplished all of the above, though the bass has a few areas I could improve.. The bonus is that I've ended up with a really fabulous sounding instrument!
I'm really picky about tone, and this bass has a vibrancy to its sound that I can only atrtribute to the resonating top and the fabulous RMC piezo pickups. There is a nice acoustic sound to it, unplugged. The preamp, generously donated by TB's SM Perry, is clean, 'deep' and very hot - not at all like most piezo systems I've used. I've never used flatwound strings before, but I'm really digging these LaBella flats. I got the 'extra long set', but they still don't seem to be long enough, as you'll note in the headstock pics. Strange, it's only a 34" scale, and the string through isn't that deep. It plays very nicely inspite of that, thankfully. Very smooth up and down the neck, no buzzes.So, some 'deck' pics, taken by my wife:
Truss rod cover is held on by four rare earth magnets.
The electronics drawer:
I can take more pics if anyone wants to see a specific part of the instrument.
For the finish, I used CA glue on the fingerboard, tung oil with a coat of paste wax for the body and neck, and dewaxed shellac for the top. The shellac darkened the cedar dramatically, and the tung oil really brought out that crazy grain on the cherry. Oh - looking for knobs? There are two thumbwheel pots, glued up inside the sound holes. Very convenient and descreet, and no holes in the top!
It's a featherweight axe, haven't weighed it but when I put it in the gig bag for the first time, I had to open the bag to make sure there was a bass inside.
Remember that I'm used to wearing Warwick Thumb basses... It balances about one inch back from the upper horn (12th fret).Thanks to everyone for their feedback, to my buddy Paul for his invaluable work figuring out the electronics part of the project, and to the other 'contest' entrants, whose amazing builds inspired me and taught me so much along the way.
Thanks for watching,
Kev
Congratulations. I love cherry wood, and am now going to have to go to the lumberyard and get more, thanks to this!
Musiclogic
Commercial User
- Aug 6, 2005
- 6,505
- 73
- 60
- Disclosures
- Owner/Builder: HJC Customs USA, The Cool Lute, C G O
adam.beauchene
Commercial User
Fantastic looking instrument, Kev. I am really looking forward to hearing some samples. This might be the best 'first build' I've ever seen, I am looking forward to seeing your next!
- Dec 21, 2007
- 15,222
- 45,000
- Disclosures
- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
Congratulations, that's a fine looking instrument!
I would really like to see pictures of the control knobs - as seen from the player's perspective.
I would really like to see pictures of the control knobs - as seen from the player's perspective.
Excellent result! You have certainly more than achieved all your goals.
The look is very classy yet edgy in some small details. You have managed to push the envelope without overdoing it - in all aspects, all the way down to the choice of finish. That IMO is the toughest part of designing an instrument.
What makes your build special to me is that, it is truly fretless at heart.
Yeah, take more pix. It doesn't matter what... top/bottom angles, details...whatever you're proud of. Just take many OK?
The look is very classy yet edgy in some small details. You have managed to push the envelope without overdoing it - in all aspects, all the way down to the choice of finish. That IMO is the toughest part of designing an instrument.
What makes your build special to me is that, it is truly fretless at heart.
Yeah, take more pix. It doesn't matter what... top/bottom angles, details...whatever you're proud of. Just take many OK?
That thing is dead sexy. Can you make me a fretted one? In all seriousness, I would gladly make the drive to your place if you would let me see it.
lowsound
lowsound
What an awesome bass!
I have been following your build very carefully and really do appreciate the time you have taken to share the details.
I have been following your build very carefully and really do appreciate the time you have taken to share the details.
