Geo's bass body weight-reduction program...

[JIO]

Oh wow, I didn't assume it would not be removable from the original plate. I do love the tweed. =0)

Hmmmmmm another thing to look into.

If it's just for looks, couldn't you wrap a piece of 1/4" thick wood with tweed tolex and attach it through the back? Not sure how to attach it, screwing into the thin face sounds scary, maybe glue is the ticket...

I imagine it can be removed, but I took it that you wanted the original parts to stay as is. Looking at something similar (but not exactly the same) can give your gestalt options for whatever finish you decide upon. It can also be thin perforated sheet metal or as @Reedt2000 points out some sort of tweed material, and yes, glueing it is the method needed. I replaced my Ampeg B-15N grill-cloth and may have the cut-off if I can find it. It's silvery grey with some blue flecks.

 

[DDXdesign]

If it's just for looks, couldn't you wrap a piece of 1/4" thick wood with tweed tolex and attach it through the back? Not sure how to attach it, screwing into the thin face sounds scary, maybe glue is the ticket...

Oh it's paper-thin and between the front face and the core, so no need for screws and no room for wrapping =0)

I imagine it can be removed, but I took it that you wanted the original parts to stay as is. Looking at something similar (but not exactly the same) can give your gestalt options for whatever finish you decide upon. It can also be thin perforated sheet metal or as @Reedt2000 points out some sort of tweed material, and yes, glueing it is the method needed.

You're right, I simply didn't think about how permanently or temporarily the tweed might be attached - figured it'd just pop off, really.

 

[JIO]

Here's what it looks like - cloth tweed material with thin (scissor cut-able) metal backing. I imagine this was done because if only the cloth/tweed - it could be poked and messed up. A good glue-job will keep the tweed material tight w/o the metal sheet backing and will keep the material thin. Like the MDF, a bit of overkill.

...and the front view

 

[DDXdesign]

right right - I guess I assumed it was more like when I first unscrewed the facings - they were stuck together from age, a bit.

SO, opportunity to do new faces with a new finish and a new grillecloth option!

 

[JIO]

right right - I guess I assumed it was more like when I first unscrewed the facings - they were stuck together from age, a bit.

SO, opportunity to do new faces with a new finish and a new grillecloth option!

Music to my ears! In general, the sky's the limit in terms of what you can do but in general whatever you do will be a more refined version of what this bass represented in 1992. The bumpy texture is somewhat of a novalty and definitely an acquired taste. I'm all for the way an instrument 'feels' interfacing with it and my own "glitter-blast" finishes have a subtle texture that feels nice to touch. Looking forward to phase 2 -

 

[DDXdesign]

One interesting point to note; I've also had a couple of Lindert guitars, but they were from the Korean import line (like the Squier of Linderts, if you will) - they had hard, glossy smooth finishes instead of the texture. The Conductor (Les Paul) I had was brown and tweed like the bass, but the Twister T[elecaster] I had was white with black velvet in the body cutouts!

I think I'm going to revisit my sketches for potential colors yet again since I need to figure out what to do in the cutouts anyhow. And you just know this guy will end up needing a new pickguard... Edited to add: maybe a new PG shape, even, since we'll have to drill the new face anyhow...

 

[BritFunk]

Subbed. I follow several of the threads in Luthier's Corner, but this is definitely one of the cooler projects I have seen in a while.

 

[JIO]

One interesting point to note; I've also had a couple of Lindert guitars, but they were from the Korean import line (like the Squier of Linderts, if you will) - they had hard, glossy smooth finishes instead of the texture. The Conductor (Les Paul) I had was brown and tweed like the bass, but the Twister T[elecaster] I had was white with black velvet in the body cutouts!

I think I'm going to revisit my sketches for potential colors yet again since I need to figure out what to do in the cutouts anyhow. And you just know this guy will end up needing a new pickguard... Edited to add: maybe a new PG shape, even, since we'll have to drill the new face anyhow...

I'm not sure a new pg is really needed as the original is an integral part of the design. When looking for fabric/material for the grill section, it needs be 5"x10.5" and depending on the weave direction wanted probably a larger piece. (original is at an angle)

 

[Reedt2000]

I'm not sure a new pg is really needed as the original is an integral part of the design. When looking for fabric/material for the grill section, it needs be 5"x10.5" and depending on the weave direction wanted probably a larger piece. (original is at an angle)

Lots of cool, vintage radio replacement grill cloth out there on the interweb

 

[JIO]

Ok.., used a 3/16" Luan (Mahogany) ply to make a face and back. The bass as shown now weighs 3lbs/14oz - down from 4lbs/9oz using basswood core and the original MDF F&B. To reference, the combined F/core/B clone w/screws weighs only 1 oz more than the original MDF core weighs. The original MDF F/core/B weighs over 6lbs. I could trim off a few ounces by drilling holes in the core but that's up to @DDXdesign The edges will need addressing depending on the finish chosen, but frankly it looks pretty good as is. I had only minimal issues with the edges, and most of that will be covered by the pg. I didn't drill pg holes yet until I get confirmation that the original or a different colour in the shape of the original is being used. The grill area isn't done yet - and at this point it may also be an option. It would be a lot of work for 'effect' and a very marginal weigh factor.

 

[DDXdesign]

Hey I didn't even think about Lauan since we were talking more typical top woods. When you mention edges I suppose that is simply because it's plywood - when you're finishing ply, can you even round those over and get them smooth? (for the outer edges of course; the ones under the PG are no biggie)

Between the grille and the pickguard, man, at this point I'm starting to see lots of possibilities on that blank face so I might need to get drawing again. I do want it to still have a pg and grille, but from here I could design up a mild customization of the design if @JIO's got time to wait.

JIO, 2 logistical questions:
- I think one of the facing screws was missing its trim ring when I sent it - did you leave one off the layup or did you have to get another ring somewhere?

- Will the 3/16 vs 1/4 of the rear facing impact the neck pocket and its screwholes? do I need to shim the neck plate an extra 16th to make sure the screws won't bite through anything extra on the neck?

 

[JIO]

1/16" is a very small increment - so the answer is no, nothing changes other than being minutely thinner. And yes, I replaced the collar from my personal stock - doesn't everyone have a collection of screws, bolts, washers, nails etc? Rounding the edges on 3/16" (which I've already done) is minimal and with a bit of bondo where needed it can be rendered smooth. This is what I spoke of as being relatively trouble free. I was pleasantly surprised at how this wood addressed the need. It looks really good right out of the box (the top - where needed to look good) and the edges were completely manageable.

After doing this clone my assessment of the original design is that he (Lindert) had the right idea but used MDF. MDF has it's place in the world of materials - but in my opinion... not for an instrument. I will guarantee that my basswood/luan version will offer a decidedly richer, more musical tone, one that reflects an acoustic resonance that far exceeds the deadness of MDF. Needless to say - it will also be a lot easier on ones shoulder.

Until further requests - it will hover in it's current state.

 

[DDXdesign]

... I replaced the collar from my personal stock - doesn't everyone have a collection of screws, bolts, washers, nails etc?

Yes! I've just never had screw collars like that in mine; didn't know they were common =0)

Rounding the edges on 3/16" (which I've already done) is minimal and with a bit of bondo where needed it can be rendered smooth. This is what I spoke of as being relatively trouble free. I was pleasantly surprised at how this wood addressed the need. It looks really good right out of the box (the top - where needed to look good) and the edges were completely manageable.

I agree it looks like it does a great job for the facings - I couldn't tell in the photo that it had already been rounded over; sweet.

After doing this clone my assessment of the original design is that he (Lindert) had the right idea but used MDF. MDF has it's place in the world of materials - but in my opinion... not for an instrument. I will guarantee that my basswood/luan version will offer a decidedly richer, more musical tone, one that reflects an acoustic resonance that far exceeds the deadness of MDF. Needless to say - it will also be a lot easier on ones shoulder.

Amen to that!

Until further requests - it will hover in it's current state.

I will try not to take too long deciding! Just have so much day to day on my plate right this moment, heh

 

[Reedt2000]

The grill area isn't done yet - and at this point it may also be an option. It would be a lot of work for 'effect' and a very marginal weigh factor.

But it's such a cool effect!

I don't mean to lobby for making you life more difficult or costing @DDXdesign more labor on his tab but without the grill it just looks like a p bass with weird screws on it (IMHO)

 

[DDXdesign]

But it's such a cool effect!

I don't mean to lobby for making you life more difficult or costing @DDXdesign more labor on his tab but without the grill it just looks like a p bass with weird screws on it (IMHO)

Oh yeah I definitely want to keep the grille - but do I want it to be stock or do I want it to be custom... =0)

 

[Reedt2000]

Oh yeah I definitely want to keep the grille - but do I want it to be stock or do I want it to be custom... =0)

Lots of sources for inspiration online, a little image searching, a little photoshop...

 

[herndonbassist]

Those old radio grills are awesome, and something along the lines of the Art Deco style would be awesome!

 

[JIO]

But it's such a cool effect!

I don't mean to lobby for making you life more difficult or costing @DDXdesign more labor on his tab but without the grill it just looks like a p bass with weird screws on it (IMHO)

I only mentioned this because of the ply being less than ideal for tight cut-out detailing. Mimicking the original is doable (similar repeated shapes/evenly spaced/consistently rounded) with some fussy work. One advantage to his using a material like MDF is that it can be cut/routed cleanly/sharply. Don't know if they had CNC in '92 but by hand this requires substantial detail work.

 

[Beej]

I'd stick with the original grill shape, pickguard, and use as close to the original finish as possible. These instruments are just so unique! Then, I'd have @JIO make you another whole bass in his version of the style.

I'm all for spending your money and making extra work for JIO...

 

[JIO]

I'd stick with the original grill shape, pickguard, and use as close to the original finish as possible. These instruments are just so unique! Then, I'd have @JIO make you another whole bass in his version of the style.

I'm all for spending your money and making extra work for JIO...

(no affiliation)