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"Hippo" Ashbory

Dirk Diggler

Dirk Diggler

Supporting Member
Mar 3, 2004
4,307
2,840
Anytown USA
#1
Hello everyone,
Well I've been dying to have an Ashbory ever since I tried a Guild years ago, but I never liked the way they looked. I got the replacement parts from Large Sound. All toll about $80 for the parts and $5 locally for screws, all the wood was lying around. ;)

A few day later here it is. It was a fun project actually, I didn't really plan much at all, just kinda forged ahead and improv'd around any problems. Since it was all scrap wood, it wasn't nerve racking at all, I guess it is different when you aren't worried about big $ wood in the project. LOL The body shape is similar to a 6 string fretless I made a while ago.

It sounds great and plays nicely, it's a 19" scale Zebrawood, Figured Maple neck and some dark wood fret board. I can't remember what or where I got the fretboard, but it does smell like lemons when sanded.
In any case I'm very happy with it.
Enjoy or not. ;)
Dirk
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#3
looks like it's big brother 6...that's the one with the Carvin neck and the Alembic pickups, right?

now what to call it? "hippo ashbory" just doesn't have a ring to it.

$80 worth of parts and some wood...hmmmm...sounds like an interesting project...once, I get set up in my new house, I'll definitely consider something like this.

I think sound clips are obligatory, don't you?
 
#4
Thanks!
Hey PilbaraBass it's not a carvin neck but Tobias import and no alembics just stock ADX6 but an Aguilar OBP3 inside. Here's a picture of the older sibling.

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I'll have to record some little ditty, give me a bit of time to work something up.
Cheers,
Dirk
 
#5
Funny that you did the Ashbory thing too.

I just got my parts in (I spent $70... not sure what you bought that I didn't... maybe knobs or something) as well. I am going to pick up some wood and mess around with it.

A teacher at school says I get to use the shop if I want... So I should have fun with lots of random tools I would never get to touch at my house (due to a lack of them).
 
#6
Hey Demens,
You'll have fun no doubt, and no I didn't get knobs, mine are body and neck wood. I ordered strings, bridge, tuners, preamp/board, nut, jack, strap buttons and sliderite. Allthough I haven't really had to use the powder yet. ;)
Oh yeah since I've been playing it all night I recorded a little stuff.
Just a bit of verb on it.
This ones more straight ahead:
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This ones more out there:
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Enjoy,
Dirk
 
#8
Heh... warped minds think alike, I guess. I've been toying with this idea myself. No truss rod, no high stresses, no super-precision work required... perfect for a first effort. An Ashbory's so small I figure I can use whatever (e.g., "heavy") stuff I want from the local lumber place. If things work out well and I like playing the thing, I can then invest in some really nicely figured wood and try my hand at a quality version.

Dirk, you and Demens have helped push me further towards this idea. Thanks. (And no, that's not sarcasm. :) )

'rick
 
#12
i think we have a mass consciousness thing going on here. I recieved my parts for one of these yesterday, its also going to be mostly zebrano and wood offcuts from other guitars. I am toying with the idea of making it les paul or telecaster shaped or some variation on the theme.

Do you have a wiring diagram? I have the pc board in fornt of me and dont know where the bridge, battery box or jack socket are supposed to be connected. I have emailed largesound as well , but just wonderd if you could help me
 
#14
JacksonsMen said:
hmmmm, upright ashbory anyone? could be interesting
Click to expand...

Actually thought of that... But somebody has already made a custom stand for them that they are marketing that is similar to an upright... so I tossed the idea.

Yeah, I think we must be experiencing a subconcious movement towards these inexpensive, fun little items. Crazy. I actually plan on doing a few if I like how the one I build turns out.

and tjclem - it is active, so you need a 9v... I figure it's not too bad for the upright sound you get out of it.



Dirk - I realized I didn't order the strap buttons or the jack, I have some extra around the house. Also, I am going to do a 22" scale with an angled bridge to help compensate for the intonation problems everyone over at largesound.com have been complaining about. Should be fun!


Let the Ashbory building begin! :p
 
#16
Wow I'm glad this has struck something in a lot of people. :)
That's cool!
And I just checked on their site and they must have sold out on the boards, they are not there anymore when they were just a few days ago. I bet if you emailed them they might have an answer or at least be able to tell you when they'll have them.
I seem to remember doing a google search and there was another company out of California that had parts too.
In any case WezV I scanned my wiring in and lablelled a few things for you. TRS is of course tip ring and sleeve on the jack. Be warned though the jack I got from them was an import with the tip and ring reversed, that stumped me for a few. LOL
And yes there is no web info on wiring anywhere I could find. It seems to me you can wire it just like any active setup if you don't have the board. In any case here you go:
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Let me know if I can be of any more help. Oh yeah please excuse my horrible forstner and endmill cavity work. ;)
Dirk
 
#20
When I ordered it was on their site, here's the item in my confirmation e-mail.

Quantity: 1
Product: PC Assembly (with Potentiometers) ($ 21.00 ea.)
Options:
Cost (each): $ 21.00
Item Subtotal: $ 21.00
Wt. each: 0.00
Total Wt.: 0

Dirk
 

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