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It's about as heavy as African Mahogany. Or, just a little lighter than hard maple. I have a sneaking suspicion this is going to be a lighter bass. Maybe under 8lbs
Speaking of Holly and Ebony sandwich, took the clamps off this morning. I'll be milling these pieces today.
As a side note, one of the goals for this build is to have 0 knots visible. I have succeeded with the neck. The body center section may become an issue. One may pop up when machining the piece to shape.
One of the things I really like about this wood is that when I start putting a clear finish on it, it will resemble a "Butterscotch". I've always wanted a bass with that kind of finish.
Cheers and thanks for looking.
God I love that look. I would use water-based poly to maintain the wet-black ebony snow-white look of the holly. I've been wanting to build a bass like this (but not a rick) for a long time. I may have to use Katalox instead of actual Ebony, but still...it's an amazing look.
As luck would have it, no sooner than I state my intentions, I have to deviate.
I was putting the body center section through the planer, and noticed that one of the pieces was de-laminating. Turns out to be a stoooooopid mistake on my behalf. Forgot to remove the layer of shellac on one of the pieces of ebony. A couple other things went south as well, so I'll need to build a new center section.
I have enough wood, but I'll probably have to show some knots. I might set it so that I maximize the number of knots seen, as to give it a "birdeye" effect.
Also, I plan on putting a 5 degree angle on the head stock. The big question I am pondering at this time is the following:
1) Do I put an ebony face plate on the head stock, and make the truss rod cover out of holly?
or
2) Make the head stock without a face plate and put an ebony truss rod cover?
Hmmmmm
I was putting the body center section through the planer, and noticed that one of the pieces was de-laminating. Turns out to be a stoooooopid mistake on my behalf. Forgot to remove the layer of shellac on one of the pieces of ebony. A couple other things went south as well, so I'll need to build a new center section.
I have enough wood, but I'll probably have to show some knots. I might set it so that I maximize the number of knots seen, as to give it a "birdeye" effect.
Also, I plan on putting a 5 degree angle on the head stock. The big question I am pondering at this time is the following:
1) Do I put an ebony face plate on the head stock, and make the truss rod cover out of holly?
or
2) Make the head stock without a face plate and put an ebony truss rod cover?
Hmmmmm
I would also sandwich a very thin (like 0.6mm) black veneer between the headstock and the headplate, and put an ebony layer between the neck beam and headstock piece in the scarf joint. I like layers.
Maybe. I'm still pondering the binding on the neck, and if/how I transition it to the HS. Also, no scarf. Neck will be carved out
I didn't do a scarf on my neck joint either, though in my case it had more to do with lack of experience. Are you going to have a volute under the nut, or just do the "slow fade" Ric uses from headstock to neck? I know from direct experience that's a weak point on Rics, saw the headstock break right at the TRC pocket on a bass (not mine, thank god) knocked off a stand.
Did you have to do anything special to the holly before gluing? My local place had a bunch of holly in a while ago and I seem to remember it being almost waxy. My memory is terrible though.
The wood isn't waxy at all, and glues up quite well with Titebond.
Maybe perhaps the person selling the holly had the ends waxed.
Update,
Made the center block
I'm somewhat pleased with what I ended up with. Hints of knots on one side as seen in pic, and a couple knots on the other. Visible knots can be covered by bridge and pup route
Thanks for looking
Made the center block
I'm somewhat pleased with what I ended up with. Hints of knots on one side as seen in pic, and a couple knots on the other. Visible knots can be covered by bridge and pup route
Thanks for looking
Thanks. I'm hoping that from here on out, it only gets better.
Neck width is at 2.44"wide right now. I think this is a little wider than a typical Ric, not that I care about that, but this will drive the overall body width. This little extra will give me some room if I elect to put an abalone purfling on the neck as well. Haven't decided that yet.
I was contemplating putting a thin layer of ebony in the wing sandwich, but I don't plan on doing any body contouring to highlight that feature, so I've elected against that.
I need to make my wing templates now.
