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Ideas for a MM build.....

Thumpin_P

Thumpin_P

Nov 26, 2006
958
153
Limestone, TN
#1
What's up LC?

Long time lurker, seldom poster, always inspired by the work you guys are doing! Lovin' the 5 fretless comp! I have not really posted because I am not a builder. I have done repair here and there for twenty years, mostly for friends, but no shop. Needless to say, I am not a professional...not yet.

I will be attending the R-V school in Phoenix (hopefully) this August. I have wanted to do this since 1993, and the dream may become a reality.

My question is... I have been thinking of ideas for my solidbody instrument, which is required for graduation, one acoustic, one electric. It must be bolt-on or set neck (no neck thru...darn!!) and I have a budget. Roughly 1400 for both instruments. The idea I want to do is this:

A MM-style instrument, 4-string. Curly maple neck,Honduran RW for the FB, Hipshot hardware, Nordy pickup with Bart EQ. I was thinking alder for the body( because of cost), but, here's the kicker; I want to contour the body( ala Warwick or Spector) by simply joining them with a 2-5 degree angle on both edges and smoothing it all out. No pickguard or plate on the front and seperate battery box on the back. I would probably have to go with a solid color, because, let's face it, alder isn't AAAA curly maple... and I have to use nitro for the finish.

So, I turn to the experienced ones for critique, possible flaws in my plan, ideas for colors, maybe even change my mind on body wood. I want this to be more about my skills than the grain that God created, but, with no pickguard, a solid color is going to be pretty plain....

Thanks in advance for any and all ideas, keep up the excellent work, and maybe, when I get into business, I can join you. BTW, when I am at school, I will be posting a thread and detailed pics of the build( you just gotta)!

Sincerely,

Thumpin_P:bassist:
 
#2
Just because it doesn't have eye-popping grain doesn't mean you can't put a transparent finish on it. Subtle grain is appealing in its own right, IMO. Or use the alder with a flame or quilted maple cap - I bought a couple on eBay for cheap last year. The contoured body sounds cool, if you like that sort of thing. For me, it doesn't add any ergonomic benefit, so I wouldn't bother, but others clearly do.

I'm no expert, but isn't "curly maple" softer than the rock maple usually used in necks? As far as I'm concerned structural properties trump aesthetic ones when building a neck.
 
#3
CT, thanks I appreciate it. I will be using graphite on the neck to reinforce it. I had typed out a longer reply, but, I got logged out before I could finish and had to start over. I will shoot you a PM with more details. Thanks again, LC and CT. Keep 'em comin!

Thumpin_P
 
#5
Well as far as the basic plans for your build it sounds great to me.
Excited to see your first works once you get started. :D

I also agree with CT about either using curly maple for the top if you want to have more of a "Pop", along with a transparent finish or just going plain with the alder. I have never used it but transparent finishes on swamp ash always look fairly nice. It has a good grain pattern for that and I don't believe it's much more expensive than alder.
I'm assuming you'll be using just one Nordy in the "sweetspot", Thus the MM style build?

I would also suggest (and you've probably already thought about and/or done this) that you start to think about all the parts you will be using and their costs and add all that stuff up so you can decide on what exactly you want to/can use and if you can afford a pretty top wood, some extra fancy pre, etc. Just something to think about.

Best of luck to you.
If you have any questions, thoughts, or ideas you feel like bouncing off of me I'd be happy to help you out if I can.
~B
 
#6
Now, see....?
This is why I come here!
Colcifer... Why must you do this to me??? I love that idea! maybe even chamber the mahogany...Stop it!!! Get out of my head!!!! just kidding...

Begumi, Yes, the sweet spot. There is only one way to go!!! I think most of the supplies will either be ordered through LMI or through Stew-Mac. I hope there are more sources, because their bass resources suck! Not many choices on bass-specific items. I do want the Hipshot A bridge and the Ultralites. Good source of wood, different supplies, but...not very good electronics choices. I want to go through BestBassGear.com. Found a Nordy pickup and the Bart three band. I like the active/passive switch and the price. If I go anywhere else, I will definitely break the budget. I think I will start compliling a list tonight! This will not be for several months, but, as soon as I start, you guys will be the first to see!
Thanks again for all the help and keep 'em comin!
Thumpin_P
 
#7
Sounds awesome.
Both Stewmac and LMII are great sources and have always had good turn around times with shipping for me.
BestBassGear is also fantastic with very quick shipping and (from what I've read from others) really good customer service/help.


I can make a list of all the places that I have found wood/supplies/parts in the past if that would be helpful for you?

~B
 
#8
I'm not going to turn down assistance. I will say I might know of most of them. I don't play anymore (want to, but, long story) and spend A LOT of time surfing, building in my head. I also don't know how many suppliers the school will use, as the funding is student aid (federal). but, again,
Thanks!!
 
#9
WOW!!! added up the costs w/ redwood top, alder body, nordy pu, bart eq, hipshot hardware, honduran rw board, etc.., 708.96!!!! not including cavity cover on back, battery box, adhesives, finish, or shipping! Dang!!! It's one thing to build in your head, another to build with your wallet! must refine the parts more! I am digging that redwood top! maybe not using Hipshot...
 
#10
Ah I understand. I also run through lots of ideas in my head. I think you'll really enjoy actually building once you get started.

I'll give ya a quick list off the top of my head just so you can see if there's anything you haven't seen that might help you out.

Places that I have used several times now with very good results.
STEWMAC.COM : Guitar, Bass, Banjo, Mandolin, Parts, Tools, Supplies, Free Information
Luthiers Mercantile International, Inc. Guitar Builder Wood and Supplies
Bass Pickups | Preamps | Bartolini | Aguilar | Leo Quan Badass Bridge II

Places that I have yet to order from but it seems like they could be useful in the future.
GPDUSA.com offers the best prices on guitar parts, bass guitar parts, and drum parts (I've ordered a part or two from here a long while ago. Parts work well and they had fast shipping times)
Guitar Parts | Bass Guitar Parts | Amp Parts | AllParts.com
Best Guitar Parts - The Best Electric Guitar Parts On The Web
Invalid Link Removed
Link Removed

Wood Supplies
I often get bodies and tops from a couple of local lumber suppliers so I won't be too much help to you there.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
They seem to have lots of very fancy walnut tops as well as quite a lot of other beautiful woods such as redwood, myrtle, maple, ebony, etc.
Vedder Mountain Hardwoods
I ordered a guitar top of curly spalted maple from here and it's gorgeous.
Link Removed
Looks like they would have many gorgeous woods.

Things do indeed add up quickly. You've got several months so just take your time and try to refine what you want.

Hope that list helps you out at least a little.
(Not affiliated with any of these businesses. Hope that's okay to post those things)
~B
 
#11
Bequmi said:
Ah I understand. I also run through lots of ideas in my head. I think you'll really enjoy actually building once you get started.
Click to expand...


Hopefully this August! Man, I have been building them in my head since '92! As many as I have built in my head, this one will definitely be real! I will print the list you sent me, VALUABLE INFORMATION!!!!! I will definitely be looking for supplier lists! I may not go into business for a long time, but, I do want to, eventually. I fear that I will be finding my way with a second job, the way the economy is going...

Anyway, thanks again, I'm loving the advice. I think that I will skip on the Hipshot hardware and save a few coins. I don't want to skimp on the electronics, or that redwood. Beautiful!!!
Thanks,

Thumpin_P
 
#15
Thumpin, we'll be meeting soon. I just received my acceptance letter from R-V for the August class. I'm moving to Phoenix in May so we've got a few months to get used to the city.

Bart Applewhite will be sending you something soon if you've already been accepted explaining exactly what you need to bring, and what will be available there. I'm doing more of a set-neck Fender Mustang type, and I'm in a similar boat of never doing a proper build before. I did the $125 scratch build a few months ago on the forum and found out exactly how much I need to learn.

I've been planning on this for a couple of years, and I have no less than six complete instrument plans drawn out full scale trying to come up with what I wanted to make, and I've thrown away a few others.


Anyways. Not trying to hijack. I'm with you on the idea for the Spector-esque MM, but it has to have instructor approval and if you look through the gallery, its all pretty plain. I'd make sure the design will work without the curved body, just in case.
 
#16
You sound like you have it more together that me, Knucklehead. I don't have anything full-size. I know that I need to soon. I agree with you, the designs are all pretty plain which is disappointing. I think it will work, probably easier, but I am not looking for easier. After school, I will be living on my own for the first time in ten years, and I am moving from a small town here in TN. Long and the short of it, I will probably be "scratchin' and survivin'"* for a while. I would like to move to a factory but I have to be a realist. So, I want this one to be as awesome as possible. One to keep with me for a while. I will PM you and maybe we can keep in touch before class. Good luck and thanks for the insight!
Thumpin_P
* anybody pick up on the "Good Times" reference?
 
#17
Do you guys think I should tint any of the body? Clearcoat will look pretty good on the redwood, but what about the alder? I'm thinking a nice, vintage tint; adding just a little bit to darken, bring a little brown out of both the woods? Opinions? Suggestions?
I am sure that once things get started, I will see things come together, just asking those people who have worked with redwood before, if anything jumps out at 'ya.
Thanks,
Thumpin_P
 
#18
IMO Alder is a subtle and charming looking wood. Just look for a nice piece. By comparison I find average mahogany a lot more, say, uneventful ;) The tint is really up to you. But you're into wilder grain get a Swam Ash, the price difference shouldn't be much and it will really look good against that redwood FB :D have fun!
 

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