J-Bass Build #005

[Fabianbass]

Hey Guys,

I am a long time TB follower and figured I would pop-on to share the progress of some of my basses. So I am a ways into my Fifth J bass build, and of course your input is always appreciated! The specs of this bass are as follows:

Body: Swamp Ash
Neck: Maple with Maple Fretboard
Scale Length: 34"
24 Frets

Pickups: Nordstrand NJ5FS (neck) with Nordstrand Custom Dual Coil Pickup (bridge)
Preamp: Either Nordstrand 3-Band or Aguilar OBP-3 (haven't decided)
Hardware: Hipshot "B" Style Chrome Bridge with Chrome "Clover" Ultralites


Some pics to follow.

 

[Fabianbass]

Shot of the body. I am not sure if I want the pots to hug the curve of the body or be in a straight line like a traditional J:

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Another shot of the body (this time with straight pots):

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Shot of the pickup routes. I need to expand the bridge pickup route it is still a little too thin

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Shot of the back of the body:
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Shot of the control cavity and battery box route:
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Shot of the fitted control cavity and battery box:
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Shot of the back of the neck and body:
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[Dream Weaver]

I love the grain on that ash. Great fit to the body shape.

 

[jworrellbass]

Thats a nice clean look, I think I would have used black hardware (but then I alway use black h.w.). As far as your knobs go what I do is tape them, stand and sit with the bass until I find what works with that particular instrument. I usally go with the body curve.

 

[Fabianbass]

Thats a nice clean look, I think I would have used black hardware (but then I alway use black h.w.). As far as your knobs go what I do is tape them, stand and sit with the bass until I find what works with that particular instrument. I usally go with the body curve.

Thanks for the compliment! I have a thing with chrome hardware on J style basses.

That's a good idea with the tape.. Usually I just line them up and stand back. But it would be nice to move the bass around to check it out without worrying about the pots moving. I think once the preamp arrives I will find a final solution. Right now I am thinking if I go with 4 pots then staying straight. With 5 pots I will go with the curve. I also will need to install a DPDT switch to control the Nordstrand DC5.

 

[Fabianbass]

I love the grain on that ash. Great fit to the body shape.

Yeah I was more than impressed with the grain when I planed it down. I am still debaiting using an aniline dye to darken the grain or keep it natural

 

[Fabianbass]

Here is a shot of the bridge, just got it yesterday!:

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A couple of shots of the neck being bolted on:

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[jongor]

So you made the body and neck from scratch?

If so, nice work, they both look great!

 

[FootieSoxx]

WHOA, I agree about the grain! And that Hipshot bridge looks pretty sweet too.

I think I would go with the knobs in a straight line, if not just to make the bass look a little retro.

I know it will look a bit darker once you apply the finish, but I think it would look interesting if you dye the body and the front of the headstock a little darker.

 

[jdicebassist]

Very nice job neighbour! I gotta stop by to see this one when its finished.

 

[Fabianbass]

WHOA, I agree about the grain! And that Hipshot bridge looks pretty sweet too.

I think I would go with the knobs in a straight line, if not just to make the bass look a little retro.

I know it will look a bit darker once you apply the finish, but I think it would look interesting if you dye the body and the front of the headstock a little darker.

Yeah I was thinking of putting the stain on and sanding it back so just the grain stays dark (Sort of like what F-Bass does). I agree with the knobs being straight - especially since I got the hipshot "B" style bridge installed.

 

[eleonn]

Really nice work. It have that clean looks that I enjoy so much. I would leave it natural but well thats me.

 

[Fabianbass]

So you made the body and neck from scratch?

If so, nice work, they both look great!

Neck and body both from scratch. Basically it is done from the fender design with obviously slight differences.

Next one I do I will take some pictures in its initial phase so everyone can get a better idea of the progression. In the last photo you might be able to see some maple and walnut in the backround which will be #006.