JC Basses 6 String Rainbow Build Thread

[Jeronimofesto]

I figured I would start this thread from the beginning of the build this time. I am building a Carl Thompson Rainbow bass look-a-like. Here are some quick specs:

6 String
Black Walnut/Padauk/Curly Maple/Koa/Ebony Body
Ebony Fretboard
Maple Neck with Padauk or possibly Mahogany "stringers"
Walnut Headstock Cover
Set-neck construction
Warwick Bridge and Nut
EMG Pickup and Electronics
Hipshot Tuners
All black hardware

I made this rendering of what it will look like:

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More info and other builds can be found on my website http://www.jcbasses.com/

-Jared

 

[Jeronimofesto]

I started work on a full size template for the body, neck and headstock:

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[Jeronimofesto]

Here I have started to glue up all 43 of the body pieces...

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And a rough cutting of the ebony fretboard:

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[Jeronimofesto]

The glue-up went perfectly, there are absolutely no glue lines. I cut out the body after getting it to the right thickness and then started rounding the edges over. A little router burning, but no big deal.

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[Worshiper]

wow... AMAZING wood combos there... My two cents though is that the neck should be a bit more balanced... it seems like its a bit to far towards the lower horn. Nice work so far though...

 

[Worshiper]

wait... nvmd... You put up those images as I was typing... I think it looks fine now... REALLY NICE actually...

 

[Jeronimofesto]

wow... AMAZING wood combos there... My two cents though is that the neck should be a bit more balanced... it seems like its a bit to far towards the lower horn. Nice work so far though...

Yes I did notice that in my rendering as well as the mdf templates, it was corrected for the actual body and neck. Good eye though and thanks.

 

[anonymous1225111]

That's going to be beautiful! And nice choice with going with Warwick parts

I just may have to start building one of these myself... I've always drooled over the idea of a fretless rainbow bass

 

[neurotictim]

Why not use your own headstock design? I think the headstock on the Buckeye 5 looks great.

 

[Jeronimofesto]

Why not use your own headstock design? I think the headstock on the Buckeye 5 looks great.

I guess that is still an option I have. I may go that route since I too have been tossing that idea around.

 

[tjclem]

Very cool. A few years ago I had several people wanting me to do something like that and I decided not to. Yours is coming out nice. I do have a lot of interesting wood strips laying around........t

 

[fretlessman71]

I'm confused. Is it intended to be a Carl Thompson copy from a design POV? I don't mean to come off as a know-it-all type or anything, I'm just curious...

It IS a beautiful piece of work - I always liked "hippie sandwich" basses.

 

[asad137]

I'm confused. Is it intended to be a Carl Thompson copy from a design POV? I don't mean to come off as a know-it-all type or anything, I'm just curious...

From the first post in this thread...

I am building a Carl Thompson Rainbow bass look-a-like.

Asad

 

[contakt321]

Cool project.

Just a note: IIRC most CT basses are fully rounded over on the edges, not just beveled - but actually REALLY rounded over.

 

[ChrisPbass]

that's hawt.

 

[Jeronimofesto]

Cool project.

Just a note: IIRC most CT basses are fully rounded over on the edges, not just beveled - but actually REALLY rounded over.

Yes this was just to get most of the work done by the router, the rest will be done by hand...

 

[SDB Guitars]

That picture of the ebony fingerboard makes it look like it's got a curly grain...

Close up?

 

[fretlessman71]

From the first post in this thread...

Oops.... glossed over that part. Thanks.

 

[Jeronimofesto]

That picture of the ebony fingerboard makes it look like it's got a curly grain...

Close up?

I won't be at my shop for awhile, but it does have a slightly curly grain. Sadly, when any sort of finish is applied to it, it disappears. The ebony is just too dark for the curl to show through.

 

[chris.gotfunk]

Very nice!!! Consider me subscribed!!! I cannot wait to see this when it is done. I could use one of those to match my Claypool CT copy