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Latest Build - Underhill Unkay

bowthing

bowthing

Supporting Member
Commercial User
Feb 16, 2007
409
510
Mount Vernon, Washington
www.underhillbass.com
Disclosures
Owner, Underhill Bass Guitars
#1
So I was really looking for a G&L L1000, but couldn't find one in town. This is my version, and my first single-pickup build.

- Koa/maple/mahogany neck.
- Mahogany body, small Fender J style.
- Ebony fretboard
- 22 frets
- 3/1 angled headstock in mini Fender shape.
- Custom made ETS bridge, ebony inserts in body for strings.
- L-1000 electronics, with push/pull switch on volume knob to disable/enable OMG cap in series. Also treble bleed cap on volume.
 

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#3
I like it a lot! It kinda has a trimmed-down, Aria Pro II SuperBass vibe going for it, especially with that particular pickup placement.

That's the kind of thing I would like to see more builders do-- less bells-n-whistles, just good old-fashioned high-quality, supremely-playable fun!
 
#4
Yeah, thanks! I was going for something simple and playable. The pickup is about 1/2" closer to the bridge than an L1000. I got a cheap test bass at a pawn shop and installed the MFD pickup in a lot of different positions. Finally settled on this position as a good compromise between "punchiness" and "beef". I just barely finished it, so I'm still in the "dating" phase, but I think it sounds pretty good...
 
#6
steddy2112 said:
Man add another pickup, two volumes/two tones with a pick up switch and I would be foaming at the mouth more than I am now.

Awesome looking bass and with the choice of woods I bet it sounds darn good.
Click to expand...

I didn't want to use two pickups at first, because I heard the MFDs had a really strong string pull. Turns out they really aren't that bad, IMO (and the output volume is fantastic!). L1000 players really rave about the sound, and I must admit that the action is super low and there are three great-sounding plucking positions with the single pickup, but maybe I'll build another one with two pups next time.
 
#8
Beej said:
Without details and build pics, this thread belongs in the Basses subforum.

That's my rude and arrogant way of saying, "could we have some build pics? Puhhhhhllllllleeeeeeaaaaaasssssseeeeee! ! ! "

:D
Click to expand...

I don't have a lot of pics, because I don't have access to my camera, or my tools, workshop, etc! I built this one mostly with hand tools in my apartment, and used a Carvin neck. The photos were from my cell phone...

Is there an easy way to import pictures inline instead of resizing them to under 150k and attaching 2 at a time?

So here goes, the first thing I did with the neck was drill a tiny test hole to see if I could remove 2 frets without exposing the trussrod:
 
#15
Some other details:

I used threaded inserts for the pickup, cavity cover (mahogany), tuner locating screws, and trussrod cover. They work really well for the tuners, and the hex socket button head screws match the ones on the Hipshot shaft...

Norbert at ETS made the angled bridge for me. I sent him a rough sketch, and then ordered what I thought was a standard bridge (at the regular price). When it came, lo-and-behold it was my angled design!

The string holes are 5/16 through holes, and I turned some ebony plugs to reinforce the string exits, and glued them in to provide the stop. The bottom ends are countersunk so the string can be threaded easily, and the holes are sized separatedly for each string. They also are lined up at more of an angle than the bridge so the final string angle is the same for all strings.

This was a quick and dirty build that was intended mostly to try the bridge setup, and to have something simple and bombproof to play every day. It plays and sounds great so far. I need to finish up a few things, like the nut, strap buttons, etc, and I am waiting for a can of finish to arrive (it has 4 or 5 coats of wiped on varnish right now and doesn't look all that great.

When I get it all wrapped up I'll get a proper camera and snap some of the details. And some sound clips too...
 
#16
bhunt1 said:
Great idea for a custom build - I luv my 1K. Why did you go with a neck through rather than bolt on? Bass looks great - well done!
Click to expand...

I wanted to build something that had as few parts and adjustments as possible (neck always aligned in a neck through!), and I wanted to try the combination of woods, because I built my last neck through with a solid maple (quarter-sawn) neck (yes I can make a neck) and it sounds kind of dead.

In short, this bass was a lot of little experiments...
 

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