First thread I check every time I visit the site. Ahhh I can't wait to see it in all its finished glory! 
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Leafenbacker
- Thread starter mapleglo
- Start date
First thread I check every time I visit the site. Ahhh I can't wait to see it in all its finished glory!
Thanks! I'm hoping to make some progress this weekend.
Looking great mapleglo! If your playing chops are equivalent to your building chops, I'll be listening for you on the radio.
I'm not Ric player and usually not to fond with it's shape etc, but to watch your Leafenbacker, I love it, it's beautiful. Congrats
I can't believe it's pretty much finished.. Not being cheeky but I wish it wasn't so far along with progress because I followed this thread since day 1 and enjoyed it thoroughly..
Yep been lurking from the start, checking this thread 3+ times a week so I guess its time for me to say good job, its looking great. I would be happy to rock that next to my "real" 4003.
Thanks for all the interest and support! I just weighed the bass on the bathroom scale and it's coming in at 9 pounds. I think half of that weight is the bridge, which is pretty massive. It felt pretty light before. I was hoping it would be lighter, but I'm thinking it may be as high as 10 pounds when it's done.
Time to hit the gym and start the steroids. It'll feel like a feather in no time.
Hopkins
Commercial User
If it weighs 9 pounds with the bridge and hardware installed, I doubt it will weigh much more when complete. Finish, strings, and controls don't weigh much at all.
I feel tired just thinking about it
Actually, that includes the strings, so if adding the controls and finish won't add up to much, this should be ok. I could always switch out the bridge for a Babicz, and lose a pound as well.
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
Wouldn't that leave a nasty big hole to fill out after the Kahler?
Being finished in natural, that may not be the prettiest solution...
You should be proud. One of the coolest builds I've seen here. Can't wait to see it when it's ready for the stage!
Thank you! It's getting pretty close.
I decided I didn't like the black knobs I bought, and thought to make new ones out of the scrap mahogany piece I have.
So I first clamped the mahogany piece to the drill press, centered it best I could by eye, and drilled a 7/32" hole about 3/4's of the way through.
Then I chucked up my hole saw into the drill press, being careful not to knock the piece of wood from its original location. I used a 1-1/8" hole saw, which is the outside dimension, resulting in a 7/8" knob. As an after thought, I likely should have chucked up the 3/4" forester bit to add an inset, so the knob could sit almost flush to the control panel at this time. There's enough play that I can do that after the fact if I so desire.
The trick here is to drill slowly, and raise the hole saw out of the cut frequently to clear out all the saw dust. The drill press is at the slowest speed, but can still easily burn the wood. I still got a little smoke and burnt wood smell.
Next, I removed the hole saw from the drill press, and unscrewed the arbor from the hole saw bit. That allowed me to push out the unfinished knob from the hole saw bit easily.
I threaded the knob onto a 1/4" thread rod, and chucked it up into the drill press. Turned it on, and just pressed the sanding block against it, letting the drill press do all the work. I started with 60 grit, went to 120 grit, and then to 220 grit.
And there it is. Just rinse and repeat
I needed three, but made four in case I mess one up.
Here's the tools I used - the hole saw set, screw driver to remove the 1/4" drill bit from the arbor, a pair of channel locks to remove the hole saw bit from the arbor as the direction of the drill press tightens it as it turns, and also to remove the threaded rod from the knob after sanding, as that tightens as well during sanding. And of course the clamp and drill press.
Here's the three knobs installed on the pots, mounted on the control panel. They sit pretty close, so I'm undecided about drilling that inset to allow them to sit closer. These are split shaft pots, so the knobs are a press fit. We'll see how well they hold up. I may put some CA glue in the holes to stiffen the wood, for longevity.
I also installed the jack plate and strap lock buttons on the bass, and installed the strap locks on my leaf and acorn strap. Pictures forth coming. Once I take a pic, it's time to disassemble the bass, and start sanding for finish prep. It's almost like I want to delay that step, as it's been such a thrill building this bass. The process was a wonderful learning experience, and everyone here has been soooo supportive. Thanks again to all who have watched, commented, and offered their experience, suggestions, and opinions through out the build.
I think it would be worth the few minutes to inset those knobs so they sit closer to the panel. IMO, it would look a bit cleaner. And after all the time you've put into it, I think it would be a mistake to overlook this small detail.
Looking forward to seeing it finished!
Looking forward to seeing it finished!
Hopkins
Commercial User
I'm begining to feel very inadequate as a maker.
But all kidding aside, have you considered a mock acorn type of knob?
But all kidding aside, have you considered a mock acorn type of knob?
Thanks. That's easy to do. Perhaps I'll tackle that next.
I'm trying to keep down the weight, but chrome knobs may be an option. Do you know any sources for press-on chrome knobs? Or can I just use the set screw type and add a collar for the existing pots?
Thanks. I though about acorn or leaf knobs, but haven't found any.
Here's another status picture:
This should also serve as my "hair pic", unless that's only needed for the first build thread
OK, on to disassembly and lots of sanding, and other assorted odds and ends. It's starting to get hot here in Phoenix, so I may have about an hour or two of sanding time before the temps hit the 90's.
