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Leafenbacker

#541
Mapleglo, you're bass is looking phenomenal! As others have said, it's the first thing I look for when I log on.

If my opinion holds any weight, I also think the leaf TRC was a bit much, but, as also mentioned by Mellowinman, it is a
great looking bass any way you slice it, so it would still look great with it or with something else in its place.

I'm looking forward to seeing your next bit of progress.
 
#542
Wow, thanks again for all the support and suggestions. I really would not have been able to come this far without it! I likely won't be able to do any work during this week - the gig I played last weekend turned into a great recording contact, so I spent a few hours after work yesterday in the studio with a country band laying down some tracks. What a thrill! They'll be in the studio the rest of the week, and if I can manage to take a few days off from work, they want to record a few more tracks with me. Feast or famine, as they say. But I should be able to do more sanding this weekend, and maybe even apply a coat or two of the finish. I can always use the Carvin supplied truss rod cover for the time being. And I'm also tending toward the chrome knobs, but again, I'll try a few combinations and see which works best.
 
#543
Neat build - it's been fun watching it come along.
My two cents on the truss rod cover: The Rick-ish designs don't work. They just look fussy. (We've grown accustomed to the Rick TRC, and when you shrink it, it just looks odd.) And the leaf is fussy. As others have commented, you have a lot going on here visually. I'd keep the TRC really simple - the Carvin shape will be fine.
 
#544
mapleglo said:
Hadn't thought about a magnet, though I'd have the leave the cover a bit thicker I'd imagine.



I suppose I could adjust the Ric style truss rod cover to fit, but the standard size and shape would not fit at all. Do you think the leaf is a bit much, or doesn't fit aesthetically?
Click to expand...

The smaller Ric style cover you posted is pretty cool, you could even go teeny tiny bit smaller. A small leaf on the back of the HS as others have suggested would be a lovely touch.

Whatever you choose to do, this is a beautiful bass. Can't wait to see your next build! :D
 
#545
Been lurking here - absolutely fantastic stuff - congrats MG!!

I forgot this was originally a Carvin neck. IMHO, the stock Carvin truss rod cover is not all that dissimilar to the RIC, aside from it not being curved. So I think it's a great idea to just use it for now. You can always change it later!
 
#546
daveman50 said:
Neat build - it's been fun watching it come along.
My two cents on the truss rod cover: The Rick-ish designs don't work. They just look fussy. (We've grown accustomed to the Rick TRC, and when you shrink it, it just looks odd.) And the leaf is fussy. As others have commented, you have a lot going on here visually. I'd keep the TRC really simple - the Carvin shape will be fine.
Click to expand...

pedrodelawasp said:
The smaller Ric style cover you posted is pretty cool, you could even go teeny tiny bit smaller. A small leaf on the back of the HS as others have suggested would be a lovely touch.

Whatever you choose to do, this is a beautiful bass. Can't wait to see your next build! :D
Click to expand...

ctmullins said:
Been lurking here - absolutely fantastic stuff - congrats MG!!

I forgot this was originally a Carvin neck. IMHO, the stock Carvin truss rod cover is not all that dissimilar to the RIC, aside from it not being curved. So I think it's a great idea to just use it for now. You can always change it later!
Click to expand...

So here's a pic of the Carvin truss rod cover:

4v1g7k.jpg


Doesn't look too bad. And I can always upgrade it.
 
#550
Last thing this bass needs is a symmetrical piece of plastic on it.
Jus' sayin. I like the idea of the smaller, stylized take on the trad. Rick tr cover...not the "flame / leaf" lookin one, just the smaller one.
I'd make it outta polished ____ and have it laser etched, or engraved.
 
#551
thiocyclist said:
Considering the lack of plastic otherwise it just kind of bugs me to see that on the headstock of this beautiful bass. What is the truss rod cavity going to look like?
Click to expand...

Here's a picture of the truss rod cavity uncovered:

24aziaf.jpg


Hopkins said:
For me, I think it is the fact that its white. I think black would be fine, I do think it could be bigger though.
Click to expand...

Agreed. They offer a black one. I don't remember why I ordered the white one. Perhaps I was thinking I wasn't going to use it anyway. Maybe I'll order some black plastic and play around with it.

ICM said:
I wouldn't go with the plastic especially white, even if you cut a maple thing in that shape it would look nice.
Click to expand...

Now I'm starting to obsess about it :P

hover said:
Last thing this bass needs is a symmetrical piece of plastic on it.
Jus' sayin. I like the idea of the smaller, stylized take on the trad. Rick tr cover...not the "flame / leaf" lookin one, just the smaller one.
I'd make it outta polished ____ and have it laser etched, or engraved.
Click to expand...

I agree about the symmetrical cover not really fitting in with the whole style. I'm starting to think that perhaps making a mahogany plug might be my best and simplest option. Well, there's still time to make a decision. Or, I could simply not decide, and leave it uncovered...
 
#553
mapleglo said:
Here's a picture of the truss rod cavity uncovered:

24aziaf.jpg




Agreed. They offer a black one. I don't remember why I ordered the white one. Perhaps I was thinking I wasn't going to use it anyway. Maybe I'll order some black plastic and play around with it.



Now I'm starting to obsess about it :p



I agree about the symmetrical cover not really fitting in with the whole style. I'm starting to think that perhaps making a mahogany plug might be my best and simplest option. Well, there's still time to make a decision. Or, I could simply not decide, and leave it uncovered...
Click to expand...

Really, you could just leave it for a later date. It's not something that needs to be done to make the bass playable.
Why not do all of the other finish work, oil it, put on the knobs, bridge and strings, play it for a while and let it all sink in.

I'm sure, after a little time, the "right" trc idea will present itself. :)
 
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#554
mapleglo said:
Here's a picture of the truss rod cavity uncovered:

24aziaf.jpg




Agreed. They offer a black one. I don't remember why I ordered the white one. Perhaps I was thinking I wasn't going to use it anyway. Maybe I'll order some black plastic and play around with it.



Now I'm starting to obsess about it :p



I agree about the symmetrical cover not really fitting in with the whole style. I'm starting to think that perhaps making a mahogany plug might be my best and simplest option. Well, there's still time to make a decision. Or, I could simply not decide, and leave it uncovered...
Click to expand...

The original white Carvin TRC really doesn't do it for me - Looks completely out of place, both size-wise and color-wise...

I think either a modified Ric TRC would look nice - especially if you make it wide at the nut and out of mahogany (so it's sort of an extension of the neck) - Either that or the shape of a Flying V TRC. A TRC out of chrome would probably also compliment the rest of the chrome...

However, that being said, I do also think it would work without a TRC as well...

Whatever you do - please don't put a cheap looking piece of plastic on that fabulous build of yours. :)
 
#557
Just a thought - I know you aren't doing this for ego, but any artist should sign their work. How about a dark cover, with your autograph? Again, you could probably have it done pretty cheap at a trophy shop. I that would be a fitting way to finish it. Kind of classy, since it would be small.
 
#558
Hopkins said:
The devil truly is in the details
Click to expand...

Man, truer words were never spoken. I think this has proven to be the toughest part of the build!

GKon said:
Really, you could just leave it for a later date. It's not something that needs to be done to make the bass playable.
Why not do all of the other finish work, oil it, put on the knobs, bridge and strings, play it for a while and let it all sink in.

I'm sure, after a little time, the "right" trc idea will present itself. :)
Click to expand...

Now I'm possessed - it WILL be done!

hillerup said:
The original white Carvin TRC really doesn't do it for me - Looks completely out of place, both size-wise and color-wise...

I think either a modified Ric TRC would look nice - especially if you make it wide at the nut and out of mahogany (so it's sort of an extension of the neck) - Either that or the shape of a Flying V TRC. A TRC out of chrome would probably also compliment the rest of the chrome...

However, that being said, I do also think it would work without a TRC as well...

Whatever you do - please don't put a cheap looking piece of plastic on that fabulous build of yours. :)
Click to expand...

Don't look at the picture I'm about to post...

daveman50 said:
Yeah, the white Carvin trc isn't making it. I agree with GKon, leave it alone for now and inspiration will strike. I still think less is more.
Click to expand...

Somebody stop me!

Stevorebob said:
Re: the TRC -- I'm aligned with the pro-Ric-shaped contingency. You can do a simple Ric shape shape now, and later add a cool engraved "Leafenbacker" TRC when the moment strikes you.
Click to expand...

I'm now tending toward a Ric styled TRC.

buldog5151bass said:
Just a thought - I know you aren't doing this for ego, but any artist should sign their work. How about a dark cover, with your autograph? Again, you could probably have it done pretty cheap at a trophy shop. I that would be a fitting way to finish it. Kind of classy, since it would be small.
Click to expand...

I'm tending toward JIO's take, and using some kind of image, shape, or graphic. No one could read my signature anyway.

I cut a quick Ric style shape out of ABS plastic which matches the pickup covers. Here's the picture:

21aa1pk.jpg


It could also be reversed, to match the point of the headstock in the right top corner.
 
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#559
I still think the leaf was the best idea so far. I don't see why so many think it's too much. How about a full instrument shot with the leaf in place?
By the way - awesome build! I've been following this for a couple of weeks now
 

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