Leafenbacker

[mapleglo]

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

The bass is currently disassembled for sanding and finishing. I likely won't be able to take a picture of the whole bass for a few weeks. I kinda liked the leaf too, but there was a lot of people whose opinions I trust who did not. I thought I'd try some alternatives.

A RIC styled truss rod cover just looks bad on that headstock. Late 50s RIC guitars had a different TRC that I think could be a better start. Do a Google search and take a look.

Hmm, I came up empty. Even John Lennon's Ric had the standard Ric "swoop".

 

[thiocyclist]

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

The leaf is minimal so that's nice but the problem is it just looks out of place, maybe even corny, on the headstock.

So far none of the TRC designs really complement the excellent work that was done shaping the headstock itself. The RIC-style one has a certain charm, but I think the best thing is to go without a cover until the right choice presents itself more organically. Of course it's also NOT MY BASS, and mapleglo can do whatever she likes (and will have my blessing, whatever that's worth).

 

[SwimP]

This bass is awesome, and following this project on Talkbass has become (for me) as addicting as watching Breaking Bad on television. I don't ever want it to end, but I can't wait to see it finished! Now an observation and a suggestion on the truss rod cover: I notice that the uncovered truss rod cavity seems to echo the shape of the control panel (on which the knobs are mounted on the body), so I propose a wooden cover that is slightly larger than the truss rod cavity but is roughly to the same scale as the control panel. Repeating this simple shape would avoid introducing a new design theme to the project and might compliment the perfect parallelism of the strings on the headstock. In my opinion, this parallelism is one of the things that makes the build so unique.

 

[Hopkins]

Take a picture of it flipped over with the point going the other way. Right now I am thinking the regular Carvin shape, but a little taller, and wider made from Mahogany.

 

[Ric5]

Why does it need a TRC?

 

[JIO]

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:

It could also be reversed, to match the point of the headstock in the right top corner.

 

[mapleglo]

The leaf is minimal so that's nice but the problem is it just looks out of place, maybe even corny, on the headstock.

So far none of the TRC designs really complement the excellent work that was done shaping the headstock itself. The RIC-style one has a certain charm, but I think the best thing is to go without a cover until the right choice presents itself more organically. Of course it's also NOT MY BASS, and mapleglo can do whatever she likes (and will have my blessing, whatever that's worth).

You may be right. I'm starting to have dreams about this truss rod cover.

This bass is awesome, and following this project on Talkbass has become (for me) as addicting as watching Breaking Bad on television. I don't ever want it to end, but I can't wait to see it finished! Now an observation and a suggestion on the truss rod cover: I notice that the uncovered truss rod cavity seems to echo the shape of the control panel (on which the knobs are mounted on the body), so I propose a wooden cover that is slightly larger than the truss rod cavity but is roughly to the same scale as the control panel. Repeating this simple shape would avoid introducing a new design theme to the project and might compliment the perfect parallelism of the strings on the headstock. In my opinion, this parallelism is one of the things that makes the build so unique.

Thanks, that's a good idea. I'll spend some time this weekend trying a couple of options.

Take a picture of it flipped over with the point going the other way. Right now I am thinking the regular Carvin shape, but a little taller, and wider made from Mahogany.

Why does it need a TRC?

It actually doesn't.

 

[Hopkins]

Yeah I'm not crazy about the rick shape after seeing it. I think keeping it simple, and symmetrical will look best. Maybe use maple so it just blends in with the wood around it, I do think it needs a cover though.

 

[Aceonbass]

I like SwimP's idea of a cover echoing the shape of the control cavity cover. As for alternate Rickenbacker TRC shapes, Google 59 Rickenbacker 450. They're stamped in brass I believe.

 

[LoudBadBass]

Balance wise, the TRC can go only about as far as the line between the lowest pair of tuners before it begins to compete with the shape of the headstock. Likewise, the overall shape of the headstock has a bit more visual weight on top than it does on the bottom, which is why the Ric TRC draws the eye below the center line with that curve. Your headstock is smaller and cleaner, so your TRC should be as well for the sake of balance.

Maybe something like the Carvin TRC, but longer (almost to the line of the tuners) and slightly asymmetrical (point in line with the lower edge of the truss rod rout)? A minimalist compromise between the Carvin TRC and the Ric?

 

[lbridenstine]

How about mahogany with a little hook on it like a little mini version of the headstock shape?

 

[Bocete]

I'd just go with a plain cover, shaped like the carvin one, made out of maple. The headstock is beautiful as is and this option would change the overall look the least. You can also have a leaf engraved on it, by wood-burning. You know that old, natural look. Afterwards, just apply the finish as on the rest of the headstock.

 

[mapleglo]

Yeah I'm not crazy about the rick shape after seeing it. I think keeping it simple, and symmetrical will look best. Maybe use maple so it just blends in with the wood around it, I do think it needs a cover though.

So, something like this, only in maple:

I may take it down a little in height.

I like SwimP's idea of a cover echoing the shape of the control cavity cover. As for alternate Rickenbacker TRC shapes, Google 59 Rickenbacker 450. They're stamped in brass I believe.

Agreed, that makes sense. See above.

Balance wise, the TRC can go only about as far as the line between the lowest pair of tuners before it begins to compete with the shape of the headstock. Likewise, the overall shape of the headstock has a bit more visual weight on top than it does on the bottom, which is why the Ric TRC draws the eye below the center line with that curve. Your headstock is smaller and cleaner, so your TRC should be as well for the sake of balance.

Yes, I'm starting to trend that way now.

Maybe something like the Carvin TRC, but longer (almost to the line of the tuners) and slightly asymmetrical (point in line with the lower edge of the truss rod rout)? A minimalist compromise between the Carvin TRC and the Ric?

I'm thinking symmetry now, for some reason. And I'm starting to like echoing the control cavity cover idea.

How about mahogany with a little hook on it like a little mini version of the headstock shape?

I like this idea too. I think I'll do one like above, only file out that Ric swoop, like the top of the headstock. That might work pretty well. Maybe with a lower and wider piece than the one above. Maybe with a maple center and mahogany wings. Ok, maybe that's going too far.

I'd just go with a plain cover, shaped like the carvin one, made out of maple. The headstock is beautiful as is and this option would change the overall look the least. You can also have a leaf engraved on it, by wood-burning. You know that old, natural look. Afterwards, just apply the finish as on the rest of the headstock.

Or a decal. I'm also thinking either mahogany or maple. Right now, I'm thinking the mahogany, just for the contrast, but maple may work too. I'll have some time on Saturday to play with a few designs, in a few materials.

Speaking of Saturday, I'll spend some time sanding the bass in preparation for the tung oil finish. Any recommendations for the final sandpaper grit to sand to? 240? 600? Somewhere in between, or higher? The can of Formby's doesn't say anything, and suggests using steel wool in between coats. I never used tung oil finish before.

 

[thiocyclist]

^Best so far (I agree, make it shorter).

I have to comment how cool it is, the amount of thought you have put into each and every step. You're not just deferring to a previous instrument without question like I might have. That's why this is one of the best builds I've ever seen on TalkBass.

 

[mapleglo]

^Best so far (I agree, make it shorter).

I have to comment how cool it is, the amount of thought you have put into each and every step. You're not just deferring to a previous instrument without question like I might have. That's why this is one of the best builds I've ever seen on TalkBass.

Thank you

Actually, when left to my own devices, I'm much more like you. I likely would have just gone with the Carvin TRC, or the Ric style. But the feedback here is just wonderful, chock full of great ideas and suggestions. It helps me slow down and think thoroughly through each step. This is really a product of this forum. I never could have done this independently.

 

[callofcthulhu]

I'm sorry, but all of these plain truss rod covers look like finishing off your period correct 15th century Tudor costume with a baseball cap.

I think going with anything other than the leaf shaped Ric TRC posted by JIO would be doing a disservice to the rest of the creative decisions you've made.

 

[mapleglo]

I'm sorry, but all of these plain truss rod covers look like finishing off your period correct 15th century Tudor costume with a baseball cap.

I think going with anything other than the leaf shaped Ric TRC posted by JIO would be doing a disservice to the rest of the creative decisions you've made.

Well, no decision has been made yet, and even so, I can always change it. Like the control cavity cover, the TRC is just a screw on accessory. It's easily swapped. I plan on making a few different ones. Once the bass is closer to completion, I'll try them all. Maybe I'll even swap them periodically.

 

[aRandomAggie]

So much agonizing over the TRC...no matter what you pick, this bass is still going to be amazing!

 

[lbridenstine]

So, something like this, only in maple:

I may take it down a little in height.


...
I like this idea too. I think I'll do one like above, only file out that Ric swoop, like the top of the headstock. That might work pretty well. Maybe with a lower and wider piece than the one above. Maybe with a maple center and mahogany wings. Ok, maybe that's going too far.

Yeah, I think shorter and wider would work. Maybe a mahogany veneer underneath maple, then do a little bevel on the edge, so it looks like just a little outline of mahogany?

 

[mapleglo]

So much agonizing over the TRC...no matter what you pick, this bass is still going to be amazing!

I know, right?!?!?

And thanks, I'm hoping for the best

Yeah, I think shorter and wider would work. Maybe a mahogany veneer underneath maple, then do a little bevel on the edge, so it looks like just a little outline of mahogany?

I like that too. Another mini project for Saturday.