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LowWay’s 2020 Bordwell build thread

#21
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I’ve done gone crazy. I’ve grabbed a second hybrid top just to get the right match for the headstock and for the integrated pickup cover/ramp.

I ordered samples of 7 different colors of this to consider as knob stock instead of wooden or metal knobs. I couldn’t find the right stabilized burl blanks for knobs. These seem like a good starting point.

Inlace Acrylester Spindle 1.5" x 1.5" x 6"<BR> #50 - Blue & Gold - WoodTurningz

Just waiting on the right fretboard, and a little more info from Cliff to make a final neck profile decision, and this thing will be spec’d out.

I will be consuming both these tops to make the one bass. The second One is the actual top, and the first is for the ramp/pu covers and headstock.
 
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#22
Locked up the fretboard today!

called Larry at Gallery Hardwoods, he didn’t have exactly what I was looking for, but worked with me to come up with some good ideas, but then Cliff emailed a pic of a piece of Birdseye maple, which is really my first choice. And a gorgeous slab it is!


A14AA00D-A65B-4689-B195-217B4AE8DF88.jpeg
 
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#25
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#26
Well, this is turning into 2 Basses. I’ve decided to build a prototype basic model of the eventual deluxe model to test the new neck profile we’re building, the finger ramps/pickup covers, pickup selection and maybe body shape. This will inform my new bass build.

Negotiating how to fit these in the schedule now.
 
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#27
Well, the budget changed. I got a much bigger tax refund than expected. So I’m upgrading my prototype bass to a full blown deluxe model. Picked a top today. I’ve always wanted a buckeye burl, but never found the right bass or had the money at the right time or whatever. Until now.

F1972C59-72B0-494E-9B7F-254CD5279A80.jpeg
 
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#28
LowWay said:
Well, the budget changed. I got a much bigger tax refund than expected. So I’m upgrading my prototype bass to a full blown deluxe model. Picked a top today. I’ve always wanted a buckeye burl, but never found the right bass or had the money at the right time or whatever. Until now.

View attachment 4035315
Click to expand...
That is freaking gorgeous!

-ScottM
 
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#30
And I have another extreme piece of birdseye for the fret board. When he bought mine, he got 2 at the same time. I grabbed them both. Now to figure out what to use for wood for pickup covers and knobs/knob tops.

Unfortunately, I have the last flame maple neck with the accent stripes between the maple layers for one of the 2 basses. Only 3 piece maple or maple/wenge/maple to choose from. I'm considering the maple/wenge/maple, even though tonally I thin the maple is more to my typical preferences. It'll add some diversity to the stable.

Still haven't decided on body shapes yet. Since weight is a concern, my choices are S, Ball, SCB, and Dola I think. I love the S, but I have one, so more ponderin'...
 
#31
All great choices! The single cut shapes do have a little more surface area to show off the top...

Visually, I think I'd prefer the 3-piece maple neck with a maple board, but that's just me.

LowWay said:
And I have another extreme piece of birdseye for the fret board. When he bought mine, he got 2 at the same time. I grabbed them both. Now to figure out what to use for wood for pickup covers and knobs/knob tops.

Unfortunately, I have the last flame maple neck with the accent stripes between the maple layers for one of the 2 basses. Only 3 piece maple or maple/wenge/maple to choose from. I'm considering the maple/wenge/maple, even though tonally I thin the maple is more to my typical preferences. It'll add some diversity to the stable.

Still haven't decided on body shapes yet. Since weight is a concern, my choices are S, Ball, SCB, and Dola I think. I love the S, but I have one, so more ponderin'...
Click to expand...
 
#32
mikezimmerman said:
All great choices! The single cut shapes do have a little more surface area to show off the top...

Visually, I think I'd prefer the 3-piece maple neck with a maple board, but that's just me.
Click to expand...

Well I have this neck on my current Bordwell.

A38D333E-96CD-4BDB-9B7A-22C4C74855BC.jpeg


And I’m doing another with his last one just like it. Since I’m doing a Birdseye maple board, we’re doing a black accent layer between the fretboard and the neck. I’m still undecided about the last neck. If I could get the flame maple it would be an easy choice. But one of these new basses is gonna be something different from my favorite, and I’m not sure where I’ll land yet.
 
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#33
So, I’m now in the queue for 3 builds. I have learned some things during the quarantine about my changing needs and desires for these builds. I’m moving to 30” Basses full time. So all 3 builds will be shorties. Still 4 strings. The first build is going to be a passive p/j Dola with Nordstrands and the buckeye top and birdseye maple fretboard. We’re going to do birdseye knobs and p/u covers, and dye the birdseye charcoal.

here are some pictures from cliff today to help me nail down those choices.

buckeye top with natural birdseye fretboard
30BD63C9-CD8B-4142-9D22-42B00E568ADD.jpeg


sample piece of birdseye to see how the dye would look.
1CC126A7-0FF2-4600-8498-D478B6862969.jpeg
 
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#36
LowWay said:
View attachment 3941752 View attachment 3941753 I’ve done gone crazy. I’ve grabbed a second hybrid top just to get the right match for the headstock and for the integrated pickup cover/ramp.

I ordered samples of 7 different colors of this to consider as knob stock instead of wooden or metal knobs. I couldn’t find the right stabilized burl blanks for knobs. These seem like a good starting point.

Inlace Acrylester Spindle 1.5" x 1.5" x 6"<BR> #50 - Blue & Gold - WoodTurningz

Just waiting on the right fretboard, and a little more info from Cliff to make a final neck profile decision, and this thing will be spec’d out.

I will be consuming both these tops to make the one bass. The second One is the actual top, and the first is for the ramp/pu covers and headstock.
Click to expand...

Oooo love the epoxy filled burl!
 

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