Making a basic body blank?

[rojo412]

Sounds like one should use the German torque spec:

Gutentight

 

[mapleglo]

Great looking job there, mapleglo!

Totally!

Thank you both

The first pic is from a build in process here:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f57/leafenbacker-1040655/

and the second pic is from my first build here:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f57/first-build-performer-copy-1013458/
This one is pretty much done, except for the case, and I'll probably refinish the bass - I kind of rushed through it. I'll likely sand it back down, and re-lacquer it.

 

[Hopkins]

Sounds like one should use the German torque spec:

Gutentight

That was good

 

[fnordlyone]

Is running the edges of a piece of wood through a jointer the "right" way to do it? Yes. Can a solid joint be made without doing it the "right" way? Absolutely.

Further, yes, a band saw is the "right" tool to use for shaping the body. On both of the above, I used a jig saw, and sanded to shape using my drill press with a home made drum sander bit. Then sanded smooth by hand.

I have officially been bit!
I have all the tools I need excepting the home made drum sander bit. A picture or description, pretty please?

fnord!

 

[tjclem]

I clamp my bodies with 6 bar clamps, and I tighten them as tight as possible, working from this inside out. The results are a glue line that cant be seen unless because of grain alignment. I have never had a glue joint fail on me, not one time. Do you really think a human can tighten a clamp as tight as the presses that major guitar factories use? Its really just common sense, unless you are Superman or something.

^ what he said

 

[mapleglo]

I have officially been bit!
I have all the tools I need excepting the home made drum sander bit. A picture or description, pretty please?

fnord!

I cut three pieces of 3/4" plywood with a 2-3/4" hole saw, glued them together, and clamped them using a 1/4" piece of threaded rod. Cut the rod to length, and chucked up the piece into the drill press. Then I sand it smooth, and to a 90 degree edge, as best as my square and sandpaper allowed, and let it cure. Then I spray glued a broken piece of belt sanding strip from my belt sander on to it, and it was done.

 

[fnordlyone]

Awesome idea. Thanks for the photos. Let the stumping begin!

fnord!

 

[mapleglo]

Awesome idea. Thanks for the photos. Let the stumping begin!

fnord!

Glad to be of help

 

[Scoops]

My original intent was to find answers as to whether it made sense for me to make a blank or buy one.
If it's half the cost of the premade and just takes a bit more effort, it's worth it...
And if it's only going to save me a little cash and cost me a lot in effort, it's not.

One of the intrinsic elements is the fact that you get to build your own instrument. When you are done, you have pride of ownership. The sense of satisfaction one gets on a well built instrument goes well beyond the $$$ spent. Granted, the first couple you make may be candidates for the campfire, but once you get that first beauty under your belt, you won't want to stop.

-Scps