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My first custom build - USACG

BeSharp

BeSharp

May 17, 2011
159
3
Annapolis, MD
#1
I took the plunge and I'm building my own "boutique" bass using USACG wood parts.

Here are the first pics from "unboxing day" today.

I'm taking everything over to a local luthier to assemble, plek, setup, etc. tomorrow.

Parts will include, hipshot bridge and tuners, Nordstrand pickups, J Retro preamp, etc.

Pretty excited with the look so far. I'll post more pics after assembly and give you a review of the playability, etc.

All in price right now for wood parts alone - $948

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#5
DWBass said:
Nice. What kind of weight are you looking at finished?




Oh, and ditch that PG! Ugh!
Click to expand...


My goal is to come in close to or under 8 lbs. I asked USACG to pick light woods for me. I also went with a J Jr. body to cut weight and the light weight tuners and an aluminum bridge.

I know some people don't like the pick guard but I do so I'm going to keep it and the hardware is chrome and purchased already.

Here's a pick of the "model" I was using from a well-known famous luthier above my current price range. This bass was my design inspiration.

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#7
Dropped it off today to be assembled. I'm using Phil Jacoby in Baltimore. Great guy with his own in house Plek machine. He also helped me spec out all the parts that I'd need to buy in order to complete the build.

He says he'll have everything ready for me to pick up early next week.

Here's how the bass looks on the workbench with a few dry fit parts.

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#11
A couple of snags so far that had to be handled... Keep these in mind when building your own.

1. String spacing -- I wanted less than the standard 19mm. So USACG only had the templates to drill for standard spacing. I ordered an 18mm hipshot bridge. USACG had to send the body before being painted to Baltimore so Phil could drill for everything and then send it back. Took about 2 extra weeks plus shipping time and costs.

2. Pickup size -- I ordered a set from Nordstrand that was supposed to have different sizes a la Fender (wider for the bridge and thinner at the neck positions). But the set Nordy sent were equal sizes. So we're going to have to route out the neck position a bit to fit the larger pickup.

3. The "drop in" J Retro plate is slightly too large for the control cavity. So a little more routing there will have to be done as well.

4. I would have preferred a slightly thinner neck at the nut. This is 1 7/8" where I'm used to about 1 3/4". USACG at this time can't make 1 3/4" five string necks. But the great thing about them is that graphite reinforcements are standard in their bass necks. So I could completely customize my taper and width, profile, radius, etc. So I got a really nice thin, flat neck with a satin finish. It feels fantastic and it should be both thin and very stable. I like the truss rod adjustment at the top of the neck too since the 22nd fret is an overhang.
 
#12
dmusic148 said:
Very nice. You know, you could have him attach the PG with double-stick tape, in case you change your mind. You just might. Then you won't have to kick yourself for making holes in the top.
Click to expand...

That would have been a great idea. But I had to special order the pick guard to fit this body and it came pre-drilled. I'm going to stick with the pick guard. I really like the traditional look of the pick guard balanced with the more modern attributes of the body finish and size.
 
#13
Here it is -- my finished one-off custom. I have two gigs this weekend so I'll get to give it a real world test drive.

Here are the pics as promised. I definitely recommend doing this. The price was great compared to a name brand boutique bass and the quality is outstanding. The price is about the same or maybe just a little more than a new American Deluxe Fender but the quality and parts are definitely superior.

Full body shot:
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Close up:
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Back side:
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Headstock with custom logo:
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#15
Thanks Robin. It's really an awesome instrument and is my primary player now. Everyone loves it who hears/sees it. I'm really surprised more people don't do it. I think including everything, parts and the $200+ I spent on a pro setup it came it at just around $1500-$1600. Really compared with off the shelf stuff the price is great and the quality blows it away. The neck is PERFECT and I got to give all of my dimensions to USACG. I worked with Rob and he was the man.
 

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