My first multiscale (experimental)

[Matt Liebenau]

They fit on common bass bridge?
I have see DR strings makes also 41" scale strings on their HI BEAMS label

Is there any build thread about this bass?i would like to see the building progress

Winter 2019 Build Off - the EUV

 

[ctmullins]

Ah - sorry, I thought you were asking about the strings I used on the just-completed EUV.

The multiscale will start off with some garden-variety D’Addario XLs. But it’s become common in my experience to have to try a few different string sets for each instrument, to see which ones really work.

 

[PraiseBassing]

I thought this is a build thread about a 34-32 multiscale

Sorry, you are right. Thankfully someone else was able to provide a link!

 

[ctmullins]

Love the fanned with the 4003 body!

I like number 2. Just be sure there is enough space for the slanted bridge.

+1^

This is what I’m leaning towards as well. It’s just so danged sexy, and it’s what most people think of when “Rickenbacker” and “bass” are used together.

I got the final neck taper done with the flush trim bit. I also got the body back section glued and trimmed.

The neck strips had some unsightly sapwood in spots, so I oriented the lams to make sure it would get covered up by the back section and body wings.

Laid out the bridge and pickup locations. The flame in these lams is unreal!

 

[NKBassman]

This is what I’m leaning towards as well. It’s just so danged sexy, and it’s what most people think of when “Rickenbacker” and “bass” are used together.

Awesome! Can't wait to see this come together!
Are you going with the Nordy Big Blades pickups?

 

[Gilmourisgod]

This is friggin cool no matter what body style you use, more Ric builds! I’m working myself up to a Lemmy, guess I’d have to learn to carve first though!

 

[ctmullins]

Awesome! Can't wait to see this come together!
Are you going with the Nordy Big Blades pickups?

Maybe. I need to put them in the mule and give them a listen. They certainly have the right spacing to be mounted at an angle.

 

[ctmullins]

Are you going with the Nordy Big Blades pickups?

Oh wow.

I pulled out the mule, and checked out the Big Blade,

The Q-Tuner,

And the single-coil ChiSonic.

Now, the mule is mahogany and basswood, bolt-on, and 32” scale, so it's not quite the same, but wow, the Big Blade is Big! Bold, brash, aggressive, snarly, like a good rock pickup should be. The Q-Tuner, in comparison, sounded flat and polite; a nice pickup, with a famously clear high-end, but obviously suitable for something a bit more refined. The ChiSonic has a lot of the same qualities as the Big Blade, but a bit thicker and woolier. I had planned on using the Chis on v2.0 of this bass, and I think that will work out well.

 

[ctmullins]

Trimmed the ends of the fingerboard, parallel to the 22nd fret on one end and the nut slot on the other. Glued it on. No pics; it's just a pile of wood covered in clamps...

 

[Microbass]

Oh wow.

I pulled out the mule, and checked out the Big Blade,

The Q-Tuner,

And the single-coil ChiSonic.

Now, the mule is mahogany and basswood, bolt-on, and 32” scale, so it's not quite the same, but wow, the Big Blade is Big! Bold, brash, aggressive, snarly, like a good rock pickup should be. The Q-Tuner, in comparison, sounded flat and polite; a nice pickup, with a famously clear high-end, but obviously suitable for something a bit more refined. The ChiSonic has a lot of the same qualities as the Big Blade, but a bit thicker and woolier. I had planned on using the Chis on v2.0 of this bass, and I think that will work out well.

Always thought it'd be a pain in the neck to try different pick ups. 'The Mule' made me laugh though!

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Love the bungy cord hold-down too.

 

[MattZilla]

The terminals in the mule- are those Radio Shack items?

 

[ctmullins]

The terminals in the mule- are those Radio Shack items?

Parts Express: Speakers, Amplifiers, Audio Parts and Solutions If I recall...

 

[ctmullins]

Neck and fretboard out of the clamps and radiused to 20” (my standard). With the sticky paper residue on it, the sequence was:

• Belt sand with 60 grit, gently, to remove most of the residue,
• Hand sand with radius block and fresh 60 grit,
• Then 100 grit,
• Then 220 grit

Fresh sandpaper makes this a bit easier, mais c’est travail serieux!

Along the way I deepened the fretslots with the saw. Still need to check final depth on those slots though.

Because this fretboard is extra thick (about 3/8”) I left a ledge for the nut.

 

[ctmullins]

Mmmmm

Little bit of striping in this fretboard.

 

[ctmullins]

Hmmm. An unexpected decision has presented itself.

The body section of the neck-thru was intentionally left a bit thick. The difference in thickness between the center section and the body wings happens to be about the same as a couple figured maple drop-tops I have stashed away.

Invalid Link Removed

So I could choose to

• Thin the center section to match the wings (the original plan), or
• Chamber the wings and use the drop-top

Hmmm....

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Can we get a wider shot of the top as is? Looks pretty dreamy, and you already have a figured maple top Ric.

Edit: unless its carved like a PRS, then drop top for sure. See how i made work for you?

 

[ctmullins]

carved like a PRS

dammit

 

[Gilmourisgod]

You’ll thank me later, after the suffering.

 

[ctmullins]

Can we get a wider shot of the top as is? Looks pretty dreamy, and you already have a figured maple top Ric.

This is option 1 - weird little scraps of wood with a mishmash of figure:

Option 2 is really less about aesthetics, and more about chambering for a bit of weight reduction. Also, it’s possible that a slightly deeper control cavity could be beneficial. I guess I should assess the weight of the solid wings first.