New build starting

[JayVek-72]

Looking really good!!

 

[thebassbuilder]

The wings are on and not a moment too soon. I was going crazy with the last wing. I did one last sanding to the side that will glue to the neck and started chasing my tail. I would sand then hold to the neck and it would have a gap, then I get the gap gone but it was not square. This lasted about an hour before I finally got it. So happy that is over. Now I can start the fun of sanding and final shaping the neck. The sanding part i am not looking forward to as Paduak is some nasty stuff on the sinuses and the dust shows on everything. Maybe if I can get a nice day I will do it out side. In the pic you will see the mono rail bridges on it but they are just taped there for now. I do not know the weight of the bass yet but let me tell you this thing is going to be light as a feather and should still balance well. I am wondering if it even weighs 5 lbs yet. I hope the lightness of the bass will not hurt the tone any. I am super happy with it so far.

 

[JayVek-72]

She's a Beauty!

 

[thebassbuilder]

I got the neck to body transition roughed in last night and it is feeling nice.

 

[thebassbuilder]

Well I got some serious work done today, or should I say my Wife. Just had to show off the new addition little Ms. Zoe Lynn was born today. Maybe I will get a little work done on this bass in between diapers and feedings.

 

[Why Nautilus‽]

Well I got some serious work done today, or should I say my Wife. Just had to show off the new addition little Ms. Zoe Lynn was born today. Maybe I will get a little work done on this bass in between diapers and feedings. View attachment 755994

Congratulations!!!

 

[Basshappi]

Congratulations to you both!

 

[JayVek-72]

Congratulations!

 

[thebassbuilder]

Well I was able to work on this bass twice getting a lot done. I really just need to drill the tuner holes, pickup routes and I think I am going to try an inlay for the logo.

I think I have decided to go with EMG JAX5 pickups (thank you Best Bass Gear) and I may try their tone control as well. It is an EQ curve giving you a smiley face tone one way and mid hump the other.

 

[Jisch]

I have that preamp on one of my basses. It's cool, but I like having independent bass and treble better.

 

[thebassbuilder]

I have that preamp on one of my basses. It's cool, but I like having independent bass and treble better.

Thanks for the heads up. I was wondering if adding that plus the normal tone pot would work well. One thing about EMG is the open tone/flat response. I was thinking this could be an easy way to take care of it but I may think twice now and go with a 3 band.

 

[thebassbuilder]

Bass is really getting there now. It is ready for final sanding but I need to do a few things first. Drill tuner holes, pickup routes, bridge screw holes and the inlay for the logo. The logo is something I hope to be getting to this week. I was talking to a guy at my local Wood Craft store and he said they have a CNC there and he will cut the flame maple I have into a 0.75" circle. From there I am going to add a water slide decal add finish over it and then inlay that into the headstock. I am also going to ask if he could CNC me a positive and a negative of the logo out of the maple and padauk. Then I could puzzle piece them together and inlay that.

I decided to go with EMG 40TWX pickups. One of the pups was on back order, so I have to wait on that. I will tell you, I think other pickup companies should do like EMG and go the solder less way and also include all basic pots for a passive setup.

I cannot wait to get this bass ready for finish and final assembly/setup.

 

[thebassbuilder]

I am already planning version 2.0 of this bass, which I am calling these models the PDZ. Let me know what you think. I am trying to get away from so much of the offset body design that I always do.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I lost track of this build, dang you are killing it! I really like the body shape, has the feel of some of the Alembics of yore, but unique. Can't wait to see it finished, and congrats on the new baby girl.

 

[thebassbuilder]

Thanks so much! I am really excited as well. Now if it will warm up and snow go away, I can get back to work on it.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Just noticed all the baby clothes on the table, that brings back memories so intense it hurts. My oldest turns 21 next week, how did that happen? Enjoy your baby girl, try hard to be present in mind and heart, it goes by so fast.

 

[thebassbuilder]

My oldest just turned 6 and those years have gone quick already. But it is crazy for me to think of them at 21. Thanks again.

 

[thebassbuilder]

Wow, it has been a while since I posted anything. I am glad to see this section of the forum is doing good as I had to find my thread on page 8.

The bass is just about there. I have everything routed and got most everything ready for final assembly. I got the oil finish added last night and I hope to smooth it out tonight and then I will be adding a wax topcoat. These pictures show the oil nice and wet, so it is a lot more shiny than it will be in the end. I ended up going with Teak Oil. It has UV protections, which I hope will help slow down the oxidation effect of the Paduek. I also did an inlay logo I created and I am really liking it as it looks good and works great for these oil finish builds. This was my first attempt and I now know, I need to use slow curing epoxy in the future. The epoxy started to dry to fast and trapped some small bubbles and it is a touch hazy. I hope to have this bass finished up by next week and I will post up some close up photos.

 

[thebassbuilder]

Look what I just got. This bridges the gap of guitar and bass. I love this thing!

 

[I-Am-The-Slime]

Those curly maple stringers are amazing!