I guess I’m starting a
Spring Barticus Buildoff with myself here
I’m excited to keep rolling so here we go with part 2 using all of the learnings from the first prototype.
That was my first time through the total process from design to laser cutting templates to using the top bearing bit to cut my woods out. It went pretty quickly, efficiently, I had a lot of fun doing it and did not run into many issues with the whole process… so I think all in all I have validated that this approach works for me. I think this whole process is going to help me tremendously with learning in general prior to setting up CNC ops as well.
Probably the biggest learning thus far, just in terms of being super precise with designs, and saving a bunch of time, is to use cardboard to laser cut prototypes of my templates to validate sizing for pickups, cavity routes etc. This helps to ensure all measurements are good before I cut actual routing templates out of MDF or acrylic. I can make quick adjustments and cut the cardboard in under a minute or two to dry fit and make sure I’ve got proper tolerances before I laser cut the MDF.
Here’s the plan for build #2, I don’t have the neck wood yet so that might delay me a little but I’ll get a good start on everything else while I wait for it to show up.
The parts list: Zebrawood body, Macassar Ebony fingerboard (haven’t decided if I’ll go fretted or fretless yet) and Flamed Maple finger ramp.
For electronics I dug around in my parts cabinet and found some nice goodies… I’ve got a set of Aguilar DCBs, an OBP3 pre amp (push/pull active/passive volume pot) and I think I’ll wire in a passive tone pot.
My version of the “DIY Barticus Bass” kit
I have another nice solid heavy Steinberger brass bridge that I’ll definitely use (love these things!). But I’m not sure which headpiece I’m going to go with it this point. I do have a couple of the Nova‘s, which I’ve never used before and I’ve is also considered a couple of other options, but I haven’t really found an off-the-shelf design that I’m really crazy about at this point. I really want brass on either end as the resonance with solid brass is pretty awesome. So another option I’ve considered is 3D modeling one and then 3D printing a prototype in PLA just to validate fit and function. Once I have that, I’d either have someone build a couple of prototypes out of solid brass for me or just setup a desktop milling station and doing it myself (which sounds fun). Either way, I need to figure this out once I have my neck wood in hand.
I did say this was going to be a long thread, right? 
the special order was 4-6wks and I’m 3 wks in so hopefully will be able to post some pics soon 
