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Next logical step in build - (update) bass now completed!

chinjazz

chinjazz

Sep 11, 2002
3,924
1,919
Atlantic Beach, FL
mtmash.wordpress.com
#1
Good evening,

I was wondering about what would be my logical next step in my first body Build. The neck is premade and I already have fabricated a neck pocket template out of MDF and s

This is what I have now, a one piece alder body just rough cut:

0F955379-95C4-4F75-9A6E-E2FC114171F7-715-0000006C68C00B61_zpsc3498836.jpg


I'm thinking of doing some edge work with a ronder bit and router next.

Q: is a router mounted under a table much better than a top
Down hand held? I can probably make one
If the benefits are huge.

Thanks!
 
#2
chinjazz said:
Good evening,

I was wondering about what would be my logical next step in my first body Build. The neck is premade and I already have fabricated a neck pocket template out of MDF and s

This is what I have now, a one piece alder body just rough cut:

0F955379-95C4-4F75-9A6E-E2FC114171F7-715-0000006C68C00B61_zpsc3498836.jpg


I'm thinking of doing some edge work with a ronder bit and router next.

Q: is a router mounted under a table much better than a top
Down hand held? I can probably make one
If the benefits are huge.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The next logical step is to get the neck pocket routed.
Then get the body shape around the neck pocket finished.
Then get you need to get the edges of the body perfect or the round over wont turn out even.
Then get your neck mounted, so you can determine your exact center line. Now is a good time to locate and mount the bridge.
Now that you have determined your center line you can rout your pickup and control cavities and drill the tunnel holes for your wires.
Then you can do any carving on the body, like a forearm relief or tummy cut, (these can be done after the round over, I just prefer to do them first, it is up to you)
Then do your round over, I use a router table, but you can just as easily do it from the top. Use the cut offs from the body to keep the router from rocking on you.
 
#3
Hopkins said:
The next logical step is to get the neck pocket routed.
Then get the body shape around the neck pocket finished.
Then get you need to get the edges of the body perfect or the round over wont turn out even.
Then get your neck mounted, so you can determine your exact center line. Now is a good time to locate and mount the bridge.
Now that you have determined your center line you can rout your pickup and control cavities and drill the tunnel holes for your wires.
Then you can do any carving on the body, like a forearm relief or tummy cut, (these can be done after the round over, I just prefer to do them first, it is up to you)
Then do your round over, I use a router table, but you can just as easily do it from the top. Use the cut offs from the body to keep the router from rocking on you.
Click to expand...

To prevent an unfix-able mistakes, print the full scale drawing of your design and stick it to the wood, using double-sided sticky tape, as a guide.
 
#4
abcbasses said:
To prevent an unfix-able mistakes, print the full scale drawing of your design and stick it to the wood, using double-sided sticky tape, as a guide.
Click to expand...

That's a good idea as well. If the OP is anything like me and is completely computer illiterate, you can just draw it out on a piece of butchers paper.
 
#5
Hopkins said:
That's a good idea as well. If the OP is anything like me and is completely computer illiterate, you can just draw it out on a piece of butchers paper.
Click to expand...

Yeah, totally. It does not need to be computerised drawing. As long as the measurements are correct, thats all you need.

If you ended up with a very good drawing, you could get a piece of good quality mdf and make yourself a template for next build...:D
 
#6
Thanks Hopkins! And ABC of course :)

I actually figured out my body shape by taking a picture of another bass, then printing that out to the best scale as possible (basically to fit the neck bass where the pocket is), i suppose i have a precise template to glue to the top as a guide. Thanks for this tip :)

I'm glad I bought a spindle sander and practiced with it :).

I spent a bunch of time figuring out the neck pocket template and practiced with cheap wood and a shape I didn't go with :
14A0F207-F5F8-44B7-AE37-9E1C676A8CE3-715-000000B0E9573093_zps825a4999.jpg


44514F89-98EC-4E9B-A1DB-BD246516A1FF-715-000000B1149C9319_zps88cf99d6.jpg


Fun stuff!
 
#7
chinjazz said:
Thanks Hopkins! And ABC of course :)

I actually figured out my body shape by taking a picture of another bass, then printing that out to the best scale as possible (basically to fit the neck bass where the pocket is), i suppose i have a precise template to glue to the top as a guide. Thanks for this tip :)
Click to expand...

Looking good...

Actually, you don't need the template/drawing if you just want to figure out the neck placement. All you need is just to figure out the body center line, the length of the neck heel and your scale length (you probably have no choice over this, since you bought a pre-made neck).

I mentioned a full scale drawing because it helps you to visualise clearly where all things are going to be located (pickups routing, bridge, knobs, etc). It helps you to convince yourself whether you are sold to your own design...:D

However, please do whichever works best for your situation. I have seen people with a very good visual ability, who could image things without any drawings. I wish I have that kind of ability...:D

Looking forward to see more of the progress...


Harry
 
#8
Thanks again for the detail Harry!

I went with this body design to be modern/classic. Borrowed the design (form of flattery I hear), for this one of a kind, for me bass.

I have to start thinking about the pickup routes as I don't have a template for the Duncan design MM 5. I figure I'll fab MDF again.

I'll definitely do posting along the way now that I'm on the run way :)

Cheers!
 
#9
I had a couple hours this afternoon to play with the practice bass to make some sonic decisions on which pickups to put in the bass, and Jazz neck position route, all was wonderful with the template, and later on I realized the corners needed to be addressed :).. Pic:


PickUpRoute_CornerTweaks_zpsa7664504.jpg


My router bit was not small enough for the corners, other wise worked like a champ.

I did a few searches here and saw some interesting remedies to addressing this:


http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f57/whats-best-all-around-size-router-bit-pu-cavities-931291/


Anyone have any home grown steps? I've got a drill press, router, and a dremel. Don't have the plunge attachment, but can get one...

I think if I had the right size drill bit with about 1/4" teeth, and smooth shank, I'd be going in the right direction..

This is the practice wood, so it' doesn't have to be great, but I'd like to learn so when I cut the nice piece of Alder, I'll at least have a solid plan :)

Thanks for reading and understanding I'm new at this stuff :)
 
#11
Hey Guys,

I started making progress on the body this weekend.. One thing I realized is the body is THICK... 2" to be exact, and I probably should have had 1/4" taken off.. Without a good big tool to do this, I wonder... Anyway, here she is (will take on some more shaping before I move forward in the back of the bass):


1DrillingNeckPocket_zps57a7bac4.jpg


2ShapingPocketheel_zpsdbb3fb4f.jpg


3ShapingPocketheel2_zps742cb43d.jpg


4ShapedBody_zpsfd753a61.jpg


5PositioningBodyAndNeck_zps9f4395d0.jpg


Let me know what you think...
 
#13
Thanks Chuck!

You know I was thinking that same thing along the way.
I found myself getting design ideas at just about every step so far.
Definitely a fun journey. I ended up routing 1/4" off the back this afternoon. I should have made a sled rig because of some left over round swirls and inconsistencies, but it came out fine after some sanding.
 
#15
chinjazz said:
I had a couple hours this afternoon to play with the practice bass to make some sonic decisions on which pickups to put in the bass, and Jazz neck position route, all was wonderful with the template, and later on I realized the corners needed to be addressed :).. Pic:


PickUpRoute_CornerTweaks_zpsa7664504.jpg


My router bit was not small enough for the corners, other wise worked like a champ.

I did a few searches here and saw some interesting remedies to addressing this:


http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f57/whats-best-all-around-size-router-bit-pu-cavities-931291/


Anyone have any home grown steps? I've got a drill press, router, and a dremel. Don't have the plunge attachment, but can get one...

I think if I had the right size drill bit with about 1/4" teeth, and smooth shank, I'd be going in the right direction..

This is the practice wood, so it' doesn't have to be great, but I'd like to learn so when I cut the nice piece of Alder, I'll at least have a solid plan :)

Thanks for reading and understanding I'm new at this stuff :)
Click to expand...


Havent tried them, but these look pretty cool:

http://www.toolstoday.com/p-6238-mi...outer-bits-with-upper-ball-bearing-guide.aspx
 
#19

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