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

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:



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!

 

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 :




Fun stuff!

 

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!

 

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:




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

 

I figured this out with cutting down a dremel cutter bit and running it along with the template and shank of the bit.

 

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):












Let me know what you think...

 

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.

 

They do look cool!

I made my own dremel cutter which worked fine.
Maybe for a future build

 

Progress pic below. I need to figure out sealing this alder body, then stain or tint & gloss next...

Check it out:



Thinking of a light natural brown or something.

 

I tried my hand at starting a bust with TransTint.
I'm going for a "Black n Brown" burst.

Also since I over did it the first time and started sanding out, I'm shamelessly showing the job as it looks very rough....





A bit mor sanding before I start again.....