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Opening a Can of Worms...

#41
2saddleslab said:
Love the hybrid f hole.
Click to expand...
I've seen basses with this f-hole shape, a Vox Constellation IV is one. It is a bit traditional but simple. I designed the scale & size based on the big wide body and just drew it freehand on the wood..

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I searched 'f' hole designs and most were traditional and boring, and many of the 'modern' takes on it frankly weren't very good. My '68 Custom Kraft "Bone Buzzer" hollow-body has cool curved 'lightening-bolt' openings but as they are so distinctive for that bass I didn't want to copy it.
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#42
JIO said:
I've seen basses with this f-hole shape, a Vox Constellation IV is one. It is a bit traditional but simple. I designed the scale & size based on the big wide body and just drew it freehand on the wood..

View attachment 7478678
I searched 'f' hole designs and most were traditional and boring, and many of the 'modern' takes on it frankly weren't very good. My '68 Custom Kraft "Bone Buzzer" hollow-body has cool curved 'lightening-bolt' openings but as they are so distinctive for that bass I didn't want to copy it.
View attachment 7478677
Click to expand...
I knew I'd seen it before but couldn't remember where. That design serves your bass well.
 
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#44
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Ran open tubing for the ground wire which is grounded at the tail-piece stop.
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Table epoxied and gaps filled with JB Weld which is an overnight cure. Tomorrow I rout the neck pocket and so some work on the neck heal. Once that's done, I'll string it up to position the top mounted pu's/poles. I've decided to use black amp tolex on the top. I had to buy lots of it recovering my Ashdown amp case and don't like wasting perfectly good fabric. The body is sitting on it as seen at the lower part of the pic. Sides will be sprayed black.
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#47
Reedt2000 said:
Looks awesome 👍🏻

Did you decide on a finish?
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Yes - the sides will be black and the top/table will be covered with black Tolex. Should get to that in the next couple of days.

Both pu's are the same so I angled them so the poles are under the strings. It's a 32" medium scale and the bridge is set at its optimal location for correct 12th fret intonation. I actually like how it looks wonky and besides it will deliver a stronger signal with correct string/pole alignment.

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#48
I sprayed the sides black and did the first sanding - as what happens a lot with me 'in progress', I liked the look. So I shellacked it and once it fully cures I'll sand it level and shoot clear lacquer over it and the bindings. Since this is a player focused restoration, I like the process showing - including the wood patches and fillers, as they say "warts & all". The black Tolex on top will command frontal attention and the back being 'vintage/as was' lets the sides be a transitional look. Anyway, that's my take and I'm sticking with it! :D

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#49
Level sanded the shellac and hand brushed satin poly on the sides. Did some work on the neck heal and everything's ready for the Tolex tomorrow. Forgot to account for channeling the pu wires to the control plate before I glues the top on, but figured out a go-around. (literally!) So if all goes as planned, it should be done by later tomorrow. Woo-hoo!
 
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