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Planning and design for a first build...

#41
Well the prototype head is almost done... I'm quite happy with the result... :)

DSC_6351.jpg

DSC_6352.jpg


What do you think?
 
#44
I'm actually thinking of building a ultra-short scale bass (something like 24" scale) for my son... (well, ok, for me as well, but hey, he turns 6 in a few weeks, something that daddy made is a nice gift, right?)

But this thing is only a training piece, the pale wood is ultra-soft, it would never survive being string up! :)
 
#47
At this stage I'm still at shapes...

And I'm toying with the possibility of having a mix-and-match approach with a number of set parameters: one or two pickups, maple, ash or cherry body, neck with boxwood or olive stringers, etc...

This way I limit the number of templates I need and simplify my workflow... although to simplify is further I just need to have one wood per body style and stick to it... the bolt-on necks are meant to be usable as-is on any of the three body styles...
 
#54
JanVanHove said:
JVH-basses-mark-II.jpg
Click to expand...

I really like the first one (faux single cut, without the singlecut mass) and the "Orca".........(Same basic shape aren't they?) Excellent shape, but the headstock shape does them no justice, I'm sure you can find some better "flow" on them headstocks. Looks like you're going in the right direction with those shapes.
 
#57
JanVanHove said:
Yay! I just got a router yesterday for my birthday! :)

Now I just need to figure out how to use this baby on pieces of scrap wood, and then the game is on! :)
Click to expand...

Happy birthday. What tools and prior experience do you have? I would highly recommend using the router to cut the neck taper when you get to that point. precision lines that are square to the top and back is essential, and i learned the hard way that a router is the best way to achieve that.
 
#59
JanVanHove said:
I have zero experience with a router, and limited woodworking experience, which is why I need to practice on scrap wood first... I don't want to destroy my nice cherry...

Neck taper, you mean the side-to-side taper or the front-to-back taper?
Click to expand...

the taper of the width of the neck, not the thickness, although you could probably use a router for that. you can use a router for almost every part of the build if you set up jigs and templates.
 
#60
A piece of advise, don't load up the bass with supper expensive parts and expect it to be a great bass. the parts don't make the bass, you do, and craftsmanship and playability are top goals. for the unexperienced woodworker, a first build should be simple and done with inexpensive materials. You WILL want to build a 2nd bass, and the 1st should only be seen as a trial-and-error bass. my first was horrible, but it quickly taught me major flaws i had made, and what to do differently next time around. number 2 is experiencing some speed bumps, but is going much smoother than number 1.

good luck and i hope the cherry you ordered has good looks. i love that stuff.
 

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