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RAHAZ First build begins (Pictures)

#21
T2W said:
If you dont, you could end up with a bowed neck blank. looking at my pile of fire wood, I realize I have learnt my lesson...
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You know, what I learned was to get some books on general woodworking. And Watch New Yankee Workshop! Nothing like watching a seasoned pro use machines and clamps.

They aren't lutherie related, but it stops from making the mistakes we all make as beginners... this stuff is already all figured out, we don't have to reinvent the wheel. :) Lots of info to glean.

Some of the router and bandsaw books have great ideas too.

I love the smell of cut wood. :D
 
#22
Here is the updated Design. Let me know what you guys think.

RAHAZ_Bass-20071129.gif


I will be laminating the neck tonight and this weekend with some thin veneers of Maple. More pictures will be posted once done.
 
#27
wilser said:
The more I look at those outter laminates running out as they go towards the headstock, the more it looks like a mistake, even if it was on purpose.
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I agree. I would have less lams on the outsides. I think the outer two purpleheart pieces should run all the way to the edge, or better yet, use some lighter wood like mahogany for the outer lams. All that hard stiff wood is unnecessary. It will be a tight sounding bass.

Also, that's going to be a heavy neck. I'd make the headstock smaller.

It will probably be necessary to build a small amount of relief in that neck when the fingerboard it glued on, that way the truss rod will not be slack at any time, and the neck might be too stiff to get any relief if it's wanted. I adjust my necks straight, but do build some relief into them.
 
#29
RAHAZ said:
How do I put "relief" in a neck?:confused:
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When you glue on your fingerboard you use a clamping caul. So what you do is slip a small shim in the center of the fingerboard, so when the ends are clamped you will have a slight curve. Then of course put more clamps on. Just don't over tighten.

I use something like a piece of maple veneer or a match book cover. Nothing too thick. Then when the glue is dry, you can tighten the rod slightly to get the neck straight.
 
#30
Ah. Okay. Thank you for the tip.

I have more laminating to do tonight and tomorrow night to get everything ready to make the two neck blanks later in the week.

Someone mentioned that my headstock might be too large. What is a good overall size (if it were to fit in a box) for a headstock on a 5 string bass? I approximated mine.
 
#32
Here are some updated pictures. I have now finished laminating the neck blank and will cut it down and square it all up on Monday after it has time to dry. Keep your eye out for that update since it'll have the "money shot" of what the neck will look like.

Lessons learned:
#1 When working with thin veneer, pre-plan and move fast because it likes to curl up quicker than you'd think.

#2 Arm hair and wood glue aren't good bedfellows.:rollno:

#3 Take it easy on the glue. After doing all of this I see how clean some of the other guys get their necks while gluing and wonder how.

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What do you think?
 

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