Rick 4003 Walnut build

[mapleglo]

What kind of pickguard I should make?

The same as on the bass or a pickguard like on the Rickenbacker [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]?

What do you think?

If I had the two instruments, I'd want them to match. I'd go same as the bass.

 

[TonH]

Thanks Mapleglo and Gilmour!

So the pickguard is going to be like the one on the bass.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Muuhaahaaaa! Our evil influence triumphs again! You are getting very sleepy....... Now apply floral print wallpaper to the bass......

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Hey Tonh,
I notice you ran the truss rod slot right out till it exits the angled headstock face. Was this to provide for future truss rod replacement, or just easier than a stopped rout? I started a thread asking about that, and the consensus was "couldn't hurt,but not necessary".

 

[ICM]

After all that hard work, time for a drink :

Save those gaskets for straplocks for the guitar!

 

[mellowinman]

Thanks Mapleglo and Gilmour!

So the pickguard is going to be like the one on the bass.

You made the right call.

 

[TonH]

Hey Tonh,
I notice you ran the truss rod slot right out till it exits the angled headstock face. Was this to provide for future truss rod replacement, or just easier than a stopped rout? I started a thread asking about that, and the consensus was "couldn't hurt,but not necessary".

With the bass I didn't make the slot that long, but with the guitar I made the slot with the 2 pieces of the neck that were cut of to make it tapered. So I could go further with the router, but maybe longer then necessary.


The truss rod cover I am working at (still a little to wide) is long enough :

 

[TonH]

Save those gaskets for straplocks for the guitar!

I will! This brand and bottle/gasket is famous for it.

 

[TonH]

Last week I gave the fretboard 3 layers of clear coat. So now it is protected against dirt, etc.

After a few days, so the clear coat could cure, I installed the frets, made them flush at the sides:

After that I started to make the back side of the headstock flat with the router and a rig.

Thickness 15mm


Time for the side dots:

And here is the pickguard:

 

[TonH]

It's been awhile since I posted new pictures, but here they are.

With the bandsaw I removed a lot of wood of the neck.

And I installed the nut (buffalo horn).

And with the rasp, I shaped the neck further:

Then with the help of the template and the router, the headstock:

And the cavitiy for the electronics.
I made the channels for the wiring before glueing the wing to the neck:

Time to glue the upper wing to the body:

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Nice! My next build is definitely a Walnut Ric, gotta get some use out of all these jigs and templates. I'll do a continuous taper neck beam this time, my parallel beam was a big PITA at the neck /body joint.

 

[TonH]

And the lower wing glued to the neck:

Now just let the glue set/dry for 24 houres.

 

[RaniBrandt]

I love those thin walnut stripes in the neck. Looking great, TonH!

 

[TonH]

Here it is without the clamps.

 

[ICM]

Here it is without the clamps.

Remarkable.

 

[DOMIT]

Sound great Tonh, definitely Ric tone, but nice thick lower end.

Sounds like a fattened-up Ric. Good sound!

 

[TonH]

Because the walnut wings are a little thicker then neck, I have to remove a few millimeter.

I used this rig:

And after sanding with these two home made sanding blocks:

this is the result:

Next things to do are:
- pickup cavities
- round of the edge on the back of the body
- sanding
- apply several layers clearcoat

 

[TonH]

Sounds like a fattened-up Ric. Good sound!

I love the sound and it is my favorite bass for the (rock)band I play in.

 

[TonH]

Just a little progres the last weeks.

I made the hole for the output with a fostner drill/bit (20mm):

And the first cavity for the bridge pickup:

And as you can see the channel for the wiring reappears:

 

[neeko]

Hi,
What pickups will you use on it ?