good luck with your builds; it's a nice thread to follow and I like the acoustic too (want to try that myself one day)
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Roberto-Venn: The Dream Starts...
- Thread starter Thumpin_P
- Start date
Thanks Robert! I do enjoy the acoustic, but not as much for the obvious reason of being mistake free, but, learning the principles behind it...it is absolutely fascinating!
And, as always,
Stay tuned, there's a whole lot more coming!
And, as always,
Stay tuned, there's a whole lot more coming!
GregBreshears
Commercial User
Everytime I see a post about Roberto-Venn it makes me want to go back, especially when I see all of the things that have changed
a couple of things:
first - what are they using now for finish? when I went (fall 2000) we were spraying nitro, but I read they got in trouble for that.
second - when did they stop letting you guys make jumbos for your acoustics that is what I built (now I wish I would have done an om)
third - I love the modified potter's wheel. when I went there we had to sand the side by hand on one of the hollow-radius forms, and that was stressful and time consuming.
seeing the go-bar decks reminded me of the most stressful time there: when we were glueing the top and back onto the sides of the acoustic everytime I placed a go-bar on the top I was afraid it was going to slip and go through my top, but it didin't happen, thank goodness.
I hope you continue to have a great time there and continue learning. Like others have said keep all your handouts because they will end up being priceless to you later.
a couple of things:
first - what are they using now for finish? when I went (fall 2000) we were spraying nitro, but I read they got in trouble for that.
second - when did they stop letting you guys make jumbos for your acoustics that is what I built (now I wish I would have done an om)
third - I love the modified potter's wheel. when I went there we had to sand the side by hand on one of the hollow-radius forms, and that was stressful and time consuming.
seeing the go-bar decks reminded me of the most stressful time there: when we were glueing the top and back onto the sides of the acoustic everytime I placed a go-bar on the top I was afraid it was going to slip and go through my top, but it didin't happen, thank goodness.
I hope you continue to have a great time there and continue learning. Like others have said keep all your handouts because they will end up being priceless to you later.
Greg,
We do still use nitro, they have built a very nice, ventilated booth. I will be sure to include pictures. As far as the jumbos, I am not sure when the cutoff was. I do agree, the potter's wheel is the coolest idea. It probably took 20 minutes to sand the top and back (including time to change the forms). I also agree, the handouts will definitely prove to be priceless. Thankfully, I am old enough to realize which things and people will be assets later on. I realized, long ago, that all of my friends on Talkbass will always be one of my best assets. So, no matter how much people will benefit from this thread, it is only a part of what I am receiving.
Thanks to all for the support!
Thumpin_P
We do still use nitro, they have built a very nice, ventilated booth. I will be sure to include pictures. As far as the jumbos, I am not sure when the cutoff was. I do agree, the potter's wheel is the coolest idea. It probably took 20 minutes to sand the top and back (including time to change the forms). I also agree, the handouts will definitely prove to be priceless. Thankfully, I am old enough to realize which things and people will be assets later on. I realized, long ago, that all of my friends on Talkbass will always be one of my best assets. So, no matter how much people will benefit from this thread, it is only a part of what I am receiving.
Thanks to all for the support!
Thumpin_P
GregBreshears
Commercial User
like others have said. take pictures of all the tools and jigs, and trace all the templates...I traced alot and wish I would have traced more
Hey folks!
A great day! I accomplished plenty of things, and I will share all the good news. But first, a fellow student, Eric, wanted me to post a picture of his Les Paul-style guitar, so...
There you go, Eric!
First, the fix on the control cavity. I used a putty made from alder and titebond yesterday. today, the first thing was to sand. I did get the first hole cleaned up.
The color is a little different, but, this will be routed out, making room for the cover.
and the bearing for the rabbeting bit should ride on this very smoothly, now.
The other spot was considerably bigger...
but it did get smoothed out nicely. This too, is discolored, but, all of this will be under shielding tape. I could have left a small divot, but, I felt like doing things right. So, I used some more putty,
and I actually think that the picture above this one is the completed one. When I use shielding tape, I burnish it into the cavity, so any divots, bumps, ridges...etc., will show. The cavity is now really smooth and I am much happier now. The really cool thing that I did today (as if fixing that wasn't cool enough...) was to redesign my headstock inlay for my acoustic. I had used a Celtic cross, but this had to symmetrical, and I failed pretty bad with that. That's ok, it doesn't bring me down, because my true bass-player came out and i am really happy with this inlay.
a slapper's thumb!
Here is a shot of the headstock,which will be a Martin-style with an ebony cap.
I will scribe the outline of the fingers later. That is all that needs to be done. I cut and filed this in less than an hour. I cannot route the headstock until after the acoustic neck is shaped and the headstock is in its final shape. The scribing will be done after that. This had been hanging over my head (Man, I have got to get this inlay done!) and now, I am caught up! We had a demo on gluing in the transverse brace, but, that brace needs to be glued in a 50' radius. All the 50' forms got filled up quick! I might get work on it tomorrow, because, I got something else done quickly!
X-Brace joined!!!
Remember, these were thickness sanded and squared up. We were waiting for the demo to cut notches in each brace. This afternoon, We were demoed with a cool jig and the table saw. After the saw, you go back to the thickness sander and take off just enough to get a very tight fit. After that, we used a needle file to clean out the notch, made by the table saw. I am very happy after today, had an awesome day, and...got my first grades today. I got an 80.2 for the 5 week period. This is actually pretty high. All of our grades are low this time, and we will improve over the weeks.
Thanks for watching!
Thumpin_P
A great day! I accomplished plenty of things, and I will share all the good news. But first, a fellow student, Eric, wanted me to post a picture of his Les Paul-style guitar, so...
There you go, Eric!
First, the fix on the control cavity. I used a putty made from alder and titebond yesterday. today, the first thing was to sand. I did get the first hole cleaned up.
The color is a little different, but, this will be routed out, making room for the cover.
and the bearing for the rabbeting bit should ride on this very smoothly, now.
The other spot was considerably bigger...
but it did get smoothed out nicely. This too, is discolored, but, all of this will be under shielding tape. I could have left a small divot, but, I felt like doing things right. So, I used some more putty,
and I actually think that the picture above this one is the completed one. When I use shielding tape, I burnish it into the cavity, so any divots, bumps, ridges...etc., will show. The cavity is now really smooth and I am much happier now. The really cool thing that I did today (as if fixing that wasn't cool enough...) was to redesign my headstock inlay for my acoustic. I had used a Celtic cross, but this had to symmetrical, and I failed pretty bad with that. That's ok, it doesn't bring me down, because my true bass-player came out and i am really happy with this inlay.
a slapper's thumb!
Here is a shot of the headstock,which will be a Martin-style with an ebony cap.
I will scribe the outline of the fingers later. That is all that needs to be done. I cut and filed this in less than an hour. I cannot route the headstock until after the acoustic neck is shaped and the headstock is in its final shape. The scribing will be done after that. This had been hanging over my head (Man, I have got to get this inlay done!) and now, I am caught up! We had a demo on gluing in the transverse brace, but, that brace needs to be glued in a 50' radius. All the 50' forms got filled up quick! I might get work on it tomorrow, because, I got something else done quickly!
X-Brace joined!!!
Remember, these were thickness sanded and squared up. We were waiting for the demo to cut notches in each brace. This afternoon, We were demoed with a cool jig and the table saw. After the saw, you go back to the thickness sander and take off just enough to get a very tight fit. After that, we used a needle file to clean out the notch, made by the table saw. I am very happy after today, had an awesome day, and...got my first grades today. I got an 80.2 for the 5 week period. This is actually pretty high. All of our grades are low this time, and we will improve over the weeks.
Thanks for watching!
Thumpin_P
That inlay is going to be awesome. Although, if it was my decision (which it is not), I would flip it so it is a right handed thumb. Unless you scribe the fingers in... you might've mentioned that to me. Anyway, I'm glad that you are seeing things in a positive light and are doing your best! Go you.
Well J...,
I can do that, but I need to cut a new piece. It is not gold on the back. but you do make a valid point...I'm not a lefty. I'll give it a thought.
Thanks!
I can do that, but I need to cut a new piece. It is not gold on the back. but you do make a valid point...I'm not a lefty. I'll give it a thought.
Thanks!
Really enjoying this thread. Thanks for posting as I am sure it is enough work just to be going to school.
In my opinion (which you can obviously take or leave) the cross is much more of a classy touch than the thumb on an acoustic 6 string (to me it looks like a thumbs up, which you will always have to explain to people). I would go for the cross if I were you (but I am not). You could rethink the cross... it doesn't have to be symmetric you know, sometimes the obstacle at hand will lead you into a great solution. Think "asymmetric cross." You may find a really cool solution?
Either way you do it... thanks for all the posting you have been doing.
In my opinion (which you can obviously take or leave) the cross is much more of a classy touch than the thumb on an acoustic 6 string (to me it looks like a thumbs up, which you will always have to explain to people). I would go for the cross if I were you (but I am not). You could rethink the cross... it doesn't have to be symmetric you know, sometimes the obstacle at hand will lead you into a great solution. Think "asymmetric cross." You may find a really cool solution?
Either way you do it... thanks for all the posting you have been doing.
Okay guys,
I am tired, but, I have obligations here. So, I will begin with the big stuff for yesterday. I had a doctor's appointment, after lunch, so I only have one small thing. i finished smoothing out the control cavity, and Kris ( the head electric instructor) demonstrated the use of a rabbeting bit. With this bit, you can use the opening as the template, and route a channel larger than the opening. For this application, I would be making a lip for my control cavity cover to rest on and be screwed into.
Here you go!
I used a block of wood, taped inside the cavity, for balancing the router base. This is the lesson I learned from my mistake(s).
As you can see,
there are no mistakes!
After turning off the router, I breathed a sigh of relief...
That was really all I had time for yesterday, so I will move on with today. Neck carving!!!!
The first part of the process involved using a chamfer bit, to remove the majority of the maple from the sides of the neck blank.
The next part involved using a spindle sander at both ends of the neck. sanding down to the approximate final thickness. .900 at the heel, and .825 at the nut. From there, we start carving, connecting the two thicknesses. I did not get many pictures of the process, as I was busy. I did, however, get a couple of group shots of people at work.
Here is Michael at the spindle sander,
and Michael right after I told him that I took his picture...
Here is a shot of Anna, Trevor, and Colton, working on their respective necks.
and here's when Michael got the camera....yikes.
Shop assistant Matt Vestal checking out my work. He is also a bass player and builder. His stuff is really cool.
yours truly...sanding out the tool marks and creating the feel that I want...
and I didn't realize how close Michael got...
After a few hours of work... I have a neck!
Here are a few shots in the clamps...
And here are some on the body...
and for those of you who wanted a Stingray headstock....
There you go!
After I finished with the carving, I started to work on the vertical strips on my acoustic. The strip is glued into a cutout from the kerfing, and it helps prevent big cracks in the sides.
Here, you see the kerfing notched out,
and here is the material for the vertical strips. I still need to cut them, but that will be tomorrow.
As I said, I am pretty wiped out. i could stay up longer, but I would want coffee and cigs, and the doctor told me to cut back on both of them, and they may be partly to blame for the large blood clot in my right leg. So, I think I will go to bed soon. Thanks again for watching, and sorry for the delay yesterday. Hopefully, I made up for it today...
Thumpin_P
I am tired, but, I have obligations here. So, I will begin with the big stuff for yesterday. I had a doctor's appointment, after lunch, so I only have one small thing. i finished smoothing out the control cavity, and Kris ( the head electric instructor) demonstrated the use of a rabbeting bit. With this bit, you can use the opening as the template, and route a channel larger than the opening. For this application, I would be making a lip for my control cavity cover to rest on and be screwed into.
Here you go!
I used a block of wood, taped inside the cavity, for balancing the router base. This is the lesson I learned from my mistake(s).
As you can see,
there are no mistakes!
After turning off the router, I breathed a sigh of relief...
That was really all I had time for yesterday, so I will move on with today. Neck carving!!!!
The first part of the process involved using a chamfer bit, to remove the majority of the maple from the sides of the neck blank.
The next part involved using a spindle sander at both ends of the neck. sanding down to the approximate final thickness. .900 at the heel, and .825 at the nut. From there, we start carving, connecting the two thicknesses. I did not get many pictures of the process, as I was busy. I did, however, get a couple of group shots of people at work.
Here is Michael at the spindle sander,
and Michael right after I told him that I took his picture...
Here is a shot of Anna, Trevor, and Colton, working on their respective necks.
and here's when Michael got the camera....yikes.
Shop assistant Matt Vestal checking out my work. He is also a bass player and builder. His stuff is really cool.
yours truly...sanding out the tool marks and creating the feel that I want...
and I didn't realize how close Michael got...
After a few hours of work... I have a neck!
Here are a few shots in the clamps...
And here are some on the body...
and for those of you who wanted a Stingray headstock....
There you go!
After I finished with the carving, I started to work on the vertical strips on my acoustic. The strip is glued into a cutout from the kerfing, and it helps prevent big cracks in the sides.
Here, you see the kerfing notched out,
and here is the material for the vertical strips. I still need to cut them, but that will be tomorrow.
As I said, I am pretty wiped out. i could stay up longer, but I would want coffee and cigs, and the doctor told me to cut back on both of them, and they may be partly to blame for the large blood clot in my right leg. So, I think I will go to bed soon. Thanks again for watching, and sorry for the delay yesterday. Hopefully, I made up for it today...
Thumpin_P
Hopkins
Commercial User
Is it just the camera angle or is your neck really thin? I would have been afraid of sanding into the truss rod
Knucklehead...thanks. I actually woke up at 4:30 this morning. Michael, everyone is part of this thread. You are just lucky...
Hopkins, yes, it is really thin. Kris definitely gave me warning. I will not be taking any more off of the neck, except for the transition between the neck and the headstock. And that will not be sanding down, but sanding towards the headstock.
Hopkins, yes, it is really thin. Kris definitely gave me warning. I will not be taking any more off of the neck, except for the transition between the neck and the headstock. And that will not be sanding down, but sanding towards the headstock.
Hopkins, as a general guide, the numbers we were shooting for were .825" at the nut and .900" at the heel. I think most people had a tough time to hit those numbers exactly - I know I did. I ended up around .810" and .910".
Paul, it's looking good. I am diggin the headstock, too.
Josh
Paul, it's looking good. I am diggin the headstock, too.
Josh
This is a really great thread - thank you for sharing your experiences (frustrations included).
Everything is looking great! Looking forward to future updates.
Everything is looking great! Looking forward to future updates.
Hopkins
Commercial User
Ahh, I've never done a neck that thin. That is because I have only built instruments for myself and I prefer a thick neck.
headlikeahole
Commercial User
For making sure I keep my necks to the specs I set I like to use a caliper very similar to the pic below. I'm not at the shop or I would take a picture of the exact tool. When I start getting close I will check with my caliper until it just barely doesnt fit around the neck. After sanding the caliper will just barely fit around the neck. Something to think about so you don't have to sweat shaping into the truss rod.
Your builds look great cant wait to see them finished!
Your builds look great cant wait to see them finished!
