SBO 2022 - Minimalist Medium Scale - Scratch Build

[Reedt2000]

Minimal progress this weekend, because life...

I did assemble some pick-up bobbins. I used the off-cuts from the fret boards, milled down to approx 3/32" and fiber board for the bottoms...
View attachment 4797840 ...I'm seeing in this pic that a couple may need the ends rounded a bit more.

Waddya think?

The top of the bobbins gonna be exposed? Any pickup covers? Would be cool to get or make covers and leave the tops open to expose that wenge

 

[BishopJP]

The top of the bobbins gonna be exposed? Any pickup covers? Would be cool to get or make covers and leave the tops open to expose that wenge

That's a really good idea!

These pickups will look as they do now, with some wire thrown on there, but I will definitely have to try your suggestion!

 

[41hzthunder]

I usually go with the saw rasp, but I was finding that to be a bit tedious. When I saw @41hzthunder use this technique, I thought it was worth a try. I like it ok, I may try it again on future builds.

I definitely need to try power carving, though! A flap wheel or a carving disc would allow me to more organic shapes.

I need to build more instruments so I can try all these different techniques...

That jig does look familiar! Awesome to see the concept being used by others.

I've been thinking of making a convex version with an outward curve for the armrest on the front of a bass/guitar. Maybe even extend the jig over the body from lower to upper side to cut a curve in the other direction. Not sure if I'm conveying that well.

When I came up with this jig, I did a lot of mock up work to get the angle I wanted. Once cut, I wanted to soften the look and used rasps and orbital sander to get an organic curve at the ends.

 

[BishopJP]

Well, I am officially out of the running.

Between work being crazy, having to put my dog down (the "safety inspector" featured in posts #67 and #71), visits from rowdy, out-of-town friends and a flare-up of an old back injury, I have had neither time nor inclination to work on these instruments.

I made a deal with myself that I would not rush these builds to finish by the deadline, so I will continue as I can, but it will likely be several more weeks (months?) before they are finished.

I look forward to seeing all the other builds completed!

 

[Crawforde]

Sorry to hear about the inspector.
You won’t be the only one to finish late.
Life doesn’t always make way for amateur Lutherie.

 

[Gary_M]

Well, I am officially out of the running.

Between work being crazy, having to put my dog down (the "safety inspector" featured in posts #67 and #71), visits from rowdy, out-of-town friends and a flare-up of an old back injury, I have had neither time nor inclination to work on these instruments.

I made a deal with myself that I would not rush these builds to finish by the deadline, so I will continue as I can, but it will likely be several more weeks (months?) before they are finished.

I look forward to seeing all the other builds completed!

So sorry to hear about your dog, that's a tough blow and you have my sympathy. I also suffer from a back issue that flares up at the worst times and know how all-consuming that can be. But, don't feel bad, I think there are others, including myself, that may not get finished in time. Like you, I don't want to rush it... I'll get in as much work as I can between now and the deadline and hope for the best.

 

[TerribleTim68]

Wow man, I refuse to click "like" on any of that. Sorry about the safety inspector, good help is hard to find.
We will all be looking forward to it when you're ready.

 

[Minimalist]

Before any rumors float around, I have nothing to do with this.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

What Tim said. The “like” means I feel for you. Take care of yourself and your family first, we’ll still be here to read it when you have something to post.

 

[41hzthunder]

Sorry to hear about the "Safety Inspector" and the other trials. Hope things get better soon. The instrument will be there when you are ready.

 

[AK4570]

My sincerest condolences, Sir. Good friends like our four-legged pals deserve an honored place in our hearts and memories and their passing is always tough.

Take the time you need to get back on your feet with that old fire in your belly... then get back to the builds. They'll be there waiting when you're ready and so shall we.

Best regards,
John

 

[WRM]

Well, I am officially out of the running.

Between work being crazy, having to put my dog down (the "safety inspector" featured in posts #67 and #71), visits from rowdy, out-of-town friends and a flare-up of an old back injury, I have had neither time nor inclination to work on these instruments.

I made a deal with myself that I would not rush these builds to finish by the deadline, so I will continue as I can, but it will likely be several more weeks (months?) before they are finished.

I look forward to seeing all the other builds completed!

I "liked" because of that last line, so sorry to hear of your loss. No sense trying to rush to meet deadline, but keep us posted on progress.

 

[BishopJP]

Thanks everyone, your your encouragement and words of support! Currently trying to get the ball rolling again. I have been nursing my back the last couple of weeks so I have only managed a few minor tasks.

I got a couple pick-ups wound...

...I think I took this pic after wax-potting, but I can't remember. The coil on the right is a little uneven, but I'm still learning.
I wired the pick-ups to a jack, plugged it in and held it above the strings of another bass to test them and I can say that they work! Since I haven't finished the test mule yet, I can't get an idea of how they actually sound so I won't wind the other two until I can hear these.

I also started the neck carving...

...the first facet is so close to 45 degrees, I used a router and a chamfer bit. Saved a bit of time and a bit of wear-and-tear on the lower back!
Starting the secondary; facets I have discovered (aka, saw someone else do it) using tape to mark the facet edges is MUCH easier to see the lines than using pencil lines or even white pencil lines.

Getting there!

 

[BishopJP]

I got both necks are carved to about 95%, still need to do some fine tuning. Didn't get any decent pics of the necks, though.

I am starting the assembly so I can get all the hardware located and pre-drilled before I start finishing.

Please enjoy this well-framed picture of my baseboard and myriad outlets...

Also, here are two finished pickups!

I have yet to do a real sound test, only verified that they are functional. I am waiting to wind the other two pick-ups until I get to test these, in case I want to increase the number of winds.

 

[BishopJP]

Continuing work on the necks...

...there are some "interesting" spots in this wenge. I originally assumed they were on the surface, but as I shaped the neck, more appeared from within the board. I've never seen this with wenge; could it be similar to spalting?

Also had trouble with one of the t-nuts again...

...re-tapped the threads and it's fine now. All the others, on both necks are good.

Checking fret slot depths...

...using a scrap of fret wire with the barbs filed off the tang.

Fretboard sanded up to 800 and ready for oiling.

I reconfigured the "orbital" fret markers...

...turned out okay. I like the idea, obviously needs more development.

With this neck ready, I will probably try to get some frets installed this evening/tomorrow morning, then get the other neck caught up.

 

[BishopJP]

Got on neck fretted this weekend.

Quick run down on my process;
1 - the fretboard is polished and oiled before I start
2 - fresh coat of oil around the slot or slots I'm working on
3 - inject a bead of glue (Titebond original) into the slot using a large gauge needle (wifey is a nurse)
4 - install fret
5 - wet towel at the ready to clean up squeeze-out, dry towel to mop up after

All frets installed, letting glue dry

I also put some magnets in the control cavity covers...

...and recessed some screws into the body

I don't have a good reason why, but I didn't want to use magnets in the body.

Snug-ish. And the grain match will be pretty good.

 

[Max Bogosity]

I never thought of it, but using screws is actually a great idea. You can turn the screws in and out to fine tune the fit of the cover so it sits exactly flush with the body.

 

[BishopJP]

I never thought of it, but using screws is actually a great idea. You can turn the screws in and out to fine tune the fit of the cover so it sits exactly flush with the body.

I can't say this was why I originally decided to use screws, but I do like that feature. I have not sanded the bodies yet, so I used the screws to set the cover slightly proud so I can sand it flush.

 

[Flamingo21]

Will there be a way to lift the cover out?

 

[BishopJP]

Will there be a way to lift the cover out?

Yep! I have two options but I have not decided which I am going with, yet.
Option 1 - Route a small scoop in the side of the control cavity so you can grab the edge of the cover, easy peasy
Option 2 - Add another hidden magnet in the middle of the cover so you can stick a tool (screwdriver, etc...) to the back and pull off the cover. This would make for a supper clean look, just not sure if it will work.