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SBO 2022 The 5 string Late-comer
- Thread starter Flying B
- Start date
It did cross my mind, but I've already got a set of 3+2 machine heads which wouldn't fit that way round, and I wasn't going to buy any more.
But we all know reverse headstocks add 25% more hair metal to the build. 
But we all know reverse headstocks add 25% more hair metal to the build.
Yeah that's another valid reason not to do it!Ok quick question, how much meat do you guys leave when routing out your rear control cavities? The pots I got to use for this build have pretty short shafts on them. The threaded part is only about 5-6mm long so by the time you allow a bit for the nut and two washers it means the top can only be around 3mm thick...
Is that enough? Seems a bit flimsy. Or should I just get some new pots with longer shafts? The other option I thought of which would be cheaper than buying new pots is to take it to 3mm or so, then epoxy a piece of 1mm aluminium sheet in there to strengthen it....
Is that enough? Seems a bit flimsy. Or should I just get some new pots with longer shafts? The other option I thought of which would be cheaper than buying new pots is to take it to 3mm or so, then epoxy a piece of 1mm aluminium sheet in there to strengthen it....
Yeah, aluminum or brass. It reinforces the top and is built in shielding and grounding.
IIRC, on my last bass I left 1/4" of meat except for two small cavities for the pots, there it was 1/8".
Some pot designers seem to think all control cavities have front access.
Some pot designers seem to think all control cavities have front access.
Yeah, I'm guessing these pots are meant to go under a pick guard, they would be fine for that. Need to pay more attention next time!
Looks like I'm ordering another pot anyway, I've been sucked into the debate on 2 vol vs a blend and have decided a blend knob is the way to go.
Looks like I'm ordering another pot anyway, I've been sucked into the debate on 2 vol vs a blend and have decided a blend knob is the way to go.
Small amount of shed time this morning.
I started by temporarily attaching the fingerboard which I had already shaped, to the neck blank, and then routed the neck perimeter using a bearing guided cutter.
I started by temporarily attaching the fingerboard which I had already shaped, to the neck blank, and then routed the neck perimeter using a bearing guided cutter.
Obligatory mock up.
The fingerboard can then be removed so I can drill out for the neck fixings. It's a good fit.
I also drilled out some wiring channels in the body. Getting there slowly but surely!
The fingerboard can then be removed so I can drill out for the neck fixings. It's a good fit.
I also drilled out some wiring channels in the body. Getting there slowly but surely!
Had a couple of hours in a frozen workshop yesterday. Nice view out the window.
In hindsight I should've given up and gone home, yeah that's right I messed up. I'm blaming the cold slowing down my already addled brain.
I started by routing the recesses for the nuts. I'm using these nuts as a variation on bruce bars, same idea really but avoids me having to do any metal working as I don't have any thread cutting equipment.
Routing the recesses was a lot trickier than it should've been, as I had put in a locating pin for the fretboard which I didn't really want to remove, so had to shim around it so it didn't foul the router base. As such they are not particularly tidy, but will do the job and will obviously not be seen once the fret board is glued on.
Unfortunately I messed up the measurements of the holes somehow, you can see the two holes at the heel are not in line.
I know it won't affect the function of the bolts but will bug me forever, so I need to get some 5mm dowel and plug and redrill at least one of them. Couldn't feel my hands or feet by this point so called it a day.
In hindsight I should've given up and gone home, yeah that's right I messed up. I'm blaming the cold slowing down my already addled brain.
I started by routing the recesses for the nuts. I'm using these nuts as a variation on bruce bars, same idea really but avoids me having to do any metal working as I don't have any thread cutting equipment.
Routing the recesses was a lot trickier than it should've been, as I had put in a locating pin for the fretboard which I didn't really want to remove, so had to shim around it so it didn't foul the router base. As such they are not particularly tidy, but will do the job and will obviously not be seen once the fret board is glued on.
Unfortunately I messed up the measurements of the holes somehow, you can see the two holes at the heel are not in line.
I know it won't affect the function of the bolts but will bug me forever, so I need to get some 5mm dowel and plug and redrill at least one of them. Couldn't feel my hands or feet by this point so called it a day.
My advice is to slow up mate, there's no rush. Take things slow, methodical and precise. However...router slip can occurr anywhere and at anytime. Even with the best templates, sometimes stuff just goes a bit wrong. I had a night mare with my last build with the jazz pickup up routes, probably my slopiest work to date and I'm still not sure what happened. Thankfully once the pickups were in, it doesn't show too much. But when I look at my super fine and accurate work on past basses I can't help wonder if my SBO rush caused me to make mistakes. I've had colds and flu infactions on/off for the past 6 months. I think the whole covid / lockdown has caused common colds to mutate and now that eveyone is let loose...we are catching all the new variants of the irksome bugs.
By the way it's nice to see your tight work with your neck to body fit & radius. That's nice work.
By the way it's nice to see your tight work with your neck to body fit & radius. That's nice work.
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Workshop was slightly warmer this morning! Started by plugging and redrilling the errant bolt hole.
That's better. Then I transferred the holes to the body and countersunk for the cup washers.
As you can see, the top left hole is a bit close to the edge. I didn't really plan this well enough, I kind of just eyeballed where the bolts should go, it doesn't leave me much room for a roundover here. I may end up having to use a shorter bolt and sink it into the roundover a bit, we'll see.
Anyway the body and neck are joined together.
I also fitted the tiny magnets that hold the truss rod cover at the end of the fretboard on. I was hoping to get the fretboard glued on today but time was running out and I didn't want to do it in a hurry so I guess it will probably have to wait for the new year now.
That's better. Then I transferred the holes to the body and countersunk for the cup washers.
As you can see, the top left hole is a bit close to the edge. I didn't really plan this well enough, I kind of just eyeballed where the bolts should go, it doesn't leave me much room for a roundover here. I may end up having to use a shorter bolt and sink it into the roundover a bit, we'll see.
Anyway the body and neck are joined together.
I also fitted the tiny magnets that hold the truss rod cover at the end of the fretboard on. I was hoping to get the fretboard glued on today but time was running out and I didn't want to do it in a hurry so I guess it will probably have to wait for the new year now.
Couple of hours on this again this morning. I realised the headstock was too thick so I bandsawed around 5mm off the back, this took a long time as the bandsaw had to be reassembled and set up from when it was moved. Got there in the end, then I got the headstock veneer glued on.
I had a bit of epoxy left in the pot so I also glued a little piece on the horn of the body where I had that bit of router oopsie. Most of it will be gone with the roundover and whatevers left will be hidden under the black burst.
I had a bit of epoxy left in the pot so I also glued a little piece on the horn of the body where I had that bit of router oopsie. Most of it will be gone with the roundover and whatevers left will be hidden under the black burst.
While I was in the shop this morning starting my winter build off entry I quickly cut a roundover on this one. I might still take a little more off but I quite like the way it looks now.
Took a little less off the back, should just be ok with that counter-bored washer.
Here's the patch I glued in earlier, looks like a little trapdoor now.
Took a little less off the back, should just be ok with that counter-bored washer.
Here's the patch I glued in earlier, looks like a little trapdoor now.
Maybe you can turn your trapdoor into a giant Nerds candy dispenser.
Genius!Couldn't put off glueing the fretboard on, so that happened today.
Also started thinking about knob and switch placement. Basically two options switches above or below the knobs, what does the hive mind think?
I think I prefer the first one.
Also started thinking about knob and switch placement. Basically two options switches above or below the knobs, what does the hive mind think?
I think I prefer the first one.
Aestheticly the top configuration looks most pleasing to me, but I've never had anything with a multi knob/switch arrangement... so I don't have a realistic knowledge of how that would work with functionality and ease of use while playing.
