The first picture looks better. What works better in the moment, so to speak, is up to you.
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SBO 2022 The 5 string Late-comer
- Thread starter Flying B
- Start date
I'm using a side mounted barrel jack right on the bottom so it will work with either of those configurations. When I play, my right hand is normally up near the neck so I don't foresee any issues with either layout, it's more of an aesthetic choice really.
In between doing stuff for my winter build off, i managed to get the headstock shape routed today.
Neck carving next, probably my favourite bit of the build.
Neck carving next, probably my favourite bit of the build.
Just in case anyone thought I was slacking off, I haven't forgotten about this build! It took a backseat during the winter build off, and then I was away for a couple of weeks, but I'm hoping to get back on it soon. In other news, the guys I've been sub-letting my small workshop to have now left so i will have a lot more space to work in again which will be nice. I'll post some pictures of it next week if anyone's interested.
Also I scored this pattern makers vise on eBay, it was listed as used but it looks brand new, looking forward to getting my proper work bench set up again with this bad boy on it.
Also I scored this pattern makers vise on eBay, it was listed as used but it looks brand new, looking forward to getting my proper work bench set up again with this bad boy on it.
I have the StewMac version and I just love it. If I lost all of my luthier-related tools, that's the first thing that I'd replace.
Finally kick-started this one back up again today. As I mentioned before I've recently regained the use of my workshop which was being sublet for the last couple of years, so I've been gradually sorting through boxes of tools and trying to get organised again.
First order of business was to cut a little flat ledge for the nut to sit on. I just clamped something straight so it was flush with the end of the fretboard and then used a small flat bottomed bearing guided cutter.
I guess I could've done it with a file or a sanding block but this worked fine.
Then I started the fretting process. I thought I'd try fretting before carving the neck this time, definitely easier when the back of the neck is still square and flat. First time using this caul in the pillar drill too, which worked a treat. Very satisfying seeing the whole fret thunk into place.
First order of business was to cut a little flat ledge for the nut to sit on. I just clamped something straight so it was flush with the end of the fretboard and then used a small flat bottomed bearing guided cutter.
I guess I could've done it with a file or a sanding block but this worked fine.
Then I started the fretting process. I thought I'd try fretting before carving the neck this time, definitely easier when the back of the neck is still square and flat. First time using this caul in the pillar drill too, which worked a treat. Very satisfying seeing the whole fret thunk into place.
Finished putting the frets in this morning. This is after filing the ends flush and then bevelling with a file-in-angled-slot thingymajig.
Then I made a start on the neck carve. Didn't get a lot of pics but I first band-sawed the waste from the back to within a mm or so of the final thickness, then started carving using the facet method.
Made a start on the headstock transition before running out of time. The join on the scarf joint is pretty ugly but not sure if there's anything I can do about that, maybe a veneer on the back side of the headstock.
Then I made a start on the neck carve. Didn't get a lot of pics but I first band-sawed the waste from the back to within a mm or so of the final thickness, then started carving using the facet method.
Made a start on the headstock transition before running out of time. The join on the scarf joint is pretty ugly but not sure if there's anything I can do about that, maybe a veneer on the back side of the headstock.
Adds some strength and looks really classy. A veneer on the back seems like a win-win to me.
Not much to report on this, but the neck carve is more or less there. I pushed the volute up towards the headstock a bit in order to have that slightly ugly scarf joint the other side of it. I think it looks slightly better that way.
I don't think I'll bother putting a veneer on the back of the headstock. It would hide a few indiscretions, but the bass is only for me, and I kind of like to see the mistakes so hopefully I won't make them again on the next one.
I don't think I'll bother putting a veneer on the back of the headstock. It would hide a few indiscretions, but the bass is only for me, and I kind of like to see the mistakes so hopefully I won't make them again on the next one.
Continuing the luthiery in 10 minute bursts theme, i managed to level the frets and get the side dots in this morning.
This is how I levelled the frets. Another advantage of a flat fretboard apart from I like the way it feels, is the leveling process is a bit simpler.
I just stuck some 400 grit to my sanding beam and rubbed the neck on it. Didn't need to take too much off, they were pretty good.
Then drilled out for side dots. Went ok apart from 15th fret which wandered a bit. Must remember to do this when the neck is still square next time.
This is how I levelled the frets. Another advantage of a flat fretboard apart from I like the way it feels, is the leveling process is a bit simpler.
I just stuck some 400 grit to my sanding beam and rubbed the neck on it. Didn't need to take too much off, they were pretty good.
Then drilled out for side dots. Went ok apart from 15th fret which wandered a bit. Must remember to do this when the neck is still square next time.
I've considered that fret press method using the drill press....or pillar drill.....depending on where on Earth you live. 
Can I bother you for your thoughts on it vs just beating the dog snot out of them using a super fancy Harbor Freight mallet?
Can I bother you for your thoughts on it vs just beating the dog snot out of them using a super fancy Harbor Freight mallet?
Personally, I hammer my frets in and always have. The trick to to make sure you buy a fret saw ans fret wire that match...then there isn't much force needed.I've considered that fret press method using the drill press....or pillar drill.....depending on where on Earth you live.
Can I bother you for your thoughts on it vs just beating the dog snot out of them using a super fancy Harbor Freight mallet?
View attachment 5100409
I've considered that fret press method using the drill press....or pillar drill.....depending on where on Earth you live.
Can I bother you for your thoughts on it vs just beating the dog snot out of them using a super fancy Harbor Freight mallet?
View attachment 5100409
They both work. But i definitely found that pressing them in I ended up with less levelling to do after. It felt much more controlled. I won't be going back to the hammer.
Edit: I should add that I do have a very heavy duty pillar drill (or drill press, whatever). I'm not sure how well it would work with a lightweight chinesium drill, or how good it would be for the drill.
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I can't imagine any drill press, whether cheap or expensive, suffering from pressing in some frets. You use it for pressing straight down, and that's what it's made for.
My drill press is my Shopsmith, she's pretty beefy. Honestly, I'd rate the drill press as the best function it does.
Can you point me to the specific caul you use and maybe a short post about how you set it all up?
Can you point me to the specific caul you use and maybe a short post about how you set it all up?
Sure. I used this one:
I had to hunt around a bit to find a flat insert with no radius but eventually found one on eBay. They all seem to be the same size so no issues with interchangeability.
It's pretty simple, just chuck it up in the drill, line up the fret with the groove on the underside of the caul and press away. I first very lightly tapped the fret into the slot just to hold it in position (yes you still need a hammer!) making sure that the fret was at 90° and not leaning, before pressing it home.
I initially thought it was not very well made as there was quite a bit of slop in it, but realised once i started using it that it's designed that way so it can essentially centre itself on the fret. It's pretty intuitive once you get going.
