Seeking guidance!

[Seiki]

So, I've never made a bass guitar. However, I'm itching to make one - neck through, specifically. I've been thinking about it a lot, as well as planning it out, but considering I have no actual experience with the process, are there any recommendations that you all would suggest when it comes to order of operations? I'd rather not awkwardly come to a stage where I realize I should have done something sooner in order

 

[pitagorinpoucak]

i'm beginner myself and have a thread going (only ideas and suggestions atm, but i'll probably get there some day).

i started with a general idea of what to build and then researching the hell out of methods, sketches, plans and build threads here on TB.

next up is finding necessary ingredients, most importantly wood and tools.

and that's where i am at the moment ... working on getting the wood and necessary tools, and in the meantime working on a sketches, full-size plans and drawings, researching ideas and learning as much as i can.

 

[PDX Rich]

First Build - And May My Mistakes Be Minimal | TalkBass.com

Im just about to wrap up my first neck thru build. Lots of good advice given to me in that thread. It is long and meanders a bit, but may be of some use to you. Good luck, it is worth it!

 

[Rôckhewer]

In addition to all the many great build threads here on TB LC... (some being more detailed than others) ...
Go to YouTube & search "how to build a bass guitar" and/or other variations of that type search phrase... You will find quite a few fairly in depth tutorials. While they might not tell you every move to make... You will get a general idea of the process. Then after watching, studying, & re-watching ALL you can get your hands on... You can start filling in the gaps (things that some builders leave out of their tutorials).
I personally studied obsessively for about 6-8 months before attempting my first bass... And I'm a professional woodworker.

You didn't mention how much actual woodworking experience you have, or what tools or shop you have access to...
It is pretty important to have a general knowledge and familiarity with wood and woodworking machinery. If you are not that experienced, you might consider building something else first...
IDK...maybe a breadbox or a coffee table... something .... And I would also suggest that when you do actually attempt a bass build...you might want to make a "prototype" from a less expensive species of wood, before you cut up a bunch of pricey exotics.

There is also the option of acquiring some of the more difficult components pre-fabricated. For instance, Carvin sells neck-through bass necks, several options to choose & you would just make your own body wings to glue on... etc..... Invalid Link Removed
Or you could just buy a complete kit... But in my opinion, that takes all the fun out of it!
Good luck!