So let’s build another bass.

[thisSNsucks]

Really enjoying this build, very cool design choices and building techniques

Why not drill from the neck pocket between the pickups to route the neck pickup wire? You could plug the hole after if it bugs you cosmetically.

You know, I almost did that but said screw it at the last minute lol maybe next time.

It doesn’t bother me much as that wire is getting hooked up to the first pot where the channel is. It’s not really an issue.

I do that on my Strat style short scale 6 string piccolo basses ( aka guitars ) though.

I borrowed some inspiration from my jazz bass design for this pickguard, I just so happened to have built a few of these first .

But enough of that.

Neck up next...

 

[Reedt2000]

You know, I almost did that but said screw it at the last minute lol maybe next time.

It doesn’t bother me much as that wire is getting hooked up to the first pot where the channel is. It’s not really an issue.

I do that on my Strat style short scale 6 string piccolo basses ( aka guitars ) though.

View attachment 3280490

I borrowed some inspiration from for the pickguard.

View attachment 3280491

But enough of that.

Neck up next...

Dig that guitar design too! Much like the bass in this thread there are enough classic touches to feel relatable and enough tweaks to feel modern and custom.

Good stuff

 

[Tom0Blam0]

You know, I almost did that but said screw it at the last minute lol maybe next time.

It doesn’t bother me much as that wire is getting hooked up to the first pot where the channel is. It’s not really an issue.

I do that on my Strat style short scale 6 string piccolo basses ( aka guitars ) though.

View attachment 3280490

I borrowed some inspiration from my jazz bass design for this pickguard, I just so happened to have built a few of these first .

View attachment 3280491

But enough of that.

Neck up next...

What is that pickguard made of?

 

[thisSNsucks]

What is that pickguard made of?

Just single ply white plastic

 

[thisSNsucks]

Alright, since we’re talking about pickguards....

Pretty sure we’re going Olympic White and Tort at this point but you never know!

Get it aligned. I use a working neck template in the pocket to help me along.

Peep that sweet P5 in the background. That’s a story for another time...

And a full on mock up of everything on the body.

I am happy.

Ok, now I’ll get started on the neck.

 

[rashrader]

Tort ftw!!!

 

[thisSNsucks]

Hey everyone,

Sorry for the lack of updates lately, been busy with some other builds and repair work lately, plus we’ve had some crazy cold days that we’re not conducive to working out in my non heated garage.

Anyway I went to start on my neck. I picked this flatsawn maple blank because I liked the straight grain lines.

But as luck would have it, I had a blank already rough cut with very similar grain that was already flattened and thicknessed.

Cool, I’ll roll with that to save me some time!

Next up was figured out what fretboard to use.

Originally I was split between a Madagascar Rosewood blank and some Wenge.

I also have a nice piece of Pau Ferro that got thrown in the mix.

I think I’m going to go with the Wenge unless the powers that be in the LC here on TB have any objections.

I think I like the grain/color on the Wenge a bit more than the Pau Ferro, and it looks nicer with the tort guard and faux clay dots.

Plus I’m going for a fat, thick and punchy tone on this one. I’m not a tonewood expert or purist mind you, but I think the Wenge will lend itself nicely for that. We’ll see.

 

[Five String]

+1 on the wenge. It's so hard oily and gnarly.

 

[thisSNsucks]

Ok so I’m going to back track for just a moment. Something was bugging me about the pickguard shape. The part that cuts through the pickup wasn’t lined up and it was making the lower portion near the controls look off balance with the top part.

Bad photo editing job:

So I had to plug a hole:

And I cut a new guard.

Much better!

Now, I’m a fan of plot twists in movies. There was a movie a while back called Lake Placid. It was about a huge alligator in the lake starring Betty White. One of the finest pieces of American Cinema in the last 20 years I think. It’s plot twist was...

Spoiler alert!

... there were 2 alligators!

So I’ll just leave this here for your viewing pleasure.

Yes, this just became a double build thread. Passive 4 string and an active 5.

Let’s regroup, regain our composure, and I’ll follow up with more updates tomorrow.

 

[bassingeorge]

Incredible build! Subbed.

Oly white would look great...but maybe a trans white (mary kay) is a good option too! I remember Gil Yaron did a jazz that way and turned out awesome.

If that was my build, I would do it in faded Sonic Blue with a matching headstock...but thats me

 

[thisSNsucks]

Incredible build! Subbed.

Oly white would look great...but maybe a trans white (mary kay) is a good option too! I remember Gil Yaron did a jazz that way and turned out awesome.

If that was my build, I would do it in faded Sonic Blue with a matching headstock...but thats me

I remember that Gil Yaron build well, that’s actually the one I was referring to in my original post. It’s a masterclass in template making.

I think he went with an ash body on that build though.

The alder 4 string, while pretty, is just getting an opaque finish.

The ash 5 string will just get a gloss clear, with maybe a subtle vintage tint.

Lots of work ahead. Should have a few updates this evening.

 

[NKBassman]

That looks really slick! Can't wait to see these through to the end!

 

[thisSNsucks]

That looks really slick! Can't wait to see these through to the end!

Your OCD should be satisfied with the belly contour on the ash body too. I thought of you while I was carving it and saw how the grain lines were centered! Lol

 

[NKBassman]

Your OCD should be satisfied with the belly contour on the ash body too. I thought of you while I was carving it and saw how the grain lines were centered! Lol

View attachment 3312101

Haha no kidding! Funny how that worked out.
Love the PG too, by the way. Nice lines.

 

[thisSNsucks]

Ok, I’m back!

Finally got cracking on the neck.

The neck was already rough cut so I robosanded it with my template.

Then I hit the truss rod area on the router table. I don’t route the whole perimeter. I like to have it a little oversized from the Robosander so I have a little meat for all the shaping and sanding to come!

Ok, now I need a fretboard. I’ve been very indecisive. I got in a big stash of Indian rosewood in.

I joined and planed down one. I’ll roll with this. Keeping with a traditional spec.

Cool!

Ok so a shop upgrade of sorts from my last build. Fretboard slotting sled, small table saw, stewmac fret slotting blade:

Nothing fancy, but quick and accurate.

Basically a cross cut sled with a little index pin to line up the slotting template.

And yes my garage floor gets wet when it rains a lot.

Nice consistent slots.

And I like how the grain goes with the neck. Lots of straight lines.

Ok once I line up the board with the neck blank I drill some index pins. I use the ones from lmii.

The board gets marked for the truss rod access and hogged out/routed.

Good!

Now truss rod.

Same jig that I need to get around to rebuilding, but it still does the job.

And tuner holes. The positions are marked from my template but I sans the headstock first to ensure a flat straightedge.

Then a quick fence set up at the drill press. This makes sure the tuners are all even heights from the headstock.

Good!

And ready for glue up:

Repeat this a few times and you’ll have a stack of necks to get through. Ha!

 

[mark5009]

Wow! Amazing work, and I love the detail. But I do have a question: why make more Fenders? There are already lots of factories making P- and J-s, from cheap to expensive, and you've got some serious woodworking chops there. I know the bass-world is conservative however... Err .. better shut-up now... Sorry! But I really do love your work

 

[thisSNsucks]

Wow! Amazing work, and I love the detail. But I do have a question: why make more Fenders? There are already lots of factories making P- and J-s, from cheap to expensive, and you've got some serious woodworking chops there. I know the bass-world is conservative however... Err .. better shut-up now... Sorry! But I really do love your work

Well, it’s a loaded question for sure, but here’s some thoughts.

The instrument market is pretty much flooded across the board.

New designs/concepts build types outside of the Fender mold generally cost more to produce and would cost more to sell which limits the market for any builder trying to get their name out there. Especially a builder without an existing following, or without stock in local shops.

Staying with the traditional Fender “mold” eases you into the market because It’s what people like, are looking for, and are more open too.

I myself am ok with this because i’m a Fender guy, and that’s the type of stuff I like to build, but I didn’t want to just copy the existing models. I’m going for a little more of a modern interpretation both for feel, sound, and looks.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[NKBassman]

I myself am ok with this because i’m a Fender guy, and that’s the type of stuff I like to build, but I didn’t want to just copy the existing models. I’m going for a little more of a modern interpretation both for feel, sound, and looks.

I think you've done a good job at that.
Your headstock design kinda reminds of the Ibanez Roadstar bass.

 

[mark5009]

I myself am ok with this because i’m a Fender guy, and that’s the type of stuff I like to build, but I didn’t want to just copy the existing models. I’m going for a little more of a modern interpretation both for feel, sound, and looks.

You're absolutely right, particularly if you are trying to break in to the market, especially in North America. Going with an icon, an improved icon, makes it a whole lot easier than breaking new ground. For me, I don't care about sales, which allows me the "space" to go off in all kinds of directions.

All the best, and may you sell heaps!

 

[thisSNsucks]

You're absolutely right, particularly if you are trying to break in to the market, especially in North America. Going with an icon, an improved icon, makes it a whole lot easier than breaking new ground. For me, I don't care about sales, which allows me the "space" to go off in all kinds of directions.

All the best, and may you sell heaps!

Thank you sir!

A little but important update for tonight.

Prepped the board and neck for glue up. Sanded the glueing surfaces with 120, and cleaned with naphtha.

The truss rod gets installed with a few hits of silicon. Forgot to take pics but you know the deal.

Taped off for glue. Bench gets covered too. I obviously remove the tape once the glue is applied and spread around

I’m using the lmii instrument glue for the first time. I was using titebond original but did get some “creep” on a few necks. Time to try something new.

Clamps. Clamps. Clamps.

I bought up all the small bessey clamps they had at Home Depot a little while back. Great decision.

The neck gets glued upside down. The two wood spacers just allow room for the alignment pins.

The fretboard overhang catches most of the squeeze out. I’ll just have to clean up a little in the truss rod area and heel.

Now it will sit for 24 hours or so and I’m going to bed!