Summer Build Off 2024 - Get Ready!

[Matt Liebenau]

I've had a sudden epiphany about what to do for the SBO and there's still time to order parts. I don't want to overstate things, but I'm hoping for a spectacular multi-build.

Just be careful. When you get to be my age it's always best to stretch before an epiphany. You don't want to strain anything!

 

[Beej]

It may be too late, I may require an epiphandectomy.

<cue daughter groaning, chalk up point for dad>

 

[gormsby]

I need a "category" ruling: One of my build ideas is a "retry" of a merely-ok first draft that I built last year. I will be stealing pickups and hardware from that old build. The body will be a total new build (different core wood, top and back). So far, looks like a scratch build. But for the neck, I realized that I could use the old one with the following changes:

• Mill off the headplate - I'm all in on exposing laminates on the front now.
• Add a matching lam layer to the back of the headplate if needed to restore thickness
• Re-shape/recarve the neck profile, headstock transition, and heel transition - neck could and should be thinner at the head.
  
• Sand down the 5/16" fingerboard (fretless) to 1/4" to further thin the neck and remove ill-advised previous tung oil treatment
• Refinish neck with a different topcoat
• veneer in some maple/walnut patches to hide the ends of the dowel I used to keep the original neck lam glue-up aligned.

Given those changes, it would probably be roughly analogous to starting with a laminated neck blank with truss rod and fingerboard already installed, but unshaped and unfinished. Body, again, will begin as a pile of boards. Different control configuration, so all new wiring as well.

Would this qualify as a scratch build or does the starting state of the neck move me into the partial build category?

 

[Beej]

I need a "category" ruling: One of my build ideas is a "retry" of a merely-ok first draft that I built last year. I will be stealing pickups and hardware from that old build. The body will be a total new build (different core wood, top and back). So far, looks like a scratch build. But for the neck, I realized that I could use the old one with the following changes:

• Mill off the headplate - I'm all in on exposing laminates on the front now.
• Add a matching lam layer to the back of the headplate if needed to restore thickness
• Re-shape/recarve the neck profile, headstock transition, and heel transition - neck could and should be thinner at the head.
  
• Sand down the 5/16" fingerboard (fretless) to 1/4" to further thin the neck and remove ill-advised previous tung oil treatment
• Refinish neck with a different topcoat
• veneer in some maple/walnut patches to hide the ends of the dowel I used to keep the original neck lam glue-up aligned.

Given those changes, it would probably be roughly analogous to starting with a laminated neck blank with truss rod and fingerboard already installed, but unshaped and unfinished. Body, again, will begin as a pile of boards. Different control configuration, so all new wiring as well.

Would this qualify as a scratch build or does the starting state of the neck move me into the partial build category?

Sounds like a Partial Build to me - and also sounds like a fun endeavor!

 

[Markshan]

I need a "category" ruling: One of my build ideas is a "retry" of a merely-ok first draft that I built last year. I will be stealing pickups and hardware from that old build. The body will be a total new build (different core wood, top and back). So far, looks like a scratch build. But for the neck, I realized that I could use the old one with the following changes:

• Mill off the headplate - I'm all in on exposing laminates on the front now.
• Add a matching lam layer to the back of the headplate if needed to restore thickness
• Re-shape/recarve the neck profile, headstock transition, and heel transition - neck could and should be thinner at the head.
  
• Sand down the 5/16" fingerboard (fretless) to 1/4" to further thin the neck and remove ill-advised previous tung oil treatment
• Refinish neck with a different topcoat
• veneer in some maple/walnut patches to hide the ends of the dowel I used to keep the original neck lam glue-up aligned.

Given those changes, it would probably be roughly analogous to starting with a laminated neck blank with truss rod and fingerboard already installed, but unshaped and unfinished. Body, again, will begin as a pile of boards. Different control configuration, so all new wiring as well.

Would this qualify as a scratch build or does the starting state of the neck move me into the partial build category?

I say scratch build because you will be my competition in the partial build category.

 

[gormsby]

Thanks for the quick responses. I will have entries in partial and scratch, it looks like. Currently at three great ideas.

 

[Beej]

Thanks for the quick responses. I will have entries in partial and scratch, it looks like. Currently at three great ideas.

Sounds like a summer slammin' spectacular!

When it comes to entries, I personally get a lot out of builds in all categories. I've floated building a partial this year with a super short scale bass from of a 22.5" scale guitar neck I have, but I ended up settling on a scratch build. I am planning to go big though.

 

[Crawforde]

My repairs are done, neck spliced and screwed and out of the shop, but I'll still be in the clamps until the end of July.
I'm eager to watch though!

 

[Flying B]

My 4 year old daughter drew this today, and said look daddy I drew your bass! Aside from making me very proud I started thinking I should probably just run with this design!

 

[Crawforde]

So, walnut with a maple board?

 

[41Hz To Go]

I want to join the summer build off but won't be ready yet.

Looking like winter at the earliest for me.

 

[Beej]

Speaking of which, did y'all know there are only 16 days to go?

 

[2groggy]

Irrelevant. My build off decisions are made at the last minute. Remind me in two weeks.

 

[Beej]

Irrelevant. My build off decisions are made at the last minute. Remind me in two weeks.

Which reminds me, one of the best things about the build offs are all the characters.

 

[Markshan]

Speaking of which, did y'all know there are only 16 days to go?

Funny, I've been trying to get all of my "odds and ends" projects done so that when the build off starts I can just focus on those projects.

 

[Alex Xander]

Speaking of which, did y'all know there are only 16 days to go?

I'll need all 16 to work out which of the several ideas I have kicking around in my head I will make!

• 37" headless 5 string with a 41.5" A extension "b string"
• Double mudbucker, vintage styled ultimate "sub bass"
• a solid macassar ebony 39" scale 6 string fretless (why make 20 fingerboards out of my remaining ebony, when I could waste it all one one bass!)
• A 37" 5 string P bass with a black epoxy/hairy oak top

If not for family commitments, I would try all four.

Looking forward to seeing what you come up with @Beej !

 

[T_Bone_TL]

Double mudbucker, vintage styled ultimate "sub bass"

Curious to see if it will have a conning tower, or lettuce & tomato and sesame seeds? Tons of fun either way!

 

[NKBassman]

I had wanted to join in this summer, but alas my 100+ y/o storm windows restoration project demands priority.

On a completely "unrelated" note, can anyone recommend a decent but low-cost 2-part pourable epoxy that could be used as a rotten-wood penetrating stabilizer and void filler? Asking for a friend

 

[Beej]

I had wanted to join in this summer, but alas my 100+ y/o storm windows restoration project demands priority.

On a completely "unrelated" note, can anyone recommend a decent but low-cost 2-part pourable epoxy that could be used as a rotten-wood penetrating stabilizer and void filler? Asking for a friend

As a matter of fact, yes! My house is 117 years old and this stuff has been invaluable.
The EndRot Kit

If you put some strings and pickups on your house somewhere, I'm 100% sure the gang here would love to follow your restoration project as a "Non-Bass Build" entry.

 

[ddm0502]

Speaking of which, did y'all know there are only 16 days to go?

Wow, only 16 days away, time sneaks up on you. I was planning on getting an early start and entering as a partial build, but seeing how I haven't started yet, I might as well wait and enter as a full build.

Now the only question is exactly what to build ... If you asked me a month ago, that answer was obvious to me, a four string fretless bass. But lately the idea has been working around in my head for a fretless cello tuned guitar, maybe four maybe five strings, and probably multi scale.... I already have all the parts on hand for the bass, so that's what it'll be since I won't have time for both, but I may do a bit of testing while I'm at it...