Supernova Bass project : Ovular content

[JIO]

Isn't is so much nicer routing those oval pickup cavities than ones with corners, or mounting tabs.

Well, once I made a good template - it was a cinch. I was thinking it was going to be more tricky than it ended up being. Definitely a lot easier than pu's w/flanges like P's & J's and MM styles.

 

[Hopkins]

Well, once I made a good template - it was a cinch. I was thinking it was going to be more tricky than it ended up being. Definitely a lot easier than pu's w/flanges like P's & J's and MM styles.

Ahh, Bestbassgear actually sells a template for those pickups, I assumed you ordered on from them.

 

[JIO]

Ahh, Bestbassgear actually sells a template for those pickups, I assumed you ordered on from them.

I didn't know that - no, I cut my own (a pic of my plywood template is a couple pages back) It's lined up for one routing position (neck pocket and both pu's) The control cavity & cover flank it for those routs.

 

[Hopkins]

I didn't know that - no, I cut my own (a pic of my plywood template is a couple pages back) It's lined up for one routing position (neck pocket and both pu's) The control cavity & cover flank it for those routs.

Now that you mention it, I remember that post.

 

[JIO]

Got another coat of sanding sealer after some fine sanding. Needed a couple of tiny bondo fills and figure tomorrow after a final sand it'll be ready to ship on Friday. The neck may take a while longer, but at least I'll get in Pat's que w/the body.

 

[JIO]

Final mock-up before sending off for finishing. Inset Dunlop strap-peg/upper horn

lower peg - a bit of filling yet before sending

control cavity cover sanded matte and ready to paint

full frontal mock-up - didn't weigh it (no pre installed) but it's a good weight and hangs nice - low 8's for sure which rocks my world! Took off the tape ovals to do some final sanding on the neck and will sanding-seal it before the decals go on. (in progress)

and finally, taped off sections for finishing leaving 1/16th" at the edges for safe release and final careful edge filing

 

[ICM]

Damn I love that arm contour.

 

[cnltb]

Final mock-up before sending off for finishing. Inset Dunlop strap-peg/upper horn

lower peg - a bit of filling yet before sending

control cavity cover sanded matte and ready to paint

full frontal mock-up - didn't weigh it (no pre installed) but it's a good weight and hangs nice - low 8's for sure which rocks my world! Took off the tape ovals to do some final sanding on the neck and will sanding-seal it before the decals go on. (in progress)

and finally, taped off sections for finishing leaving 1/16th" at the edges for safe release and final careful edge filing

I think that body looks really good.
How does it balance when Seated and unsupported?
And how does it balance on the strap?

 

[David Jayne]

I think that body looks really good.
How does it balance when Seated and unsupported?
And how does it balance on the strap?

I was wondering the same. I think you're going to find the bass tips away from you on a strap. Neat overall design.

 

[Araillac]

I've never made a bass before, I've sketched a lot of designs and I can say that this is something I'd never have thought up but if I saw it being sold and I had the money, I'd buy it for sure. This is one damn good looking bass. Been following the build here and there and I was always pleased with the general design but the beauty of this bass just blew up to a phenomenal scale with just these last few touches.

 

[pilotjones]

It looks like the strap lugs are half inset -- I haven't seen that before. What's the reasoning behind it?

 

[JIO]

Damn I love that arm contour.

The best is yet to come - the forearm bevel is staying natural and the body goes Sahara Taupe w/a vintage tint clear-coat over it all.

 

[JIO]

I think that body looks really good.
How does it balance when Seated and unsupported?
And how does it balance on the strap?

Thanks! It balances GREAT! The general scale of the design is based on the 22 fret A/S "boner" J from the early 90's. Regardless of the mockery that hybrid J design has received over the years due to the long upper 'horn', it's exactly what makes it one of my favorite J's to play. The equation is simple - get the upper strap peg as close as possible to the 12th fret and you're in like Flint.

Seated is where the bevel comes in. I always adjust my strap standing based on my seated position - that way it rides the same either way. Standing I use my pinky as a stilt and never rest my forearm on the body, but seated I tend to have a more relaxed position of my forearm resting against the body. The scallop is exactly there, especially when palm muting.

 

[JIO]

I was wondering the same. I think you're going to find the bass tips away from you on a strap. Neat overall design.

see above reply - thanks for your interest!

 

[JIO]

I've never made a bass before, I've sketched a lot of designs and I can say that this is something I'd never have thought up but if I saw it being sold and I had the money, I'd buy it for sure. This is one damn good looking bass. Been following the build here and there and I was always pleased with the general design but the beauty of this bass just blew up to a phenomenal scale with just these last few touches.

It's funny you mention that - I've been sketching guitar designs since I was in grade school! Some obsessions never change!

And thank you - I'm glad to hear you would buy one like it because I feel this is a design I can 'launch'. Stay tuned because the finish will seal the deal to establish the gestalt. Pat Wilkins does all my finishing and he is hands down the best in the biz. Unfortunately for me that translates to a 5 week turnaround - but time flies and it will be worth the wait.

 

[JIO]

It looks like the strap lugs are half inset -- I haven't seen that before. What's the reasoning behind it?

Having it half inset reduces the peg extension a bit (as the combo of both parts of the Dunlop system tends to stick out away from the body more than a little) but still leaves enough of the shaft exposed to mount a regular strap (using only the button slits on the strap ends) It was something I discovered after burying the lower one so it remained level w/the floor when standing vertical, and so I continued the concept on the horn peg. I could have completely buried both which is a cool look, but then you'd have to use the Dunlop system only. I have shown up at a gig forgetting my strap-lok equipped straps and ended up using a stray strap.

 

[mapleglo]

Damn I love that arm contour.

I agree, it's quite unique, yet would appear to be very functional. It really fits in with the design.

The best is yet to come - the forearm bevel is staying natural and the body goes Sahara Taupe w/a vintage tint clear-coat over it all.

You know me, I'd go for all natural, but I like the idea of a natural accent, especially with the Sahara Taupe coloring. I also love that the bottom portion of the design allows you to prop the bass up against the amp securely. Again, another functional, but unique design feature.

 

[JIO]

I agree, it's quite unique, yet would appear to be very functional. It really fits in with the design.



You know me, I'd go for all natural, but I like the idea of a natural accent, especially with the Sahara Taupe coloring. I also love that the bottom portion of the design allows you to prop the bass up against the amp securely. Again, another functional, but unique design feature.

As always Nexy - thanks for your support and interest. We have a nice group of peeps here in the Luthiers Corner.

I bet you like this bass (borrowed from another thread) I had a very nice Fireglow 4003 for a few years but I think this is my fave Ric combo.
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View attachment 416858

 

[pilotjones]

Having it half inset reduces the peg extension a bit (as the combo of both parts of the Dunlop system tends to stick out away from the body more than a little) but still leaves enough of the shaft exposed to mount a regular strap (using only the button slits on the strap ends) It was something I discovered after burying the lower one so it remained level w/the floor when standing vertical, and so I continued the concept on the horn peg. I could have completely buried both which is a cool look, but then you'd have to use the Dunlop system only. I have shown up at a gig forgetting my strap-lok equipped straps and ended up using a stray strap.

Thanks, I thought it was something like that. They are pretty long. I've got them on my bass, but I have yet to buy the mating parts for the strap.

 

[mapleglo]

As always Nexy - thanks for your support and interest. We have a nice group of peeps here in the Luthiers Corner.

I bet you like this bass (borrowed from another thread) I had a very nice Fireglow 4003 for a few years but I think this is my fave Ric combo.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
View attachment 416858

Yes! Mapleglo body, through body/neck skunk stripe, toaster neck pickup, horseshoe bridge pickup, and best of all, checkered binding. The definitive Ric. When I win the lottery...