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Supernova Bass project : Ovular content

#401
goodbye peak

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hello Tiburon - sanding sealer on

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Fine sanded and hit it w/a coat of sanding sealer. It is exactly what I was after ergonomically - a perfect bed/platform for resting my playing hand on, especially when using a pick. Downright luxurious. I own a slab-front Tele/P but it's a visual concession to play - this bevel/scallop is the bomb. Looks wise I'm still good. Once the body is visually unified w/the white gold leaf - it will rock. I agree, I like the grain, always have - but not on this version. It's a gestalt thing. Will just always know how cool it looks under the finish. ;) As much as the neck will be, er, woody, I will cross that bridge later. (as in, full white gold neck?) Playing catch-up on this one and a new project in the works (the alder arrived today) so don't want to get too bogged down on the Supernova with a Super B buzzing around. :bassist:
 
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#407
Brett Zeppelin said:
I can't wait to see how this one looks (again) after it's been painted (again). Those adjustments and a different finish will change the look of the guitar a bit. It'll still look great, though — just as this one did — but now it'll be comfortable for you to play, too.
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Different in a better way I think - change is good! Speaking of which, I'm thinking instead of white gold - Moon Gold! Great name (suitable here), really nice hue with a bit of warmth to align more with the warmth of the maple neck. The pg being chrome will balance visually w/the big chrome bridge cover & knobs. Still very spaceship but with a touch of elegance!

The revised bevel is sooo much better now. I fine sanded the sanding sealer and it really feels great when playing it. Most do in one form or another, but this is why all guitars should incorporate a forearm bevel. The jack relocation should be pretty straight forward, so next I need to create a leg extension strip and screw it on to make sure it will work before I take it all apart.

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#408
New Headstock design is amazing. Vast improvement over the old one.

At first I was thinking...why not just make a new body and keep this one after all the work that's gone into it.

Then I realized I would do the same thing since I'm addicted to tinkering with my instruments whether they need it or not. (I disassemble and reassemble them just to see how they work and for fun)

Then I read youre gonna gild it!!! Yes, this is great. I loves seeing this project come together, so this is like the secret ending to a great movie.

The metal thing in the bottom horn is a sweet idea too keeps the design but adds to functionality.
 
#410
ICM said:
My vote is for moon gold with a subtle whitewash wood exposed forearm contour. Pays tribute to the original design. Then with a whitewashed wood pickguard. I think that'd look pretty cool.
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I will need to homogenize the under-colour as the moon gold leaf is very thin and although opaque it can be affected by what's underneath… sooo, I'll be doing it over in white before gilding, probably using matt primer. I hear you about the white-wash idea but design-wise I don't want to call attention to that area anymore - I think it will work best flowing with the whole body. But thanks anyway Ivan - I always appreciate your considered insights! :thumbsup:
 
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#411
Decided to graft on a leg-rest horn - the metal bar idea wasn't ideal. This addition works like it should and looks a bit quirky but cool. Once it's all uniformed w/the gilding it will achieve a solid visual gestalt.

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#413
I've definitely learned something from this thread. If you are working on prototypes, and new concepts, finish it with an oil finish first, that way it's not as painful to make modifications to the body.

Do you reckon you'll play the Super B for a while before getting it finished JIO? Might save some money.

I do like the leg horn addition though, still makes the body shape flow.
 
#416
Skarsoul said:
What filler material are you using? I've had crap all luck with what I've tried
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It was glued and screwed using a chunk of same wood (I save the major scraps), and bondo filled/leveled. Each step aims to be as close to a perfect match as possible and each step brings it closer to the ideal. Priming coats w/fine sanding between will get it even more seamless, and the gilding/clearcoat will seal the deal. It's all about progressive layering.

Splods said:
I've definitely learned something from this thread. If you are working on prototypes, and new concepts, finish it with an oil finish first, that way it's not as painful to make modifications to the body.

Do you reckon you'll play the Super B for a while before getting it finished JIO? Might save some money.

I do like the leg horn addition though, still makes the body shape flow.
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Thanks Splods, it's developing some sort of vibe… not sure how to describe it. I keep thinking "Tiburon" (shark) for some reason. As one who has always believed in evolution - this is clearly an evolving species. It's falling deeper into the ergo-centric category over pure aesthetics, but I'm fully engaged with the balancing act to achieve form and function equality, so we'll see how it pans out.

For this one I feel moving the jack and cutting a new control cover is all I need in the modification dept - it is mostly dialed now after resolving the 2 main ergo issues. Yes, a learning experience for sure. At first marring/altering the "finished" body was a bit stressful, but I finally chalked it up as part of a process. In retrospect I like that I took the pristine final product off of the pedestal and worked it over. Gave me a realization of what it really is, which is an instrument - something that has to play well/feel right, as well as sound good or it's just a pretty thing.., not worth much otherwise. It's gotta walk the walk.

mapleglo said:
Bondo?

Looks good, I think I like it even better than the original design.
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Thanks Nexy - I count on the Luthier Corner crew to let me know one way or the other honestly - it seriously means a lot to me.

wraub said:
Liked this lots before. Maybe too much. :)

Really like where this seems to be going.
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I know wraub - It's what designers struggle with continually - how do you marry form & function successfully.., and beautifully - how do you make it sing. It's ongoing and a worthy challenge and I face and embrace it every time I get an idea. Win some, lose some - you gotta be willing to fail or you'll never know real success. ;)
 
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