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The Über-M - fretless

#101
miziomix said:
Thank you all.

I got back today. I could spend some of the afternoon shaping the neck further. I'm aiming for rather slim neck, slightly flatter towards the heel. Tomorrow I should receive the hardware for the headstock.

Both Wenge and Ebony are very nice to work with. Love the feedback I get from the scraper. One can tell Ebony from Wenge with his eyes closed. They're both great woods. But Ebony... oh boy ;)
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Ebony is sex for the fingers.
 
#103
HaMMerHeD said:
Ebony is sex for the fingers.
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I couldn't have said that better :D

natw42 said:
Can't believe I've missed this thread till now!!! Subbed.... Lookin amazing so far. And +1 to lovin that headstock.
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Welcome natw42, and thank you for your kind words.

One last sip of coffee and then I'm off to work on that headstock :bassist:
 
#106
Update time. Neck profile and headstock.

I am so far very pleased with Wenge. As you know this is the first time I can get may hands on this exotic wood and so far it as been a rewarding experience.

IMG_2342_2.jpg


The neck profile is C shaped, gradually getting flatter towards the heel. In line with the future owner's preferences, it's slightly thinner than a standard neck. I usually go just a bit thinner than this. But this one has a great classic feel to it...if I may say so myself.;)

IMG_2339_2.jpg


The back of the headstock is shaped too. It's still in need of some finer sanding.

The neck was sanded down to 400 grit. When the time comes I will sand it further.

:bassist:
 
#109
Thank you! :)

This picture was taken with the neck wiped with mineral spirits to show what it's going to look like after finish - more or less.

IMG_2354_2.jpg


It still needs finer sanding. But I think we can say this much: it's gonna be black ;)
That's very close to the look I was after. Black from afar, then you look closer and see the difference between Wenge and Ebony.

Black is the new white ;)
 
#111
miziomix said:
Thank you! :)

This picture was taken with the neck wiped with mineral spirits to show what it's going to look like after finish - more or less.

IMG_2354_2.jpg


It still needs finer sanding. But I think we can say this much: it's gonna be black ;)
That's very close to the look I was after. Black from afar, then you look closer and see the difference between Wenge and Ebony.

Black is the new white ;)
Click to expand...

Man - that looks really cool!

I was curious about the slots on the headstock too. What's up with those?
 
#112
Thank you! The picture actually makes it look a bit darker than it really is. But you know how it is like with black and white in photography ;)

The slots provide access to the anchor bits - as you probably know by now, mine are headless hybrid basses without tuners at headstock. By way of inserting the Allen key into the channel one can tighten or loosen up the string.

I use two main designs, depending of the final desired look. One with the channels and one without. With the channel system, the anchor bits sit flush with the wood. With the other system, the anchor bit protrudes a bit so there is no need for a channel. It really boils down to personal taste.
 
#115
It's wooden p-up casing time.

IMG_2353_2.jpg


Ebony just seems to sit so well in the mix. It almost looks like the original plastic casing. But it's a nicer, richer black. And it's subtle, which fits the simplicity of this build - the black, white and yellow combo, the single large p-up, the fretless fingerboard.

OK OK... enough with the bragging here. I guess I just want to say - I like this thing :)

This is how I made the casing. It might not be the best way, but it works for me. It would be interesting to see how others on TB do it.

IMG_2344_2.jpg


The parts are cut slightly bigger. They are also thicker than the final size because it's easier to glue them together. In this case they are however too thick, so I sand them down on the belt sander.

IMG_2346_2.jpg


The casing four sides are stuck with double sided tape to a flat wood that is thick enough to be safely held against the belt sander.

This has reduced the thickness to about 5/42". Still too thick but easy to glue.

This is the top. It's from a thinner piece, about 3/32". It's cut with an extra 1/8" or so on each side.

IMG_2347_2.jpg


This is where, with the perfect timing machines are sometimes capable of, my camera conveniently runs out of battery.

If it had not, you would be able to see pictures of:

(super) gluing the walls to the back of the top placed upside down. It's easier this way. One at the time, wait until the glue has cured.

When the first two walls are glued, I insert the p-up and test the other two sides, just to make sure the fit is right. By 'right' I mean too tight really. Later on I will sand down some of the plastic casing on all five sides and it will fit into the wooden casing just fine.

When the box is complete, I sand down the excess wood, reduce the thickness to less than 1/8" and round the edges. Belt sander all the way ;)

With a long nail I mark the position of the p-up screw holes, using the p-up itself as a guide. Drill.

IMG_2348_2.jpg


Later on I will glue the p-up inside the cover with epoxy. Then I'll further sand down by hand the top and the sides. It will be finished with oil, like the FB.

Thank you for reading this far. Good night :bassist:
 
#117
reverendrally said:
could I be cheaky enough to ask for a look at one? :D
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You certainly could ;)

Well, I had started the patent application process sometime ago. Lawyers told me all sort of things that I should or should not do....patent....intellectual property....fees...fees...more fees...litigation.... etc etc. I'm still deciding what to do, so for the time being I'm holding on to those pictures.

Anyway, the idea isn't new, only the design is. I have at the very least seen one type mounted on Laurus and Le Fay basses; a different one on a Ritter and yet another one on a Larkin. I don't know whether those are their own designs or are commercially available.

Be as it may, what you basically need is,

1. a solid anchor bit, I use brass or aluminum. Ideally you want it big enough to do the job and small enough to keep the weight down.

2. a strong grip on the string. Screws work well - see the type used on headpieces to mount regular strings instead of the double ball end ones. I use Allen screws. I'm sure there are other ways.

3. The anchors don't have to be at the back of the headstock, albeit that way the HS makes the anchor way stronger than if the bits were on the face of the HS.

Hope this helps, for now.

Actually, I doubt I'm going ahead with a patent, really. I can only patent the design. Anyone who wanted to copy that would have to change just enough get away with it - and in some countries they won't even bother. Then I have to pay lawyers to run after them..yeah.

Besides, I keep on changing the design to better fit a specific bass...so...I would have to apply every time I tweak the design, right? go figure LOL

Perhaps someone here can advise?

Lets' wrap it up with an update, shall we? I've been awfully quiet recently - searching for and buying new wood, getting the parts ready for the next two builds etc etc.

But still managed some progress on this build. I basically finished the last of the routing chores - tuners recess.

IMG_2373_2.jpg


To route the slope, I had made a template of the tuners unit with the correct angle built in.

The front profile has been rounded with a 45º router bit before shaping it by hand with filers and orbital sander. I will upload a picture as soon as both front and back are done.

As spraying time approaches, I was kinda hoping I could get into lacquering with this one too. Alas, I shall go ahead with the 5er first.

To wrap up this very long winded post I want to share with you my excitement for the custom graphite neck that Moses (allegedly) has finished putting together for me. I expect it to be a monster neck. But for now I expect it to be here before my hair grows white ;)

Thank you for making it to this line ;)
 
#119
Stumbo said:
Still lurking about!

Great work, as always. :)
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I know you're there mate :) thank you!


The day went by so quick! I stored more African Mahogany that I bought yesterday. A truckload of...er... a car-load of, rather ;)
Then I finished the front contour. Just the first round with 80/120 grit. Today's half day as I'm off soon to a gig with Über :bassist:
 

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