I have an old cast aluminum level that's dead flat and damn rigid, guess I'll try sanding with that very slowly with frequent measuring to see if I can knock the high spots down without trashing the FB. One step forward, three steps back!
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The Hossenfeffer Bass Build
- Thread starter Gilmourisgod
- Start date
The same thing happened to my original 4001 mashup build, when I was using the 8" wooden radius sanding beam. That's when I bit the bullet and sprang for the long, aluminum radius beam from StewMac. It was outrageously expensive, but it prevented my subsequent necks from getting that center dip.
This one was 16" long wood, and dead straight. I tried hard not to press it down unevenly, but must have done. Gonna have to invest in a beam if my level idea doesn't work.
Hey @mapleglo
You posted a link to a luthier supply place on your thread, I seem to remember they sold aluminum beams for less than Stewmac. Remember what it was?
Hey @mapleglo
You posted a link to a luthier supply place on your thread, I seem to remember they sold aluminum beams for less than Stewmac. Remember what it was?
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Maple
I don't remember, did you have any luck salvaging the dished FB on your build? The thought of having to steam this FB off and start over has me pretty discouraged, but I guess I have nothing to lose by trying to re- sand it. Probably have to deepen the fret slots again on both ends, in which case the binding may have to come off again. Painful.
I don't remember, did you have any luck salvaging the dished FB on your build? The thought of having to steam this FB off and start over has me pretty discouraged, but I guess I have nothing to lose by trying to re- sand it. Probably have to deepen the fret slots again on both ends, in which case the binding may have to come off again. Painful.
Right, the pink (orange) 4001 mashup body/neck is still sitting in a junk pile in my shop. However, I haven't tried to fix it because I had already installed the frets, thinking that I could compensate for the dip with the fret work. Bad idea. Since you haven't put the frets in, it shouldn't be too difficult to re-level the fretboard.
My StewMac level is 18", and have not had a problem with dips in the fret board using it to radius a fret board.
It's almost as long as the fretboard on the 480.
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Did you use that aluminum radius beam to level the frets too? Most of the beams I see are rectangular tube section, maybe on the theory you are following string path?
Yes. They say to use a flat beam for fret leveling, following the string paths, but I can't seem to wrap my head around that, so I use the radius beam.
OK....
We back in Bidness. Got the FB back into shape with some beam and radius sanding, took about 3/32" of wood off the nut and heel ends getting it back to flat. I have a precision ground beam on order for fret leveling, for this I used a very flat cast aluminum level with sandpaper on the ends only to avoid taking off more wood at the midpoint of the FB.
Double-checked the fret slot depths, still looks good. FB checks as dead flat (give or take a couple .001") along the string paths, will level again after the neck is carved.
Waste bandsawed off back of neck prior to carve. I cut about 1/8" off my final line:
Don't think I effed up the volute, must admit i am having trouble picturing the carving process for this. Advice appreciated:
Thanks for looking, I know it's painful....
We back in Bidness. Got the FB back into shape with some beam and radius sanding, took about 3/32" of wood off the nut and heel ends getting it back to flat. I have a precision ground beam on order for fret leveling, for this I used a very flat cast aluminum level with sandpaper on the ends only to avoid taking off more wood at the midpoint of the FB.
Double-checked the fret slot depths, still looks good. FB checks as dead flat (give or take a couple .001") along the string paths, will level again after the neck is carved.
Waste bandsawed off back of neck prior to carve. I cut about 1/8" off my final line:
Don't think I effed up the volute, must admit i am having trouble picturing the carving process for this. Advice appreciated:
Thanks for looking, I know it's painful....
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Hey Gilly,
Over the years I have had my fair share of F'ups. Most of which are self inflicted.
The real art isn't rebounding physically, as in fixing the instrument, it's rebounding emotionally, or fixing myself.
Over the years I have had my fair share of F'ups. Most of which are self inflicted.
The real art isn't rebounding physically, as in fixing the instrument, it's rebounding emotionally, or fixing myself.
Truer words was never spoke... Its my attitude and self confidence that need fixing, its just a hunk of wood. I have so few outlets for my inherent need to build something, it's easy to let it get out of proportion. The Hossenfeffer II is going to be a cakewalk ( he says, hopefully!).
Just a little at a time with a rasp, brother. Take away the parts that aren't the volute, and leave the rest.
My bandsaw job was pretty rough and uneven, so I got it down to around 1/16" proud of my finish lines with the router:\
I used my scraper to get down to about 1/64" proud of my finish neck thickness to leave something for sanding. My hands are killing me!
Volute and heel roughed in. I think I get how the volute carve will go, watched a couple youtube videos.
thanks for looking. The glacier proceeds downhill.....
I used my scraper to get down to about 1/64" proud of my finish neck thickness to leave something for sanding. My hands are killing me!
Volute and heel roughed in. I think I get how the volute carve will go, watched a couple youtube videos.
thanks for looking. The glacier proceeds downhill.....
You are up next Neal. We'll make a luthier of you yet, though you seem to be rather well supplied in the Ric Bass category.
I think my Superintendent would object if he saw me taking a band-saw up the elevator! Building guitars + Apartments = probably not the best idea. Mostly, I just like to play 'em. Although, I do get a load of fun watching all the cool work in this Forum. I liked wood shop class a lot. Mostly, the smell. As to being well bass supplied, I still need a Mouradian CS-74, if you want to help out!
After watching a bunch of Youtube videos, I decided the "facet" method of neck carving was my best chance not to screw it up. Neck marked for primary facets:
Primary facets cut with my cheap Harbor Freight rasps, and yes, they kinda suck. Clog easily and slow cutting, but maybe thats an advantage for my first neck carve, as everything happens s..l..o..w..l..y. Also used my scraper a good bit to keep leveling things off to my guidelines.
Primary facets cut with my cheap Harbor Freight rasps, and yes, they kinda suck. Clog easily and slow cutting, but maybe thats an advantage for my first neck carve, as everything happens s..l..o..w..l..y. Also used my scraper a good bit to keep leveling things off to my guidelines.
Looking great so far, just keep going! I almost said "take your time," but I don't think you need any encouragement in that direction...
