The Hossenfeffer III Build

[BassUrges]

I draw in Inkscape (which can trace bitmaps for you, but also gives you handles to directly manipulate the spline) and import an SVG into Fusion 360 got the creation of stuff that has to be measured (fret locations, pup routs), then either make the g-code in Fusion or export as a DXF back to Inkscape to cut on a laser cutter. I always draw a square of known size so that I can be sure all the proportions scale correctly.

I like #3 except for the fact that it looks like a ripoff. Body shape is lovely but needs 200% more topless mermaids.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Annnnnnnddddd..... Its not a Ric Clone. Here's my inspiration, the Alembic Balance K:
View attachment 4076776

And I need some TB Hive Mind Action. I tried subtly messing with the body shape, and realized after much time wasted that it CANNOT BE IMPROVED. The headstock, however is another matter. Here are (6) versions I've drawn with options for the headstock design. "Option 1" is the standard Alembic headstock profile, the other 5 are my own scribblings. I have a clear favorite, but I won't divulge it, hoping somebody pitches in their opinion:
View attachment 4076777
View attachment 4076778
Options 4-6 are takeoffs on a Bigsby Merle Travis style headstock, which Leo blatantly ripped off and toned down for the original P and J bass designs. Option 6 shows the Warmoth bridge, all the others show the Hipsot D style.

A few specs:
32" Scale
Richlite Faux Ebony Fingerboard with 24 Frets. the dot markers are just placeholders for now, might get Fancy with them.
5 piece laminate neck beam, flame maple and purple heart
Hippie sandwich = Cocobolo top, Maple center layer, sapele mahogany back
Two Humbucker soapbar, not drawn yet.
Passive electronics, Master Volume/Blend/Master Tone. Thinking about a Strat style jack
Partially chambered body with F-Hole
Two bridges shown, one the Hipshot D Style, Option 6 shows the Warmoth Streamer/Corvette style. Definitely want a two piece, the Warmoth seems to harmonize better.
Brass nut
Hipshot or similar ultralite "Y" shaped tuners.
Bound fingerboard and headstock with Cocobolo cap
Double-action trussrod and two CF bars, haven't decided on type, might go with a spoked wheel adjuster like Alembic does to keep the headstock clean.

The only body change I'm thinking of is maybe holding the little "horns" either side of the "Heart Omega" heel cutout within the natural curve of the body. They look a little fragile flying out in the breeze, maybe an Alembic owner can tell me if they have a tendency to get snapped off.

Advice Massively Appreciated

Option 2, perhaps tweak it. Make the headstock top a smaller echo of the body "tail" and toning the manta mouth scoop a bit seems reasonable.

Other than that , seriously cool

 

[roswell1965]

I like the original, sorry... Although, going with the Ric one would fit your style

Same here, not even close! Alembic got it right.

 

[Flying B]

Sub'd. And definitely option 2 for me.

 

[Slidlow]

With #2 it shouldn't be too hard to add a finial in the middle to mirror the bottom cutout. I'm sure you can rework the design tastefully. If that headstock was put on a slight diet it may look better with the svelte body line as well.

 

[wraub]

#2, a little slimmer. Personally, I could do without the Omega cut- I appreciate it aesthetically, but functionally it's problematic imo.

edit- I also like the shape of the Warwick bridge and tailpiece, but the "W" is a turn off as I avoid all unnecessary logos when able. I am odd.

 

[garrett77]

No strat jack please! There is something elegant about a simple Switchcraft jack on the front of the body, like the Alembic.

For another project, would be fun to dig into the headstocks that influenced Bigsby - 19th century and earlier scroll headstocks. And a body to match.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Annnnnnnddddd..... Its not a Ric Clone. Here's my inspiration, the Alembic Balance K:
View attachment 4076776

And I need some TB Hive Mind Action. I tried subtly messing with the body shape, and realized after much time wasted that it CANNOT BE IMPROVED. The headstock, however is another matter. Here are (6) versions I've drawn with options for the headstock design. "Option 1" is the standard Alembic headstock profile, the other 5 are my own scribblings. I have a clear favorite, but I won't divulge it, hoping somebody pitches in their opinion:
View attachment 4076777
View attachment 4076778
Options 4-6 are takeoffs on a Bigsby Merle Travis style headstock, which Leo blatantly ripped off and toned down for the original P and J bass designs. Option 6 shows the Warmoth bridge, all the others show the Hipsot D style.

A few specs:
32" Scale
Richlite Faux Ebony Fingerboard with 24 Frets. the dot markers are just placeholders for now, might get Fancy with them.
5 piece laminate neck beam, flame maple and purple heart
Hippie sandwich = Cocobolo top, Maple center layer, sapele mahogany back
Two Humbucker soapbar, not drawn yet.
Passive electronics, Master Volume/Blend/Master Tone. Thinking about a Strat style jack
Partially chambered body with F-Hole
Two bridges shown, one the Hipshot D Style, Option 6 shows the Warmoth Streamer/Corvette style. Definitely want a two piece, the Warmoth seems to harmonize better.
Brass nut
Hipshot or similar ultralite "Y" shaped tuners.
Bound fingerboard and headstock with Cocobolo cap
Double-action trussrod and two CF bars, haven't decided on type, might go with a spoked wheel adjuster like Alembic does to keep the headstock clean.

The only body change I'm thinking of is maybe holding the little "horns" either side of the "Heart Omega" heel cutout within the natural curve of the body. They look a little fragile flying out in the breeze, maybe an Alembic owner can tell me if they have a tendency to get snapped off.

Advice Massively Appreciated

Can’t wait to see the finished project.

RE: Heart Omega

Could you imaging paying that much money for that gorgeous piece of art only to have one of those points break off? IMO, that’s a case of the beauty of art overwhelming functionality.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

That’s my concern too, but I think just bringing them back inside the main curve of the body would make them much less likely to snap off. You do get some extra strength in the Hippie Sandwich laminations, it ends up more like plywood than solid wood. Lots of good suggestions, back to drawing, and I’ll post more images if anybody still cares to comment.

 

[ctmullins]

... if anybody still cares to comment.

Oh you know it!

I like the idea of bringing the points into the perimeter of the body. I will definitely do that when my Balance K build commences!

 

[Reedt2000]

Apparently I'm in the minority but I like option 1. I get that its a little on-the-nose, but that's what I like about it

Other than needing a B string this build looks awesome, Sub'd

 

[MattZilla]

I love the looks of paddle type headstocks regardless of the stringpull compromise, and really like option 1 the most.

On the other hand, the body’s small waist does make a petite headstock tolerable and maybe calling up a truncated Double Omega (nutsack?! lol) might work well there? Espresso straight to the brain may have led to some questionable judgment on this lil doodle here...

And, while I agree that the folks at Alembic likely slaved and sweated for months getting that shape freaking perfect, I’m curious if Ric-ifying the horns (just at the tips and/or making them link to each other ‘behind” the neck) could, if not actually improve it, make for a palatably interesting alternative.

[edit] or, leave the horns as-is, use the Ric-ish headstock #3, and somehow incorporate its Wavecrest theme in place of the Double Omega at the tail?

 

[postalflunkie]

Ok I see it now, Rick-ify the horns on the body and use headstock #3 and call it an Alembrick

 

[Rôckhewer]

Stoked Your gonna kill this.

Here's my chime-ins.
* I dig #2 headstock as well... and it would look even better with ...purfling!
* Don't tuck away the protruding hornyness of the heart omega...please. That's one of the sexiest lines on this body. Just don't drop the thing!
*...and If you really want a Strat jack?... put it on the back.
...carry on.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Oh, the headstock and fingerboard are definitely getting bound, if not....purfled. I tried the Strat jack, looked awful so.... never mind. I actually messed with slightly Ric-ish horns, but couldn’t get it to look right, maybe I’ll post my crappy attempts for laughs. I find this surprisingly difficult, which is arrogance, I guess. Nobody said it was easy!

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Oh, the headstock and fingerboard are definitely getting bound, if not....purfled. I tried the Strat jack, looked awful so.... never mind. I actually messed with slightly Ric-ish horns, but couldn’t get it to look right, maybe I’ll post my crappy attempts for laughs. I find this surprisingly difficult, which is arrogance, I guess. Nobody said it was easy!

I'm going to try a strat jack and the end of the body, pointed up to the strap pin on my X-705

 

[JRA]

If you were going to build basses full time and had to come up with a couple of headstock designs, what would they be? No pressure, but this is as good a time as any!

I’ll post more images if anybody still cares to comment.

you builder cats are killer crazy-nutz --- all those designs look great and all of the ideas/inputs sound great --- way too confusing.

i know the ax will be a beautiful piece and the pics along the way will be awesome...looking forward to it all!
FWIW: i impulsively went for the #2 headstock choice, but i also liked #6. hell, they're all cool!

I find this surprisingly difficult, which is arrogance, I guess. Nobody said it was easy!

you're an artist!

 

[BassUrges]

I'm going to try a strat jack and the end of the body, pointed up to the strap pin on my X-705

I bought a strat jack for that purpose and then found that the 1 1/4” body was too thin to make it work. I wound up cutting something of a similar angle into the wood itself.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

The X's body is 1.75, so i have a little more wriggle room.

 

[Slidlow]

A strat jack plate works if you have somewhere to tuck it away like this.