The SCP - Single Cut P-Bass

[Videojunkie]

I just realized that I was about to make a huge tactical error!

Before I can glue the body together, I have to build the control module, and (more importantly) route out its location on the body. Because this plate will sit on the side between the horns, this is really the only time that space will be accessible!

The good thing about this current prep work, is that the neck holes will give me a perfect reference point to place said control plate.

 

[Videojunkie]

Happy Easter to all of you. I'm spending the morning playing The Rick-man at church. It's a lot of fun playing a bass that you built in front of others.

 

[Videojunkie]

Made a slot in the curupay. Now to make a second one, at the exact proper spacing.

A bit unorthodox, but so far it seems to work.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

We’re all about unconventional here in the LC. That’s for Fender style switches? I’ve used a cut off wheel on a Dremel and opened / squared things up with a file. In other words, pretty much what you did except horizontal instead of vertical.

 

[Videojunkie]

We’re all about unconventional here in the LC. That’s for Fender style switches? I’ve used a cut off wheel on a Dremel and opened / squared things up with a file. In other words, pretty much what you did except horizontal instead of vertical.

Those are the pots for the volume and tone! 50mm linear sliders... both of them will fit in 3/4", so with the body being right about 2" thick, I will have 3/4" to carve the top, and 1/2" to carve the back.

 

[Videojunkie]

Debating....

 

[Videojunkie]

Last of the frets are installed. Some preliminary flattening, much better than my last one.

Started the finish sanding process. Neck is shaped, I need to bore out the tuner locations to final dimensions, decide if / what I'm going to do for an inlay.

 

[Videojunkie]

It's also time to start figuring out how I'm going to finish this.

My thoughts are to delve into gun stock finish or do a ruby shellac with clear coat over it. I've also thought about an oil/wax finish.

 

[Isaac_James]

It's also time to start figuring out how I'm going to finish this.

My thoughts are to delve into gun stock finish or do a ruby shellac with clear coat over it. I've also thought about an oil/wax finish.

All those would look fantastic IMO but deep red stain on walnut would go just perfectly with that fretboard.

 

[Videojunkie]

All those would look fantastic IMO but deep red stain on walnut would go just perfectly with that fretboard.

I'd be worried about what it would do with the maple.

My buddy who was going to help me finish the Rick-man is pushing for a shellac finish. Having perused some pictures of the various colors, a ruby or garnet shellac might be the winner.

Fundamentally, I really want a light clean finish that accentuates the amazing walnut grain on the body.

 

[Crawforde]

Ruby on walnut looks great.
a dark button lac might work too, and the result is supposed to be more durable.

 

[Jeff Siddall]

I'd be worried about what it would do with the maple.

My buddy who was going to help me finish the Rick-man is pushing for a shellac finish. Having perused some pictures of the various colors, a ruby or garnet shellac might be the winner.

Fundamentally, I really want a light clean finish that accentuates the amazing walnut grain on the body.

Got some scraps? Why not try them all!

 

[40Hz]

I'm really digging that design! Can't wait to see it finished

Side note, the thread title made me think of the SCP Foundation. SCP meaning secure, contain, protect in this scenario. The premise is that there is a foundation dedicated to preventing all sorts of dangerous mystical objects and beings from getting out in the world.

SCP Series - SCP Foundation

It makes for some good reading if you're into sci-fi/fantasy/horror stuff.

Some might say a singlecut P bass should be locked away, but if you stick with that design, it's gonna be a beauty!

Definitely a candidate for an Archon class listing.

 

[Videojunkie]

Drilled the tuner locations to final size. Had a little chip out on one of them, but it's going to be covered by the washer.

Went ahead and sanded through the grits 120 - 320 and then gray and white 3M pads.

The lustre of the sanded walnut is beautiful. I think I am making the correct choice with a low build finish.

 

[Videojunkie]

I'm still torn on the headstock inlay. I kinda want to do it because I can, but I'm really liking the plain-ness of it.

May wind up being one of those things that waits until the last moment.

 

[Flamingo21]

Also, wait for what the presence of tuners and strings does to the headstock's appearance.

 

[Videojunkie]

I had a bit this afternoon to work on the bass. I originally bought a brass nut for this, but it is too short for the finished fingerboard. So I needed to make one. I had some leftover brass from the bruce bars, and it's the perfect thickness for the nut!

I'll need to finesse this once the finish is applied, but it's within a few 1000s of where it needs to be. I'm thinking that a small rod underneath will anchor it in place.

I've made bone nuts for my guitars before, but never a brass one from scratch.

 

[Videojunkie]

Added pins to the brass nut and installed it. I'll file the string slots once the bass is finished.

 

[Videojunkie]

I will say that polished brass next to the wood is seriously making me call into question my choice of chrome hardware for this bass ..

 

[Videojunkie]

It's been a few very busy weeks, so I haven't had a lot of time to work on this. Plus I had an exciting moment with my tablesaw Table Saw Safety that's kinda made me a bit gun-shy in the shop.

A buddy came over and helped me get my tablesaw tuned back up and running, and I have an unexpected day off, so I'm back at it!

Started up gluing the back of the bass. One nice feature of the bolt on neck the way I'm doing it is that I can reference everything from the neck holes. So with the template as a part of the clamping cauls, I am sure that everything lines up perfectly.