The SCP - Single Cut P-Bass

[Videojunkie]

Using my router jig and dremel, getting the beading on the edge to the right dimensions was pretty straightforward. I was going to use my slitting saw to trim the bead, but the walnut was too difficult to cut, so I resorted to the razor pull saw. A bit of work with the sander, and I'm largely happy with the results. There was a bit of a chip out along the top edge, but it's exactly where an arm bevel would go, so I'm leaving it..

Next up, carving the scroll. But that's going to have to wait until it's a just bit cooler outside....

 

[Videojunkie]

In the spirit of my other builds, I'd like to thank all of you for following along on this build, commenting and helping encourage me through the process.

There's still quite a bit to do, carving the scroll, the back, installing the jack, and all of the finishing work... And as this is now a build off thread, I now have a deadline!

As we celebrate the 4th of July here in America, I am thankful for the freedoms that my forefathers secured. "A republic, if you can keep it..." is one of my favorite Ben Franklin quotes.

Raise a glass to freedom!

 

[Videojunkie]

Today I had a few minutes to work on the edges and start the prep work for the scroll.

Definitely coming together...

I started wondering what this might eventually weigh, and the body with bridge is about 7 lbs, and the neck is 3... so this is going to wind up probably about 11lbs! Yikes!

 

[Videojunkie]

I think based on how the front turned out, and in the general spirit of violin shaped basses, it makes sense to do the same carve on the back. It should also reduce quite a bit of the weight. I'd like to wind up under 10 lbs, 8-9 would be optimal (but without chambering the body that's unlikely....)

 

[Alex Xander]

Today I had a few minutes to work on the edges and start the prep work for the scroll.

Definitely coming together...
View attachment 5115901

I started wondering what this might eventually weigh, and the body with bridge is about 7 lbs, and the neck is 3... so this is going to wind up probably about 11lbs! Yikes!

I have built several basses from Australian hardwoods that are known for being heavy. A few in excess of 12lbs that have seen 5 hour gigs. I'm not the healthiest bloke in the world and with a wide strap, the weight has never bothered me.

 

[Videojunkie]

I have built several basses from Australian hardwoods that are known for being heavy. A few in excess of 12lbs that have seen 5 hour gigs. I'm not the healthiest bloke in the world and with a wide strap, the weight has never bothered me.

I've played heavy guitars since... well, I learned how to play... so I've used 3" straps forever. There's always a weight penalty for 5 strings, but I think it's worth it. Even if 90% of the "tone" from an electric guitar comes from pickup placement and string height. I still think making the bass lighter is better to some degree...

 

[Videojunkie]

Carving the scroll wasn't nearly as bad as I feared. Mostly done with a variety of dremel bits (routers and wood shapers), chisels and sandpaper.

Getting rid of the bulk of the wood I left behind.

Starting to shape the hook.

Cutting the spiral..

Starting to come into focus...

Lots of finicky work....

 

[Videojunkie]

BSO.

 

[TerribleTim68]

Yes it is!

This thing is really looking cool.

 

[Videojunkie]

Yes it is!

This thing is really looking cool.

Thanks! It's really starting to move along and look like something.

 

[Videojunkie]

So I decided to just go for it and start carving the back.

The nice thing is that I'd already done this once, so I had the process down so it moved along rather quickly.

It looks like doing this will remove about a pound of wood!

 

[Videojunkie]

Last thing for today, I bought a fender style jack, and planned to put it on the back like this.

Is there a trick to installing one of these, or is it as simple as route out for the recess and then drill out for the jack?

Also if you've got any thoughts about the jack style or placement...

 

[NKBassman]

BSO. View attachment 5116913

That looks amazing!

 

[Jeff Siddall]

Last thing for today, I bought a fender style jack, and planned to put it on the back like this.View attachment 5117277

Is there a trick to installing one of these, or is it as simple as route out for the recess and then drill out for the jack?

Also if you've got any thoughts about the jack style or placement...

Great work on the carving!

The jack looks like it could be... uncomfortable. I guess it all depends on how it hangs, so maybe you can attach the strap pins and try out some positions that way.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Last thing for today, I bought a fender style jack, and planned to put it on the back like this.View attachment 5117277

Is there a trick to installing one of these, or is it as simple as route out for the recess and then drill out for the jack?

Also if you've got any thoughts about the jack style or placement...

I’ve installed one of those on the back of a bass. It was closer to the edge on mine. I made an individual template from a full Strat body template I have. I think I needed to enlarge or bevel the area under the front of the plate for the specific plates I had.

 

[Reedt2000]

You gonna make an arm rest for it? To mirror the chin rest on a violin? It would not only look cool, but might be needed for playing comfort with the way you've carved it.

 

[Videojunkie]

You gonna make an arm rest for it? To mirror the chin rest on a violin? It would not only look cool, but might be needed for playing comfort with the way you've carved it.

I don't think so, I'm actually thinking I might have to make a thumb rest because the shape of the bass, plus the height of the bridge makes the strings pretty high off the body.

 

[Videojunkie]

I've never gotten truly crappy sandpaper before, but the "Red Resin" Performax sandpaper is pure garbage. Avoid at all costs.

The 60 grit lasted less than a minute of sanding with my ROS before going completely dull. For comparison, the Norton 150 that's been on and off my sander a number of times cuts better than this "60" grit stuff.

 

[Videojunkie]

Spent the afternoon working on the back. I am pretty happy with how it looking. A bit of fine tuning as we get into the finish sanding process...

Cutting the edges to reveal the bead.

Tapering the end of the body...

While certainly not spectacular, there's some decent birds-eye in the maple...

 

[Videojunkie]

I'm realizing that the pictures don't convey how contoured this bass really is. At the centerline, it's 2" thick. At the cutouts it's only 1.125". The beading is 1.375" thick.

I also took a few minutes to deepen the pickup route.