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Walnut Jazz

Scoops

Scoops

Why do we use base 10 when we only have 8 fingers
Supporting Member
Oct 22, 2013
4,177
11,676
Sugar Creek, Wisc
#1
Looks like I won't be going back to work any time soon, so lets start another build!!!

Specs
Strings: 4
Body Style: Fender Jazz
Body construction: Solid
Body Wood: Flamed: Figured Black Walnut
Neck: Quater Sawn Black Walnut
Scale: 33"
Fingerboard: African Blackwood
Bridge: Hipshot Style A .750 spacing
Tuners: Hipshot Ultra Lites
Pups: Jason Lollar J set
Pickguard: Maybe

As usual, I start with making my templates. The neck was somewhat interesting because the template I bought on line were a bit whacked. The neck didn't fit in the neck pocket, and the neck itself wasn't long enough. Well maybe it was if I wanted to make a 30" scale. So I just used all of them to get me something I want.
WJ2.jpg


And the end result
WJ3.jpg


I'm still on the fence with the pick gaurd. The piece of wood I'll use for the neck is wonderfully quarter sawn. But there's also an excellent top for a different instrument in that same piece of wood. I'm thinking I might cut a neck so that the head-stock falls into the figured area, and then use what's left of the figured wood for a pick guard. That way I could get another bass a neck and maybe a guitar neck out of that piece. Or I just get a plain jane bass neck, a guitar neck, and a top for a different instrument. We'll see

WJ4.jpg
 
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#9
What's there not to like about walnut.

It smells REALLY good!
It looks REALLY good!
It's REALLY easy to work with!

When I first got this piece, I thought that the light flame was just the way it got sawn and dried. It's not. Now that I see this, I may not want to go with a pick guard, and If I do, prolly not a figured walnut PG. Maybe black. Time will tell

Cheers
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#14
Hopkins said:
After the wife told you that you needed to build a Fender, it seems as though you caught the bug lol
Click to expand...

I really got to come back to this.

I started messin with guitars back in the late 60's. I gave my my first electric guitar (EKO), a bowling ball finish. Turned out really cool. In the 70's I was a guitar repair guy at the local music shop, and have been goofing around with this stuff all my life. It's been in the last 10 years I've been working on building my own. I realize i don't have the bug, as you say, but more about that in a bit.

In the past 5 years, I have changed over to doing contract work. It does have times of no employment. All I'm doing now is taking advantage of having extended time off. I have a pile of nice wood, some tools, a work space, and dammit I don't have a bug, I have sawdust in my veins!

Then again, this could all come crashing down and I have to go back to work next week.:(
 
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#16
Gilmourisgod said:
Since this is clearly a democracy where we get to cast votes on other peoples work, I vote no pickguard. That wood is just too beautiful to cover. I have spoken. Lord how I love walnut.
Click to expand...

I originally bought this billet to put a book matched flamed walnut on. But when I got it, I knew right away this was going to be a single solid piece body.

I have a PG designed. I like it alot. I have a JB control plate coming. I'll "paper doll" the PG with the control plate when the time comes. I think a 5 ply b/w/b/w/b would look real classy. The wood is certainly beautiful, and not even sure I'll use the control plate. Won't know until we get there.

I just cut the neck pocket. My workshop has a wonderful aroma. Yes Walnut is very wonderful!

Cheers and thanks for looking

WJ7.jpg
 
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