What's On Your Workbench?

[TerribleTim68]

As long as you aren't worried about a joint or the grain lines being disturbed on that upper wing of the Explorer body, it'll be fine.
To help with retaining as much of the other blank as possible for the P Bass body, I'd "flip" your Explorer template upside down, so the upper long wing is pointed "down" in your pic, placing it down by the lower horn of the p Bass blank. So in effect, your blank would be flipped so the front is now the back, if that makes sense. Or flip your P Bass over. Because you have all that wood by the lower horn of the P Bass that will get cut away anyways.

 

[Tom0Blam0]

It's a bit tough to tell in the picture, but if you glued the part from the second blank offset from the first, so it effectively extended the length of the blank, could you make it run parallel?

EDIT: related question: would it help make it straight if you also cut some off the other side of the first blank (the top left of your picture) and glued it on to the lower horn portion (bottom left of your picture), again, offset?

EDIT2: what about also ripping the blank past where the upper horn ends (a few inches off the right side of the first blank) and re-gluing it offset by a few inches (to the top in your photo). That looks like it would definitely allow you to cut parallel to the centerline.

Actually, what'd I'd need to do to keep everything straight is add part of the "p-bass" blank for the upper and lower horn. If I shift things straight the upper horn pops off the edge as well. I actually think that might salvage the most of the "p-bass" blank, as well. A little more work on the front end, but I think it'll look better in the end, tbh. Thanks for the input, fellas.

 

[Dadagoboi]

Sorry if this is redundant but didn't see most of the responses before I wrote it...

Done this before a lot. (see my avatar, that one's 3 piece Honduras but with a raised center)

Don't worry about non parallel. Just try to match for color and make sure all grain is going the same way if you're going to use a transparent finish (think how bookmatched flame maple looks, light reflects differently on the flipped piece.)

Here's an idea: move the Explorer down and add to the bottom instead, two pieces if necessary. It will be much easier to hide a seam, especially with a pickguard. Play around with the big piece that will be removed from the top if you slide the body down. There's a large chunk that you could strategically add to the other blank if necessary

Many possibilities, start by tracing them out using your blanks.

 

[Tom0Blam0]

Sorry if this is redundant but didn't see most of the responses before I wrote it...

Done this before a lot. (see my avatar, that one's 3 piece Honduras but with a raised center)

Don't worry about non parallel. Just try to match for color and make sure all grain is going the same way if you're going to use a transparent finish (think how bookmatched flame maple looks, light reflects differently on the flipped piece.)

Here's an idea: move the Explorer down and add to the bottom instead, two pieces if necessary. It will be much easier to hide a seam, especially with a pickguard. Play around with the big piece that will be removed from the top if you slide the body down. There's a large chunk that you could strategically add to the other blank if necessary

Many possibilities, start by tracing them out using your blanks.

I'm a huge fan of your builds! I'll look at that and see what looks good. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Slidlow]

I've been collecting parts for a future build and just received a Jtex Distiller filter preamp to go along with the lot.

The Jtex is like the Alembic filter preamp and I have an Alembic equipped bass already and am happy with it's function. The Jtex comes with a selector switch for 3 different Q settings. Came in the little tin pictured.

In case anyone has one I am looking for another Dimarzio Alchemy 101 pickup. I am planning on using the one if it's all I have but would prefer to build a two pickup version if possible.

 

[Beej]

I've been collecting parts for a future build and just received a Jtex Distiller filter preamp to go along with the lot.View attachment 4549861The Jtex is like the Alembic filter preamp and I have an Alembic equipped bass already and am happy with it's function. The Jtex comes with a selector switch for 3 different Q settings. Came in the little tin pictured.View attachment 4549866In case anyone has one I am looking for another Dimarzio Alchemy 101 pickup. I am planning on using the one if it's all I have but would prefer to build a two pickup version if possible.

I saw this and was like, "what? more distillers are available??" so I went over to ebay and my card was declined! Dang xmas season. I was only able to order one.

 

[Slidlow]

I saw this and was like, "what? more distillers are available??" so I went over to ebay and my card was declined! Dang xmas season. I was only able to order one.

I only bought one but if I find another Alchemy pickup I’ll buy another. I have the schematic from my Alembic preamp but just too busy to build it.

 

[TerribleTim68]

This....

I've got some time while the WBO Diva stain dries, so I guess I should see about knocking those runs down on Lucifer and get it back on track, huh?

 

[Slidlow]

One of my favorite things to do is repurpose old timber. I found some of these maple pieces that once cleaned up give me 2 3/4" by 1 1/2" and long enough to get two neck pieces if cut right. The two pictured will give me two wide blanks (with a center section glued in) for five, six or seven string basses (maybe eight). They are super dry and real hard. The grain in both is nice with one nearly quartered and the other rift but closer to quartered.

 

[Beej]

One of my favorite things to do is repurpose old timber. I found some of these maple pieces that once cleaned up give me 2 3/4" by 1 1/2" and long enough to get two neck pieces if cut right. The two pictured will give me two wide blanks (with a center section glued in) for five, six or seven string basses (maybe eight). They are super dry and real hard. The grain in both is nice with one nearly quartered and the other rift but closer to quartered.View attachment 4567742

Nice score! It's no secret I love to repurpose old wood into guitars. I found an old 50's side cabinet painted pink on the side of the road that I brought home for my mixer to sit on. When I cleaned it up, I discovered it's solid 3/4 honduran mahogany. It's still under my mixer but will make at least one guitar or bass at some point.

 

[Lo-E]

One of my favorite things to do is repurpose old timber. I found some of these maple pieces that once cleaned up give me 2 3/4" by 1 1/2" and long enough to get two neck pieces if cut right. The two pictured will give me two wide blanks (with a center section glued in) for five, six or seven string basses (maybe eight). They are super dry and real hard. The grain in both is nice with one nearly quartered and the other rift but closer to quartered.View attachment 4567742

I’m sitting on a stash of American chestnut salvaged from a school in the 1970s. Some of the pieces are odd sizes and shapes but others will definitely be useful in s bass build at some point.

 

[Gary_M]

This....
View attachment 4553517

I've got some time while the WBO Diva stain dries, so I guess I should see about knocking those runs down on Lucifer and get it back on track, huh?

Satanic runs are the worst. Sometimes happens after the wife and I go out for Mexican.

 

[TerribleTim68]

I'm trying to clean my workbench off so I can get back to my WBO entry. Currently there's a few new toys on it -

My new 20 degree radius block, a Stanley 71 router plane I snagged for $40 that needs a blade and my Craftsman egg neater drill in snagged for, get this, $10.

 

[RichterScale]

Oh man, I had a drill just like that. But it had the screw-on cap on the handle so you could keep bits in it.
My father had it when I was very young and it was very old and worn when he got it. It was the first drill I ever used.
Still don't know what happened to it. I had it into my 30s. I came across another one, but it wasn't the same. That one disappeared too.
Either aliens like egg beater drills, or my deadbeat brother does.

 

[TerribleTim68]

Okay, after some cleaning I left the workbench looking like this -

We're ready to get back to the WBO entry now. Parts all laid out.

 

[Flamingo21]

Either aliens like egg beater drills, or my deadbeat brother does.

I'd say it's definitely the aliens.

 

[Slidlow]

I'd say it's definitely the aliens.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Ive had a lot of stuff just disappear over the years, only to re-emerge in some box I forgot I had, the Modern Hoarder Dilemma. I have a couple of those old twist drills, one of them very nice. About the only thing is use it for is drilling side dots on fingerboards, but it was my Grandpa's, so Im not letting it go.

 

[the baint]

Currently there's a few new toys on it -
View attachment 4579613

My new 20 degree radius block, a Stanley 71 router plane I snagged for $40 that needs a blade and my Craftsman egg neater drill in snagged for, get this, $10.

Lee Valley’s Veritas blades are drop-in replacements for #71s. You just have to flip the adjustment bolt upside down. Works well and they have a wide selection.

 

[TerribleTim68]

Lee Valley’s Veritas blades are drop-in replacements for #71s. You just have to flip the adjustment bolt upside down. Works well and they have a wide selection.

Yeah, I looked at the Veritas blades, they look to run about $20 a piece. I've got a hand plane & parts guy that I keep in touch with sending me one for a bit cheaper. I'll have her up and running in no time.