Hey guys, this hopefully is in the right place. Also, let’s be clear I am not a builder. I am a guy that likes to mod things to make them work better for me personally. I have put together a couple of parts bases. I’ve also have had a desire to actually build a bass from scratch for a long time, but never had the time or the tools together. That’s another project that I’m working on. My current project bass is one that was accidentally traded to me, through an odd set of (he lost my bass) circumstances. It’s a Ken Smith design, six string jazz bass. Turns out sounds pretty decent as is with Old strings on it. And I didn’t hate the Neck. It’s fairly thin and flat across the back. Not hard to reach around. I’ve never owned a six string bass, and this one seemed interesting, aside from one factor that is a dealbreaker for me. That is being a very heavy weight, which it was. (Old back injuries and head on collision two years ago) I had been admiring a couple of builders take on a modern, jazz, shape, body i.e. Small body better access with 24 frets, High end components. my first order of business was to see if I could remodel it and lose a significant amount of weight simply by putting it on a diet. I put some ridiculous lines on the body with a sharpie and then came to my senses, cut a few cardboard shapes out to fit what was there and remove some of what I did not want. Here’s a few shots. Very much roughed out. But I’m already digging the outcome quite a bit. Oddly, the hardest part was starting. I got-a guy. that I collaborate with, the two of us went at it with a few power tools. The plastic finish on the body is horrendous, by the way,. I think it’s gonna lose just a little bit more of the butt. From below the center of the bridge to around the control cut out. The body is going to be all rounded over. Still, not sure about beveling the lower cut out. And I’ve got a thick skin comments, ideas? I’ll probably just get the body to where it’s not rough wood anymore and semi ready to finish. And slap it back together to see how it feels. Again never quite done this before. I don’t plan on investing much of anything in it until I get an idea how it’s gonna work out.
Also if I am shunned by this group because I’m not a true builder well, so be it! I’ll slink off and seek my affirmation elsewhere… carry-on.
Captain Kirk
