Winter 2027 Build-Off

[mapleglo]

I know, I know, it's way early to start thinking about the winter build-off, but I got a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell! Or something like that. In any event, I know it's not even autumn, but I was looking at a Fender Dimension bass and I was missing the one I used to have and I was seeing how expensive they are to buy these days so I thought maybe I'll build one. So that's when I started thinking about the winter build-off. Maybe I'll wait until the build-off or maybe it'll cool down enough here in Phoenix before then to build it sooner (it's forecast to be 113 today - yikes), but I started collecting parts. I bought a neck today, a WD 5 string maple neck, and I was working on a body template.

I'm not sure what kind of wood I'll use - I'll have to see what's available. I'll try to get more of that figured maple I used on my last build. And I really liked the Lace pickups I used in the Fenderbacker as well, but I'm thinking of using only one, wired straight to the output jack. No controls. The Dimension X. I like it. We've been watching the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles lately so Dimension X is on my mind. Perhaps that's what triggered the idea.

Anyway, it'll be a few weeks before I can spend any more on additional parts, but I'll update this thread as they come in.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I love it. If I wasn’t building my own instruments I’d have a 5 string Dimension by now. Squier or MIA. I also feel for you. While not quite as warm as Phoenix we’ve been upper 90’s or over 100 for a while now so the garage has been in the 90’s by the time I get home from work and have time to do something. Looking forward to your build.

 

[mapleglo]

 

[Phil Mastro]

I’m now considering starting a summer 2032 build-off thread. I may even finish this one!

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I like it. I like the Dimensions body design stylistically, but my upper horn has to extend to the 12th fret. This isn't much of an issue if you are tall and/or play your bass low. I'm 5,7" and I don't play it that low so the upper horn has to be at around the 12th fret for me.

Your design reminds me of the Fernandes Atlas basses that are fantastic IMHO. They have the horn at the 12th fret. And IMHO they are a little more appealing esthetically, but his is completely subjective of course.

Long story short: extend the horn up to the 12th fret and you're golden.

Rock on!

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I like it. I like the Dimensions body design stylistically, but my upper horn has to extend to the 12th fret. This isn't much of an issue if you are tall and/or play your bass low. I'm 5,7" and I don't play it that low so the upper horn has to be at the 12th fret for me.

Your design reminds me of the Fernandes Atlas Basses that are fantastic IMHO. They have thehorn at the 12th fret. And IMHO it is a little more appealing esthetically, but his is completely subjective of course.

Rock on!

 

[smart51]

... Fender Dimension ...

You'll get a cease and desist letter.

 

[mapleglo]

You'll get a cease and desist letter.

I'll just add it to the pile...

 

[mapleglo]

The bridge I ordered came in this morning.

 

[mapleglo]

So as I mentioned, I bought a WD 5 string maple neck on the 8th from this place in Florida. No offense to those in Florida, but I've not had good luck with businesses in Florida so I tend to avoid them. But I thought to myself, "Self, I am being prejudiced. I should give Florida another chance. Order the neck. It's a good deal." So I ordered it. They finally supplied a tracking number on the 13th. By that time, I had ordered a back up neck. The back up neck arrived today.

It even came with tuners, and features a spoke wheel truss rod adjustment. The maple neck allegedly is supposed to be here tomorrow. I may just build evil twins if the maple neck does indeed arrive in one piece.

 

[Beej]

I hear such fascinating stories about Florida and of course, enjoy the many thousands of body cam videos. I may eventually have to go see it for myself one day.

 

[mapleglo]

I hear such fascinating stories about Florida and of course, enjoy the many thousands of body cam videos. I may eventually have to go see it for myself one day.

I've spent a lot of time in Florida. I used to travel quite a bit for a previous job and went on at least 4 or 5 trips a year to Disney. Just beware of the wall of humidity. Birds get stuck in mid-air. Stay near the ceiling fans.

 

[mapleglo]

Backup bridge arrived. This one came with the original screws!

 

[mapleglo]

And the maple neck arrived today as well. As soon as my credit card closes, I'll be able to order pickups, wood, and tuners.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I've spent a lot of time in Florida. I used to travel quite a bit for a previous job and went on at least 4 or 5 trips a year to Disney. Just beware of the wall of humidity. Birds get stuck in mid-air. Stay near the ceiling fans.

The American south where man still breathes water… My folks live there. Supposed to go see them this winter.

 

[mapleglo]

Paid off my credit card, ordered a couple of Lace pickups, and a set of Hipshot Ultralite tuners.

At some point, I'll have to stop by the wood store and pick out some wood.

 

[Beej]

The American south where man still breathes water… My folks live there. Supposed to go see them this winter.

I was thinking about when I went to Louisiana about a decade ago and I didn't recall that it was brutally humid. But I realized it's because I'm from Victoria in the PNW, and our relative humidity is the same or a touch higher. For example, it's 73% here right now, whereas google tells me Miami is 67% right now. No wonder my prairie family members always say everything feels damp.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I was thinking about when I went to Louisiana about a decade ago and I didn't recall that it was brutally humid. But I realized it's because I'm from Victoria in the PNW, and our relative humidity is the same or a touch higher. For example, it's 73% here right now, whereas google tells me Miami is 67% right now. No wonder my prairie family members always say everything feels damp.

Where we live is high desert, not as bad as Arizona, but it’s 94F and 20% humidity right now. Things don’t rust, they may melt but no rust.


I remember going to an HVAC school years ago and trying to explain to the guys from the south how a swamp cooler works. I finally just laughed and said we wouldn’t have 100% humidity if it had been raining for three days straight.

 

[rickwrench]

I have one of those offset bridges. I didn't think the 1/8" (or 3/16"?) offset bridge baseplate would be noticeable, but it ended up being one of those "I -know- it's there, I can't unsee it" problems. It's still on the bass, still bugs me every time I look at it. I'm sure nobody else sees it.

 

[mapleglo]

I stopped by the wood store this morning and picked up a few pieces of poplar. The walnut they had was either too expensive, or didn't fit my needs. Maybe I'll wait until next month or shop around on the 'Bay.