Winter Build Off 2020 - Gamba

[Scoops]

Happy Build Off!

Here's my entry for this years buildoff

Heavy influence of a Gamba style, made to an electric bass

Specs:

Body: Wenge Body with Wenge Top
Neck: Wenge with Ebonol Finger Board
Neck Type: Bolt on
Scale lenght: 33"
Strings: 5
Pickups: Aero J-bass
Controls: V-V-T
Bridge: 2Tek
Tuners: Hipshot Mini Clover Ultra Light

 

[Scoops]

It will look something like this when done

 

[Gary_M]

That's some gorgeous wenge! Looking forward to the build!

 

[ctmullins]

Great design! Heavy woods though. Is the 2Tek heavy enough to help with balance?

 

[Scoops]

Obligatory gluing the top together

 

[Scoops]

Great design! Heavy woods though. Is the 2Tek heavy enough to help with balance?

Don't know for sure. I'm counting on it, as I plan to remove a lot from the body.

 

[Jisch]

Whoa, I love wenge, this should be interesting

 

[Jon Clegg]

Beautiful.

 

[Scoops]

That's some gorgeous wenge! Looking forward to the build!

Thanks

The body and the neck I have has in my woodpile for a while.
I really had to search long and far for the top, which I probably paid too much for, but it suits my purpose.

I was originally going to give this a Les Paul style carved top, but there's just not enough material there.
I'll put a bevel all the way around. If it turns out how I think, this will be interesting.

Cheers

 

[Scoops]

Update

Body hogged out

 

[PaulS]

Boy that Wenge is gorgeous

 

[ctmullins]

Did you save all of the Wenge shavings? You could make extra money selling manufactured Wenge pressboard sheets.

 

[Scoops]

Did you save all of the Wenge shavings? You could make extra money selling manufactured Wenge pressboard sheets.

No didn't save the shavings, but it does dull the router bit somewhat quickly!

 

[Scoops]

Opppssssss.......I think I have the first casualty of the buildoff

The big piece fits bac in really well, the other 2 smaller pieces, well, not so much so. Not very repairable, but I could leave it open as one of my sound holes, and mirror it on the other side

This was the last trim cut on the body. Figures, don't it!

Reaching out to @TerribleTim68, I have some body blanks, and I see that you acquired a big piece of wenge...Interested in a trade

 

[postalflunkie]

 

[shwashwa]

It will look something like this when done

View attachment 3638742

Nice! a three string!

 

[Reedt2000]

Opppssssss.......I think I have the first casualty of the buildoff

The big piece fits bac in really well, the other 2 smaller pieces, well, not so much so. Not very repairable, but I could leave it open as one of my sound holes, and mirror it on the other side

This was the last trim cut on the body. Figures, don't it!

Reaching out to @TerribleTim68, I have some body blanks, and I see that you acquired a big piece of wenge...Interested in a trade
View attachment 3639227

Wenge is splintery and temperamental. My first thought was make it a sound hole. You could do as you suggest and mirror the "vent" on either side, and make the f-holes on the top purely cosmetic (inlay in another material? Stain? Branded?)

 

[5tring]

What about putting a plate there with the output jack?

 

[Reedt2000]

What about putting a plate there with the output jack?

I think it's in the bass string side of the upper bout so it's an odd place for a jack. It is, however, the place controls are located on an AE...

You could re-think the style of controls and relocate them to a plate in that spot. Maybe mini pots or wheels. You could then leave the top blank, something I don't think I've ever seen on a violin bass...

Could be cool...

 

[Scoops]

Wenge is splintery and temperamental. My first thought was make it a sound hole. You could do as you suggest and mirror the "vent" on either side, and make the f-holes on the top purely cosmetic (inlay in another material? Stain? Branded?)

What about putting a plate there with the output jack?

I think it's in the bass string side of the upper bout so odd place for a jack. It is, however, the place controls are located on an AE...

You could re-think the style of controls and relocate them to a plate in that spot. Maybe mini pots or wheels. You could then leave the top blank, something I don't think I've ever seen on a violin bass...

Could be cool...

Yes, this is on the bass side, upper bout. Could put controls there.

Yes, Wenge is very temperamental. I knew this could happen going in. I have a few options.....