Winter Build Off 2020- The ♾

[MPU]

Today I had some time at the workshop. First I routed the roundover. After routing the bass looked too much like a... well F....r. Me not like.

I filed and sanded the roundover some more. I left a sharp line on top and back.

Compared to this routed roundover it looks a lot better.

I really like the sharp line. As Bruce would say, now it's not just a shapeless blob.

Last thing today was some measuring, drawing and routing.
It really makes building a lot faster when all templates are ready before starting the build.
Tomorrow some more routing and I'm almost ready for finishing.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I agree. I like seeing that crisp line that defines the front, and it feels nearly the same as a round over. Very nice work, Sir MPU, always watch your builds.

 

[turindev]

View attachment 3646000

Today I had some time at the workshop. First I routed the roundover. After routing the bass looked too much like a... well F....r. Me not like.

View attachment 3646002

I filed and sanded the roundover some more. I left a sharp line on top and back.

View attachment 3646003

Compared to this routed roundover it looks a lot better.

View attachment 3646004

I really like the sharp line. As Bruce would say, now it's not just a shapeless blob.

View attachment 3646005

Last thing today was some measuring, drawing and routing.
It really makes building a lot faster when all templates are ready before starting the build.
Tomorrow some more routing and I'm almost ready for finishing.

I like that sharp line much better too. I need to try that next time, looks great! Did you use the edge of the roundover as a reference and file/sand it flatter?

 

[MPU]

Did you use the edge of the roundover as a reference and file/sand it flatter?

Yes, that's how I did it. I filed only a bit, then sanded with a strip of 60 grit paper using shoeshine technique. Then followed with 80 and 180 grit.
I think this bass needs recessed pot knob holes. And they need similar sharp edge. Does anyone have ideas how to make them? A template and routing with 20mm round bit maybe?

 

[postalflunkie]

Forestner bit?

 

[MPU]

I'm looking for PRS-style recess so forstner will not work. Like this but shallower.

 

[Gary_M]

Yes, that's how I did it. I filed only a bit, then sanded with a strip of 60 grit paper using shoeshine technique. Then followed with 80 and 180 grit.
I think this bass needs recessed pot knob holes. And they need similar sharp edge. Does anyone have ideas how to make them? A template and routing with 20mm round bit maybe?

I've seen it done with a ball end mill bit or a modified spade bit. This build is looking fantastic!

 

[Ripthorn]

Some people also use a cove bit with the bearing removed. I bought a giant one just for this purpose, but haven't tried it yet.

 

[MPU]

Bridge and pickup cavities routed. Starting to look nice. Neck heel does not look good. I may veneer it with flame maple or something dark like the fretboard. Pot recesses next, I need to do test runs before routing them to the top.

Control cavity recess and opening done. I made the opening small so the cavity cover is not visible from the f-hole.
I just remembered that I have four piezo saddles and Noll mixpot somewhere. I may use them if I just find them.

 

[wraub]

Could you make a cavity cover from the back/top wood, so visibility isn't an issue?

 

[MPU]

I don't like wooden covers and there's not big enough piece of mahogany left anyway.

I made a template for the recess, melt glued it to the top and routed one recess at the time. There's masking tape on the top so no glue is left on the top. I used 20mm ball end bit and collar on the router.

All three done.

And with knobs.

Headstock inlay will be MOP ♾ instead of Warwick W. I removed the plastic headstock veneer and glued an ebony veneer instead. Plastic one was peeling off so it had to be replaced. Next is some inlay routing with Dremel.

 

[5tring]

I've got my voting finger ready for this build!

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Lord how I love F holes

 

[5tring]

Lord how I love F holes

 

[JIO]

View attachment 3646897
Neck heel does not look good. I may veneer it with flame maple or something dark like the fretboard.

On Kubicki Ex-Factors, Phil painted the heel matte black. With your matte black pu's it would fit right in.

 

[MPU]

On Kubicki Ex-Factors, Phil painted the heel matte black. With your matte black pu's it would fit right in.

That's one option and the one I like the most at the moment.

 

[MPU]

Inlay routed, glued and sanded.

Threaded inserts in the neck mounted. Ferrules drilled and stainless M5 machine screws cut to length. Jack hole drilled so about everything is ready for final sanding and finishing.
I wiped the body and neck with damp rag. I have to buy some 240 and 320 grit paper before oil finishing. Hopefully tomorrow first coat of Crimson penetrating guitar finishing oil is drying.

 

[MPU]

I managed to find time to sand the body while dinner is in the oven and mrs is waiting for a friend to visit us. First coat of oil is on, it soaked in pretty fast. Tomorrow morning wet sanding with oil to fill mahogany pores.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Does it seem like the cavities will add any acoustic tone at all, or is it just cosmetic and weight savings? I'd really like to try a semi-hollow like this, very inspiring.

 

[MPU]

There sure is different sound when sanding or rubbing oil on the body compared to a solid body. Don't know how much difference that will make when the bass is complete.