Winter Build Off 2020 - Un-named

[BishopJP]

...aaaand, I'm back! Life this last couple of weeks has been more "interesting" than I prefer with little time to work on this project, but there has been some progress.

I started the forearm carve, rasping through the PH top exposing the sapele core...

...and I hated the way it looked!
It really bugged me so I didn't even bother to take a pic of the offending carve. So, slight redisign, hopefully for the better?

I routed out the area where the carve was...

...using a home made trammel so I could get a nice, clean arc. Then I glued in a block of PH with the complimentary arc and re-rasped (not a word?) the forearm carve.

It is hard to see but it has a slight scallop and from the top, all you see is PH. I like this better, but I think it still looks a little awkward.

In other news, I routed a notch for the truss rod access.

Headstock transition is almost complete. I used my new favorite file!

I also started the glue-up for the pick-up covers.

We are down to the last month, I figure I have about 2 more weeks before I need to start finish and electronics; It's gonna tight!

 

[Flamingo21]

Then I glued in a block of PH with the complimentary arc and re-rasped (not a word?) the forearm carve.

I officially move for "rerasped" to be a word.

 

[herndonbassist]

WOW this looks amazing!

 

[BishopJP]

Thanks!

 

[postalflunkie]

Beautiful! Love some purpleheart!!
Just watch out, it'll wear down your tools.

 

[BishopJP]

Beautiful! Love some purpleheart!!
Just watch out, it'll wear down your tools.

No joke!
When I use power tools with PH, I take much smaller passes, sort of nibble away slowly.

Also pretty sure I blunted a freshly sharpened hand plane...

 

[littlebooner]

Love the wenge with purple heart neck combo!

 

[postalflunkie]

I'll second that!

 

[BishopJP]

Wasn't sure I should do a reveal before it was complete, but I did a test fitting so I can locate the bridge and whatnot, so here is a pic.

Apologies, the pic is a little washed out but there it be.

Still have a ton of sanding to do and the points of the "tone holes" need sharpening, pick-up covers need to be made, etc, but you can still get an overall feel for how it will look complete.

And yes, for those who are curious, it is quite heavy. It weighs approx 1/2 metric s*&% ton. I may install a tripod mount.

 

[BishopJP]

Almost time for frets!

Sanded up to 2000 grit and oiled. The oil should be cured this evening and I can burnish the fret board before installing frets. I really like the grain here; I picked this piece of ebony 'cause the grain reminds me of the metal grain on Japanese swords.

I also made some progress on the body but forgot to take pictures... more later!

 

[Beej]

That fretboard looks beautiful!

EDIT: wenge, purpleheart, walnut and ebony. Should weigh around 17 lbs?

 

[BishopJP]

wenge, purpleheart, walnut and ebony. Should weigh around 17 lbs?

Since it's semi-hollow, I estimate a scant 16-1/2 lbs!

 

[Beej]

LOL, I'm on the other side right now. My body is so light, I'm afraid it's going to end up neck diving...

 

[BishopJP]

Frets installed last night, fret slots back-filled with CA glue...

...this morning I filed/sanded the fret ends flush, then beveled them.

So, for what I hope is the last time, I had a "re-design" issue. The pick-up covers were taking too long to fabricate and time is running out, plus my drill press is not working great. It may be I can give it an overhaul and get it working again, but I don't have the time if I hope to make the deadline.

Solution: I picked up some SD Quarter-Pounder jazz p'ups from my local music shop and ordered the routing templates from StewMac. Normally, I would have wanted to make my own templates and save the money, but again, I am getting short on time.

I also fit the bridge, checked the string alignment and drilled for the bridge ground.

Currently working on the knob layout.
Can I call them knobs? I remember working in the cabinet industry years ago, we had to call them "drawer pulls" as calling them "knobs" could be construed as an anatomical reference.

Anyhoo, couple questions for any who may be following...

1 - My pick-up cavities overlapped the hollow sections, is that an issue? And should do something about it?

2 - With the current configuration, it looks like jack may fit between the last two pots, inside the control cavity; is this an issue?

Thanks in advance...

 

[BishopJP]

LOL, I'm on the other side right now. My body is so light, I'm afraid it's going to end up neck diving...

How heavy is the body? Seems like maple and walnut would be weighty enough to counter-balance?

 

[Scoops]

1 - My pick-up cavities overlapped the hollow sections, is that an issue? And should do something about it?

I think we are on this journey together

I left just enough wood down the center to allow me to mount the pups. The rest is air under the pup

 

[BishopJP]

I guess we'll see! "Pre-engineered tone space"!

 

[Beej]

How heavy is the body? Seems like maple and walnut would be weighty enough to counter-balance?

The edges are only 3/8" wide or so around the perimeter, the back is 4mm thick and the top is 6mm thick. I'd guess it will be about 3 pounds when fully routed? I'm hoping it will work out.

 

[Scoops]

I guess we'll see! "Pre-engineered tone space"!

I've done this on other builds. On the first couple I was concerned about feedback, but it never happened. I'm thinking yours will be fine
My entry for this years build is the most aggressive approach I've taken. I'll let you know what happens

 

[BishopJP]

Update: No pictures at this time, but I did a test assembly the other night and strung it up.

Played it acoustically for a bit and nothing exploded, so that's a win!

If life doesn't get in the way, I should be able to dial in some of the details and start finish sanding this weekend.