Lots of work to be done still but breathing a sigh of relief!!! Beginning to believe that it will be a playable bass in the end!!!!
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Winter Build Off 2022 - Chester
- Thread starter BelmontBiker
- Start date
The patch looks good. You’re well on the way to being a genuine luthier type guy. 
Thanks!The patch looks good. You’re well on the way to being a genuine luthier type guy.
Thanks! Every time I touch this thing I learn more about what I don’t know and how short sighted I can be…..enjoying it in a weird sorta way!
Really well done patch. No one but you will ever know.
Well, no one but you and the entire internet.
Well, no one but you and the entire internet.
OP will use the bass on and off over the years, forget all about the repair, then for old times sake will reread this thread 20 years from now and be like - huh? there's a patch here?
the bass is going to look awesome!
I bet a Fralin spit coil would sound great in that thing!
I bet a Fralin spit coil would sound great in that thing!
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I looked long and hard at those. In the end I found a MIJ fender pickup in the classifieds for a great deal. If it's too noisy I can always swap it out......We'll see!
Shakedown #1 was a success! This thing THUMPS!!! Nut files are due in on Saturday so it’ll get a proper setup then followed by 2 services Sunday morning. Has a vintage vibe with the ghs flats. Absolute blast to play!!!!
I see what you did there!
That thing is a beauty! I'm glad to see that you left the surface of the old crate as it was, with all the texture it looks great.
Thanks! Super high tech process ;-)
1. Snuggle up to the drum cage (it’s safe…..he’s caged).
2. Flip the IPhone 8 into selfie mode and place in your right hand.
3. Poke button.
just so happens that they hung the light in a good place, and that the model looks better than the modeler!
#supportcagefreedrummers
1. Snuggle up to the drum cage (it’s safe…..he’s caged).
2. Flip the IPhone 8 into selfie mode and place in your right hand.
3. Poke button.
just so happens that they hung the light in a good place, and that the model looks better than the modeler!
#supportcagefreedrummers
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OK. Here is my build recap post. I started out with my pile o stuff. The fun part of the pile (other than embarking on my first build) was that the crate came from my grandpa years ago and I always thought it was cool and wanted to do something with it.....never really imagined that it would turn into a bass. His name w
as Chester and I have a son named Chet so this one should stick around for a lotta years. Here is the pile:
I printed out some templates that I found online and made them out of 1/2" mdf
I had a basswood body blank that I had bought a few months ago, but needed to bring it down to the proper thickness (1-3/8"). I bought a router bit, but needed a jig so I built that out of some leftover plywood
Then I traced the template. A long time ago I came across a picture of Roger Sadowsky holding a chambered body blank and I really wanted to build one similar some day......
So far so good.......Then I cut out the body and affixed the template and started routing......This is where a lot of learning took place! I still have my fingers, but I had some damage too.....
So, I glued the piece on and mocked up, glued and cut out the crate top
Next I glued the top on and flush routed it
Then came the neck pocket, pickup and control cavity routes......WHOOPS!
Then more fixing........
While this was going on I had created a waterslide decal for the headstock and began the process of layering tru oil to cover it and protect the neck
A bit of assembly and I was shocked to find out that I had a surprisingly playable bass!!!!!
Submission post to follow shortly.......
as Chester and I have a son named Chet so this one should stick around for a lotta years. Here is the pile:
I printed out some templates that I found online and made them out of 1/2" mdf
I had a basswood body blank that I had bought a few months ago, but needed to bring it down to the proper thickness (1-3/8"). I bought a router bit, but needed a jig so I built that out of some leftover plywood
Then I traced the template. A long time ago I came across a picture of Roger Sadowsky holding a chambered body blank and I really wanted to build one similar some day......
So far so good.......Then I cut out the body and affixed the template and started routing......This is where a lot of learning took place! I still have my fingers, but I had some damage too.....
So, I glued the piece on and mocked up, glued and cut out the crate top
Next I glued the top on and flush routed it
Then came the neck pocket, pickup and control cavity routes......WHOOPS!
Then more fixing........
While this was going on I had created a waterslide decal for the headstock and began the process of layering tru oil to cover it and protect the neck
A bit of assembly and I was shocked to find out that I had a surprisingly playable bass!!!!!
Submission post to follow shortly.......
Attachments
Here is my submission for WBO 2022 - "Chester". Overall this was an absolute riot to do. I am amazed at how many time fear of messing up delayed progress. The only way out is through......Grateful to have had the deadline to force me to execute. Grateful for all the help and comments along the way! Now I'm grateful to pull a bass I made out of the case when I play at church. The shocker to me is that 1. It plays really well. 2. I have had numerous positive comments about the tone. It definitely has a nice "voice". I apologize for my lack of photog skills in advance........
Parts Breakdown:
Hercules Gunpowder Crate
Basswood Body Blank
All Parts Telecaster Bass Neck
GHS Precision Flats
MIJ 51 Precision Single Coil Pickup
Allparts Lightweight Lollipop Tuners
Fender Bent Plate Bridge
Body and neck finished with Tru Oil
Parts Breakdown:
Hercules Gunpowder Crate
Basswood Body Blank
All Parts Telecaster Bass Neck
GHS Precision Flats
MIJ 51 Precision Single Coil Pickup
Allparts Lightweight Lollipop Tuners
Fender Bent Plate Bridge
Body and neck finished with Tru Oil
That's awesome. And all the most important words are still visible
