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Winter Build Off 2022 - Explorer Bass
- Thread starter Flamingo21
- Start date
Happy New Year to you and everyone else watching.Happy New Year!
Funny weather. Last week I was working in the back yard around freezing point, today I didn't even bother to put on my coat.
Of course, I wanted that last pic to have four tuners instead of one. But it turns out the tuner shafts are 13.5 mm so they don't fit in the 13 mm holes I drilled. And I only found this out after I'd cleared everything up.
I bought the 13 mm drill bit especially for this purpose. Grrrr!
Of course, I wanted that last pic to have four tuners instead of one. But it turns out the tuner shafts are 13.5 mm so they don't fit in the 13 mm holes I drilled. And I only found this out after I'd cleared everything up.
I bought the 13 mm drill bit especially for this purpose. Grrrr!
Yeah, it hasn't been "typical" weather here either. It's usually freezing temps from Dec-march. We only had really cold temps for a short spell and almost no snow. It's 45*F right now which is has been almost unheard of for Jan in recent history. The problem is that when is stays warm like this, the lakes don't freeze over and we're down wind. When the temps finally do drop, all that moisture that the lakes evaporate into the atmosphere will freeze and dump tons of snow. We actually hope that it gets cold early and freezes the lakes. So, it's nice that it's above freezing right now, but we'll pay for it.
Anyway,.....0.5mm....can you wrap the drill bit in some medium grit paper and ream out the holes?
Anyway,.....0.5mm....can you wrap the drill bit in some medium grit paper and ream out the holes?
Oh, and happy new year.
My resolution is to be more compassionate, understanding and just generally less of an A-hole.
Yeah nah.
My resolution is to be more compassionate, understanding and just generally less of an A-hole.
Yeah nah.
New Year's resolutions need to be realistic, RichterScale.
About ten years ago I realized that my New Year's resolutions never ever materialized. (They were the same resolutions every year.)
I then resolved not to have any resolutions. In this, I have been consistent ever since.
About ten years ago I realized that my New Year's resolutions never ever materialized. (They were the same resolutions every year.)
I then resolved not to have any resolutions. In this, I have been consistent ever since.
I'll probably do something of the kind. Thanks for the suggestion.
You may now all start laughing at the old fool who thought he had woodworking skills.
The good news:
- A. It will work. The clumsy look of the tuners won't stop the bass from functioning properly. As long as it works I think I can live with anything.
- B. It won't be noticeable from afar. Like if you're on the dance floor and look at the bassist. (But why would you do that?)
- C. I'm learning a ton. My next build will be better.
An example of what I'm learning: don't make holes that overlap with existing ones. That A tuner hole cost me an incredible amount of tedious handwork and is still so ugly that I won't show it to you, except with a tuner in it. If I had to do this headstock again I would drill four new holes. (They would have to be rather close together, that's why I chose against that option. Now I know better.)
So I think I can still sleep at night.
The good news:
- A. It will work. The clumsy look of the tuners won't stop the bass from functioning properly. As long as it works I think I can live with anything.
- B. It won't be noticeable from afar. Like if you're on the dance floor and look at the bassist. (But why would you do that?)
- C. I'm learning a ton. My next build will be better.
An example of what I'm learning: don't make holes that overlap with existing ones. That A tuner hole cost me an incredible amount of tedious handwork and is still so ugly that I won't show it to you, except with a tuner in it. If I had to do this headstock again I would drill four new holes. (They would have to be rather close together, that's why I chose against that option. Now I know better.)
So I think I can still sleep at night.
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How do you feel about some body filler and a painted headstock?
Suppose that would depend on how much thread @instrumentalist has left on those tuners
How thin of a veneer can we get?
True. I'm not sure how thin veneer goes. But, too thin and it would need a backing so the glue doesn't soak through to the surface. It would be better to shave the headstock thinner and use a thicker veneer.
So, paint is probably the easier and simpler method.
Thanks for the suggestions, guys. There's some thread left on the tuners, so no problem with thickness.
Now I've been warming a bit to the idea of veneer, which I strongly disliked earlier. So I looked into it: the stuff I can get around here is 0.6 mm, I think that's about 0.024".
And some of it has a backing.
Heavily edited for readability.
Now I've been warming a bit to the idea of veneer, which I strongly disliked earlier. So I looked into it: the stuff I can get around here is 0.6 mm, I think that's about 0.024".
And some of it has a backing.
Heavily edited for readability.
Last edited:
Among many possible ways of joining the two parts of the new headstock, I chose dowels.
Improvised drilling rig:
The other part:
The holes aren't the correct width yet, since I need a drill bit that I have to buy, borrow, or steal first.
By the way, did you notice I'm left handed?
Improvised drilling rig:
The other part:
The holes aren't the correct width yet, since I need a drill bit that I have to buy, borrow, or steal first.
By the way, did you notice I'm left handed?
Hey me too!
They tried to "fix" me in elementary school
but I didn't work.
At least I play bass right handed.
They tried to "fix" me in elementary school
but I didn't work.At least I play bass right handed.
Scissors and pencil sharpeners have never felt backwards to me. Basses in "normal" orientation, no problem. Corkscrews? I handle them just fine.
But when my girlfriend (later wife) moved in with me, she brought these asymmetrical kitchen spatulas with her, and those still baffle me after twenty-five years of use.
Interesting.
Does the asymmetrical dish washing sponge give you a hard time too?
Does the asymmetrical dish washing sponge give you a hard time too?
