Winter Build Off 2022 - Get Ready

[A9X]

Here are better shots of the Gotoh bridge I'm going to use.

It can be strung through bridge or through body, and I think the latter is what I'll use as the extra string length might allow a better selection of strings.
The through bridge arrangement is unusual too as you put the string through the rear block, and under another piece of metal before it goes up and over the saddle, I assume to give a steeper break angle. I've never seen this arrangement before.

Edit: It's apparently a Gotoh 206 which I found out after doing a goolag search and a TB thread showed up. Also come in a 5 which would be a nice upgrade for my main practice bass.

 

[RichterScale]

I'm currently having an emotional dilemma over whether to do a 4 or 5 string for the BO.
My intent is for this next bass to fit me, be very comfy and be a main player. I haven't played a 4 string in a long time. I've gotten used to the string spacing of a 5 and also, even though it's not used for most songs, the low B is nice for the times it is needed.
I know the answer is to build 1 of each.
But, what if I build a 4 string and it's perfect, but I miss the B string? Then build the same bass in a 5 string and it doesn't have the same mojo? Or vice versa.
Am I trippin?
Should I do the 5 or the 4 first?

 

[A9X]

But, what if I build a 4 string and it's perfect, but I miss the B string? Then build the same bass in a 5 string and it doesn't have the same mojo? Or vice versa.

I don't give much credence to 'mojo', it's about as real as 'Harleys handle well'. Just build them both.

Should I do the 5 or the 4 first?

Both at the same time.

 

[41hzthunder]

I'm currently having an emotional dilemma over whether to do a 4 or 5 string for the BO.
My intent is for this next bass to fit me, be very comfy and be a main player. I haven't played a 4 string in a long time. I've gotten used to the string spacing of a 5 and also, even though it's not used for most songs, the low B is nice for the times it is needed.
I know the answer is to build 1 of each.
But, what if I build a 4 string and it's perfect, but I miss the B string? Then build the same bass in a 5 string and it doesn't have the same mojo? Or vice versa.
Am I trippin?
Should I do the 5 or the 4 first?

This is what happens with a BO! You're sitting in your recliner, thinking "Yeah! Build a bass." Then, you start working out the details, picturing yourself playing it. Next, its "Maybe, I could do this mod. Or, that mod would be good too." But, then you start with the "What if . . ." syndrome. Good thing there's 2 1/2 months to figure it out.

 

[RichterScale]

Both at the same time

That's a terrible idea.

I'm thinking about it.

 

[A9X]

Good thing there's 2 1/2 months to figure it out.

You experienced guys are going to go through a lot with the myriad questions I have between now and then.

 

[RichterScale]

Good thing there's 2 1/2 months to figure it out.

For me, it's a bad thing.
I prefer to have things sprung on me last minute and have to think on my feet and get it done in the clutch. You can regret later.
When I have months to sit around and think about it? That's nervous breakdown and analysis paralysis territory.

 

[41hzthunder]

You experienced guys are going to go through a lot with the myriad questions I have between now and then.

Bring it on! Actually, I learn a lot from everyone in these builds. Even if its not my style bass, there's usually something, even just a different approach to the same task. I'm not that experienced either. Just three scratch builds.

 

[A9X]

I prefer to have things sprung on me last minute and have to think on my feet and get it done in the clutch.

Me too, to an extent. I also like to get in way over my head and figure stuff out.
In the early 80s a friend had a rallycross car that needed more power. So he added a turbo, but as aftermarket EFI was almost non existent, and using it with carbs wasn't working well, I designed a unit from scratch and all I knew was how an engine worked (suck, squeeze, bang, blow) and the stoichiometric ratio was 14.7:1. A year later I'd developed a unit that was used on a number of road and race cars, including my rally car. I had to learn how to do a bunch of things I'd never tried before, and I think building instruments is going to take the same approach.
As well as all the bass bits I found in my garage, I also found a Ryobi corded router, 2 sanders and a benchtop drill press I don't recall buying, so I'm part way there tool wise.

When I have months to sit around and think about it? That's nervous breakdown and analysis paralysis territory.

Same here, but I just keep doing new designs or variants, and come starting gun, one or two will leap out at me and that's what I'll go with.

 

[A9X]

Bring it on! Actually, I learn a lot from everyone in these builds. Even if its not my style bass, there's usually something, even just a different approach to the same task. I'm not that experienced either. Just three scratch builds.

Ditto, but 3 more than me.

 

[RichterScale]

I only have 1 build under my belt and it wasn't a full build. Cut the wings off a bass, made new ones and put it all back together. So, didn't get the full experience of a scratch build.
And currently making that little guitar out of junk. So, a little experience with neck carving from that, but the bar was low to do a good job.
This next build will be quite the journey.
And I only have handheld power tools and hand tools (and a band saw at work).
And I'm terrible at finish work and incredibly impatient. I tend to rush through the final steps of detail work.
So, this BO will be a challenge on every level for me.
Oh yeah, and I have a bad short term memory, have a hard time focusing and following/remembering a structured order of operations.
Asking me to build a nice bass is like asking a 7 yr old to perform brain surgery while cartoons are on and they have to pee real bad but trying to hold it.

 

[RichterScale]

I also found a Ryobi corded router, 2 sanders and a benchtop drill press

That stuff will be priceless.
I have a tiny bench top drill press at work, but fairly useless for anything other than maybe drilling tuner holes in a headstock. There's a large drill press in the basement at work that was purchased with the band saw, but I haven't used it in 15 yrs and it looked to be busted the last time a walked passed it. Never underestimate the ingenuity of idiots. They find a way to destroy everything at work and continue to purchase things they have no idea how to use.
Anyway,......make a planing sled for the router. It's a life saver if you don't have a jointer and planer. I made a simple sled and it's been invaluable for leveling surfaces.

 

[postalflunkie]

I don't know if I could build under pressure and without a firm plan. The day @Beej announced the build off I was buying parts on the ebay. Now I have all the parts and pieces of wood, a set of templates made up, the circuitry planed out and yesterday I mixed up and sampled some transtint dye.

Now I'm just waiting for the thing to start.

 

[Flying B]

Asking me to build a nice bass is like asking a 7 yr old to perform brain surgery while cartoons are on and they have to pee real bad but trying to hold it.

 

[Flying B]

I'm thinking of doing a parts build, as I really want to take part but have literally zero free time, plus I'm already half way through another build which realistically won't be finished this year.
I've got a body I bought for next to nothing on eBay which I really only bought for the hardware, and maybe to use as a pickup mule, I think it's a Yamaha. And a really cheap Chinese neck, which I actually bought just to see what a £30 neck would be like (actually not bad). Thinking of pulling the frets and making a fretless (haven't checked if the neck fits the body yet) and just do a refin on the body, probably rout a pair of t-bird pickups in which I also scored for not much money.

 

[AudioTaper]

make a planing sled for the router. It's a life saver if you don't have a jointer and planer. I made a simple sled and it's been invaluable for leveling surfaces.

I did that in the spring with 2 good 2x4s and some scrap. I bought a 3-blade spoilboard bit for the router, it works well.

 

[Flamingo21]

I'm so relieved I'm not the only one here who wants to join the buildoff with little experience.

My "experience" consists of converting a guitar into a bass, and that project is about halfway now.

 

[mapleglo]

I found the Schaller Bridge I knew I had somewhere.

I'm also thinking that I might not be able to get away with doing a 30" scale bass for this build-off - it may need to be at least 32" scale. I already have a neck blank with truss rod routs already done, and it looks like I had intended for that to be used with a standard 34 or 33.25 scale bass. I also have the truss rods somewhere. So if I want to do a 30" scale bass, I'll have to make a new neck blank and buy new truss rods.

Well, we'll see. In any event, I like the string spacing (read - I've gotten used to this string spacing because these bridges are used on the two basses I play pretty much exclusively these days, my 5 string Rics) on the Schaller so I'll be using it.

 

[AudioTaper]

Who makes a good truss rod?

 

[ctmullins]

Bruce.