Winter Build Off 2023 - Acoustic/Electric Short Scale 5 String

[MPU]

Bondo resin is polyester resin so it may be possible that this cloth is not for laminating with epoxy resin. I know glass fiber mat (the one with crisscross strands) is not suitable for epoxy but the woven cloths I’ve seen have all been ok for epoxy as well.

 

[mapleglo]

I've never had a problem using this fiberglass mat with West Systems epoxy resin. The label on the fiberglass mat package says it's for fiberglass resin, and West System fiberglass resin has always worked well with it in the past. I'm not sure why it would suddenly stop working with it now. It is currently cured, and hard as a rock. There may be a couple of spots on the inside that did not adhere to the plastic tape I used to protect the body mold, which will be addressed when I remove the mold, and coat the inside of the shell with West System epoxy resin.

I made another Ovation style shell for a bass guitar previously using the exact same mat and resin here:

 

[Will_White]

It's actually tuned an octave below a standard bass guitar.

That's right, Google steered me wrong. It must be the other octo bass that's tuned C1 or someone made a mistake and everyone else just copied it.

 

[mapleglo]

That's right, Google steered me wrong. It must be the other octo bass that's tuned C1 or someone made a mistake and everyone else just copied it.

Apparently, only 3 were made, and 2 remain in existence.

 

[mapleglo]

So we stopped by HD and I picked up a few cheap epoxy resin brushes, some textured black spray paint, and a new filter for my dust filtration thingie.

I can't believe up until now, I've been buying the Jet branded filters, thinking only they would fit. This cheap one for like 6 bucks, fits perfect. And my Teddy had his 63rd birthday yesterday, and we had a big party:

 

[Mickey666]

The weird green one is looking at me...

 

[mapleglo]

The weird green one is looking at me...

Yes, that's Al, the alien. But we love him just the same

In other news, I released the shell from its mold.

I have to do a little more work on the shell. Widen the neck area as I stated before, and cut and epoxy in the kerfing. I don't know that I need to add any more layers of fiberglass mat or resin. The shell is pretty stable as is. I'll see how it is once I install the kerfing. I'll be using a non-traditional kerfing - 3/4" plywood. That way I can do a roundover all around the body, for comfort. Ovation had the right idea about the bowl back. I find that extremely comfortable. If the front had a roundover, it would be perfect. No problem, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the world's first bowl back, roundover front acoustic electric bass guitar...

 

[Mickey666]

Kinda looks familiar, has he ever been to Roswell?

 

[mapleglo]

Kinda looks familiar, has he ever been to Roswell?

He's actually from Roswell. Or so he says...

 

[Flamingo21]

Congratulations, Teddy!

 

[mapleglo]

Today I cut the outside of the kerfing.

I need to make a mark 3/4" toward the inside of the outside cut, so I made a tool.

I'll let the glue cure for a half hour, make the mark, and cut with the jig saw.

 

[mapleglo]

Drawing the line.

Cutting the line.

Sand the line.

Insert the kerfing.

Then I drilled several holes around the perimeter and inserted toothpicks to hold the kerfing in place, applied some epoxy resin, and clamped it.

I'll let that cure overnight. I'll also likely add another layer of epoxy mat and resin on the inside to better hold the kerfing in place and to strengthen the bowl. I can still flex it slightly, and I'd like it to be more solid. It's still pretty light weight, so I can get away with another layer.

 

[mapleglo]

Added a third, and hopefully final coat of fiberglass mat. This time to the inside. And likely ruined a pair of scissors.

I don't particularly like working with fiberglass. It's messy and it makes me nervous. And I always feel itchy afterwards. But I do cover all exposed body parts, wear a mask and goggles, and keep the dust thingie going. I also don't like the pump dispensers for the West System epoxy hardener either. I should go with Bruce's method of just measuring it out with little measuring spoons. In any event, epoxy does have its upsides. Which is why I still use it. I'll let this cure, and then start sanding; another not well liked job involved with fiberglass. I may do that outside, assuming it not still raining here.

 

[TerribleTim68]

We have done a fair bit of fiberglass work on the racecars over the years since the whole body was just fiberglass panels. We were well known for taking other racers' broken panels that they threw in the trash after a wreck and fixing them for use on our cars. My brother is fairly good with fiberglass so I leave that stuff to him. I'm with you, it sucks, it's itchy, there's no way to get away from any of that.

You seem to be doing a good job though, and that's all I wanted to say.

Also, it's raining there because we sent our rain away for a couple days. You're welcome.

 

[MPU]

Epoxy makes glassfiber job bearable. Polyester smells forever and makes the job very unpleasant. Vacuum hose is my best friend when working with cured glass fiber laminate. Carbon fiber is not as itchy at all.

 

[mapleglo]

I did a little more work on this project this morning. First, I sanded the perimeter of the body smooth, removing the rough edges.

Then I epoxied an extension for the neck width. After this cures, I'll sand it smooth and cover it with some fiberglass mat and more epoxy. I'll probably go all around the upper perimeter with some mat and epoxy, just to fill in some of what I sanded off.

While that cures, I figured I'd work a little on the neck. Since it stopped raining, I took it outside. That way, I could just sweep all the routing shavings away.

After that, I started to get tired, so I cleaned up everything, and sat down.

The neck still needs a lot of work yet, but that can wait for another day. I'm not supposed to "overdue" it, and I still have some errands to run.

 

[wallawallabob]

The neck still needs a lot of work yet, but that can wait for another day. I'm not supposed to "overdue" it, and I still have some errands to run.

I see you use the same bench-top tool storage system I use!

Great start!

 

[mapleglo]

I fiberglassed the neck extension area this morning. I'm almost out of slow hardener, so the pump doesn't work very well. I had to manually measure it out with little measuring spoons. I have a can of fast hardener, but I may just buy another slow hardener can. I'll see how much more fiberglassing I have to do.

I also routed the headstock thinner.

I didn't think of a volute until I had already cut the general shape and tiltback of the neck and headstock, but I think there's enough meat left to do a small volute.

Slow and steady. It's almost taking shape, but I don't want to rush it, or overdo. I still tire easily since my illness, and I'm beginning to realize that this is probably the new normal. I'm just happy to be alive, still playing, and still building.

 

[Flamingo21]

I'm just happy to be alive, still playing, and still building.

 

[mapleglo]

Checking the cure of the epoxy I brushed on this morning, and doing a bit of measuring, I came across a truss rod that I think will fit better, as well as finding the birdseye maple I've been using as fretboard material.

I drew some lines and I reminded myself to rout the truss rod channel before I start cutting the neck to shape. This truss rod (I have no idea where it came from, but I like to live dangerously) is adjusted with the 3/8" Fender truss rod wrench, and it extends just beyond the 22 fret fretboard I'll be using, so it's perfect.