• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

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

#41
I worked a little more on this project this morning. First, I fabricated a neck mounting block. It is only clamped in place here, not epoxyed just yet. I have to stop by West Marine to pick up some more hardener.

fabNeckBlock.jpg


Then I notice in a previous picture I posted here, that the headstock is not quite flat. So I started sanding. I don't want to use the router as I'm about to the correct thickness, and I don't want it to get too thin. I still have a little way to go, but I'm almost there.

FlatenHeadstock.jpg


Of course, that will change slightly the neck/headstock positioning, so I'll have to redraw all my lines. Like the saying goes, measure twice, cut once.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TerribleTim68, BassHappy, JC76 and 4 others
#49
Math is hard, let's go shopping! Fortunately, I go by the Imperial measurements. I do not do well with the metric system. Because, you know, math is hard!

In any event, a day without additional layers is like a day without sunshine. And here in Phoenix, we've had plenty of those lately.

morelayers.jpg


I also worked on the truss rod cavity.

routingtrussrod.jpg


It appears my truss rod channel guide has "loosened up" over the years. Additionally, I seem to have miscalculated the length.

trussrodfits.jpg


Well, at least it fits. I'll figure what to do, if anything, later.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TerribleTim68, BassHappy, Haroldo and 3 others
#53
Changed the blade on the bandsaw (again!) and rough cut the neck.

neckroughcut.jpg


I can see why Bruce has a million bandsaws all set up with different blades. That likely saves a ton of time. I'll rout it to the final shape tomorrow or next time I get into the shop. I still have to cut out the headstock. I can change the blade on the bandsaw (again!) or perhaps I'll just use the jig saw.

Then I can start on the fretboard.

And all the while, working on the body. I don't see the need for many more layers of fiberglass, if any. I may be able to just sand it smoother, add a coat of epoxy, sand it smoother, add a coat of epoxy, wash and repeat...
 
  • Like
Reactions: BassHappy, Max Bogosity, Matt Liebenau and 4 others
#55
mapleglo said:
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.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's been my life too. I've had to learn to work in the shop in a lot of short sessions. Do productive work for a half hour or an hour, until I feel tired. Then rest for an hour or two, and back out in the shop for another short session. Building toward getting more of those short sessions in per day, rather than trying to extend the length of each session. In 2020, I was doing 1 session per day. By the end of 2021, I was up to maybe 3. At the end of 2022, I'm doing 4 or 5 sessions, and the sessions are getting a little longer. So I'm getting about 4 hours a day of shop work in now. Four years ago, 8-10 hours a day was no problem. I may never get back to that, but I'm making progress. It's a slow climb.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TerribleTim68, Haroldo, lbridenstine and 2 others
#57
A survivors corner sounds like a good idea. We should bring it up in our next staff meeting.

In other news, I was looking at my headstock template and something looked off to me. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I compared it to other headstock templates I've done (that worked) and saw my mistake. So here's the corrected version. Right in the nick of time. The tuners would have been slightly off if I didn't see the mistake now.

correctheadsml.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: TerribleTim68, Videojunkie, BassHappy and 5 others
#58
mapleglo said:
I was looking at my headstock template and something looked off to me. I couldn't put my finger on it, but I compared it to other headstock templates I've done (that worked) and saw my mistake.
Click to expand...
Since you don't say what the mistake was, I'm assuming this is a riddle. So I looked long and hard at the old version of the template (in the opening post) and I think I know. It's string thickness, isn't it? You at first designed it for five strings of the same thickness.
 
#59
Flamingo21 said:
Since you don't say what the mistake was, I'm assuming this is a riddle. So I looked long and hard at the old version of the template (in the opening post) and I think I know. It's string thickness, isn't it? You at first designed it for five strings of the same thickness.
Click to expand...

Yes, that was one issue. The second issue was that I positioned the strings next to the wrong circle that had somehow made their way into the drawing. The circle was wider than the actual post of the tuner. Looking at everything again, it might not have made that big of a difference, but at least I think it's right now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Flamingo21 and Matt Liebenau

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back