Winter Build Off 2023 - Databass - Assembly

[NedRyerson]

This idea began in late 2020 when a friend sent this image to me:

This hit all of my nerd/geek spots (heh...Spot*).

1. Bass
2. Data from ST:TNG
3. I'm a data analyst in real life, so I work with databases every day.

So that got me to thinking. Why can't I build a Data-themed bass? The project actually began in February of 2021 when I found a Flying V bass kit. Took forever, too. I wanted something that could be the foundation of the Starfleet vector symbol and since at the time, my skills in designing and creating a body from a bare hunk of wood weren't up to snuff, I needed something pre-built.

And the whole project stalled and sat untouched for a year and a half. Still in the box it shipped in.

So I'll start a little backwards and then catch back up to speed. First, my submission photo as required:

* Big-time TNG nerds will get that one.

 

[NedRyerson]

Now for some history.

From Feb. 2021 to July 2022, the kit sat, neglected I'd gone as far as excitedly ordering all of the replacement parts that I would need, including replacing the pickups and the chrome hardware. The kit included regular ol' guitar humbuckers and the body and pickguard were routed as such. I wanted actual bass pickups, but since this would be more of a novelty build, I didn't want to throw too much money at it.

Finding gold pickups that would fit into a two-pickup config was proving to be very, very difficult.

So I'm starting with some cheap J-bass pickups, for which I have to then adjust the body. In July, I inspected the body and saw a few things wrong right away.

The bridge mounting holes were off-center

So I plugged those, redrilled, and also routed the pickup cavities to accommodate J-bass pickups and a jack hole (har har) in the bottom wing instead. And that's where I stopped again.

I'm using a Hipshot SuperTone replacement bridge because I wanted something with a more sci-fi sleek look and in black.

It wasn't until this build-off was announced along with the very appropriate theme that this would be my chance to actually put some serious effort into finishing this project that's been sitting around in my basement for almost two years now.

 

[Reedt2000]

 

[Beej]

Following, natch.

Data analyst, eh?


How many programmers does it take to change a lightbulb?

Um, none. Clearly this is a hardware issue.

 

[TerribleTim68]

Please tell me you are planning on reshaping the body into the actual shape of the symbol -

 

[TFM94]

Please tell me you are planning on reshaping the body into the actual shape of the symbol -
View attachment 4910698

Yeah, like the Gibson "Modern Flying V":

 

[NedRyerson]

Please tell me you are planning on reshaping the body into the actual shape of the symbol -
View attachment 4910698

Not on this one, unfortunately The control cavity takes up too much space for the shorter point. I tried sketching it out so many times to see how it would work.

 

[NedRyerson]

Yeah, like the Gibson "Modern Flying V":
View attachment 4910706

I think I'd rather have the original Jackson Roswell Rhoads with the aluminum body and the crop circle inlays! WAY more spacey!

 

[Crawforde]

I know this will hurt my nerd cred, but I’ve only seen a small handful of ST / TNG episodes. I am catching up on a lot. This looks like a fun build to watch!

 

[NedRyerson]

I know this will hurt my nerd cred, but I’ve only seen a small handful of ST / TNG episodes. I am catching up on a lot. This looks like a fun build to watch!

As long as you know who Data is, we're good

 

[TerribleTim68]

He's one of these guys, right?

 

[Crawforde]

Yea. I got that. I saw a few of the first season. I didn’t have a tv from 85 to 2012.
got cable in 2020. But I caught stuff by watching library DVDs or when traveling

 

[NedRyerson]

He's one of these guys, right?

View attachment 4910819

Just one. Also with Brent Spiner constantly playing different characters in ST: PIC, who knows anymore!

 

[lucas303]

 

[Jon Clegg]

"Data bass?"
"Yes, it's a bass"

-- I'll see myself out.

 

[J Posega]

And here I was thinking my plan to get Ode to Spot tattooed on me someday was nerdy...

 

[Beej]

"Data bass?"
"Yes, it's a bass"

-- I'll see myself out.

I read it several times and didn't get it until I read it again in Dr. Pulaski's voice.

Only a super-serious TNG nerd will get that one.

 

[Crawforde]

Forty years ago it wasn’t this much fun being a nerd. I was lucky to just find another one to talk to most of the time.

 

[arbiterusa]

The Peavey Databass was the first Class D bass amp I ever saw in a music store, and so far as I know one of the first on the market (1990ish), 450 watts, extremely light for a Peavey, and reasonably reliable. OP, you should get one so you’ll have a matching set.

 

[NedRyerson]

Forty years ago it wasn’t this much fun being a nerd. I was lucky to just find another one to talk to most of the time.

40 years ago, we were the kids being picked on. Today, we're the ones making the rules. And showing our kids that geekdom is something to celebrate and be proud of. And I love it.