Winter Build Off 2023 - Nerds Lose Their Heads

[2groggy]

What bass could possibly be nerdier that a headless bass?

I have a couple of bass necks sitting around that are already headless or could do with a mild decapitation. For balance, I settled on a shape similar to an Axstar. EDIT - Therefore this is a partial build.

I'll use reclaimed butcher-block counter top for a core and veneer top and bottom with birdseye maple veneer. I've included a spare fingerboard in the picture in case I need to true-up the 34" scale neck that I got from a bargain bin for $15.

 

[Reedt2000]

Very cool, I really dig that ebony fingerboard.

Sub'd

 

[Crawforde]

A mild decapitation.
It’s hard to see how that works unless you are a hydra. But I’m here To learn.

 

[2groggy]

I had to split the butcher block slab lengthwise to fit the width limitation of the planer. Then I planed off the worst of the grime, I may still take a belt sander to the cores to avert any glue adhesion problems.

I plan to chamber these to reduce weight then cap them, top and bottom with two plies of veneer at different angles to stop splits.

 

[2groggy]

I managed to get a couple of hours in today to take the cores down to the general shape. There really isn't much extra width, so I'll skip the chambering.

 

[2groggy]

A blonde and a ginger hippie sandwich

Now I have to get on with shaping... maybe neck pockets first...

 

[Reedt2000]

A blonde and a ginger hippie sandwich

View attachment 4926750

Now I have to get on with shaping... maybe neck pockets first...

I dig the shape, sorta Kubicki-meets-Ibanez-SR

 

[2groggy]

playing with the carve, starting on the back.

 

[2groggy]

Neck Pocket Day

The Axstar shape has some aggressive carves on the top. I think that I'll work on the pick-up and control cavities first to see how much room I have.

 

[2groggy]

There hasn't been much progress in the last week.

I did decide to stick to a single HB pick-up in each and settled on a Tele bass control plate. The first hole will be stacked pots with concentric shafts - volume on top, tone on the bottom. The other hole will be a front facing jack.

Here are a few shots from this morning. I drilled the neck mounting screws and carved the body edges.

 

[2groggy]

Nerd Decapitation Day! When parts shopping last Monday, I found six string headless parts in stock, so the 30" scale bass will be a BassVI configuration. Now "OFF WITH HIS HEAD!"

Yes, my precision measuring instrument and square was a paint stir stick.

I needed to add thickness to the former headstock, so I glued a piece across the grain.

 

[2groggy]

Ready for air guitar. Gig ready will take a while longer.

 

[Flamingo21]

Ready for air guitar. Gig ready will take a while longer.

How about "Air Bass" as a Buildoff theme?

 

[Will_White]

How about "Air Bass" as a Buildoff theme?

I think that was a theme a couple years ago.

 

[2groggy]

I think that was a theme a couple years ago.

Air Space, but close enough

 

[2groggy]

Some progress from yesterday that didn't get posted promptly. Remind me that I need to drill wiring channels for the pick-up and bridge ground. I'll only need to ground one of the tailpiece tuner because the zero fret will electrically connect the rest of the strings.

 

[J Posega]

Nerd Decapitation Day! When parts shopping last Monday, I found six string headless parts in stock, so the 30" scale bass will be a BassVI configuration. Now "OFF WITH HIS HEAD!"

View attachment 4936807

Yes, my precision measuring instrument and square was a paint stir stick.
View attachment 4936806

I needed to add thickness to the former headstock, so I glued a piece across the grain.
View attachment 4936805

Always excited to see some MacGyvered (1980s) tools and Bass VI style instruments.

 

[2groggy]

After three weeks off being dead for tax reasons, I got back in the shop today. I love grain-pop day.

The 30" neck needs a re-think - I just can't get it straight. If it isn't stable, I'd rather abandon it before shaping and decide what to do with that build later. I have another decapitated 34" scale neck handy. Or I could by a neck bland and build from scratch. How much time is left?

 

[postalflunkie]

How much time is left?

Just enough

 

[Crawforde]

That looks nice!
I’ve got two builds and would like to finish one on time, or at least get to grain
-pop stage. How much time is left?