Winter Build Off 2025 - Get Ready!

[Beej]

Hello gang, so it's already well past build off planning time, so some catching up is due. A big thank you to @2groggy for stepping up when the step showed itself. He's started off the discussion over here: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/28...id-i-miss-a-2025-wbo-planning-thread.1663419/

Ready for a Build Off? If not, here's your chance to get ready.

This build off, like all others, is open to all comers and building experience is optional.


Event: Winter Build Off 2025
Dates: Saturday, December 21, 2024 to Thursday March 20, 2025
Theme: GEMINI - The Twins
-Two of something. Two basses, two instruments, two knobs, two pickups, two necks one body, two bodies one neck; something involving two.

RULES:
We now have a reference Wiki for Build Off Rules & Guidelines here: https://www.talkbass.com/wiki/build-off-rules-guidelines-reference-info/

There is also a wiki that has all past build offs linked for reference as well: https://www.talkbass.com/wiki/build-off-threads/

The point of this post is to give everyone time to prepare for the start of the build on December 21. Everyone may prepare and gather parts/pieces, create templates, jigs and fixtures, and scratch and partial builders may begin dimensioning their lumber in preparation for the build.

Anyone want to join a build off?

 

[Beej]

Keeping the discussion about the theme going... here is the grand master list of unused themes:

Double entendres
Reinterpreting a classic design
Gemini – twin builds
Inspired by favorite sport
sui generis (latin for of his, her, its, or their own kind; unique
Reduce/reuse/repurpose/recycle
Symmetry
I do What I Want
Ergonomics

Whatcha think?

Edit: Gemini - the twins is the selected theme.

 

[Bent77]

I like the Gemini theme, though admittedly my entry would be bolt together and uninteresting

 

[mapleglo]

My first choice is Reinterpreting a Classic Design, though I could do Reduce/Reuse/Repurpose/Recycle or I Do What I Want just as easily.

 

[smart51]

I might give it a miss this year. Unless I get some irresistible inspiration. The only thing that comes to mind is to replace the 'pod' on last year's entry Twisted Essence to house two Jazz pickups.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I vote: I do what I want





For OBVIOUS REASONS;
My plan is already mapped out, I am building it anyway, and the schedule is perfect.
I’ve been accumulating parts for the part assembly/ part scratch build - so let’s rock!

 

[2groggy]

I vote: I do what I want ...

You beat me to it. I always do what I want. This category simply removes the requirement of justifying what we would do anyways.
Perhaps @Beej is entertained by lame rationalizations.

 

[Beej]

You beat me to it. I always do what I want. This category simply removes the requirement of justifying what we would do anyways.
Perhaps @Beej is entertained by lame rationalizations.

I think I'd want everyone to explain what they want and how they did it.

 

[ctmullins]

@2groggy - you are such an anarchist!

At least you would be if you weren't such a procrastinator!


We tease because we care. I always enjoy seeing the way a @2groggy build drifts through its course, gently (or not) nudged by whatever currents happen to be prevailing on any given day.....

 

[2groggy]

@2groggy - you are such an anarchist!

At least you would be if you weren't such a procrastinator!


We tease because we care. I always enjoy seeing the way a @2groggy build drifts through its course, gently (or not) nudged by whatever currents happen to be prevailing on any given day.....

Ya got me! I am a dyed in the wool anarchist with an unwavering pursuit of the unswerving thought of the day.



And is that a 1973 or earlier MGB in your avatar? I also see clouds in the picture. Do MGBs even start on cloudy or wet days?

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I think I'd want everyone to explain what they want and how they did it.

Can we name it after RATM’s “killing in the name” Chorus? That’ be cool with me.



Just KIDDING!!!!

 

[/\/\3phist0]

@2groggy - you are such an anarchist!

At least you would be if you weren't such a procrastinator!


We tease because we care. I always enjoy seeing the way a @2groggy build drifts through its course, gently (or not) nudged by whatever currents happen to be prevailing on any given day.....

Orlly? What do ya say when I’m not listening about my rudderless flailing ? Huh?

 

[ctmullins]

And is that a 1973 or earlier MGB in your avatar? I also see clouds in the picture. Do MGBs even start on cloudy or wet days?

1974. Last of the chrome bumpers. It is the exception that proves the rule about LBCs - it starts every single time, no matter what.

That’s the photo for our band’s Facebook page. Or so they tell me. I don’t Facebook.

 

[Gervais Cote]

I vote: I do what I want





For OBVIOUS REASONS;
My plan is already mapped out, I am building it anyway, and the schedule is perfect.
I’ve been accumulating parts for the part assembly/ part scratch build - so let’s rock!

Agree 100% with everything here and I would add that for me personally, it has to be in my line of products : a Bartender Precision Bass.

I’m almost done with the one as per this picture below (The White Horse) but I will start another one end of December : The Johnie Walker Bartender Precision Bass. Voyeurism addicted persons better be ready……….

 

[2groggy]

1974. Last of the chrome bumpers. It is the exception that proves the rule about LBCs - it starts every single time, no matter what.

That’s the photo for our band’s Facebook page. Or so they tell me. I don’t Facebook.

I learned to drive in my uncle's '73 MGB. I still remember having to maintain the oil filled dampers and coke-bottle carbs weekly. I always wondered where all that oil went and how it ended up on whatever tennis shoe was working the clutch pedal.

Of course yours is plain old red. My uncle's was the coveted Babies' Fright Brown Gold Orange Yellow Whatever colour that was.

 

[Jon Clegg]

So I'm thinking of a non-bass build with elements of reinterpreting a classic and reuse/reclaimed.

 

[Max Bogosity]

I like the Gemini / twin builds theme in theory, but I think in practice it would probably scare away people who struggle to finish even one build in the allotted time. Not that I'm like that or anything.

 

[Jon Clegg]

Gemini/Twin builds sounds cool, would a doubleneck count?

 

[Alex Xander]

I think reinterpreting a classic has a broader scope than people are thinking.
For example, I would consider the following "classics"
Carl Thompson
Ibanez Soundgear
Warwick Thumb
Anything Fender
80s Aria
Anything Gibson

You could find a "classic" counterpart for just about any build. We can think broader than Fenders. I might, for argument's sale, do a non bass build that's a 6 string electric in the style of a Carl Thompson rainbow.

Just my two cents.

 

[Slidlow]

Gemini/Twin builds sounds cool, would a doubleneck count?

I was thinking/wondering the same thing.