Winter Build Off 2026 - Run Whatcha Brung

[mapleglo]

I usually go with 1200 pixels wide.

 

[smart51]

One problem with lots of images is their size, because it can sometimes slow down page loading times. I usually scale them to a width of 800px. How do you do it?

I resize them to 40% on my phone, after cropping. That usually takes them to about 1100px wide.

 

[gooseontheloose]

I'm in with an unfinished business build!

Thread 'Winter Build Off 2026 - Unfinished Business, A Dream Come True?'

Jan 22, 2026

Well, I didn't even think I'd enter this year for a couple of reasons. First: the project I'm most keen to work on is one that I've had in progress for quite some time. Second: I didn't think I'd be finishing it before the end of winter. Good thing I looked to see that y'all included an "Unfinished Business" category just for me this time! And also great that the deadline is pushed back! That being said, I'll be going out of the country for a couple months starting the second week of March anyway, so that doesn't help me much, but hey, I wasn't planning on finishing in time anyway, so...

• gooseontheloose
• Replies: 45
• Forum: Luthier's Corner

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[lbridenstine]

I'm in for Unfinished Business!

Thread 'Winter Build Off 2026 - Unfinished Business - English Walnut Nerdy Revival'

Feb 7, 2026

I've been wanting to join back in for a WBO for a while!

I started building a bass with this bookmatched English Walnut top back in the 2023 WBO and ended up deciding to hold off on finishing it. So, this is in the "Unfinished Business" category. Here's the previous thread, I didn't get very far: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/winter-build-off-2023-not-worthy-of-the-nerdy.1589525/

And my wood pic:

I am making this for someone, I hope that's not outside of the rules.

Specs:
35" scale
24 frets
Top wood: English Walnut
Body wood: Sapele
Neck woods: Roasted curly...

• lbridenstine
• Replies: 68
• Forum: Luthier's Corner

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[Gary_M]

OK, I'm in with a scratch build bass entry.

Thread 'Winter Build Off 2026 - Daddy Needs a New Fretless'

Jan 2, 2026

I built a 5 string fretless of my own design for the WBO 2022. Now it's time to build a 4 string version of it. That original build thread can be found here if you're interested. Sidenote; I recently discovered a problem with that bass that will need to be fixed, so I'll make thread detailing that later this year.

OK, on to the details. The 5 string version featured neck through construction. I'm trying to conserve my (maple) resources for some upcoming builds; so I plan to make this one a "built up" set neck more like a Carl Thompson, Fodera or Ken Smith type of construction. The...

• Gary_M
• ebony fretless limba wbo
• Replies: 10
• Forum: Luthier's Corner

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I'm going to officially withdraw this entry. I'm making just enough progress on the Bumblebee project to probably get that one finished.

I still need to work on updating drawings and templates for this one, so it's just not going to happen. I will likely start it in a month or two.

 

[gooseontheloose]

Finished in time to leave on a two-month trip on Sunday with even a little to spare!

Post in thread 'Winter Build Off 2026 - Unfinished Business, A Dream Come True?'

Mar 6, 2026

I suppose I ought to make a proper submission post with all the specs to link to the main build-off thread!

Here it is:

A more-or-less straightforward Rickenbacker 4003 style bass with black walnut body wings, through neck of eastern hard maple with a madrone center laminate, and black locust fretboard, all finished with Watco Danish oil and Minwax paste finishing wax.

33.25” scale length
20 frets
String spacing of 17mm at bridge and 11mm at nut

Ric style bridge and tailpiece from Allparts
Gotoh tuners
Medium high nickel frets
Bone nut
Dual action truss rod

Roswell Hi-Gain neck...

• gooseontheloose

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[Beej]

Happy Thursday all!

PSA:

There are two weeks remaining in the build-off.

Now's the time to step it up!

 

[Beej]

If you're feeling guilty about not finishing in time, you may take some solace in the fact that I posted an entry and then didn't even work on it at all!

Darn new job and all...

 

[Flying B]

If you're feeling guilty about not finishing in time, you may take some solace in the fact that I posted an entry and then didn't even work on it at all!

Darn new job and all...

Oh, don't think we didn't notice!

 

[smart51]

If you're feeling guilty about not finishing in time, you may take some solace in the fact that I posted an entry and then didn't even work on it at all!

Darn new job and all...

Would this be a good time to repost this?

S

Post in thread 'Winter Build Off 2026 - Yewkulele!'

Feb 5, 2026

This is my entry into the scratch build category of WBO 2026 - Yewkulele

Aims

To build a small bodied acoustic bass that I could just pick up and play without having to plug it in.
To use native timber wherever practical.
To build something that couldn't just be bought from a shop.

Specs

635mm (25") scale 4 string bass ukulele
One piece yew body
single piece yew neck
Laburnum fretboard
Spruce top
42mm nut with 11mm string spacing
13mm string spacing at the bridge
Semi-circular neck profile
1,997g (4lb 6.3oz) finished weight

Results

The finished instrument is...

• smart51

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[postalflunkie]

Oh yea, guess I better get this in here.
My submission for the Unfinished Business catigory

Post in thread 'Winter Build Off 2026 - Colonel Hathi'

Apr 16, 2026

Here's my submission for the WBO26, Unfinished Business catigory.

Specifications
Body: Mahogany with figured cherry top
Neck: Three piece mahogany, neck-thru, double action truss rod
Finger Board: Katalox, 29 lined "frets" (white glow-in-the-dark), GraphTech nut, red glow-in-the-dark side dots
Finger board radius: 9.5 inch
Scale Length: 32 inch
Headstock: 2+2, 11° angle
Tuners: Spertzel, locking
Bridge: All Parts chrome Tune-o-matic, string thru body
Pickups: Seymour Duncan 1/4 pound P-bass
Electronics: Passive...

• postalflunkie

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[postalflunkie]

And also my submission for the Scratch Build category

Post in thread 'Winter Build Off 2026 - CB1X'

Apr 16, 2026

Here's my submission for the WBO26 Scratch Build category

Specifications
Body: chambered flame maple core, maple and walnut accents, walnut back, curly walnut top
Neck: Nine piece maple/flame maple/walnut, neck-thru, double action truss rod
Finger Board: Katalox, 22 frets (helical ends), GraphTech nut, glow-in-the-dark side dots
Finger board radius: 9.5 inch
Scale Length: 32 inch
Headstock: 2+2, 13° angle
Tuners: Gotoh black GB707
Bridge: Hipshot A style, 20mm spacing, string thru body
Pickups: Fishman Fluence active humbuckers...

• postalflunkie

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[Max Bogosity]

My shop is finally above freezing again. Let's see, what can I accomplish in the next 11 days...

 

[postalflunkie]

My shop is finally above freezing again. Let's see, what can I accomplish in the next 11 days...

Sounds like you've come down with the 11 day flu, can't possibly go to work

 

[Beej]

ONE WEEK REMAINING!

 

[Reedt2000]

Everyone find your towels and...

 

[BishopJP]

Everyone find your towels and...

View attachment 7480723

...this hoopy frood has his towel on hand!

 

[AK4570]

My Unfinished Business submission:

Post in thread 'Winter Build Off 2026 - One for Dad'

Apr 28, 2026

This is my submission for the WBO 26, Unfinished business category:

Specifications:

Body: Chambered Northern Ash with a soft maple/wenge 5-piece sandwich in the middle
Neck: 3-piece hard maple with a walnut backstrap on the headstock, double action truss rod, heel adjust
Fingerboard: Macassar Ebony, 23 jumbo frets, Corian nut, 1/8 aluminum tube side markers filled with white side dot material
Fingerboard radius: 20 in
Scale length: 34 in
Headstock: 2x2
Tuners: Gotoh GB707
Bridge: Aluminum with thru-body bolts and string ferrule/anchor...

• AK4570

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[mapleglo]

My submission for the partial build category:

Post in thread 'Winter Build Off 2026 - 5 String Fenderbacker'

Apr 29, 2026

Here's my submission for the WBO26 Partial Build category

Specifications
Neck: Purchased, Fender Precision American Deluxe 2002 Five string
Body: Multi-layered, figured maple, laminate walnut, laminate oak, 4/4 walnut, laminate oak, laminate walnut, figured maple sandwich wings. Center beam Poplar with walnut laminates.
Scale Length: 34 inch
Tuners: Hipshot Ultralites Cloverleaf
Bridge: Babicz SoloRails mounted to a 1/2" aluminum plate
Pickups: Lace Aluma Stealth Bass Soap Bar 5 Pickups
Electronics: Passive volume and blend controls, 250K...

• mapleglo

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[Alex Xander]

Here’s my unfinished business entry

Post in thread 'Winter Build Off 2026 - A Dark Rainbow'

Apr 30, 2026

This is my submission for the WBO 26, Unfinished business category:

Specifications:

Body: Macassar ebony/rose mahogany/silver ash/red cedar/hoop pine/cypress
Neck: two piece Macassar ebony with mystery wood from about the fifth fret. Epoxy bedded trussed with 12 stainless reinforcement
Fingerboard: Macassar Ebony
Fingerboard radius: flat
Scale length: 38 in
Tuners: Aliexpress
Bridge: Aliexpress
Pickups: 2x Aliexpress Precision
Electronics: nil - stereo wiring for outboard processing
Finish: Osmo Polyx
Strings:...

• Alex Xander

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