Winter Buildoff 2019 Voting - Final

[Jon Clegg]

Yeah, I learned last year, as well. I'll just be doing one this year.

 

[Jisch]

I've got my design decided, but I have to draw it out. I'm going to try and plan things a bit more than I usually do. I'm tempted to do another skeletal design, but I guess I did that once.

 

[2groggy]

I think I'm going to take a page out of Moonshine's book this year, just need to find a big reso cone.

I'm thinking something similar.
Are you looking to purchase the reso hardware or use "found objects"?

Edit - as I'm thinking acoustic, does anyone know if there is a bolt-on neck standard design, except for acoustics?

 

[Beej]

I'm thinking something similar.
Are you looking to purchase the reso hardware or use "found objects"?

Edit - as I'm thinking acoustic, does anyone know if there is a bolt-on neck standard design, except for acoustics?

I havent seen any standards, but you could easily modify an overseas acoustic replacement neck to bolt on to an acoustic neck block. There are a bunch on amazon...

 

[Will_White]

I'm thinking something similar.
Are you looking to purchase the reso hardware or use "found objects"?

Edit - as I'm thinking acoustic, does anyone know if there is a bolt-on neck standard design, except for acoustics?

I haven't decided yet if I'm going to use purchased reso cone or a found one. My initial idea was to use a large dog bowl but once I got it in hand I realized that wouldn't work very well. I'm looking at pan lids and old cymbals now but I'm going to buy a cone for the guitar build so I'll have that to compare to or fall back to.

For the neck I'm going to use a standard fretless bolt on and fret it at the scale length I need, thinking 35 or 36"

 

[Reedt2000]

I haven't decided yet if I'm going to use purchased reso cone or a found one. My initial idea was to use a large dog bowl but once I got it in hand I realized that wouldn't work very well. I'm looking at pan lids and old cymbals now but I'm going to buy a cone for the guitar build so I'll have that to compare to or fall back to.

For the neck I'm going to use a standard fretless bolt on and fret it at the scale length I need, thinking 35 or 36"

How about one of these

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Will_White]

How about one of these

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

That doesn't have a lip to sit on and is too deep to work well I think, plus I don't think the center is solid under the dust cap.

 

[Reedt2000]

That doesn't have a lip to sit on and is too deep to work well I think, plus I don't think the center is solid under the dust cap.

The depth could be ok, but it is definitely not solid under the cap

There are cone for less than $20 on eBay.

 

[Will_White]

The depth could be ok, but it is definitely not solid under the cap

There are cone for less than $20 on eBay.

If I end up going with a bought cone I'm going to get one made in USA since they aren't that much more expensive.

 

[Scoops]

OK,

I've updated the invite


Winter Build Off 2020 – Air Space

For this year’s build off, we will be flying into the world of Air Space.

So, what is Air Space and how does it apply to this build off?

• Air Space is a build that would have an element of air space, or acousticity, built into the design of the body. Some examples are acoustic, semi-hollow, hollow, chambered, or skeletal.
• Your design must expose at least one air space. (Think F Hole)
• Control, battery, and pickup cavities are not considered part of the air space.

To enter the build off, simply start a new thread using "Winter 2020 Build Off" as part of your title, and start building. In your initial post, provide a picture of your pile of dimensioned lumber with a tag with the saying "XXXXXXXXX" (Saying to be determined shortly before contest starts) somewhere in the pic. (Thanks @Reedt2000, again)

Here are our simple rules:

• Dimensioned lumber includes the following: billets, neck blanks, laminated neck blanks, matched tops, stringers, thin laminates, and finger boards.
• DO NOT cut or glue your dimensioned wood until the build off starts.
• Fabricated necks from a manufacturer may be used. Please name the manufacturer when posting.
• Any entrant that presents wood that is pre-sawn (other than original dimensioned lumber)and/or pre-glued, will be ridiculed mercilessly, tared, feathered, exiled to a foreign land, sent to bed without dinner, and stripped of all their wood
• Minimum diameter for lowest pitch string is .084"
• The build off will start Saturday December 21st, (This posting marks the start of the build off)
• The build off will end on Sunday, March 22nd , 2020, 2:00pm GMT -6

Voting will start immediately after the close of the build off

I ask that you please put a link to your build back to this thread so we have a central reference point for all of those that wish to participate

You can join when you have time, and you can enter as often as you like.

If you have any related questions, please feel free to post it here or PM me.

Thanks and have fun!

Thanks to all for helping form this up

This is a great set of guidelines we've got set up this year.
Simple, with a lot of room for creativity.

I don't see this changing much, so plan accordingly.

There are at least 3 topics I want to discuss before build off
1) Trying to get more builders to join
2) Voting
3) Prizes

I'll start with prizes
I wish not to reach out to vendors for prizes this year. It was a bit of a struggle last year for many reasons. It's alot of work.
I'm gearing up for next year's build off for prizes, just not this year. I hope you are OK with that.
As we are TB family, I'll see what I can work out with Paul.

Let's open discussion on getting more builders to join
We can keep it here in TB, or we can reach out and advertise we are doing the build off in many places other than TB

Thoughts please

 

[Will_White]

Thanks to all for helping form this up

This is a great set of guidelines we've got set up this year.
Simple, with a lot of room for creativity.

I don't see this changing much, so plan accordingly.

There are at least 3 topics I want to discuss before build off
1) Trying to get more builders to join
2) Voting
3) Prizes

I'll start with prizes
I wish not to reach out to vendors for prizes this year. It was a bit of a struggle last year for many reasons. It's alot of work.
I'm gearing up for next year's build off for prizes, just not this year. I hope you are OK with that.
As we are TB family, I'll see what I can work out with Paul.

Let's open discussion on getting more builders to join
We can keep it here in TB, or we can reach out and advertise we are doing the build off in many places other than TB

Thoughts please

I don't do it for prizes so just a swag pack is fine with me, advertising wise we can push it on the Facebook, maybe have Paul put a blurb in the news section/ newsletter, I don't think TDPRI or LP forum etc. would allow it, what ever the case I think build threads have to be in the Luthiers Corner.

 

[Jon Clegg]

Thanks to all for helping form this up

This is a great set of guidelines we've got set up this year.
Simple, with a lot of room for creativity.

I don't see this changing much, so plan accordingly.

There are at least 3 topics I want to discuss before build off
1) Trying to get more builders to join
2) Voting
3) Prizes

I'll start with prizes
I wish not to reach out to vendors for prizes this year. It was a bit of a struggle last year for many reasons. It's alot of work.
I'm gearing up for next year's build off for prizes, just not this year. I hope you are OK with that.
As we are TB family, I'll see what I can work out with Paul.

Let's open discussion on getting more builders to join
We can keep it here in TB, or we can reach out and advertise we are doing the build off in many places other than TB

Thoughts please

Prizes not a big deal to me.

As for publicizing, perhaps publicizing through the some of the bass-related advertisers here, like BBG for one. Maybe putting out a feeler to various DIY blogs or even manufacturers blogs (like Seymour Duncan's)

 

[Jisch]

Agreed on prizes, they are not important.

There is a pretty active Luthier group on Facebook, I can push it there a few times before it starts. Last year one guy came over, but he didn't really get the concept. I can push it earlier this time around.

Can we get Irwin Clamps to sponsor? That seems like the one brand I see in every build

 

[Jon Clegg]

Can we get Irwin Clamps to sponsor? That seems like the one brand I see in every build

"What can you do with Irwin Clamps? Look at these..."

 

[postalflunkie]

Plus 1 on the prizes are not necessary.
I also like the notion of getting some tool folks into being future sponsors. Maybe woodcraft would get behind us.
As for the voting issue, I totally get the reasoning behind not voting for your own build. I also wouldn't be apposed to say builders just don't vote, let everybody else decide.

 

[Rôckhewer]

Back in High School shop class... I "won" the senior class industrial arts fair "contest"...
With a fairly epic project that took all semester to complete.
.... 1st prize?..... a cheap set of screwdrivers
Point being... I would have been far happier and prouder, receiving a simple certificate of award.
(Cheaper than screwdrivers,... more meaningful. )

The recognition and elevation recieved is prize enough.
Especially....when that comes from ones PEERS.
So... votes (nods)...from the other builders IN the contest.... from others who have a keen understanding of the processes & trials involved....
...I feel....are even more meaningful.
I think the 3 votes system works fine.

Prize?....A TB t-shirt... and nice certificate of award...
....perfect.

 

[Reedt2000]

Since builders have generally agreed that two builds is unrealistic, maybe some would volunteer to craft trophies?

(I would but I lack the skill and gear )

 

[Scoops]

Thanks for input so far.

Prizes - We all have the passion of building basses, and I realize that with this build off, peer recognition acts as a prize. I like to provide prizes because I can. It's an added bonus. Just my way of giving back. My schedule is a bit tight this year. Just setting expectations

Based on responses so far, getting more people in here is something I'll focus on. Thanks for the suggestions as well.

Voting - (Voting for yourself) I brought this up during the build off last year, but I wanted to avoid the type of conversations we were having while the build off was in progress, so I didn't pursue it. I think it's a good idea if we don't vote for our self. As others have indicated, peer recognition is a "Prize". Spread the luv and lets other builders know you value their work. With total vote count approaching 1000 last year, the one vote you give yourself will not make a difference. This is my thought.

 

[Englishman]

Thanks for input so far.

Prizes - We all have the passion of building basses, and I realize that with this build off, peer recognition acts as a prize. I like to provide prizes because I can. It's an added bonus. Just my way of giving back. My schedule is a bit tight this year. Just setting expectations

Based on responses so far, getting more people in here is something I'll focus on. Thanks for the suggestions as well.

Voting - (Voting for yourself) I brought this up during the build off last year, but I wanted to avoid the type of conversations we were having while the build off was in progress, so I didn't pursue it. I think it's a good idea if we don't vote for our self. As others have indicated, peer recognition is a "Prize". Spread the luv and lets other builders know you value their work. With total vote count approaching 1000 last year, the one vote you give yourself will not make a difference. This is my thought.

I agree that Peer recognition is cool, but will likely seem not so enticing to people outside of this forum.

 

[Rôckhewer]

Since builders have generally agreed that two builds is unrealistic, maybe some would volunteer to craft trophies?

(I would but I lack the skill and gear )

Was just thinking....
I can't play this year... but surely I can find a day to do this....

IF... you all like the idea of an "award" as a prize...
....Like a TBLC "Luthiers Guild Award" type thing...?
I would volunteer... to laser etch such an award... as a plaque. On nice wood..... probably with some inlay... (I got a ton of Ablam scrap )