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Z Bass II - Preliminary Designs Underway

#21
While I can't afford to start building yet, I can dream. When I dream, I dream in Photoshop!

While lazing on the couch after a long day at work I decided to do some renderings of various body color, fretboard, inlay, combination and, if I do say so myself, I think many of these look really cool!

Here are some renderings of what could be my second build.



Dark Sunburst, Black Pick Guard (scratch plate), quilted maple fretboard w/White Block Inlays
sunburst_maple.jpg




Dark Sunburst, Black Pick Guard (scratch plate), rosewood fretboard w/Black Block Inlays
sunburst_rosewood.jpg



Dark Redburst, Black Pick Guard (scratch plate), quilted maple fretboard w/White Block Inlays
redburst_maple.jpg




Dark Redburst, Black Pick Guard (scratch plate), rosewood fretboard w/Black Block Inlays
redburst_rosewood.jpg




Dark Redburst, Black Pick Guard (scratch plate), combo rosewood/quilted maple fretboard w/White Block Inlays
redburst_maple_rosewood.jpg



Green-gold burst (black binding), Black Pick Guard (scratch plate), quilted maple fretboard w/Black Block Inlays
goldburst_maple.jpg




Green burst (white binding), White Pick Guard (scratch plate), rosewood fretboard w/White Block Inlays
greenWhite_rosewood.jpg




Green burst (black binding), Black Pick Guard (scratch plate), quilted maple fretboard w/Black Block Inlays
greenBlack_maple.jpg




White (black binding), Black Pick Guard (scratch plate), rosewood fretboard w/white off-center dots
whiteBlack_rosewood.jpg



White (black binding), Black Pick Guard (scratch plate), quilted maple fretboard w/Black Block Inlays
whiteBlack_maple.jpg




White (black binding), Black Pick Guard (scratch plate), rosewood fretboard w/White Block Inlays
whiteBlack_rosewood_whiteblock.jpg



Black (white binding), White Pick Guard (scratch plate), rosewood fretboard w/White Block Inlays
blackWhite_rosewood_whiteBlock.jpg




Black (white binding), White Pick Guard (scratch plate), quilted maple fretboard w/Black Block Inlays
blackWhite_maple_blackBlock.jpg
 
#23
Thanks! I am pretty pleased with these renderings. Hopefully I'll be able to make the real-deal live up to the fantasy!

Since I am not in a place where I can start buying wood and making sawdust, I figure I can really dig into the planning and try to optimize my process. Doing these renderings really keeps the fire burning and makes me feel like I am in the building process even though I having made a single cut yet.
 
#27
Benito - I'll try to make the basses build on time!

Firsts in this build for me will be frets and binding. Both make me a little nervous - but only a little.

Still trying to decide it a radiused fretboards is worth the effort.

My last build was a fretless with a flat fingerboard and I enjoy it quite a lot. I don't know what difference frets make, though.

Anyone have thoughts about radiused vs. flat fretboards on a fretted instrument?

Also - if anyone has suggestions about binding (body, neck, headstock), please feel free to share!
 
#30
Yvarg said:
The black body/white pickguard with the rosewood fretboard looks pretty awesome.
Click to expand...

That's the one that really screams "I am the bastard child of a Ric!" - it looks so much like Geddy's 4001 with those colors.

Full disclosure: I am definitely emulating a Ric and mixing in some flavors of a Jazz with this build just in case anyone thinks I think I've done something entirely original - I know it's not.

I do feel that there are enough differences in my design to feel secure that I am not completely ripping off either. But the Ric flavor is very thick in these concepts.
 
#33
tZer said:
Full disclosure: I am definitely emulating a Ric and mixing in some flavors of a Jazz with this build just in case anyone thinks I think I've done something entirely original - I know it's not.
Click to expand...

It is clear to see your influences. Ric leaves a lot of room to improve and I think that you are doing very well. We each have our inspirations in building just like playing. You can see the Bernie Rico influence in all of mine ;)
 
#34
tZer said:
That's a good idea! While I really do want to paint this one, your suggestion would get that design done with a lot less paint!

I'll put that into the "think hard about this" bin. Thanks for the tip!
Click to expand...
Yeah, you can get some pretty uniform padauk with little to no figuring to get more of the solid-color effect. I imagine it would be cheaper than what is usually considered "nice fancy wood." Likewise with bloodwood.




Or, another thought: padauk FB and body, as before, no burst, black binding, all black hardware. Like a natural wood cross between these two:
bloodstar.jpg
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#35
pilotjones said:
Yeah, you can get some pretty uniform padauk with little to no figuring to get more of the solid-color effect. I imagine it would be cheaper than what is usually considered "nice fancy wood." Likewise with bloodwood.
Click to expand...

I am oh so familiar with padauk! My last build was 50% padauk - fingerboard + sandwiched in the body and more!

P1010043-1.jpg


I am very seriously considering your suggestion! Good call.
 

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