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Z Bass II - Preliminary Designs Underway

#41
Thanks again for all the nice comments! I love Photoshop and have loved making real looking renderings from nothing for a LONG time. I could easily do nothing but make designs and bring them to life in Photoshop all day long!

I am also going to try (no promises) to create detailed plans for this build. I don't have a CAD program, but I can use a variety of other software packages to create printable documents with dimensions and assembly details. This just seems like a good idea, ya know? ;-)

I studied mechanical, architectural and engineering drawing for a number of years and was a draftsman in a former life - in the days before and when AutoCAD became the norm.

I think the first phase of this build is going to be spent making routing jigs and patterns. Since I have one build under my belt and know where many of the pitfalls lie, I am going to work very hard to make this build very systematic and measured instead of build a little, fix a little, build a little more, fix a little more.

So I am going to get a few sheets of thick MDF and make some body patterns today at lunch. Hopefully I can spend some time this week or weekend making the patterns.

If anyone has any suggestions about the various jigs and patters they think I'll need, please chime in.

I also need to get my head around fretting the neck. All the rest of the operations I've been through and don't concern me much at all.

But I am going to occupy phase I of build II with nothing put prep. Jigs, patters and plans - Oh MY!
 
#42
That's the way to go ! :bassist:

I also like to plan everything carefully, make drawings and think everything through.. I'm in the middle of my first build (as you probably know), so I'll move on step by step. But I reckon planning everything before starting to cut some wood is even better (and even requires a lot more patience :smug:).
 
#43
i'd lose the strat jackplate and place the output jack in a more hidden area.. it looks very "out of place" on the front of the pickguard..

other than that, it's a very well thought out design, and would easily be marketable..

i like it.. ;)
 
#44
I like this one a lot! Reminds me quite a bit of the one I did a while back.

th_DSCN0510.jpg
 
#45
Wademeister63 - Great minds, ya know? ;)

I like that a lot! You captured the retro vibe that I'm shooting for very nicely with that!

UPDATE - (pics coming soon) - I have my neck blank glue up all done and squared up. 5-piece lam - 4 maple, 1 chechen (skunk stripe).

My fret wire, dual action truss with spoke wheel nut and fret saw arrived yesterday from Stew Mac.

I have access to my dad's neighbor's shop again - which is like being granted a visitor's pass to Heaven! Planers, band saws, drill presses, you NAME it - he's got it - and in a room big enough to have a small concert.

And that and EXPERTS (my dad and Mr. Dimmit) to help make sure each operation is handled just right.

Side note and entirely unrelated to building (sorry!) - my experimental/improv band (SoulCoustic) had it's very first gig last night and I'm proud to say we packed the place and successfully filled 4 hours with entirely improvised music and the crowd really dug it! AND we all made money! 3 long sets - each one consisting of about 2 to 3 "songs" - we kept the crowd with us - pulled spontaneous applause for solos and 'special moments' - our singer successfully made up lyrics on the spot - the works... It was quite nice.

More to come on this build SOON! - All my little ducks are lining up nicely.
 
#46
If you are feeling trepidation about binding, why dont you just put a 1/4" maple top (figured would be cool, but plain would work) and just do a natural binding ala PRS? You could do the same effect on the peghead too with a thinner piece. I too would sneak that jackplate around the side, but otherze, its looking great!
 
#49
geezerman said:
jesus that design is amazing
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot! I am very happy with the design and I can't wait to be playing it!

Swever said:
Man! Awesome color solutions and awesome renders!

A bit offtopic: can you give me some guidelines on where/how can i find any lessons on the techniques you use in these awesome drawings?
Click to expand...

I don't know of any resources for this sort of rendering off the top of my head. I have been using Photoshop and other drawing/photo manipulation software for (gulp) lots of years now.

My process for doing those is fairly simple when boiled down to each step - but there are LOTS of steps...

But I start with a reasonably to-scale, line-drawing - could be pencil and paper, then scanned or I can create the essential shapes in Photoshop using the bezier line tool and a lot of tweaking.

Then I create paths (bezier tool) for each component of the instrument - the body, neck, fretboard, headstock, pick guard, pups - any individual piece gets it's own path.

Then it's a layering and painting exercise. Create a layer for the body - activate the body path - fill with a solid color or an image of the wood and mess with it until it looks right.

Do that with each and every component and there ya go!
 
#50
Ol'Bass'ead said:
If you are feeling trepidation about binding, why dont you just put a 1/4" maple top (figured would be cool, but plain would work) and just do a natural binding ala PRS? You could do the same effect on the peghead too with a thinner piece. I too would sneak that jackplate around the side, but otherze, its looking great!
Click to expand...

I'll look into that. Thanks for the tip!
 
#53
I like the pickups suggestions. It's worth considering for sure. I think I like the toasters suggestion best - followed by lipstick - I am not sure about the Dark Stars - as much as I like their retro look, I get the impression they are designed to capture that "big muddy" sound. I could be WAY off on that - but my addled memory seems to recall discussion along those lines.

I'll do some research into all these suggestions. Thanks again for the input!
 
#56
Yeah - many have balked at the jack plate. I was borrowing a move from Steve Bailey's signature bass after I read the logic behind it (that it sends the cord right back through the strap and keeps you from setting the bass down on it's plug...)

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But that's losing is appeal. I do, however, think I am going to keep the output jack on the top and not on the side. I'll just use a typical output with no jack plate.
 
#60

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