nosmo's 2012 Challenge Build Thread -- COMPLETED

OK - I'll give it a shot. I've never cut out a body or neck, so I guess I'll try the Best Beginner Category.

Welcome, and good luck! :grin:

Dave

Good luck, nosmo! Congrats on taking the plunge!

Thank you!

Here's my story. I have a bunch of guitars - I always figured it was kind of like playing golf as in I thought I could buy a better game by buying better equipment. Spent lots of money and still get my butt kicked by guys playing 20 year old clubs. Maybe it has something to do with practice!

So, back to guitars, I wanted to add a Telecaster to my stable hoping to get a different sound (something similar to a guitar!). I ordered a body & neck from Warmoth awhile ago and planned to finish & assemble it myself. As I was checking the internet for tips on finishing I ran across this forum. What a gold mine! I read all the build threads from last year. I read 4 years of Sparklecaster building. You guys make this look so easy I decided to build one from scratch.

Just so happens - the annual challenge came up right when I was ready to build. Since this will be my first - and there is a beginners category - here I am. So, without further ado:

Heres my wood...eh...lumber:
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-35.jpg
Pecan body, book matched Walnut top, Brazilian Cherry & Hard Maple neck, Birdseye Maple fingerboard. There is a little piece of Bubinga I may use.

Heres some more stuff:
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1-2.jpg
A bit of Corian and a VERY expensive piece of African Ebony. I may just hang the ebony on the wall - I'm afraid to cut it.

I have more wood. Probably enough to build several more guitars. My goal is to get one out of all of it.

Oh, by the way here's my plan. 30" short scale bass. I can't play the d**ed guitars so I figured why not a bass?

You can do it, nosmo!

The best advice I got at the beginning of my first build was:

take your time and think things through

The advice came from Buckocaster, a name that must be
familiar to you.

Absolutely (to the advise & Bucocaster). I've actually been thinking about this since last month. Made all sorts of plans. I think I have the concept, I just don't have the tools I used to have. I'm kind of missing the planer right about now!

Nice. I'm a bass player myself so I'll pay attention to this one. Good looking pile of wood you have there.

Best of luck to you!

Alright here we go.

Step 1: Finish the shop I started building last year
Before
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/47b61f7d.jpg
During
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/d6dd9964.jpg[/IMG]
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/05e8bfeb.jpg[/IMG]
After
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-9.jpg[/IMG]
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-10.jpg
That could be the last time I see the floor in there.

Thanks Devo - I bought a piece of Zirikote also but it was more outrageous than the ebony. I'm gonna have to make sure I know what I'm doing before I attempt anything with that!

The design stage. I'm sure you all recognize this drawing. I modified it a little. There were way too many numbers on it for me.

http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/BodyLayout.jpg

Printed out a neck

http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/a900d10b.jpg

Used the bridge to set up the scale and string spacing

http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file.jpg
Its a top mount bridge, but I want to have the strings through the body. Thats what the extra marks are for.

Laid them out to get the width of the neck

http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/78275314.jpg
See - lot fewer numbers on my drawing.

Modified the headstock. Made it shorter (there is a reason for this but you'll have to wait to find out what it is)

http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/ModifiedHeadstock.jpg

And he's out of the gates runnin' :grin:

Once the design was close I made some templates. Started with a 1/4" MDF body template.

Cut it out
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1-1.jpg

Sanded it
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-4.jpg

Sanded it some more
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-5.jpg

Transferred it to 3/4" MDF
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-11.jpg

Cut - routed - sanded- drilled
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-15.jpg

Also made a neck template
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-34.jpg

Made a few more templates.

I really like the pickup jig, it worked out pretty well. I blocked it in, hogged it out on the drill press and routed it.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-19.jpg
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-20.jpg
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-22.jpg

The pickups fit like they should (I think)
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-24.jpg

So.....here's the finished body template
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-26.jpg

Nicely done... and anyone who's first order of business is "Finish the shop I started building last year" should get some sorta prize no matter what :lol:

Lookin' good so far. Keep it up man.

Its all your fault! You and the rest of the mooyucks here at the TDPRI. I was perfectly happy being the procrastinator.

Aarrghhh! I'm kicking myself after seeing how you did your p-bass pickup template. That's brilliant, much better than mine. Nice shop by the way.

Thanks

I'm so much following this - a Tele style bass is in my future. I'm absorbing ideas.

And doing it late at night!

Hi from Cedar Creek, Texas! It seems we are part of the middle-aged-guys-with-Ridgid-sanders-who-make-Telecasters contingent! I'm impressed with your shop construction project. At least you got to start from scratch! I'm working at undoing some work done by the local, er, craftsmen, before I can start mine.

Oh, and I covet your air conditioner port!

doctorrockit - That ROSS is a pretty handy machine. I find myself doing all sorts of stuff with it. Thanks for the shop comments, it is Texas, how could you have a shop without A/C.

(Of course right now mine is competing with 1000 watts of this
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-17.jpg

Get too close to that and it gives a whole new meaning to 'redneck'!

So....yesterday, before I quit I did some work on the body & neck.

Here's my all purpose/router/table saw outfeed/workbench in router/planer mode.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-2-1.jpg

The pecan was almost 2" (and slightly cupped) so I had to take off a bit.

Once that was done I cut it into 2 pieces with my trusty circular saw.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-36.jpg
Notice the old blade that tried to burn through it. There's way too much sawdust on the floor for me to be creating that kind of smoke. Changed it out - all good.

Then I ripped it. I don't have a joiner, but one side was fairly straight. I just trimmed a little off each side.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-37.jpg

When I put the 2 pieces together, there was a noticeable gap like the cut was not 90 degrees. This should not have been a problem since I rip with the top side up on 1 piece and the top side down on the other. This usually will compensate for the blade being off a couple degrees. When I checked closer, the boards varied in thickness from one side to the other just over 1/16".

Who would have thought that when you build an all purpose/router/table saw outfeed/workbench it has to be perfectly flat. Duh!

Solution - set it up again on the table saw (I know that's flat).
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-39.jpg

You can see here on the first pass how well my first attempt at a router sled worked.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-40.jpg

Once that was done I dressed the edges a little with sandpaper wrapped around one piece as I rubbed the other against it, then swap and do it again.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-38.jpg

Clamp it up.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-41.jpg

And start to work on the neck.

The Brazilian cherry board for the neck was not straight enough to just rip as you can see here.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-42.jpg

So I used a bit of MDF that I had cut off earlier and attached it to the board with brads.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-43.jpg

Adjust the fence and rip away.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-44.jpg
SAFETY WARNING: If you try this I would suggest you use a guide board a little closer to the width of the piece you are trying to square up. I was just trimming about a saw kerf at a time and I was being very careful. I love a table saw, but it can mess up your day real quick.

OK then - I came out of that with all my digits so lets rip some maple & cherry for the neck.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-45.jpg

Resaw some maple.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-46.jpg

And get it square & even on the ROSS.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-47.jpg

Looks like a pile of.....neck parts.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-48.jpg

Glue them up.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-50.jpg

And go have a beer.

I realy want to do a laminated neck on my next one. Love the look.

As for your router planer-- I've had the same experience, so I've given up on it altogether. I'm probably just going to sell some things and save up to buy a 15" planer... at least that's the plan.

Off to a great start keep up the good work man!

Well, I took the parts out of the clamps and everything stayed together so today started out well.

Look - the neck even grew some ears last night.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-51.jpg

Sanded it down.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-52.jpg
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-53.jpg

Looks pretty flat that way, but from end to end it looked like it had a slight twist. Not really the wood, more like my sanding. Sooooo... I rigged this up to lap both sides.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-62.jpg
And just like that its as flat as your 6th grade sweetheart.

Chopped it at the dumb end and set it aside.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-63.jpg

This is where it starts to get a little nerve-racking. Since this is my first neck, I'm not sure of the sequence of the next steps. I'm sure it can be done several different ways, but this is what I was thinking.

1:Rout truss rod slot (while the neck is still square)
2:Mark it, cut it & rout it to shape
3:Thin out the headstock (and do some fancy secret stuff to it)
4:Radius the fingerboard
5:Cut the fret slots
6:Install the markers
6 1/2:Drill & Install truss rod
7:Attach the fingerboard to the neck
8:Rout fingerboard to shape
9:Contour the neck
10:install frets

What would the pros do?

*EDIT- Nevermind. I just didn't read closely enough. that's what I get for trying to do this while I'm working hehe

The body came out of the clamps too. So here it is being sanded.

http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-54.jpg

Looks pretty flat to me, but I'm standing on that uneven sawdust.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-55.jpg

Mark it.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-56.jpg

Cut it.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-57.jpg

Sand it.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-58.jpg

Ready to rout.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-59.jpg

About half way through cutting it out on the bandsaw, I realized that there was a specific end I wanted to use at the bridge end of the body and I hadn't even looked at it when I marked it.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-60.jpg
I am one lucky SOB. So once again through the virtue of clean living and great Karma, I managed to avert a (minor) snafu.

Roger that Roger. It will have a separate (well, not when its finished) fretboard. Yeah, the truss rod - it is 2-way. I hope I don't forget to install it like I almost left it off the list.

Hey Roger if you lived closer I'd split the damed planer with you. Boy I miss having one.

Your neck plan will work and lots of people do it just like that but... I'm no pro, that said I like to cut my fret slots before radiusing and before shaping the neck. Only because I find it easier to cut straight slots in a square, straight, flat piece of wood then to do it on a curved tapered piece. But that's just me. This is a great looking build so far, excellent quality.

This is where it starts to get a little nerve-racking. Since this is my first neck, I'm not sure of the sequence of the next steps. I'm sure it can be done several different ways, but this is what I was thinking.

1:Rout truss rod slot (while the neck is still square)
2:Mark it, cut it & rout it to shape
3:Thin out the headstock (and do some fancy secret stuff to it)
4:Radius the fingerboard
5:Cut the fret slots
6:Install the markers
6 1/2:Drill & Install truss rod
7:Attach the fingerboard to the neck
8:Rout fingerboard to shape
9:Contour the neck
10:install frets

What would the pros do?

Sounds like you've got your order of operations mostly right. I usually wait until the fingerboard is on to thin the headstock and do the transition.

Muzikp - Good point. I was planning to cut the slots when the fingerboard was still square, but I think I zoned out there for a minute when I made the list. Thanks, I'll just swap steps 4 & 5.

OpenG - I've seen guys do that here. Actually, I will end up doing the final transition after the fretboard, but I need to do that fancy secret stuff before I put it on.

I really appreciate the input. Thank you all.

The scary thing is I'm starting to over think all this. I mean, it's not like I'm building a piano. Oh, wait.......

I feel embarassed when I compare my work with yours, mr. first-timer :grin:

tklaavo - Thank you very much. I used to be a woodworker for a living, but that was quite awhile ago. I'm pretty impressed with the way you are doing your build. I wish your grandmother was around here.

Stick around the build gets ugly soon.

Well - I got all the way to step 2. Had a little hiccup on step 1.

So here is all the stuff I'll need for the truss rod. It even came with instructions cool.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-65.jpg
The piece of pine is for testing the router set up. The BFH actually was used a little later on.

I set up a router table with a fence and a 1/8" straight bit. Made a few passes with the pine, measure, adjust, more passes, measure, adjust. I set it up so once it was set, the fence would stay and I would just have to run each side of the neck against the fence and I'd have the perfect centered slot. Aint nothing to this, be done in a few minutes.

See the nice slot?
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-66.jpg
See how well centered it will be after I run the other edge? Great eh?

Only problem is I routed it into the wrong side of the neck!:shock:

I think I taught myself some new words. I used all the bad ones in my vocabulary so I just started making up new ones.

Alright, calm down, I've seen guys on this forum fix worse things than this. Look over there - there's a strip of neck cherry left over from the center stripe. OK.........this could work.

Cut a piece off & round the ends a little on the ROSS.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-67.jpg

Thin it down and match the grain. Try a test fit.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-68.jpg

Glue it before it moves (or I drop it on the floor. If that happens I have to cut another piece 'cause I'll never find it).
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-69.jpg

Wait for it to dry some - not completely because I want the sawdust to fill any gaps - and cut it kind of flush.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-70.jpg

Sand it flush.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-71.jpg

And its all gone.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-72.jpg
Really!!
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-73.jpg

Whoa I almost got a fat head there - until I remembered why I had to fix it in the first place. OK that wasted most of the day. Lets see what we can mess up next.

You say you haven't built a guitar before!?? :lol:

I may actually be glad I'm not participating in the beginner category.

Oh yeah, I did get the truss rod routed and fit.

First I marked the neck.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-74.jpg

Then I routed the groove.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-75.jpg

http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-76.jpg

Marked the neck and cut it out.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-78.jpg

Routed with the template.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-79.jpg

Drilled the adjustment hole and fit the truss rod.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-81.jpg

Thats it for the neck for now.

flatfive - Thanks. No, no guitars. I used to own a business where I built wooden geared clocks. I got kind of burned out on woodworking. I have a real job now, but I don't have the tools I used to have.

I really like your "jointing without a jointer" (or a big ole jointer plane). Glad the BFH did not occur to you when you realized you'd routed the wrong side of the neck. Or, better yet, that you had the restraint to think of it, but not act on it!

Great shop, by the way.

Thanks R. I did actually use the BFH to tap the patch in.

I really like your "jointing without a jointer" (or a big ole jointer plane). Glad the BFH did not occur to you when you realized you'd routed the wrong side of the neck. Or, better yet, that you had the restraint to think of it, but not act on it!

Great shop, by the way.

Yeah, if you plan on straightening a board with a table saw that way, you really need to make sure the two pieces you're using are secure. If they come apart in the middle of the cut you're going to have wood flying all over the place. It's something I have used before, but I don't usually use little brads barely in a 1" piece of hardwood. Like I said though, I was just shaving the board a little.

Fantastic save! I wish I was closer to you too so you could teach a large number of things :grin:

Alrighty then - on to the body. What could I mess up there? All I have to do is attach the template and rout it.

Well, I guess I could do this!
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-82.jpg

This is not as easy as you guys make it look! That Pecan (that may really be Hickory) is kind of splintery. Yes that's a word. I saw it here on the TDPRI so it has to be right. Split out a small piece on the back, but I glued it back in and I was planning to put a pretty heavy round over on the body anyway.

This fix may be easier than the last one though. It's on the fat part of the body (that's a technical term) near the jack.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-83.jpg

I think I can either sand it out, that would change the profile but probably not enough to notice, or I could move the jack to cover it. Have to think about that one.

Roger - I only learned how to fix things because I break things. I'm sure you could teach me plenty!

Maybe you could just move the template about 1/2 mm and rout the tearout area again? I did that many times on thermo-treated ash, which is the brittlest and "splinteriest" (is that an English word?) stuff I've ever worked on.

After seeing your incredible save on the neck, I bet you can do this too...

I really got lucky on the neck deal. The Brazilian cherry has lots of dark grain so the patch just blended right in. I don't think it would have looked as good with a different wood.

The tear out on the body is no big deal. I may take your advise and rout it again. Its not real deep so I can probably sand it out. I'm thinking about the fretboard & neck now. I really don't know what I'm doing, but I'm having fun trying to figure it out.

They way I see it, it's not a mistake if you can "cover it up". Great work so far.

Oh yeah, I did get the truss rod routed and fit.

First I marked the neck.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-74.jpg



:)

great build so far!

I once sanded a radius on both sides of a fretboard. halfway through the second part I realized I had started sanding on the other side... this should make you feel good :)

Nosmo

Great work so far.

Great save on the neck. Looking forward to seeing more progress

Cheers

Looking good so far. I like it.

I had a genuine LOL at your blue tape!

Don't sweat that tear out in the body, I've had a few of those and they generally dissapear in the sanding. If you think its too deep, then do as TKlaavo said and just reroute the lower bout a smidgen.

Use a brand new bit!

I gave up on expensive bits and just buy a new $2 one every time I need a good route. When it starts to scorch the wood, throw it away and get another.
When I did the pickup cavities on my first build, I actually started a small fire in the center pickup cavity. Since then I re-learnt the value of sharp tools.
http://i39.tinypic.com/whdsna.jpg

Nice work so far.

:)

great build so far!

I once sanded a radius on both sides of a fretboard. halfway through the second part I realized I had started sanding on the other side... this should make you feel good :)

Nice, I should have a bunch of these all over my shop.:razz:

Thanks everyone -

Speaking of 'cover up', I almost didn't put that rescue in the thread. I felt really stupid & embarrassed for routing the wrong side and thought 'nobody will ever know if I don't tell them'. Then I thought about why I'm building a guitar in the first place. It's because I read untold numbers of build threads here, and bunches of threads by some of the best builders anywhere giving away their secrets & advise for free. I read about so many mistakes and fixes and words of encouragement....

I don't really know how to say what I'm trying to say. I guess I just feel like I owe it to the people at this forum to be honest. I don't expect to win anything, I just hope to end up with a new guitar, a bunch of experience and maybe some new friends.

That was a new bit, I think it had more to do with operator error.

:)


I once sanded a radius on both sides of a fretboard. halfway through the second part I realized I had started sanding on the other side... this should make you feel good :)

I'd use it - just use more glue:lol:

Well drat - I got a phone call today and now I have to go do that 'real job' I was talking about. Probably be gone for 3 weeks or so.

I did get some stuff accomplished today so I'll post the pics later if I get a chance. More like tomorrow I bet. At least I'll get a chance to read some of the other threads.

I miss it already - I'm having builders withdrawal!

3 weeks :shock:, so you are either an offshore oil driller or a sherpa guiding people up Everest no?

I actually started a small fire in the center pickup cavity. Since then I re-learnt the value of sharp tools.

I like that you took a picture in the situation.. I would have been running in panic for a bucket of water.. :smile:
I've had that happen in a pile of wood chips when routing with a cheap bit. It's frightening, could start a major fire.

Wow, this is looking fantastic! I can't wait to see where it goes from here!

Don't forget to post here once a week or you'll be disqualified! If you can't (altough i hear that they have internet on Mt Everest too nowadays) ask for exemption. I'd be real sorry see this build dropped.

Muzikp - You're close I operate ROVs in the oil field.

Obviously posting should not be a problem but you never know.

I do have a bunch of pictures from Friday morning that I'll put up as soon as I can. The problem with a 'real job' is you have to do stuff sometimes.

Thanks kwerk

Well, that's a real bummer that you won't be around for three weeks. I understand the work thing though. I've been working 45-50 hours a week lately on a project and building a guitar and spending time with my wife and four kids and traing for a 200 mile bike race coming up in September and.....etc.

Life's busy. Don't forget to finish this when you get back though. You're doing great so far and it looks like you have a pretty darn good idea of what you are doing and what the end goal is.

200 mile bike race?:shock: I get winded walking to my truck!

By the way, your guitar is looking good.

So......I marked the positions for the fret slots Thursday night.

http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-87.jpg
There sure are alot of numbers, I mean can you even SEE .001"?

Anyway, once I had that laid out, and drank some Jamison's to clear my head, I gave up for the night.

Friday, bright & early (about 10:30) I cut the slots.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-94.jpg

Then I built a jig.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-97.jpg

I want a compound radius (I know, you can't have a compound radius, you can have a different radius on each end of the fingerboard, and that's what Warmoth calls it) something like 12" & 16".

So I made these ends for the jig.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-92.jpg
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-91.jpg

I had to make something for the ends to ride on, so I used a bit of Delrin type stuff I had and some little rollers from HD. See the slots in the ends of the jig? I tried pins kind of like the neck contour jig I've seen here, but that didn't work. Had something to do with geometry I think. So this is phase 2.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-93.jpg

Then I mounted a test piece of pine.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-96.jpg

Used a little anti-idiot tape so I wouldn't hit the screws (I don't really like 2 sided tape. I know lots of people use it and it works great for them, but I don't trust it) I do like the blue tape though.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-98.jpg

And gave it a shot. Yep, I think this might work.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-100.jpg
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-99.jpg

Bummer that you'll be out of it for a few weeks, but please keep it going so we can watch you finish when you get back.

By the way, I really like your radius jig. I've been working on one that operates on the same principle (end plates that can be different radii), but it's not working all that great. I may have to steal some of your design to improve what I've done.

Nice jig! I have also built a compound radius jig around the table router, and it is so crude compared to yours... I'm going to show it sooner or later in my thread.

I am so subscribed, i cant believe this is a first build

Roger - Help yourself. The end plates are removable so you can make them whatever radius you want. The bigger the difference in the radii, radiusses, whatever, the more the carrier rolls in an arc, if you know what I mean, It actually travels farther on the 16" end than it does on the 12" end. You can see in the pictures I had to knock the stops out a little on the 16" end so it would travel far enough on the 12" end to get the whole 2 1/2" FB. I think its more of that stupid geometry stuff.

tklaavo - I'd like to see your jig. I'm sure I could steal some improvements from it.

Thank you Mike. Can I call you Mike?

ROV :confused:

Ridgid Orbiting Vulcanizer
Rapid Oblong Vehicle
Robust Overweight Vortexer
Rusty Oldsmobile Valve
Remnants Of Volkswagens

I give up.

Roaster Of Venison..............duh

I knew somebody would ask.

This is an ROV.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-134.jpg

Remotely Operated Vehicle. 3000 volts & salt water, not the best combination if you think about it.

call me slow (and I am) but I don't see how that jig works. If you get the time, could you expand? I can wait till after the challenge if necessary.

Excellent fix on that boneheaded truss rod mistake. Even better than the repair is the message on the painter's tape.

We'll miss you, and DO make sure you post; I don't want you disqualified. Your build is just too nice.

I had to make something for the ends to ride on, so I used a bit of Delrin type stuff I had and some little rollers from HD. See the slots in the ends of the jig? I tried pins kind of like the neck contour jig I've seen here, but that didn't work. Had something to do with geometry I think. So this is phase 2.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-93.jpg
This is sitting upside down in this pic. The little wheels that you see actually ride on the end piece in the pic below. A router sits on the top with the bit protruding through the slot that you see. While the sled rides on the end plates, the bit shapes the fretboard.


Then I mounted a test piece of pine.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-96.jpg

Thanks Picton, I have internet so I should be OK. I still have some pic of things I did before I left home.

The jig has two parts. Lets just call them the base and the carrier. The base has a slot down the middle, I think it is 1 1/4" wide, but its not that important as long as the collet on the router won't hit it. There is a guide (scrap MDF with a straight edge) screwed to the router table on both sides of the base to keep it centered on the router. The base has to be able to slide along its long axis. At the ends of the base I used two small plastic rollers that the carrier end plates ride on.

The carrier has end plates that can be different radii. The picture of the pine test piece mounted shows the bottom of the carrier prett well. Once the fingerboard is mounted, you lower the carrier onto the base between the ends. It should roll on the rollers pretty smothly. It can twist some so you have to make sure it stays in contact with the rollers. When you try this (practice run with the router off, or better yet off the router) you will find that the end plates can go past the rollers and drop the carrier/FB onto the violenly spinning router bit. This would be bad - so I put some stops on the edges of the end plates. After another test run I found that the bigger radius end would roll farther than the smaller. So I knocked the stops out a little. I also put some anti-idiot blue tape to mark the end of travel in both directions so some idiot would not run the screws that mount the FB blank into the bit. It would be better to put hard stops at the ends, but you need a pretty long router table for that.

OK - it's built and now you want to shape a fingerboard. I found it was best to have the base at one end and roll the carrier all the way to one side (away from me) so the bit would not hit it when I started the router. Power on, roll the carrier until you hear the bit start to take off some wood, then slide the base to the other end. Then you can either roll the carrier a little more and slide the base back or you can roll the carrier so its not cutting, slide everything back and make all the cutting passes from the same end. Does that make since? I found it was better to make all the cuts from one end (I think right to left).

You could also try to roll the entire radius across the bit, move the base and roll the carrier again until you got to the other end, but when I tried that it left alot of cut marks and was not nearly as smooth.

Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure:

Lay out the end plates & cut them
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-89.jpg

Sand them smooth
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-90.jpg

Here's a test cut across the radius - see the tool marks? If you do the whole FB across like that you'll have a bunch. You can also see the mounting screw that you don't want to hit with the bit. That pass was at my end of travel.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-101.jpg

This is a better view of the whole thing (I was saving this one for later but what the heck)
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-127.jpg

Roger - Wow I never thought of putting the router on top. That might work better. It took me a long time to write the last post and you posted while I was doing it....so to speak.

Sorry. :oops: I didn't realize you were using that setup with a router table. I just figured it was being used as I'd seen all the others with that same basic design.

Just another example of me thinking I know what I'm talking about:oops:

Wow, excellent jig! I personally prefer router table for bigger work pieces and jigs... I never was comfortable with hand held routing for larger work.

You have a great build coming along. Thanks. It's fun to follow along and steal ideas for later.

Cheers Murray

mk - steal away, no problem. Most of the jigs I'm making are rip-offs of jigs I've seen here in other threads. My router isn't the greatest & the base is garbage. The table seems to work out best for me.

Roger - I have a small laminate trimmer and it might work really well with this jig built upside down. There's alway room for improvement!

There is a neat jig for contouring the back of the neck that I've seen here. Plans and everything. I'm sorry I can't remember the thread (I'll try to find it when I get a chance- Guy's name that invented it starts with an S). I was going to try to use it on this build, but we'll just have to see how that goes.

Well, I have a few minutes between rat killing, so on with the build.

OK, I had the jig for my fingerboard and I had my slots cut, so obviously the next logical thing to do was install the side markers. Huh?

No, really to do that I had to do this...
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-102.jpg

and this...
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-103.jpg

which gave me two of these...
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-104.jpg

that went under this...
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-105.jpg

that got cut like this.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-109.jpg

Then I squared up a scrap of 2x4 like this...
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-108.jpg

and this...
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-110.jpg

and this.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-112.jpg

Then I raised the blade to here...
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-113.jpg

so I could do this.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-114.jpg

mk - steal away, no problem. Most of the jigs I'm making are rip-offs of jigs I've seen here in other threads. My router isn't the greatest & the base is garbage. The table seems to work out best for me.

Roger - I have a small laminate trimmer and it might work really well with this jig built upside down. There's alway room for improvement!

There is a neat jig for contouring the back of the neck that I've seen here. Plans and everything. I'm sorry I can't remember the thread (I'll try to find it when I get a chance- Guy's name that invented it starts with an S). I was going to try to use it on this build, but we'll just have to see how that goes.

I believe you're thinking of Bill Scheltema.

Olav - That's the guy. His neck contour jig was the inspiration for my fingerboard jig. Thank you.

Got to fill those cuts in with something, so I found a piece of walnut leftover from the top and cut it like this
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-115.jpg
and I moved it over one kerf and made a mark on the jig.

Move it over to the mark and make another cut like so.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-116.jpg

And so on....
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-117.jpg

Then I taped them with the famous blue tape and cut them off on the band saw.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-119.jpg
This keeps them from disapearing on the floor. It also keeps the grain in order.(I hate it when grain gets out of order - you just want to slap it!)
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-120.jpg

Cut them off, sand a little and fit them in place like this
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-121.jpg

Then I glued them in...
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-122.jpg


They are actually shorter than the fretboard is thick, so I had to sand 1 end at a small angle and keep the end at the middle of the fretboard a bit higher than the edge. This is a (bad) picture of the back of the fingerboard. The markers are even with the bottom at the edge but not in the middle. That's because soon the fingerboard will have a radius and be thicker in the middle get it?
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-123.jpg

Now its mounted in the radius jig all ready to go
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-127.jpg
The carrier is upside down:wink:

All radiused and ready to...
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-129.jpg
Cut the fret slots again:shock:

Apparently I didn't cut them deep enough. I intended to cut them to match the radius after this, but I hadn't planned on marking them out again!

Oh well, at least I cut the nut slots deep enough.

Two steps forward and one step back - is it just me?

At least the side markers came out alright
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-133.jpg

Your radiusing jig works so much better than mine..
Both are based on the same idea though.
Going to improve my system after this challenge is over.
I like the markers too!

If it wasn't for two steps forward and one step back, I'd be sedentary!
I like the marker "inserts".

Great job on the side markers. I've been wanting to try that on a future build but wasn't sure how to go about it. Thanks for showing that process

Looks great. Love the position markers.

Cool! It'll have a real "piano key" quality to it when the frets go on.

Thanks everybody.

I saw something like this on the forum but they were circles on the edge so they got cut in half - they looked great. That kind of inspired me to try this method. I wish I could give the proper credit, but I've read so many threads I can't find the pictures of those. Well.....that and the short term memory loss.

Yeah - piano keys - think ebony & maple, cool.

Thanks everybody.

I saw something like this on the forum but they were circles on the edge so they got cut in half - they looked great. That kind of inspired me to try this method. I wish I could give the proper credit, but I've read so many threads I can't find the pictures of those. Well.....that and the short term memory loss.

Ya, it would be great to know who you got it from so I can give credit to them also someday when I steal this idea from the both of you. :razz: I really like the look.

dang! this is nice. love the bass idea.

Well, where was I? Oh yeah, I had just finished removing the fret slots on my fingerboard with the radius jig so I needed some instant gratification to get my spirits back up. And I'm not talking about the spirits in that green bottle. OK, lets look around the shop and see what we can do that's easy.....Ah ha!

Found this sitting in the corner.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-86.jpg
I think all the clamps I own are on that thing, although there may be a few others lost on the floor somewhere.

So I take it out and cut it close with the bandsaw
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-125.jpg

Then I sanded the top with a belt sander, but I'm guessing all of you know what one of them looks like. I sanded the edges with the ROSS, but again I know for sure you know what that looks like 'cause half my pictures have the ROSS in them.

Finally I wiped the top with some naptha and tried to get a picture before it evaporated (that stuff dries FAST!). And it looks something like this
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-126.jpg
I didn't sand the horns because I would have had to swap the belt & spindle on the ROSS. I know, it takes about 30 seconds, but I had to cut the grass before I left for the dreaded 'real job'.

All in all I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out, the center lines of the top and body core match up very well. However, it is a bit heavy. I mean heavy like a cement guitar made without perlite! OK, that just gives me something to think about while I'm offshore. Chamber it? Put a cap on the back? Don't put a cap on the chambered back? Ooooo.... I might have something there, of course that might look really, really bad. Maybe the Jack Wells skeletonizing route - no I think someone has done that (looks great by the way). Maybe the biggest belly cut you've ever seen. Maybe a belly cut and a leg cut. You don't think I'm overthinking this do you?

Actually, I don't play in a band. Most of my diddling around is done sitting down anyway so a heavy guitar dosen't bother me too much, but I know it would drive some of you crazy. So, since this is all about you, I'll have to figure something out.

Or you could drill a series of deep plugs out of the sides.... and fill it with perlite :lol:

That's a beautiful top btw!

Just thought I'd add to your "pressure feeling"

"Heavy guitars are down right sinful".

I think Confucius said that.
(body looks great, btw)

enoney - There seem to be quite a few people on this forum that HATE heavy guitars (probably why they're not on the Les P forum)

Roger - How about deep holes in the sides not filled with anything and plugged. Kind of poka-dot edges. Ewe! But maybe?

Awesome jigs - I may have to make that fretboard jig for this challenge - my old way of doing it always leaves me with too much sanding to get it just right.

Also - I love your signature "Telecaster - The AK-47 of the guitar world. Some may think its ugly...but it works!"... That's great!

You know Mojo, I have to admit I always thought tele's were ugly. Just really plane jane. But after hanging around this forum, I have a whole new respect for them. And I actually like the way they look, it's a classic.

This is a bit like Mike Tyson entering a dojo as a white belt...

Thanks for all the lessons!

anyone - You're too kind, but I promise I wont bite off any ears:wink:

When I was young I hated Teles. They were not GRUNGE at all!
Now I love these basic, no-nonsense guitars: Tele, LP jr, anything that is "easy" to build yourself...

Saw this last night & thought it was pretty cool
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/file-1.jpg

Figured I'd share it with you.

Keep up all the good work, I've been watching as many of the other builds as I can when time permits. This forum & its members are amazing!

Here's a wild idea for getting some weight out (this idea of course was stolen from someone else on here, who probably stole it from someone else who probably...)

Cut the body in half :shock: I know crazy, but you have mad skillz and frankly you don't seemed "challenged" like some of us are :razz:.

Then hollow it out like this.

http://i.imgur.com/HVD3M.jpg (http://imgur.com/HVD3M)

Then glue it back together, you could add a sexy little stripe down the center to make up for the material the width of the blade removed.

Now that's something I didn't think of! I kind of like it. My plan does involve holes.

I had a bunch of other ideas, but some of them involved helium so I'm probably over thinking it. Maybe next year the "Lighter than Air Guitar". The strap could attach to your belt instead of over your shoulder!

Now that's something I didn't think of! I kind of like it. My plan does involve holes.

I had a bunch of other ideas, but some of them involved helium so I'm probably over thinking it. Maybe next year the "Lighter than Air Guitar". The strap could attach to your belt instead of over your shoulder!

When I was a kid I played in a band where the Bass player hooked his guitar onto a belt bracket, very strange, but it worked for him!

When I was a kid I played in a band where the Bass player hooked his guitar onto a belt bracket, very strange, but it worked for him!

:lol: Cool ZZ Top style, could he make his bass spin around on his buckle?

Well I can't do much on my build, but I had a little time so I thought I'd throw together a fret bending rig.

I cut the wheel off a caster like this
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-135.jpg

Then I marked a piece of aluminum
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-136.jpg

And drilled it. Couple of bolts, some brass rollers
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-137.jpg

The right roller is adjustable, I guess this will work - I don't have any fret wire to test it on. Still need to slot the big roller and clean it up, but I'll do that when I get home. May make a better handle too!
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-138.jpg

Everybody seems to be making pretty good progress with their builds. I've had some time to look at alot of them. There be great stuff goin' on here!

Later

That is one kickin fret board. Nice work!

Thanks - I wanted to do something different, but around here, different is a relative term. I mean my fretboard is only wood!

Nice fret bender. I found some great instructions on youtube last year and made myself one. It cost me a grand total of about $15 in parts from Fastenal. Gotta love the interwebz:grin:

Thanks - I wanted to do something different, but around here, different is a relative term. I mean my fretboard is only wood!

I told my life how cool your fret board was while I was having my roman numeral crisis. She just said, we'll you can't steal that cool idea if someone else is doing it. You better go think of something else.

Now that's funny:lol:

Everything I'm doing came from ideas I've seen on this forum. I mean, so the markers are straight lines, but they could be circles (that's where I got the idea), or triangles, or cloverleafs...know what I mean? Roger's building a guitar out of CONCRETE! Turns out, that has already been done (I guarantee not as well), but who woulda' thunk?

Your dots on that fretboard.....man, that's as pretty as I've seen.

I use basically the same markers on my builds, I've tried doing them set in aswell as all the way through. it looks like your fit is better than some of my attempts. first one I did clear through, the markers were too tight and caused the board to twist-- the next was too loose and the board sounded dead afterward (it was paduak and rang like crazy before.) I'll definately be setting up a sled like the one you used for cutting them from here on. I like the dark lines on a light board aswell, looks damn good.

clsatt - Thanks.

Yeah, the point I was triing to make is I don't think there is much that hasn't been tried before. There is great imagination on this forum and great craftsmanship, so even if it has been done - try to do it better.

I'd like to see some pice of your fingerboards. I was worried about them being too tight and curving the board, but they fit pretty well and any gaps were filled with the glue. I hope it works, it's my first fretboard so I guess I'll find out. I've used jigs similar to that for different cuts on the tablesaw alot.

I get your point, mine was the same-- I'll be using your jig in the near future on some of my builds!
This is a shot of the latest. It's not a good shot and I still havn't cleaned the lacquer off the frets completely :roll:

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/s320x320/529260_10150622487336828_532291827_9728418_1408184 034_n.jpg

I hope mine looks that good when I'm done.

Hey, at least your fret bending jig has a handle. I threw mine together with ratchets.
(well, they did have a groove in them) I so need to make another one, lol.

It'll look much better, I'm sure-- I wanted to hear this one so badly that I didn't even wait for the finish to cure completely before slapping strings on it and buggered the clear coat pretty good.

Patience my boy:wink:

emoney - you call that a handle? Well, I guess it could be.:oops:

I just had a thought. (yes it happens now & then) What do you consider 'heavy' for a guitar? I just posted in mojotron's thread about this. I really don't know. I know my body feels heavy to me, so I am going to try to reduce the weight, but what do you guys think is too heavy? What kind of weight should I be shooting for with my body?

From reading through the build threads, I think that somewhere between 4 1/4 and 4 1/2 lbs is a good weight. Then again, I could be remembering everything wrong, as sometimes happens.

Jeranhound's right in the ballpark. To me, the ideal body weight is sub-4lb range, but I
usually don't hit that. I do not like my body/neck crossing over 5.5lbs, because the
finishing materials (electronics & the like)weigh about a couple of pounds themselves. Anything
over 8lbs finished starts to weigh on my shoulder. But that's just me.

However, the difference between a 7 lb guitar and a 9 lb guitar seems like a mile apart.

Thanks

Just thought I'd add to your "pressure feeling"

"Heavy guitars are down right sinful".

I think Confucius said that.
(body looks great, btw)

I think you might be leaning to the light side:lol:

But really....so a sub 5lb body should give me a sub 8lb guitar? And a 7 1/2lb guitar would make everyone happy?

I mean, scatter lee is drilling his neck to shave off 'a couple ounces'.....really?

Obviously you can't get too light.

I was just curious, mine will turn out however it turns out. I am going to try to lighten it a bit, but since I didn't chamber it (dumb rookie) I have to come up with another method. This is all information for the next time. I'm learning all sorts of stuff here.

And there WILL be a next time - I'm addicted!

And there WILL be a next time - I'm addicted!

:lol: We all knew that already. You just had that look about you :lol:

Well, the real job was pretty easy. Did what we had to do, and now I'm back home making sawdust.

I had a plan, and I spent most of the day trying some things, but it involved this
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-152.jpg
the low budget steamer did not work out well....I think it would work, just not for what I was trying

So now for something completely different.

Here's a shop tip for you if you have a band saw. I changed the blade on mine today so I could resaw some walnut and I thought of this trick from my old woodshop days. When you set up the guide blocks, put a piece of paper on each side between the blocks & the blade. Pinch the blocks together and tighten the set screws. When you pull the paper out, you will have a couple hundredths of an inch (or some part of an M&M) between the blade & blocks. The perfect gap to keep the blade from twisting and the blade from wearing out your blocks.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-156.jpg

Oh, I did use the grill - made some crickets!
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-151.jpg

Thanks



I think you might be leaning to the light side:lol:

But really....so a sub 5lb body should give me a sub 8lb guitar? And a 7 1/2lb guitar would make everyone happy?

I mean, scatter lee is drilling his neck to shave off 'a couple ounces'.....really?

Obviously you can't get too light.

I was just curious, mine will turn out however it turns out. I am going to try to lighten it a bit, but since I didn't chamber it (dumb rookie) I have to come up with another method. This is all information for the next time. I'm learning all sorts of stuff here.

And there WILL be a next time - I'm addicted!

I'm guessing you will get a wide range of opinions on this subject, being the internet and all. But you asked :grin:. I frown on bodies that pass the 3.5 lb mark, but I'm at the extreme end of the spectrum. I used to play a really sweet G&L that weighed over 8 pounds. Sometimes rehearsal's go long, and you combine that with my not so stellar back and I was having pain. It took me a while to even realize it was my heavy guitar. Once that guitar went in the closet and I started my quest for light ones my back is much better off.

You aren't supposed to be back yet. I need more time to gt farther ahead of you. :)

Don't panic - I spent all day getting farther behind.

Muzikp - I knew I was opening a can of worms there. I was talking to a guy I work with that is a pretty good player. He seemed to think you get more (or maybe just different) tone out of heavier guitar. I guess its a matter of personal taste. I have to do something about my body though, it weighs 8lbs!

Muzikp - I knew I was opening a can of worms there. I was talking to a guy I work with that is a pretty good player. He seemed to think you get more (or maybe just different) tone out of heavier guitar. I guess its a matter of personal taste. I have to do something about my body though, it weighs 8lbs!

8 POUNDS!!! eh um, I mean just 8 pounds, it's just big boned right?

I think there may be something to the weight and tone argument, I wouldn't disagree with your colleague. But I've realized through playing live every week in a huge echoey room with 50' ceilings (not kidding), through a digital board where the sound guy does whatever he feels like with my sound that tone isn't really an issue (there I said it).

Now if I were in the studio it would be a whole different story, but I wouldn't mind bringing a heavy guitar to the studio. So maybe that's your answer, your building a great studio guitar :mrgreen:. I bet it will sound awesome and have killer sustain.

I think you just gave the perfect answer to that question.

I am going to lighten the body, just don't know exactly how yet. I think I'm on plan L or maybe M. I spent all day trying stuff that won't work. Glad I didn't try it on the guitar!

Personally I wouldn't hesitate to cut it in half and hog it out like the one I posted. I think it would even look cool with a thin strip of some other type of wood down the middle. But it's your build so don't listen to me yammering, and aren't basses supposed to be heavy anyway?

That picture you posted is probably the best solution. I think I have an idea now that I'm gonna' try tomorrow. I guess I just have to be different:roll: I'm supposed to be learning from you experienced guys, but I'm stubborn (and not particularly bright).

You could always add a back to it as well. Chambering doesn't have to be done from
the front, when there's a back plate to cover it up. Just a thought, but it would save
you from cutting it in half, and you could even say you meant to do it all along.

Muzikp - I knew I was opening a can of worms there. I was talking to a guy I work with that is a pretty good player. He seemed to think you get more (or maybe just different) tone out of heavier guitar. I guess its a matter of personal taste. I have to do something about my body though, it weighs 8lbs!

This person is probably thinking about the difference between "The Holy Grail"
and later versions. In the late 50's, early 60's, Gibby was still getting their
hands on Honduran Mahogany, or actually the only "true" Mahogany. That
stuff was light as a feather and sounded awesome. Fast forward only 10 years
later and the stuff can't be had anymore, so in order to get close, they had
to start adding weight to get that "sustain" back (although it's very argumentative
to agree that they did). Truth is still, if you get the right wood, and build
the thing the correct way, adding good electronics, tuners, bridges,nuts, etc.
a 7lb guitar can sustain BETTER than an 11-12lb guitar. If you've ever played
an Agile LP, you'll see what I'm talking about. I think the Chinese intentionally
used very heavy materials to create this "psuedo" value, that's just not there.
Lighter will always sustain longer because you can actually play it longer
without having to take a break, lol.

BTW, word on the street is that using Spanish Cedar (some of it, of course)
is very light, yet very resonant and tone-filled, much like the old Honduran
Mahogany. That's why it's important, to me anyway, to see wood in person,
so that I can both "ring it" and see how heavy it is. Two pieces of African
Mahogany can weigh a full 50% different. Same wood, just a different tree.

Can we skip all this irrelevant chit chat about woods and concentrate on the important issues here!

What the heck is a cricket!? And how many is considered a good sized portion?
http://www.smileyvault.com/albums/merv/fry.gif

Can we skip all this irrelevant chit chat about woods and concentrate on the important issues here!

What the heck is a cricket!? And how many is considered a good sized portion?
http://www.smileyvault.com/albums/merv/fry.gif

My thoughts exactly!

Ah ha the famous crickets.

Fresh Jalapeno - cut in half, fill with cream cheese, slap a shrimp on it, wrap it in bacon, throw it on the grill until the bacon is done. A true culinary delight.

Generally served as finger food during football* games, but if you're single and you're going to make dinner out of it, 7 to 10 would be good.



*American football - not the game you actually play with your feet.

WOW! that sounds fantastic.

Ah ha the famous crickets.
*American football - not the game you actually play with your feet.

I believe the rest of the world calls it "handegg". :lol:

Alrighty then...where was I?

Oh yeah, I had just wasted a day trying incredibly complicated & technical ways to lighten my body. Thank goodness I didn't try any of those things on the guitar!

I did manage to work on the neck in between bouts of beating my head against the wall.

But before I get to that, I should introduce the latest players
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-155.jpg
3/4" walnut on the left, 1" walnut on the right. Might use it, might not. Will use some but not sure which one yet.

OK then - on to the neck. When we last saw the neck, it was laminated, had ears, maybe had some kind of shape to it and it was definitely thick. That actually was not a mistake (maybe). I meant to do that, at least that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

So, first thing, thin the headstock with the router
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-157.jpg
Made several passes to get it where I wanted which was about 2 pieces of walnut top cutoff below the fingerboard
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-158.jpg
The walnut is a little proud - but that's good. See the mark where the nut goes? No, really, that's where the nut goes, trust me.

Then I glued the walnut together like this (just in case there's someone out there that hasn't seen a clamp yet).
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-159.jpg

Took the neck and clamped it in a slap-together jig that would hold it on edge with the nut mark 90 degrees to the ROSS table
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-160.jpg

Put the whole thing on the ROSS (didn't see that coming did you?)
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-161.jpg
And sanded a transition - not THE transition - but a transition. Used a 2" spindle. That will be important later. It turned out something like this
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-162.jpg
Well, exactly like that, I mean that's it! You can see the nut mark, sanded right to it.

Then I took the walnut top cutoffs that were glued together and clamped them to a board to hold them kind of square
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-163.jpg
Turns out that was a little too high for the belt on the ROSS, so I ended up freehanding it to get the same radius I had on the neck. So why the picture? 'Cause I didn't take any of the walnut with the radius, and I wasn't about to take a picture while I was doing it. Fool me once...know what I mean?

So now I have a neck with a 2" radius and I have some walnut with a 2" radius....hmmmhttp://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-164.jpg
Glued those suckers up and set em aside.

I was wondering how the stripes down the head stock would look, I was thinking I might not like it, so I like this plan a lot. That's going to look really cool.

OK, so fast forward, or fast backward, whatever...

After the glue dried, and the walnut was shaped to the headstock (walnut routs really well by the way, much better than that splintery hickory), I sanded the walnut flush with the neck like so
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-148.jpg

And so
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-147.jpg
Wow, those are two really nice pictures of my glue. Too bad the joint isn't in focus. Oh well...

Now we're ready to take the fingerboard and the neck and make them one
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-153.jpg
I used the cut off brad technique that everybody & their dog uses, except for the guys that use the cut off staple, or pin, or needle.....

And glued them together
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-154.jpg
I think I even removed the tape over the truss rod before I glued them:grin:

So now imagine it's hours later and the glue is dry. That beat the heck out of waiting for it didn't it?

Also imagine that I shaped the fingerboard to the neck on the router table. No, really, imagine that because I didn't take a picture:roll:

Back in the old same slap-together jig for another trip to the ROSS
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-143.jpg
This time I used a 1 1/2" spindle. Get it? (hint: difference in radius between 2" dia. and 1 1/2" dia. =1/4")

And it turned out something like this
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-145.jpg

Or this
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-146.jpg

You may have noticed that the fret slots are back, I've got to thank Gitlvr for a great tip on laying them out. Check out his build thread for more info. I got to use the calipers on all the frets, not just the first 6 inches, and that thing is more accurate than my pencil! I mean really, how big is .001?

That's it for today - stay tuned for more exciting adventures in sawdust!

I was wondering how the stripes down the head stock would look, I was thinking I might not like it, so I like this plan a lot. That's going to look really cool.

Trust me - they looked pretty weird. Would probably look good with a snakehead type headstock, or a symmetrical headstock.

Oh my :shock::shock::shock: that head stock is awesome with the matching radii at the transition and the different woods. Superb!

Looking great!

James & Jeranhound - Thanks. I think it would really look good on a maple neck, or with more contrasting woods. Too late to build another neck:wink:


(I hope)

That neck is going to be lovely. So is the rest of the guitar. Lookin' great!

Great technique on the headstock! There are definitely a lot of details in that neck to make it super cool!

Mike & Roger, Thank you very much. Plenty left to do on the neck. Plenty more chances to mess it up. I love a challenge.

Stayed up late last night and I have a golf scramble this afternoon, so I have to concentrate extra hard today since I'm tired and in a hurry. Probably have to use lots of that anti-idiot tape today:lol:

Well done. I like that a lot.

Cool stuff you've got going on, nosmo. Like everyone else, I
like those fret markers, and I really like your solution for
"veneering" the headstock.

Put me down in the "love it" column too!

Thanks guys - The neck is a long way from done.

OK, so fast forward, or fast backward, whatever...

After the glue dried, and the walnut was shaped to the headstock (walnut routs really well by the way, much better than that splintery hickory), I sanded the walnut flush with the neck like so
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-148.jpg

And so
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-147.jpg
Wow, those are two really nice pictures of my glue. Too bad the joint isn't in focus. Oh well...

Now we're ready to take the fingerboard and the neck and make them one
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-153.jpg
I used the cut off brad technique that everybody & their dog uses, except for the guys that use the cut off staple, or pin, or needle.....

And glued them together
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-154.jpg
I think I even removed the tape over the truss rod before I glued them:grin:

So now imagine it's hours later and the glue is dry. That beat the heck out of waiting for it didn't it?

Also imagine that I shaped the fingerboard to the neck on the router table. No, really, imagine that because I didn't take a picture:roll:

Back in the old same slap-together jig for another trip to the ROSS
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-143.jpg
This time I used a 1 1/2" spindle. Get it? (hint: difference in radius between 2" dia. and 1 1/2" dia. =1/4")

And it turned out something like this
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-145.jpg

Or this
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-146.jpg

You may have noticed that the fret slots are back, I've got to thank Gitlvr for a great tip on laying them out. Check out his build thread for more info. I got to use the calipers on all the frets, not just the first 6 inches, and that thing is more accurate than my pencil! I mean really, how big is .001?

That's it for today - stay tuned for more exciting adventures in sawdust!

Nosmo, this is really looking good. I really like that neck.

Had one of those 'good news - bad news' things today. The bad news was it rained today. Hard. Thunder and everything. No golf. Of course the good news was I got to work on my guitar all day. Or at least part of the day, most of the day was spent making templates.

Templates you say? Well, I said it, but here we go. First I had to cut out the pattern
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-139.jpg

Then I made a 1/4" template in pieces so everything would be even and square.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-140.jpg
I attached the 1/4" to a piece of 3/4" MDF so I could make the main template. Used the center line to keep it kind of symmetrical.

Took it to the drill press and hogged it out with a big forstner bit.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-141.jpg

And here it is, ready to go
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-142.jpg

Well....almost. Turns out, the only top bearing bit I have is 1" long, and with the bearing the whole thing is too long for the first cut. So I put the template template on top of the main template. Hmmm...that would probably have made more sense if I just said I added the 1/4" template to the 3/4" template. Na - I like it the first way. So, anyway, here it is ready to rout.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-165.jpg
Already been hogged out.

The first cut is only 1/4" deep like this
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-721.jpg

Now I have to make some plugs and change the router set up.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-166.jpg

Some of the plugs need to be cut in half, so this is a good time to do that
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-167.jpg

Then cut them off
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-168.jpg

And here they are
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-169.jpg

Thanks BRO

Changed the router. I'm using a bushing and a 1/4" straight bit. Don't remember what size bushing, but it gave me a 1/4" offset from the cut.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-170.jpg
OK, it's really .26", does it matter? Not to me:grin:

So, this is what the plugs are for
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-171.jpg
I suppose I could have made another template, but it feels like that's all I do. This should work.

If I ever had everything go right for a whole day, I wouldn't know how to act.
So here's today's problem
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-172.jpg
Apparently, I didn't lay the little bumps out before I hogged the body out with the biggest drill bit I have.

Okey dokey. Chisel it.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-173.jpg

Glue it.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-174.jpg

And carry on.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-180.jpg

Close enough
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-181.jpg

I had to do all that to get a little ledge. Don/t need the template anymore, I go back to the 1/2" top bearing bit and it follows the inside contour to finish the chamber. And I think it pretty much looked like this
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-182.jpg
Oh look.....home made bench cookie - yum:grin:

I guess I need to make some covers for the chambers, so the first thing is to change the band saw blade (from 1/4" to 1/2") so I can resaw some wood.

I put this tip in the thread a couple days ago, but I just noticed the picture is wrong. The picture of the wood should have been a picture of a band saw like this.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-176.jpg
The tip is to use a piece of paper on each side of the blade to set the guide blocks the right distance from the blade. Best to do all this with the saw unplugged:wink::wink:

Then I set up a fence.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-177.jpg
Didn't have anything that was square and high enough, so I set it up like this because it's pretty easy to square up the top & bottom boards to make a high fence.

Cut me a couple slices o' walnut.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-178.jpg
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-179.jpg

Of course you can't make a cover without making another template, but I bet everyone has seen that before. Mark, sand, test fit, sand, test fit, sand,........

So here's the template and a piece of walnut. I'm about to put them together with wood glue and paper. I don't have any double sided tape.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-185.jpg
Once I get them glued, I clamp them like this
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-186.jpg
Yeah...not really clamped, but that's good enough.

Once the piece is routed or sanded or chewed to shape, the template & wood come apart with the help of a chisel.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-188.jpg

Actually, the paper comes apart.

The only cool thing about all that sanding & test fitting the template is when you finally get to rout the wood, it fits pretty well.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-189.jpg

My original plan (before the build started) was to rout a small control cavity from the back. I now have a LARGE control cavity - no problem. But, if it's a control cavity, I guess I need some access. So I did this.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-190.jpg
And why would anyone in their right mind do that?


So you can do this.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-191.jpg
See how when you push down on the back, the front comes up. Thought that might be more comfortable than putting a door knob on it.

And now I think I like the back of the guitar better than the front. If only I was left handed.

Well, I for one, like BOTH sides of the guitar, equally. I don't play favorites like some people......

Then route the front as well, that would be a wickedly good looking guitar!

I believe the rest of the world calls it "handegg":lol:

http://test.steelsoldiers.com/images/smilies/funnypost.gif
I'll start making crickets tomorrow if I can find the grill

E - I guess I should have said I like both sides, but in different ways.




But that would have been a lie - I like the back better!

Ryden - What time did you think you'd have those crickets done? I might stop by:wink:

You, my friend, are doing some incredible work.

Maybe I missed it, but how are you going to hold the control cavity plate on? Magnets would be cool and unobtrusive

Shall we say about 6ish? Bring beer!:mrgreen:

Man that's looking mighty fine.

Roger - Already drilled and countersunk for screws. Didn't put much thought in that one.:roll:

Ryden - Hey I checked my mail box, but I didn't see that plane ticket you were going to send:wink:

DeepDrummer - Thank you very much.

I did some stuff today - I'll post pics later if I get a chance.

Here are some pic of the control cover.

I drilled the small holes first and then just kind of let the countersink bit center itself.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-193.jpg
Oooohhh frickin lazers!
They look kind of deep here, but I still have to sand the back. I think they'll be alright.

Then I drilled through into the little lugs in the chamber.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-194.jpg

And it came out alot like this.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-195.jpg
You can see the pencil marks on the back where I wanted the screws. I transferred the marks to the cover and drilled somewhere around them.

You know, it almost looks like I did put a little thought in that system:wink:

Once the control cover was drilled, I figured I might as well go ahead and glue the other cover in.

A little persuasion from the BFH and that chamber is hermetically sealed.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-196.jpg
I sure hope I took the tape measure out of there:shock:

Hey, we haven't seen clamps for awhile, so here ya go.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-197.jpg

While the glue was drying, I started messing around with the next step. I don't know if this would be the next step for real builders, but I haven't built a template for several minutes so.....
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-198.jpg
This is a template I made for the control cavity when the build started. Obviously the control cavity morphed in to something else, so not being one to let a good template go to waste, I thought I'd modify it to fit my tone block. Cut it in half, took a little out of the middle and glued it back together so the opening was 3". Boy, wish I had a picture of that! I mean clamps & glue, that is great footage.

Did someone say tone block?

Do you guys hear all these voices too?

The little piece of bubinga in the first material picture was going to be my tone block. I'm kind of likin' the walnut/hickory thing going on, so why not make it out of walnut? I mean, I've got like an extra 5 or 6 board feet left. Figured I could get at least one tone block out of that.
So, I cut it somewhere in the neighborhood of 1" (which is a very small neighborhood by the way, but it was easy to run the cable & telephone lines).

Then I drill some random holes hoping they would end up 3/4" apart and on a straight line.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-199.jpg
Drilled the big holes first - 3/8" I think. Looks like I almost missed the entire board with that first one. No, it was just to set the depth. But really....I mean I had my eyes open for the majority of the drilling.

Then I drilled the little holes.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-200.jpg
They probably look like big holes to the guys building guitars, but every now and then I have to remind myself this is a bass. Boy I wish I knew how to play one!

Ok, once I cut to length and rounded the ends, I took it to the ROSS to sand, test, sand, test.......until it fit through the template.

Now it's the right size but I can't do anything with it until I drill the string holes in the body.

Here is the pin guide I've read about a hundred times on this forum.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-940.jpg
Drill part way through the top, yada, yada, yada.

Line it up with the outside holes using drill bits.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-794.jpg

Slip the template over it.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-2102.jpg

Clamp it down and hog it out.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1582.jpg

And then you rout it. Again, no picture. Have you noticed I don't have very many pictures of routing? That thing makes alot of noise and has spinning blades that take chunks out of whatever touches them. Taking pictures is about the last thing I think about when I'm routing. Here's a good tip for ya - if your going to cut yourself with something in your shop, the bandsaw takes the smallest kerf out of your finger. Just a thought:idea:

There is a picture of the tone block installed, but you are going to have to wait for it.

Here's a good tip for ya - if your going to cut yourself with something in your shop, the bandsaw takes the smallest kerf out of your finger. Just a thought:idea:

:lol:Highly entertaining post. ^ and that should be on a sticky in the Home Depot section :lol:

Do you think the walnut will be stout enough to carry the load from the tension in those bass strings? I'd think it would be susceptible to cracking.

But wait....there's more.

I routed for the pickup using my original template, but alas, no pictures. Went pretty well, nothing too exciting.

Then I drilled for the pickup wire.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1556.jpg
I think I could have drilled that from next door. You see how long that bit is? The actual hole is maybe 2 inches.

One more hole, but it requires a jig. Well probably could have done without the jig, but I really like to waste time. So here's the jig. It's pretty high tech so you might want to get some paper and something to write with before you look at the pics.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-327.jpg

http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1061.jpg
Again a 2" hole. Man, it takes two people to hold the drill with that bit in it!


Alrighty then, it's time to bust out the bench cookies and do a little routing. The plan was to put a round over on the body, and as you all know, I never wander too far from the plan so......
First pass (w/1/4").
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1267.jpg

Second pass (3/8")
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1914.jpg

Third pass (1/2")
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1774.jpg
Would have gone more but ran out of bits.

Here's a happy accident. I didn't plan it this way, didn't even think about it, but the roundover took off a little of the tone block - I like it! :grin:
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-898.jpg
And those weird holes appeared up by the neck. I think the squirrels are getting in here at night and messing with my tools.

That's some really impressive work!

The BFH - is that a Texas thang?

Mojo - Thanks - more like brute strength & ignorance. BFH is an offshore term, probably not meant for public consumption.

somehow I missed that this was going to be a bass... that makes it all the better.:grin:

BFH - Since I grew up in Oklahoma, I'm fluent in redneck :shock: :lol:

First we have arm contours, then belly contours. Now you go and do tone bar contours?! Come on, I think it's kinda getting outta hand now :mrgreen:

Where was I? Oh yeah, I think it might be time to introduce the body to the neck. Woah...that sounds like a couple of mob guys, or an episode of Jersey Shores.

First I have to figure out how far in the body the neck needs to go. I could have used my original template but I made it, so I don't trust it. Bust out the cheapest, most inaccurate yard stick the hardware store sells, and put it on the neck starting at the nut. Go to the other end, hope & pray that it didn't move and see where I want the bridge.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1753.jpg
Well I know where I want the bridge, I pretty much have to put it where I drilled the holes. So I move the neck until the straightedge with marks on it says 30.

Next I line up two, count em, two straight edges with the neck and get the wide ends the same distance from the center.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-430.jpg

Then it is just a simple matter of holding one in place with one hand while you remove the other & replace it with a straight piece of MDF with the other hand and then holding both of those in place, take another hand and clamp the MDF so it wont move.

Eventually, if you have enough hands you end up with something like this.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-817.jpg
Well, I did, you may want to do it some other way. As a matter of fact, I would do it another way if I could do it again.

Dang it, no pictures of hogging or routing. That would have been really entertaining. Oh well, there is excitement coming up. I mean no day would be complete without something to repair.

The pocket looks pretty good from here.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1685.jpg

It might be deep enough, I really don't know. The fingerboard is about the same height as the bridge in its lowest position.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1771.jpg

Shall we say about 6ish? Bring beer!:mrgreen:

Ya, boy! Some of that Shiner. I Like the original Bock best.

the details are making this thing stand out for sure, I love the rear covers.

I'm kind of thinkin this could be a problem.

http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-2401.jpg
The stupid MDF moved and now I have a 1/16" gap.

Fortunately for me, I have enough walnut to shake a stick at. Um..since walnut is technically a stick to start with, I don't think shaking another one at it would do any good. But I digress....

Just happened to have this thin piece left over from resawing the back covers. Maybe if I cut a little notch out of the bottom, and then cut a piece of hickory really thin, and smear some glue on them, and wrap them with a rubber band, maybe I can threaten the body enough to heal.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1567.jpg
The glue might have dried before I sanded it, who knows?

A little test fit..
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-840.jpg
..and it looks like I can glue it in and use the neck as a clamp.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1393.jpg

Mixed up a little secret sauce for any gaps.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-2269.jpg
And smear it in the seam.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-778.jpg

Cut it off.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1531.jpg

And sand it down.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1927.jpg

It's hard to tell it's there. I think it will disappear with the finishing. The main thing is now it's the right size & shape to work. Here's the obligatory photo of someone with an arm that looks just like mine holding up the guitar by the neck.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-2282.jpg
Really, I'm holding the guitar up by the neck. If I had longer arms I could have gotten a better picture. Darned squirrels put a couple holes in the top too!

Holy moly, it is close to not having much left to do. A little sanding, a little finish, maybe some wiring.........maybe the squirrels will come back and finish the neck holes.


Arrrggghhh......I knew there was something - the neck! Still need a contour. So what's your opinion on a pretty fat E shape?

dilbone - It's amazing what you can learn from your mistakes. If I was to do a front like that, my little band saw is big enough to resaw the top. Who knew? Thanks for your comments.

Great fix! You got some mad skillz :!:

:grin:

Wow!! Definitely doesn't look like any "beginner" projects I've seen.

GREAT work!!!

looks..... - But I have squirrels helping me:wink:

For a so-called beginner project, sure looks professional to me. Can't wait to see the end result. Well done nosmo.

:lol:Highly entertaining post. ^ and that should be on a sticky in the Home Depot section :lol:

Do you think the walnut will be stout enough to carry the load from the tension in those bass strings? I'd think it would be susceptible to cracking.


It may be. I have no experience with this. I figured the block is pretty much trapped in the hickory, so I never thought about cracking. I did think about the string tension deforming the bottom of the holes. I have some brass washers that just happen to fit in a 3/8" hole:wink:

Should have answered sooner, but I missed this post.

Thanks Tontele

I, for one, vote for the "E-shaped" neck.

Yeah....kind of figured you would.

Very nice build you have going here. Looking forward to seeing it finished.

Thank you Colt - I'm kind of looking forward to it too.

All this beautiful work and you forgot to mention the most important detail...What are the results of the lipo suction? People with bad backs want to know...you know? :lol:

Oh and a question - are you going to fret before or after finish? I'm pondering that right now, I've done it both ways and didn't like either so, still pondering.

I did about all I could do without actually turning it into an acoustic. I got it down to 5 lbs. Sorry, that's the best I could do.

I guess I'm going to put the frets in before finishing. Don't know why except I thought the CA glue at the fret ends might mess up the finish and I plan to use Tru-Oil and I'll just have to see how it polishes out. Oh yeah, I wanted to put the frets in before I shaped the back of the neck.

Wow - I must have gotten promoted somehow. I just noticed I'm a Tele-Meister now. That beats the heck out of my last title, which, as I recall was Tele-Peon or something along those lines.

Spending the weekend at my brother's lake house in Livingston.


http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/file-2.jpg


Didn't have any guitar parts I could work on here, so I guess I have a few days to over-think the next steps in my build.

It does give me a chance to try to catch up with the other threads. Boy, they are looking good. Should be a bunch of finishing going on pretty soon, so we will get to see all the talent on this forum shine. I have never had the patients for finishing, I love building things but I usually shortcut the finish. It's quite possible you have already seen the best of my build :oops:

Your build is looking fantastic Those back covers looks great!! Awesome job on fixing that neck pocket. Simply genius!

Allthesound - Thanks. I wish I didn't have to fix stuff like that. I need to be more careful in the first place :roll:

thank god i've built guitars before, that way I don't have to go up against you in the beginners category. great build man! and if you're stealing my headstock routing, i'm stealing that fretboard radius jig!

+1 on glad I'm not a beginner. Nos is sorta making a lot of us experienced builders look a little, well silly.

NOSMO, this is a Very Very Cool guitar you are building. I sure am wishing you weren't a beginner. Man, this is amazing.

You all are too kind....really. :oops:

Bow - Steal away. Your headstock is outrageous. I've never seen anything like it.

Muzikp - I think I'm about to look silly. I can cut & glue, but I'm not experienced enough to know if the nut slot is too deep, or the neck pocket is deep enough, or if I can get the frets to stay in the slots, or.....see where I'm going with this?

Bro - I won't be a beginner after this. That's why I'm in the challenge this year. I would not have been here at all if there had been no beginner category. The guys building on this forum are just way too good.

Today, since I can't work on the bass, and my brother always has some project going on, we went to the local HD competitor and bought some lumber.

Back at his shop, we cut, screwed, drilled, hammered and generally slapped together a dog ramp for his dock. The lakefront is bulkheaded so dogs don't have any way to get out of the water after they jump off the dock.

So here are some pictures of the ramp.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/file-3.jpg
This is the side the fish will see. We added some floatation to make sure it would support my nephew's 30 lb dog. Personally, I think it could support a small herd of soaking wet St. Bernards.

We attached it to the dock with eye bolts and a removable metal pin.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/file-5.jpg
The eye bolts are rated for about 1250 lb each, and there are 5 sets of them, so the heard of St. Bernards could probably bring all their friends.

And here it is in all its soaking glory.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/file-4.jpg
Complete with toenail friendly carpeting and traction cleats. (We replaced those clamps with 6 large lag bolts.)

I sure hope the dogs enjoy it.

Tomorrow I might do something that has to do with guitars - you never know!

No rush, I'm enjoying the Lake pics, and that's an awesome "doggy ramp" you two built.

Well, I got home today and didn't know where to start, or continue, or whatever. I guess I'll just keep going from where I left off. The last thing I did Friday was repair the neck pocket.

Here's another picture of the repair.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-283.jpg
You'll notice the squirrels did not finish the mounting holes for the neck. You know, it's getting where you can't trust the little buggers. I mean they had all weekend!

In their defense, these two guys were hanging out in my back yard.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/file.jpg
The squirrels tend to disappear when the hawks are around.

So anyway, I had to drill the holes myself. I started where the squirrels left off, drilling the 1/2" holes a little deeper. I guess they don't have the weight to drill deeper than about 1/16". Probably had two or three of them on the handle of the drill press at the same time.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1574.jpg
I know, I know...they look kind of deep don't they? Well, I did that on purpose. I mess up lots of stuff. And you all know I don't have any problem telling you when I do. But this time I really did that on purpose.

The next thing I did was drill some walnut plugs. I think they were 1/2" :wink:
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1025.jpg

Then I glued the walnut plugs in the neck holes like so...
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1382.jpg
I let the glue ooze out a little and sprinkled some magic dust in there. That's my bag of walnut sawdust in the picture. I think I could fix almost anything with that.

Once that dried, or at least got real tacky (I had a girlfriend like that once) I drilled them deep enough for my bolts & finish washers. Then I drilled the through holes just a hair bigger than the bolts.

Anyway, this is what they look like.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-795.jpg
Still need some sanding.

Next I clamped the neck in the pocket and made sure it lined up with the bridge and string through holes. It was well within several inches, so I drilled into the neck a bit to mark the holes. Boy, you can just imagine what that looked like.......right, no picture.

Once the neck was marked, I had to drill holes near those marks that would fit the threaded inserts I want to use to hold the neck on. I do actually have a picture of the holes.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1332.jpg
See anything wrong with that? I did. They don't seem to be centered :shock:

Turns out, squirrels, though quite helpful at times, can't read a tape measure worth a damn.

This will be an easy fix. I'm not going to do anything about it. :grin: It is not noticeable, the inserts will not hit the truss rod and the neck IS centered. I could fill the holes with hickory plugs and redrill in the correct locations, but I think the plugs would be more noticeable that the holes being off center.

Here's a picture of the neck that shows the body seam.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-2467.jpg

Hey, as long as it doesn't cause issues then it's not a mistake. It's just a creative approach.

Nosmo, really looking great. You're on the home stretch, even with some time out at the (:mrgreen: insert envy here) lake house.

I really want to play this bass. I'm just totally serious, I want to. Can you do us a favor and give us a full body and neck shot front and back? I want to see the whole thing :wink:

Looking fantastic , very impressive :)

J-hound - There are quite a few 'creative approaches' in this build.

R.Strat.. - I'll be back at the lake this weekend. :lol: Got to work faster!

James - I'd love to have you play it, and if you could make a short video while you were doing it....
Full body & neck shot front & back? Now you're startin' to make me feel uncomfortable :oops: Oh, you mean the bass?

adirondak - Back at ya. Your's is looking pretty good too.

Turns out, squirrels, though quite helpful at times, can't read a tape measure worth a damn.

Yet another TDPRI guitar-building bit o' wisdom :lol:

You've put in so many great details here. I'm going to be paying homage to you in several of my future builds... yes, that means I'm stealing your ideas :mrgreen:

This is the biggest group of thieves I've ever seen! (Of course that includes me :lol:)

There was a little progress last night. I was thinking, 'what can I do that won't keep the neighbors awake?', and I figured I'd install the frets. Cool - never done this before, looks easy, what could go wrong?

First I had to finish my fret bender. I cobbled it together offshore and still needed to tweek it a bit. I chucked the bolt for the big wheel in the drill press and cut it down with a hack saw. Kind of like this...
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-981.jpg

Then I cut a slot in the middle the same way for the fret tang.

The whole thing can out something like this..
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1867.jpg
And it actually works. :shock: Now, I don't know how much you should bend the frets, but I bent them a little more than the radiuses, radii, whatever, that I have on my fingerboard.

Sanded the fretboard to about 400. Might have been 600, but I think anything over 400 is pretty much like rubbing it with cloth - and I'm lazy :wink:

I beat the frets in with a hammer (the hammer face was protected with several layers of anti-idiot tape - didn't want to hurt the hammer!). Man, they went in slick as sh...uhm, slick as..., well pretty darn slick. I put a couple drops of super glue on each fret before I put them in. I did not wick any glue in the fret ends. Do you guys do that to keep the frets down, or to keep small animals from living under the frets?

Anyway, once the frets were installed and trimmed with my modified end cutters, I filed them even with the fretboard and beveled them some with this.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-348.jpg
Another fine tool design compliments of TDPRI.

And they came out quite a bit like this..
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1698.jpg

Or this..
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1949.jpg

The only problem is all the little metal fret ends on the kitchen floor. No big deal, I think the maid will be here in a couple weeks.

Nice work on the bender. On the 1 neck I've fretted, I bent my frets to an 11" radius for my 12" radius board. I didn't use any glue at all either. With the proper slot size and hammering technique, I didn't have any issues at all with loose frets.

Here's today's update.

I had the neck sitting there with frets & everything, so obviously the next thing to do is work on the body.

There's not really much left to do on the body, but I never let that stop me before. Well, it does need a hole for the jack. (Ha, thought I was going to say jack hole didn't you? .....Doh!)

Anyway here the process. Drill a 1" hole about 1/16" (or a couple M&M's) deep.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1347.jpg

Then drill a 7/8" hole through to the control cavity.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-233.jpg
I almost messed up here. I measured the jack and thought 'wonder why everybody drills a 7/8" hole when a 3/4" hole is plenty'. Chucked up a 3/4" bit and then decided to check one more time. Sure enough, the jack will fit, but the Electrosocket jack cup wont. Chucked up a 7/8" bit and pretended that I knew what I was doing.

And here's a test fit of the jack cup.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-2279.jpg
I like the look of the recessed jack.

The side nobody will ever see looks pretty good.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-2140.jpg
I'd like to say I planned it to come out like that, but the fact is I just got lucky :grin:

As long as the cover was off, I thought I'd try to dress it up a little. So I took it to the drill press and made the countersinks a little deeper. Then I sanded them with a piece of sandpaper wrapped around the countersink bit.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1977.jpg

Moved it back to the work bench and formed some brass washers by driving a screw into the scrap wood underneath.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-201.jpg

Here's the finished cover.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-353.jpg
Or, I should say, the cover ready for finish.

Wow things are looking really great!

But wait, there's more! If you order in the next....

But seriously, there is more. Back to the neck. It's all fretted up with nowhere to go, so I suppose I should thin the headstock (again) and drill the tuner holes.

Actually, I drilled the tuner holes first.

Tklaavo had a neat little jig to drill his tuner holes, and he was nice enough to give me the measurements. Of course if I used that jig I would have 6 holes in my headstock, so I just laid them out on the neck. I did, however use M&M's in honor of tklaavo and all our foreign friends.

http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-944.jpg
OK, so it looks like the holes are 1 big number and 3 little marks from the top of the headstock.

I made two marks that distance and connected them with a line.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-824.jpg

Then I measured the center to center distance. I think it was 4 big numbers and 3 little marks. Marked them on the line.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1834.jpg

Set up a fence on the drill press, measured the tuner with my calipers set to M&M's. It just spit out a bunch of numbers so I used a 1/2" bit.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-545.jpg

And just like that I have 4 holes pretty much in a straight line and somewhere near the same distance apart.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1037.jpg
I guess those M&M's work pretty well :grin:

The problem is the holes for the tuners I bought are not any standard size I've ever seen. I mean they don't even appear to be metric. Well, long story short, I did not have a drill bit that would work.

But I did have a drill bit extender that was the perfect diameter :idea:

Sooooo...I cut two slots in a cross in the end of it with a hack saw.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-710.jpg

Then I took a small file and made 4 teeth.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1928.jpg

And chucked it in the drill press.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1043.jpg

Now I have to thin the headstock. I already thinned it from the top and added a walnut lamination, but I built the neck thick (because I don't know what I'm doing, and I figured I could always make it thinner - thicker could be a problem). So this was sort of in the plan.

Off to the router...
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-295.jpg

Now I just hate to change horses midstream, but there is just something about the laminations being off center on the tele style head that bugs me.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-2462.jpg

Fortunately for me I have all sorts of walnut laying around, and I even posted a proof of life pic so it's fair game. Rout a little thinner, cut some 1/4" walnut, sand some of it till your arm hurts, and glue it up.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1895.jpg

Just have to trim this off...
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1468.jpg

And thin it for the tuners - again.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-2395.jpg
Wondering about the clamps & blocks? Did you ever lift the back end up a little when you were doing this kind of operation and rout too deep? Well, I certainly never have (right!). The blocks keep you from going too deep. Kind of anti-idiot tape only it's more mechanical.

After that it's just drill & ream the holes and sand a little.

And here ya go.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1947.jpg

I sanded the body and I think it's about ready for finish. The only major operation is shaping the neck. :shock: I've been doing everything else I could think of, I guess I've put that off about as long as I can. Wish me luck!

Wow things are looking really great!

Thanks - Of course I'm using a LOT less pieces of wood than you are!

Looking good! You're making great progress with plenty of time left. Gotta feel good about that. :grin:

Subscribed...

This is just cool , I love it .

Hey! where do you get that anti-idiot tape, in desperate need of some

Looking great, great job on the drill bit

Looking good! You're making great progress with plenty of time left. Gotta feel good about that. :grin:

Subscribed...
Thanks. You never know when they might call me back to work. Got to do what I can when I can.


This is just cool , I love it .

Thank you very much


Hey! where do you get that anti-idiot tape, in desperate need of some

Looking great, great job on the drill bit

I think I need something more foolproof than anti-idiot tape most of the time, but at least it keeps me working on the correct side of the board.

I probably need to buy some more drill bits :roll:

Alright, you guys are killin' me. I just sat here for a hour looking at the other builds (in between smearing Tru Oil on the body). I could sit here all day but I have things to do that I've been putting off, like my taxes, or fixing the washing machine, or eating.

Still stalling on the neck shaping :roll: Maybe I'll do some of that later.

This is gonna be a fine looking bass.

This is gonna be a fine looking bass.

No, this is a fine looking bass:

http://extraordinaryfishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/tumblr_lbpnuq8P6q1qaysc1.jpg

Well now Ugly - If that doesn't attract more people to my build, I don't know what will - Thanks :lol:

And that IS a nice bass!

Makes me want to take a bite, get lockjaw and get dragged to death.... Pure enjoyment

No, this is a fine looking bass:

http://extraordinaryfishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/tumblr_lbpnuq8P6q1qaysc1.jpg

Also a fine looking as. .oh, I guess I'm not supposed to say that. Nosmo, your bass is just about as sexy as that fisher-gal, or person, or whatever. Nice parts, organic curves, and whatever not-so-subtle similarities I might come up with--.

Personally, I kinda liked the laminations showing all the way up through the headstock, but the cap you put on looks good, too.

Nice build, man, I'm jealous. And you even reminded me I need to do my damn taxes. :cry::mad::cry::mad:

jpturbo - Thanks. Like you, I have little things helping me with the build. Mine just happen to be hairy while your's are plastic. I should have acknowledged your post earlier, but I was kind of distracted by ugly's post. :shock:

Rick - If I could build a bass as sexy as that fisher-gal I'd quit my day job! :lol:

I see you are still putting off the full body shot :mrgreen:.

I guess your plan is like that home makeover show - you know you don't see the whole home til some dude yells "move that bus" and when the diesel smoke clears your in a sort of "shock and awe" moment. So yeah that's what I'm expecting then...a shock and awe moment. Well another one actually since ugly's post already, errr... still is providing one.

No, this is a fine looking bass:

http://extraordinaryfishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/tumblr_lbpnuq8P6q1qaysc1.jpg

Wait.....there's a BASS in this picture???? You're lying!

James - I'll be shocked & awed if it works when it's done :wink: Besides, I though ugly already posted the full body shot :grin:

E - It took me about 10 minutes to find the bass.

I do what I can in the interest of art and the spirit of the build, gentlemen!

Keep it up nosmo! Good stuff.

Thank you ugly guitar guy.


So you want pictures do you?

Well I guess these will have to do..
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-810.jpg
That's the front (duh?) after sanding sealer, sanding and 2 coats of Tru-Oil. It's still wet in this picture. It will need several more coats & quite a bit of polishing, but the grain is starting to glow.

Here's a shot of the back..
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1719.jpg
The color does not show up very well in this picture. The hickory turned almost gold. I mean I'm talking a nice light golden, almost yellowish color.

Here's one of the control cover..
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1573.jpg

And that's all I have to say about that!

Thank you ugly guitar guy.


So you want pictures do you?

Well I guess these will have to do..
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-810.jpg
That's the front (duh?) after sanding sealer, sanding and 2 coats of Tru-Oil. It's still wet in this picture. It will need several more coats & quite a bit of polishing, but the grain is starting to glow.

Here's a shot of the back..
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1719.jpg
The color does not show up very well in this picture. The hickory turned almost gold. I mean I'm talking a nice light golden, almost yellowish color.

Here's one of the control cover..
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1573.jpg

And that's all I have to say about that!

Gorgeous! Those brass inserts are inspired. They really jazz up the back, as though it needed it.

Yep, I agree. There are so many details (like the brass inserts) that really make this stand out. Great job!

Yeah - I'm a detail kind of guy.

Actually, I was doing all I could to put off shaping the back of the neck :roll: I was scared to death to start that. Turns out, it aint so bad (so far) :wink:

You have great woodworking skills. My routing skills have gotten worse over this last year, but with all the instruction and advice I have seen, I think it is a function of my lack of patience.

I am still trying to find the bass in the chick pic. :)

czook - I have never done much pattern routing before. Used the router for lots of other things. My technique must be really bad because I tear up almost everything I try to rout. I go the right way, I use sharp bits, I ease it into the cut and then....BAM..:shock:..flood of bad words.

The next time, I'm either making the entire guitar out of MDF, or I'm sanding everything to shape!:grin:

I figured out how to get a good close up picture and still keep it in focus with my camera. It doesn't have a 'micro' setting, so I had to set the resolution to something ridiculous like 3.5 mega whatsits, and then back off and zoom in.

So....after all that, I got this...
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-2107.jpg
Holy cow! - I just wanted to show off how great my frets fit in the slots. That pic is so big it looks like I could fill the bottom of the fret slots with 2x4's! The maple is less than 1/4" and in real life the gaps are really, really small. Really! Looks like I have to clean up the ends a bit more too. This is going to be a pain if I have to keep checking with my camera!

Oh well, I leveled the frets with a sharpie and a file (the file takes them down a lot faster than the sharpie by the way), then kind of shaped the sides & edges and polished them with 1000 grit paper. I think I need to do a little more, but they'll do for now.

Now the step I've been dreading - shaping the back of the neck. I'm thinking I have so much work in this neck, I'd hate to screw it up now. But here we go...

First I marked the neck with anti-idiot tape so I could see how thick I wanted it at the nut & the 12th fret. Then I mounted the neck to a couple blocks that held it at an angle to match the target thickness. I used more tape under the bridge end to raise the neck at that end.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-2094.jpg
The blocks also keep me from going too far into the heel or headstock.

Slapped that whole contraption on the router table and took off the stuff that wasn't a neck in a couple thin passes.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-365.jpg
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-764.jpg
I bet that last picture would have been better if I had taken it of the side with the tape :roll: Well, just imagine I routed pretty close to the mark. And there's no truss rod exposed, so I guess I'm off to a good start :grin:

Time to start the real shaping. I wonder which tool will work the best.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1929.jpg
Well, the phillips screwdriver failed right away. :shock: The block plane kind of worked, but I couldn't get very close to the ends because of the heel & headstock transitions. I had great hopes for the 12" rule, but it was about useless. :roll: In the end, the rasp, sanding block & chisel seemed to be the best bet. I think this would be fun (and efficient)with a draw knife or a spokeshave, but I don't own any (yet).

Actually, I had great luck with the chisel. Felt like I had more control and left a nice smooth finish that required very little sanding.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1132.jpg

Speaking of chisels, here's a shop tip for ya. The most dangerous tool in your shop is probably the dullest tool. (Of course that's YOUR shop - the most dangerous tool in MY shop might well be the tape measure!)

Here it is getting closer.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-1104.jpg

And from another angle.
http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/nosmospics/Bass%20Build/file-702.jpg

Ain't nothin to this stuff - I don't know why you guys are so scared :lol:

And that's where I am now. Well, actually I'm back at the lake now, but I brought the neck with me so I can play with it this weekend.

Looks like you've got it all figured out, nosmo. And thanks for the shop tips too-- the sharpie, the philips screwdriver, the tape measure :lol:.

Good stuff, man :grin:

Nosmo, this is great! One of my son's has been asking me to build him a bass, Tele bass no less. I will be refering to this thread when I start on his! You have some great ideas!

Thanks bro. Everything I know about this stuff I learned here.

Roger - I'll be here all week, try the roast beef and be sure to tip your waitress :grin:

Great job on the neck nosmo , I've used block planes , rasps , chisels , ROSS , neck shaping jig on a router table , but my favorite is a spoke shave . Good Sharp chisels work great on the transitions . :)

What a sublime example of luthiery this is.

Hat well and truly off to you, Nosmo. This is brilliant.

kwerk - Thanks, that means an awful lot coming from you. I'm glad to see you're back at it. Can't wait to see what you're building.

Herb - The ROSS worked pretty well too, but it was hard to see where I was sanding. I've got to get a spoke shave. I'd love to try that.

When the challenge started, I thought I'd make a jig to shape the back of the neck with a router. I'm not even sure why I did it by hand, but I'm glad I did.