Teaser for summer build - Bass IX - Pics!

Even with the 2012 build competition going on right now, and TDPRI being flooded with a much-welcomed overstock of build threads, I wanted to share a couple pictures of what I've been working on and will finish by late-May or early-June.

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j464/Johlsef89/photobucket-1799-1333737406950.jpg

http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j464/Johlsef89/photobucket-5923-1333737418335.jpg

Like many of you, I love the sound of the Bass VI. And until just learning about the model last year, I never realized that so many of my favorite bands - The Cure, Tortoise, Placebo, etc. - have used or are still using one. To that end, I've started this project that will take the Bass VI a step further (well, technically 3 steps) and turn it into a 9 string guitar: a Bass IX. The Tuning will remain true to the Bass VI for the lowest strings - eg. E-e - but the 3 additional, higher strings will be tuned to a guitar's A, D, & G.

I've taken a couple pictures along the way, so for those that are interested those will be posted this summer along with the body portion of the build. A lot of this build is/will be a first for me, so wish me luck!

Anywho, good luck with all your 2012 build entries guys and gals! See you in the summer!


Best,
Joseph

:shock:

This is going to be amazing!

Are you sticking with the offset body or are you planning to plant this neck in a more tele shaped one... or something completely different?

^ I'm planning on doing it as true to the Bass VI model as possible; offset and all. Oddly enough, I actually built a 30" scale guitar last summer with a Strat style body that was routed for a Tele control plate. It was my first full build (neck and body at least) and it came out so-so. I wasn't thrilled with how the neck balanced with the body -- esthetically and physically. Being that this neck is quite large and the Bass VI body is a little bigger than a Strat body, I'm hoping this build won't come out quite as neck-heavy as my first attempt did. We'll see though. I'm still tinkering with the idea of widening the body to match the extra neck width. In theory, it seems like a good idea, but it does look a little wacky after seeing it drawn up; almost toy-like.

Color-wise, the body is going to be a pretty close replica of Dakota Red. I figure if this thing is going to sound ostentatious, it may as well look like it too haha.

Is that a flat radius? You must have very long fingers!

^ Yeah. Flat radius, infinite radius; same thing. It has a really cool, comfortable feel to it. As far as my fingers go, I actually have semi-short fingers for a guy. I play a lot of multi-fingered tapping/percussive type music on the guitar though, so chugging along on the low E isn't a huge concern of mine.

9 strings, flat board - nudging into Chapman Stick territory there!

Haha, for sure. I'm not particularly attracted to Chapman's design, but the concept is killer -- super sensitive pickups, alternative body materials, etc.

The neck looks awesome! Cant wait to see the rest!

Hot damn.