Well, it's pretty much all done. Just have to tune it up and set the string height and intonation. The nut looks pretty happy but may take a few more strokes once the other stuff it done.
May still make a thumb dealie to cover that weird spot on the maple...I covered the smaller one with one of my logo badges.
Overall I'm pretty happy given that I started with someone else's work and had some 'handicaps' to overcome. One thing I don't like thought is all on me and that was the choice of tuner layout which gave me some wonky looking string angles across the headstock....Oh well.
As an aside, I LOVE the finish. Several coats of Tru-Oil, leveled with 0000 steel wool and a couple coats of Johnson's paste wax. Just the right amount of sheen and grain still showing in the walnut.
I see what you mean about the tuners, have you tried reversing the direction of wind of the two high strings, so that the string comes off them on the right hand side? I think it would make all the string path parallel.
Sammy. That would help, but in general it's bad for the tuners and would prolly be confusing. It's a gift for my (almost) son-in-law and he seemed not to mind...or even notice.
Nice work, so are you going to get in touch with the one who started the build?
Not sure of his condition. I was given it after he ODd and was barely above a vegetative state. I'd be surprised if he was still alive. I will send some pics to his mom tho.
Thanks for all the comments, I had a good time building it and plan to do more. My other (almost) son-in-law played it a bit and really liked it....might be where the next one goes. lol
Well the bass is on its way to Texas. Had a chance to plug it into my tweed Princeton clone just to make sure all was well...it was, with the exception of a B string buzz at the 9th fret. Got that fixed and a thumbs up from 2 players as far as general playability. Had hoped to pop down to GC and try it through a bass amp but didn't have time.
Sent pics to my friend who's son started the whole thing and was glad to hear he's living in a care home and is a visual artist. He gave the final version a thumbs up and I bought one of his art pieces in thanks.