Jabba_the_gut

Damn, I wanted two...…...

Sure it is the Osmo 1101 I use- I have tried a couple of types. I haven’t heard of partridge oil - might have a look into that, thanks. If you can’t make the Midlands Bash, the SE Bash later in the year is always worth a visit. Always a good selection of basses there and some interesting folk giving chats. Cheersr

I have been buying a few bits of wood for fretboards recently - one ebony and two ebony-a-like. One of the ebony-a-like pieces I bought I'm really not impressed with - it will be going back!! The other is a piece of Rocklite and that looks very nice (uniform colour and a fine 'grain' to it). I'm in two minds about using it on this short scale neck but I think I'll stick with the real ebony I have already cut. Also, if I change the fretboard, I'll have to make a new bridge to match and I'm quite happy with the one I have already made.

I have been doing a little bit of work on this. but again, mainly sanding so no interesting pictures to post except a pile of dust...... I will be getting on with this over the next few weeks as I want it finished for the Midlands Bass Bash. I might have the neck made for the SW Bass Bash but I don't realistically think the whole bass will be done as I don't want to rush it.

Hi @Soledad, Cheers for message. I'm no authority on finishes, I just use the ones that I'm comfortable using. I have tried quite a few different oils (Danish, Tru-Oil, Tung oil etc.) but I tend to stick with Osmo oils - I've just found them the easiest to work with so use them for most things. I have used Tru-Oil once and didn't like it but that must have been me as everyone else seems to swear by it!! I really ought to try this again at some point. I do occasionally use rattle cans of nitro cellulose (for satin or gloss finishes) or water based lacquers in a spray gun with a compressor. I don't particularly like spraying as it there is more prep and cleaning up and also requires the use of a mask etc, as it isn't generally pleasant stuff. There's also a definite skill to spraying, something I also need more practice at. For fret slots I use a Pax fret saw in a slotting jig these days as most basses I build aren't 34" scale. If I am making a 34" scale bass I may buy a pre-slotted fretboard if I can get it in the wood I want to use. Cheers Jez

Managed to get on with some more work on this today. I have been doing quite a bit on this prior to today but that is just sanding and doesn't make for the most interesting of posts!! I've also been doing quite a bit of work on the Telecaster I'm putting together for a friend of mine (guitar teacher neighbour). I have started sealing the body for spraying and given it a quite coat on the top as this will probably require a fair bit of work to get a really nice finish. Today, I've fretted the neck using a small arbor press and a fret caul. I was quite lucky that a friend who worked at an engineering firm was able to modify the press to accept that caul. I've used this press for fretting all of my basses and I much prefer it to trying to use a hammer - it is much easier and more accurate but it is also more expensive than a hammer... Note the best pictures, I'll take some more tomorrow, but this is where I am currently at: And here it is with the other shorty: I'm also eagerly checking the status of the delivery for the Nova headless bridge I've ordered - really looking forward to that!

I'm hoping to make 2 bodies from this - one natural finish and one painted. The painted one will be where I can't avoid the existing holes in the remaining wood. I was told the wood is quite old so should be pretty good. There's still 6 pieces of this left it - need a bigger car next time!!

I was away this weekend with my family for a trip to Chester Zoo. We stopped at a farm shop just outside for a cuppa and a nice slice of cake. There was an antiques place next door that had these slabs of wood - I'm told it is mahogany, and it certainly looks like it under the varnish. 45mm thick - a few screw holes but they can be avoided. Couldn't resist, had to fit a couple of pieces into the car boot as it was cheap (£25 for both bits) !!!

No unfortunately- just fine marks left by the thicknesser.

Thicknessed the fretboard today. Next task will be to route the truss rod

Routed the body to accept a single J pickup. Position turned out lovely and lined up exactly with the pre-drilled cable holes.

That's how it looks to me. A slightly different way than other solutions - I'm looking forward to giving this a go.

Absolutely! Be very interested to see it. Cheers

Hopefully, the bridge will be with me by the time of the SW Bass Bash so I’ll bring it along for folk to look at.

They do look very nice. I've gone for an 18mm spacing 5 string version in black. Will post the details on here when the postie drops it through the letterbox. Might use it for a shortie or might use it for something else.....

‘Andy, about the headstock on my bass’ @fleabag

Indeed, clamp looks very handy

Looking forward to trying this!

HI Andre - good to see you on here! Please feel free to add any details of your bridges in the thread - I’m sure they will be of interest to quite a few people. Cheers Jez

The headless systems can be really expensive- The Steinberger jobs that Hohner used can be bought as spares and are about as cheap as I have found for a 5 string. But the main problem with those is that the headpiece only accepts double ball end strings which is not an option on this short things. Hipshot do a headpiece but is very expensive, ETS do one which is more reasonably priced, but there isn't a massive choice! For the four string ones in this build are using the bridges widely available on eBay and are very reasonably priced - but they don't do a five string version. I have come across another supplier of headless parts that are comparable in cost with a decent standard headed bridge and tuners. So I've taken a punt as it looked interesting (and the guy that makes them has been helpful)..... More details to follow...

See, you're thinking about it. Go on, have a little trim...

I’ve had a couple of people ask me about 5 string version so I just ordered a headless system. Something a little different- I’ll post more when it arrives.....

Is that a no?

Just an incy, wincy little bit of a trim?....

Got to do some shaping on this today. I really enjoy doing this shape, it just appeals to the engineer in me!! First bit of rough shaping of the first half of the neck: Shaping done with the Shinto rasp, a smaller rasp and a round file: Into the vice for the second half that can't be reached with the body in place: And the neck ready to round the fretboard and install the frets: