Jabba_the_gut

Hi Rubis. I did consider a Schaller bridge - I have a spare 2000 model but I'd like to use a two piece type. Ideally I'd like this bass to look similar to the semi hollow one I made so I'm looking for something quite specific, will possibly an ETS part. Still looking at options at the moment.....

I've decided to shelve my planned headless bass whilst I have a bit of a think.... So instead, I've decided to build a medium scale solid bodied bass. I'm going to use the same body shape I used for a recent semi-hollow build and the same scale neck. I have a piece of ash I got from a local tree surgeon a while back which I'm using for the body. The ash is quite a good size and I've had it thicknessed; there are a few faults in the timber but I'll be able to work around those. I've got a piece of bocote for the fretboard and a piece of maple for the neck. Pickup wise, I have a new-old-stock Schaller active p-bass pickup and some Schaller machine heads. I'm not settled on the bridge yet but have a few ideas.

Er. No update. Put the bits back in their boxes. Having a think about it............have started building an ash bodied medium scale bass with an active p pickup though!!

Not sure, never tried it!! I would have thought that a couple of 6mm hardwood towels would be plenty to stop the bridge moving. Cheers

Hi Honza, Could you possibly use a couple of short dowels / locator pins that protrude a couple of mm from the face of the body. Then you could have a couple of matching shallow holes in the bottom of the bridge to locate on the pins. The holes in the bridge then don't need to go all the way through so keeping the looks. Does this make sense???!!

Are these switches a bit lower profile than the one you have? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-way-Pickup-Selector-Switch-for-Squire-Stratocaster-Electric-Guitars/371792049450?epid=2070517912&hash=item569088752a:g:vqEAAOSwpP9Y5TSn

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trace-Elliot-Series-7-GP1-150w-Graphic-Preampliier-and-2-Speaker-Cabs/322850393607?hash=item4b2b620e07:g:XoAAAOSwlaRZ80uG

https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/fender-jazz-bass-mexican/1277698509

Based in Wombledon, London.....

Pretty vague advert - but looks nice http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/117379924/bass-guitar-for-sale-400.html?link=%2Fclassifieds%2Fall%2Fuk%2Fbass%2Bguitar%3Fpage%3D2

Hi Mick. Unfortunately not. The shape where it mounts is quite different. I’ve got one of those parts and I’ve also looked to see if it could be ‘adapted’ somewhat. I’ve not finished exploring this yet but cheers for the details anyway!

The bridge should be okay. I've got an old Hohner B2A that has the same bridge on it and it's neck is only 1.5mm narrower at the 24th fret than the Moses neck. I was hoping to find a new head piece for this neck that would also accept single ball end strings but no luck. You can get 'adapters' but these just seem like a steel block with grubscrews in it and don't look the part. Still toying with some different ideas.....

This is pretty close to me but I know nothing much about Squiers! Ive looked at a few pictures on the web - is the truss rod adjustment on the heel on Japanese Squiers? Is this bass worth a punt??

Yep, this is a Moses neck I bought from Kiwi a while back.

There is a proper timber supplier near Tamworth that has loads of hardwoods and sells it in small quantities that would be suitable. Think it was Sykes timbers.

Now you tell me...

I've used some Sapele for the bodies on the last couple of basses that I've made. Bought it from a local DIY store and it's absolutely fine. You have to be a bit careful to know it's suitably dry - I'm just lucky with the place near me. They also thickness the stuff for me which is a bonus. Was less than £30 for a body. Whereabouts are you located? Is this for you planned headless build? The usual suppliers are David Dyke, Tonetech and Exotic Hardwoods. You will get more character woods from these if you want but they will also have stuff that can be painted. And there's always eBay. Or the local tip for old furniture....

I've started knocking a few idea around for a 4 string headless. I've got a an old Hohner B2A that I bought many moons ago when I was just a lad. It fell out the back of the guitarists Mini about 25 years ago and the body split, so I cut the sides off and glued on some 'wings'. It's a bloody mess but I've always quite liked headless basses!! So when some headless necks were for sale on here a while ago, I bought one and put it to one side for a project and now I'm looking at what to do with it. The neck is really nice - just something about it feels 'right'. The tricky bit will be cutting the neck pocket for this as all three side of the heel taper from top to bottom (presume this was to aid removal from the mould) so this will need some thought. I will try to make some form of jig so I can use a router but it may end up having to be done very carefully with a chisel...but that's a long way off at the moment. I've roughed out a shape and am thinking of using a pair of EMG pickups (a P and an MM) and a two band preamp. I've made a bass with an EMG MM and 2 band preamp before and really liked the sound of it. I've got one of the 'TW' versions for this so I can split the coil and so should be able to get P, P+J, P+MM and MM options from this setup. This is my starting point but certainly not set in stone: I have made a couple of basses recently with spalted beech tops so I will probably find something else just for a change!!

https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/bass-guitar-lamp/1274422203

I'll definitely be there. Last year was really good - a great bunch of people and a really enjoyable day. All the best

Cheers for the positive comments on this one. I have tried it even though the setup needs sorting and I'm really pleased how it sounds so far. I've also weighed it and it comes in at 6lb / 2.75kg so it is quite light - I weighed a solid body bass I built and that came in at 10lb for comparison. It needs the battery and preamp but that won't add much to the weight. Cheers Jez

Hi Honza, I've used Ozmo again on this one both on the body and neck. It's had 3 or 4 coats so far - one more should finish it nicely. Cheers

Getting close to finishing but lots of little jobs to do:[list] [*]Fit pre-amp [*]Make a couple of decent knobs [*]Set-up (adjust nut, bridge, intonation etc.) [*]Fit string tree / bar [*]Fit strap buttons [*]Dismantle and complete the finish [*]Wait...... [*]Put back together [/list] Once this is done I'll get some decent photos put up on here.