Jabba_the_gut

Getting into the final assembly of this now. I've fitted most of the hardware and done the wiring. I have fitted an EMG pre-amp for the moment as I had one spare, I'm not sure if I'll keep this in but I'll try it for now. I'm pleased with how the oil finish has gone - I'll take some better photos when this is complete.

Hey Andy, I presume this will be finished for the Midlands Bass Bash?.....

[quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1493938376' post='3292075'] Absolutely lovely little bass! Very neat work. Its cool the different woods you had laying about went nicely with each other. Love the shape. Just purely for aesthetics the pu would of maybe looked cool at the same angle as the end of the fretboard, bridge etc. [/quote] Hi, cheers for the message. I had thought about angling the pickup but just decided not to in the end. I also should have staggered the tuners and had more slope on the head for the same reason, though this was restricted due to the piece of wood I had for the neck. This build was only supposed to be as quick and dirty but has turned out nice so far. I'm thinking of making a 32" scale version afterwards and will consider a few more aesthetic items on that project. Cheers Jez

[quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1493805202' post='3290738'] This is looking really, really gorgeous! Your work is so neat Jez, heck, even your workbench is tidier than anything I do Great progress, and as others have said, it looks nowt like a "budget bass" - looks like a top-end custom build [/quote] Cheers for the comments - I'm finishing the oiling at the moment and hope to start putting together at the weekend. Always good to keep a clear final assembly workspace (or 'dining room table' as I've heard my wife refer to it before....) Cheers Jez

That really is looking lovely!!

[quote name='Bass_Guardian' timestamp='1493048063' post='3285173'] Fancy builidng me one? stunning! [/quote] Cheers for the comments, much appreciated. I've put another coat of oil on and I'm really pleased with how it's looking. Just need to sort some kind of logo on the head. I've enjoyed this build so think I'll make another, if this one plays okay. I have a thin-ish piece of buckeye I'm thinking of using on another one if these that's about the same thickness as the spalted beech on this. I'm also going to have a couple of bits of birdseye maple officers from another neck which I think might make a nice combination.

Costs so far... Sapele wood for body £20 Truss rod £10 Tuners £6 Bridge £7 Neck wood £0 (offcuts) Central block on body £0 (rejected from another project) Fretboard £0 (recycled) Spalted beech £0 (offcut - I paid £15 for the piece this came from which also made the top in a previous post) Wenge veneer £4 (cut from a larger piece bought for £16) EMG pickup £5 (from bargain bin in local guitar shop) Nut £4 Fret wire £9 Strap buttons £3 There are also costs for consumables, such as sandpaper and glue, and also the cost of the oil but there will be plenty of that left for future projects. I appreciate that isn't a true cost so far as I have used some scrap/offcuts of wood I already had but I am trying to keep the cost low for this one. I'm just hoping it sounds okay when done!!

Cheers for the positive comments - much appreciated. I'm struggling to leave this alone between coats of oil - something really tactile about it!!

It is a really nice piece of wood and the grain needs to be seen. Ttrans black with chrome plate etc to contrast gets my vote

I've put the first coat of oil on, I'm quite pleased with how the colours have come out so far.

Had an hour and a half in the garage tonight and got all the frets cut and installed.

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1491912384' post='3276369'] I used Danish Oil on a bass body I finished last year - I was very pleased with the results. AS for the space - it's mainly the space to keep the tools. My once-commodious shed now seems full ! What would you saw are the essentials, powered-tools wise ? Router and a bandsaw ? [/quote] These are the main bits of kit I have - really nothing special, The bandsaw is really small - was £20 off eBay. I did also buy the cheapest planer/thicknesser in the Screwfix sale but that is a recent acquisition. The drill stand was off Freecycle.....

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1491906178' post='3276297'] Lovely, just lovely. One day when I've got the space.... [/quote] Cheers. Go on, have a go at making one. Doesn't need much space....just have to put up with the dust and chippings etc everywhere!!! I'm going to finish this bass with oil - tried a little on the neck and it looks really nice. Hopefully get to do some work on this over Easter

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1491905493' post='3276289'] Looks great, Jez. What's the non-clog file you used? [/quote] Hi Andy, One of these.. http://www.axminster.co.uk/japanese-saw-rasp-384015 Cheers

Also been shaping the neck. Bought a new non-clog file - works a treat!! Shaped the heel to match the neck - quite pleased how this has turned out so far.

Friday again so able to get on with a bit more. Lots of little bits to start; drilling bridge holes, drilling neck bolt holes, cutting nut slot and fitting fret markers. Fret marker positions marked up:

Mike, I'll take a shirt from you. Will pm you later. Was a great event and wouldn't want to see you out of pocket after all your and the other scrumpies hard work. Will have to be a large shirt after all that great food and cake..... Was a great day and I hope there is a similar event next year. Cheers

[quote name='derreybass' timestamp='1491173465' post='3271048'] Thanks to all involved, it was a splendid day all round. Thanks again to the ladies for the lovely food and great to be able to put faces to names. Some excellent work from Jabba, great to see someone putting doors and bits of furniture to Sound use! Jabba if you remember where you got the piezo from can you let me know? Put me down for the next year so nice to meet so many great people. Brilliant! Hope the recording came out alright Phil. [/quote] Pm'd

I'd just like to add my thanks to Mike and the Scrumpys for a really enjoyable day. The atmosphere was really welcoming and the food was lovely - a very big thanks for that!! My wife and kids really enjoyed the cup cakes given to me for them to eat on the way home - a lovely touch and much appreciated. Both the venue and weather were perfect. If there's one next year then put my name on the list.... It was great to be able to put faces to names I've seen on here before and to get to try out some different gear (I really would like an RH450 now - great piece of kit!). It was also very interesting talking to the guys from Gillett, Chowny and Retrovibe guitars. Everybody at the bash was friendly and chatty, made for a great day. Thanks again!

Unfortunately, work has prevented me getting quite as much done as I wanted...... Shaped the nut end of the fretboard and head - no the best picture but you get an idea of the shape.

This is the first time I have ever had to leave negative feedback on Basschat for anyone. I paid Steve for an EMG MM pickup four weeks ago and paid for next day delivery. Long and the short is that after the first week or so there have been no replies, no parcel tracking number, no pickup and no refund. Be very careful. Update 01 July 2017. The pickup finally arrived today four months after originally paying for it and after many sent e-mails. No further messages or explanation were ever received from Steve.

Just sorting out what stuff to bring. I'll bring a few home made basses, a Markbass Blackline 250 head and either an Eden EX110 or TC RS112. Looking forward to it!!

Schaller did a Bridge model number 460 which still appear on eBay from time to time. It's a 2 point mounting but not sure of the width.

Be interested in watching this and what headless system / approach you use - I bought a headless Moses neck for a project I'm planning soon. That cross section may be a challenge!! Good luck!!

I've some fairly light shaping for arm and belly - I think this is enough so 'just' and overall sand required........ You can see the hole for the pickup wire quite easily on this picture. Where possible, I try to drill these in the wings before I glue them on. I find this easier then trying to aim a long drill later on. Takes a little more planning at first but when you have drilled through the body before in the wrong place with a long drill, you don't want to do it again!!