Jabba_the_gut

First job has been to make some templates and started by thinning the top where the pockets will be. The top is 10mm thick so reducing this to about 5mm. I've also been gluing the veneers to the sales - you can't have enough clamps!!

https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-bass-amplifiers/ashdown-abm-300-evo-ii-bass-amp-head/1256623796

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1501002404' post='3341721'] Not sure whether you have the Shadow p/up already... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shadow-Bass-Pick-Up-Sh965nfx-/142449570627?hash=item212aa7f343:g:GMIAAOSwjONZblVG [/quote] I've already got the piezo cheers, just trying to decide if to use this or get a five string Artec one. I've also started another build of the same design but with an EMG MM pickup, American walnut top, sycamore body and some kind of inlay on the ebony fretboard fitted with red LEDs. I'll start a separate thread for that one !!

Time for the next build! I'm going to make a semi hollow bass this time with a piezo pickup. I've got a piece of sapele for the body and spalted beech for the top. These are the same woods I used on a short scale bass build recently with which I was really pleased with the result. I haven't decided if it will be four of five string, 32 or 34" scale of if it will be fretted or not!! I am leaning towards 32" fretted. .. we'll see! I have a Shadow SH064 pickup for this and an East MPM-01 preamp. Cheers Jez

https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-bass-amplifiers/trace-elliot-gp12-smx-4x10-bass-rig/1255040833

I'll try to come along - was good last year.

Just following on rom what others have said, I really think you would find this easier with a template cutter router bit. They aren't that expensive - I think I paid about £6 for one off eBay of a certain depth that I wanted specifically for cutting neck pockets. They really make life easier and remove a lot of the trial and error. These are the steps I would typically do to make a neck pocket template (just remember that mdf produces a fine dust and if you use a router to cut it it goes everywhere so make sure you use the right mask, dust extraction etc.) Get a piece of 9mm mdf and make out the body shape. This might seem quite big but this will give the router base plenty of support when you cut the pocket. You could also use the same piece of mdf for the pickup template. Mark out on the centre line where the neck pocket should end. Put the neck on the template and line up to where the end of the neck pocket will be. Get some strips of wood with a straight edge about 6mm thick and run them down the side of the neck. By using long enough strips you can measure from the centre line where the bridge will be to make sure everything is in line. Use some panel pins and nail the strips in place. Check and measure again (the good old 'measure twice, cut once' thingy) to make sure they are still tight against the neck and still correctly aligned. Pin another couple of strips parallel to these. They don't need to be accurately place as they are just to provide support for the router base to keep it level when you cut the template. Make sure all the heads of the pins are just below the surface of the wood so they don't snag on the router base. Use a small strip and pin this where the neck pocket ends. Add a second piece to support the router as before. Cut out the bulk of neck pocket leaving 1 to 2mm around the edge to finish off with the router. This is just to minimise the amount of dust the router will create. Fit a template cutter and cut the last of the pocket by running the bearing against the wood strips that were pinned on. Once cut, try the neck in the template pocket - should be a snug fit. Remove the wood strips. This is a cheap template cutter I use. The template is ready to use. As you have already cut the body shape a bit of support might be needed to prevent the template bending when you use the router. Take an offcut from the body and use this, as it will be the right thickness, to support the template either side of the pocket. You can align the template along the centre line of the body. Use Forstner bits to cut the bulk then finish off with the router. Jobs a good 'un!!

Are they the same size as ABM3901 bridges? You can find the dimensions easily for these off the web. Cheers

That is a nice piece of wood - look forward to this build. Must catch up with Dave as he is local to me!!

Looking good!

I have made a perspective template before and it melted a bit when I used it with a template cutter. I guess I had the router speed too high and it cut into the wood where I didn't want it to. I've used mdf ever since.....

Sorry I can't add anything to this as I don't know anything about Sandbergs; I just spotted the ad and thought it might be of interest to someone else on here.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/guitar-instrument/sandberg-custom-shop-california-5-bass-guitar./1239330119 Seems quite reasonable to me.

John East does a module for blending mag and Piezo ( MPM-01 I think). Cheers

Also, don't try to take off too much in one go especially when going across the grain. If you do, the router bit might snatch and make a bit of a mess, You are better with more shallower passes ( as in less cutting depth) I'm my experience. I keep two template cutters of different depths go this reason and it being easier to cut a neck pocket with a shorter cutter. Hope this makes sense!! Cheers Jez

E-mailed you the drawings Andy. Cheers

Andy, I got a couple of drawings from John East - will send you a copy when I get home. Cheers

That's a real shame Mick. Really enjoyed last years bash but unfortunately couldn't make it for this year. Hopefully see you at next years. Jez

Sad news. Great voice.

Thanks Mick - much appreciated.

Thanks for all the positive comments, really appreciated. This bass was a bit of an experiment that has turned out better than I anticipated. I've changed the strings for something just a little heavier and, from the short go I've had with it, feels better. I'm also really chuffed how it sounds, was great to see it being played by folk much better than me and to hear what it can actually sound like!! Cheers Jez

Cheers again Si for organising this. Really enjoyed catching up with everyone I've met previously and meeting some new Basschatters. There was a nice selection of quite different basses as usual - I can't remember who the Dolphin 4 string belonged to but that is a really lovely looking bass!! It was also great to hear what my basses sound like in the hands of someone who can play well. I hadn't had a chance to play my short scale bass since I built it and to hear it being played (by Lee Man?) properly was really pleasing for me. The cakes were superb as always - can't go wrong with excellent sponge and lemon cakes!! Thank you very much. I'd like to say a big thanks to Andy for putting the acoustic bass into the raffle. Well chuffed with this and looking forward to having a play with it later. For anyone that has not been to a bash before, they are great way to meet folk off the forum, try different kit out and taste some great cakes. I've been to a few of these at different places and everyone has always been very approachable and enthusiastic no matter what their level of experience or the type of kit they have. It's also good to support those that put on these events for us (cheers again Si). See you at the next one! Jez

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1494602887' post='3297310'] Mine calls my parts storage bench a "dining table". She also seems to think that garages are for parking cars in. I think it's a wife thing. [/quote] I call them basses, my wife calls them firewood. Strange creatures......

Oh good, not just me then!! I'm quite lucky though being short sighted. When I take my contact lenses out I can press my nose right up the the magazine and read it.....

You will have sorted the frets and put strings on it ready for tomorrow won't you?