Jabba_the_gut

A few more pictures....

[quote name='Bass_Guardian' timestamp='1494430209' post='3295921'] Stunning! Great work Again....fancy building me one? A wee 5 string fretless [/quote] A short scale 5 string fretless sounds like an interesting project......

I finished building my short scale bass (in the build diaries) so will bring that along. It's not fully set up yet but I can do that whilst I'm there. See you all on Saturday!

Might be something different but my lads laptop screen kept going black recently. This only happened when the mains supply was connected and I kept thinking there was something up with the power supply. Wasn't that though - some how the power management settings had changed (no idea how) and screen brightness was set to 0% when power supply was connected. This was on an Acer laptop and this issue came up quickly when I googled it. As I say, might be something completely different.....

I've suffered from tinnitus for a few years now and I'm pretty sure I can put it down to one loud practice session in a rehearsal space we hadn't used before. A bit smaller than the usual space but drummer wouldn't soften it and the guitars had to compete. Should have left but I didn't. I put my foot down on the volume at rehearsals after that but too late. The thing I find hard now is standing outside on a quiet night and not being able to hear silence; there's always a noise no matter what. Might try reducing the coffee etc. as mentioned earlier in this thread to see if that makes any difference.

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1494250763' post='3294317'] Just heard from G&W who have promised to send replacement parts with the new order I placed over the weekend. Good customer service so far.... [/quote] At least that's positive but a shame it was far from correct in the first place. Hope it's sorted quickly. Cheers

And will get some better pictures taken. Planning on taking this to the Midlands Bass Bash this weekend

Haven't had chance to try it!! Finished on Saturday, family day out on Sunday and away with work on Monday.... Will give it a good go later in the week!! Cheers

Apart from a string tree, done! Just need to get some decent photos now...

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: