rubis

[size=5][color=#222222] Once again, it's been a while since any progress was made on this build, appologies for not posting any updates ( if anyone is still interested ! ) [/color] [color=#222222]Where to start.........whilst it was all gathering dust over the winter I noticed a crack on the back of the body, quite near the neck pocket. I left it for a while and mulled it over, but I must say it was bugging me, it may have been ok, but knowing my luck, if I left it I just know it would have got worse. I don’t know if it was there all along, or it was caused by the chambering, the weather, a combination of both....who knows ? [/color] [color=#222222]So, I decided to start over again with a new(ish) body which would be more ambitious and hopefully more attractive! [/color][/size] [font=Times New Roman][size=3][color=#000000][attachment=163853:100_0788.JPG] [/color][/size][/font] [size=5][font=Times New Roman][color=#000000][color=#222222] I got an Ash blank, which is quite heavy, so it will also be chambered, in exactly the same way as the previous one. I got the top cut off at a sawmill, unfortunately they said they would need to split it down the middle to do this successfully.... I was hoping to keep it as a one piece back and one piece front, but never mind. [/color][/color][/font] [/size] [font=Times New Roman][size=3][color=#000000][attachment=163854:100_0789.JPG][attachment=163855:100_0790.JPG] [/color][/size][/font] [size=6] [font=Times New Roman][color=#000000][color=#222222] The big idea is to salvage the Wenge top from the previous body and use it to provide a veneer between the back and top, kind of a reverse of the light veneer on the neck, it will need thinning down to about 2-3mm, I think. I will also cut out a “scratchplate” from the top and set it nto the top so that it is flush with the top. If it works I think it will look rather nice and quite unique, a little bit like those Fodera Ying and Yang things! [/color][/color][/font] [font=Times New Roman][color=#000000] [/color][/font][/size] [size=6][font=Times New Roman][color=#000000][color=#222222] Anyway, I got started on it and “removed” the Wenge top by means of a delicate process involving steam, a hammer, wallpaper scrapers and various other blades and wedges. It went better than I expected and after steaming off the Maple veneer, which I had cleverly left on so as not to damage the Wenge, I flat sanded the back and then cut out the scratchplate part. [/color][/color][/font] [font=Times New Roman][color=#000000][attachment=163856:100_0791.JPG][attachment=163857:100_0794.JPG] [/color][/font] [font=Times New Roman][color=#000000][color=#222222]The back of the body is cut out and needs levelling before the old Wenge top is glued on and then re-thicknessed. [/color][/color][/font] [font=Times New Roman][color=#000000][attachment=163858:100_0800.JPG][attachment=163859:100_0797.JPG] [/color][/font] [font=Times New Roman][color=#000000][color=#222222]I have a 3 eq East preamp for this one and I am wondering whether to make a battery cavity which will hold two batteries, and allow for 18v use.......any advice or opinions? It’s not much extra work, really. [/color][/color][/font] [font=Times New Roman][color=#000000][attachment=163861:100_0802.JPG][attachment=163864:100_0804.JPG] [/color][/font][/size]

[url="http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/free-music-software-the-best-audio-app-and-plug-in-downloads-on-the-net-255880/1"]http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/free-music-software-the-best-audio-app-and-plug-in-downloads-on-the-net-255880/1[/url]Here's a list of freebies from Music Radar magazine to peruse over a cup of coffee (or two.......there's a lot !). Some of them have already been mentioned

I saw Clapton at the Albert Hall a while back and he did Somewhere Over the Rainbow.........just saying !

Just discovered this and can't stop playing it [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr1PvBgpvmo"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr1PvBgpvmo[/url]

I'm ashamed to say I'd never heard of this bloke until I heard this song on R2 this morning on the way into work and it gave me goosebumps [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr1PvBgpvmo"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr1PvBgpvmo[/url]

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1399920812' post='2449013'] My usual laconic comment, for this and many other situations... It's the first 40 years which are the worst, after which things get (slightly...) better. We're all in the same boat, it seems. [/quote]........but some of us don't have a paddle

I'm curious about this technique now, I once saw Van Halen playing his guitar with an electric drill, I don't think his back line was damaged although it was squealing like a stuck pig ! Doesn't Mr Levin play his bass with sticks on his fingers ?

Warmoth [url="http://www.warmoth.com/Bass/Neck/JBass/"]http://www.warmoth.com/Bass/Neck/JBass/[/url]

That is gorgeous, you must be very proud Sorry to hear about your problems, best wishes for your future Any more builds in mind?

"peaking amps" ......... I was expecting another slagging off/debate on Chinese made gear

[quote name='blablas' timestamp='1399566164' post='2445446'] Glued in the side markers. Used bamboo for this (also known as toothpicks ), they are exactly the right size and color very nice on dark wood. [/quote] I hope those tooth picks were kiln dried

There's one on ebay now [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PATRICK-EGGLE-NEW-YORK-BASS-BRAND-NEW-/161296593879?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item258e06b3d7"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PATRICK-EGGLE-NEW-YORK-BASS-BRAND-NEW-/161296593879?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item258e06b3d7[/url]

There's been a purple/blue one on ebay on and off for quite a while [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hartke-XL-4-Bass-Guitar-US-made-with-Vaccaro-aluminium-neck-/191162736496?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2c822fdf70"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hartke-XL-4-Bass-Guitar-US-made-with-Vaccaro-aluminium-neck-/191162736496?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2c822fdf70[/url]

Take a look at this bad boy! http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/171319807670?nav=SEARCH

Best of luck with with your future treatment Gary. Last summer holidays ( I work in a school !) I had an operation on my right shoulder, after needing 8 years of injections which were decreasing in efficacy. With suitable physio afterwards, I am now able to play more or less as normal, although sitting down and playing gets uncomfortable after a while. I hope you will be able to carry on again as I am, although the wait you have had seems a bit on the long side..........I bet you wouldn't have had to wait so long for a gastric band, or to have some cosmetic surgery corrected!

If its going to be a keeper, then create your perfect bass from Warmoth parts Excellent quality

Just finished reading his book, top bloke who as far as I can see doesn't take himself as seriously as some would like to think I'd like to see him go into politics, that would be entertaining!

What a cool bass, very nice job

Who are The Deep Valley Sperm Fountains anyway, a new supergroup or something?

I should think when it was repainted, the control cavity would be sprayed, that's quite normal, but the neck pocket would masked off or covered by a " holding stick " to maintain the neck pocket fit. This would, as pointed out already, give a clue as to the history of the bass. Shame it wasn't left silver, I imagine that would make it quite rare and valuable I wonder if any " home relic-ers " will try out your method of leaving an instrument in a damp gig bag for a month! Did it warp the neck or cause any other damage? Good luck with this bass, anyway, are you intending to buy it? If so, I'm sure the seller would send you more pics, including the neck pocket, electrics etc

Who sells these little beauties?

The wear pattern on the back seems a bit unusual to me, there are no scratch marks on the neck plate but the finish all around it is gone