JPJ

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='479695' date='May 5 2009, 09:30 AM']Good for you! Can't wait to see the staining process - I think its great when you are applying the stain and it's all wet - you get a real understanding for what the finishing thing is going to look like. Have you decided on clear coats yet? Polyester? Are you doing it? If so, what are you using?[/quote]

Well on the advice of a trusted friend who has produced some stunning pieces using this combination, I am going with:

1) Rustin's Ebony wood dye
2) Rustin's natural grain filler (which will be thinned with the ebony wood dye)
3) Chestnut acrylic sanding sealer
4) Chestnut acrylic lacquer

I've just bought a whole load of fine wet'n'dry papers along with foam and natural bristle soft lacquer brushes from Axminster, that site should be added to the list of banned sites as I always spend a fortune when I go on there

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='486711' date='May 13 2009, 10:34 AM'][attachment=25107:DSC01884.JPG]

Cute huh? Plays like a dream too.[/quote]

Er I dont wish to come over as some sort of pedantic tw@t, but isnt that a guitar

Pleased to hear that the bass is back in your hands. Is all the midi stuff sorted out on the bass then?

Wow this is one tasty looking build.

I'm really loving that top and I hope thats going to get a suitably deep high gloss finish too?

I think that body shape should work really well too. Novel enough to stand out but practical enough for a gigging workhorse.

I have this dream of a ten string (2 courses of five) and I think it would work really well with that body shape as the elongated top horn would help compensate for all the tuner hardware.

Nice build, looking forward to seeing more of this one.

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='484876' date='May 11 2009, 10:33 AM']use a bit bit of metal and stick a laminate of wood on top. (It's about time you had a little metal work involved in this project )[/quote]

I'm liking your thinking there! (and it would give me an excuse to use my second favourite power tool " the power file ")

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='484876' date='May 11 2009, 10:33 AM']So, when does the ink get splashed???[/quote]

Well I've just realised I need to drill for the edge mounted jack socket, and then providing the sanding goes well next weekend, there could be ink on the beast by Sunday night. I have prepared a few test pieces of swamp ash & maple to test various mixes of the black dye + sanding sealer + grain filler + Lacquer on before I start on the real thing.

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='484877' date='May 11 2009, 10:34 AM']Another query (I know, I know...)

How come you want a scratch plate? It seems a shame to have one at all with that pretty top... Don't you think that a clear scratch plate is like putting a condom over your sofa?![/quote]

LMAO, that one 'caused a coffee/keyboard incident

The reason for the scratchplate is I've been amazed by the amount of scratches on my Overwater's scratchplate from my finger nails. I thought that a clear perspex guard would protect the finish against this whilst being easily replaceable.

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='484132' date='May 10 2009, 02:07 AM']Cool - black cover plate aswell then? Painted wood? Or black perspex?[/quote]

Mmm I hadn't thought of doing a wood cover plate until you mentioned it, I'll have to check and see whether their is a big enough piece of the swamp ash left to laminate up a wooden cover plate, otherwise the smoked Perspex might be the answer, although I'll have to tidy the original wiring quite a bit if I go down the perspex route.

[quote name='gilmour' post='484749' date='May 11 2009, 01:55 AM']This is a great diary, I'm hooked. Keep up the good work.

I've had ideas f doing something similar myself, but have none of the required skills.

Are you going to go with a scratch plate? Also have you thought about putting a matching cap on the graphite headstock?[/quote]

Thanks for the kind words, I am really enjoying this build and I am pleased so many others on here are as well. Scratchplate wise, I'm thinking of going with a MM four string shaped scratchplate in clear Perspex so as not to hide the lovely maple top. I did think of laminating the headstock, but decided against it as I love the 'technical' look of the graphite weave.

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='484117' date='May 10 2009, 12:42 AM']Nice, nice, nice. How did you go about rounding the edges? Take a router round it presumably? And how exactly did you sand the comfort "belly" - that looks to be a pretty good job... very smooth.

Good choice of battery box!

Just a thought - what are you doing about the back? Are you going to paint it, stain it, leave it natural?

Still the best build thread [/quote]

Cheers for the support mate,

I rounded the edges over with a 1/2" round over bit in the router, and I used the belt sander for the comfort contour. The double battery box was necessity as I want to run the preamp at 18v. I'll be finishing the back and sides in black as well. I've dropped the idea of the faux binding as I fancy the whole 'non more black' look.

[b]Episdode V[/b] - Return of the bass Jedi

Today I started by trimming the maple back to the swamp ash and rounding over all the edges.



Then I sanded in the comfort 'belly' route on the back of the body



Then I routed the edge of the control cavity to recess the cover plate



Then I fitted the neck tight into the neck pocket



Then I did about four hours of sanding working down through the grades to DIY fine grade. To finish this episode, here's a gratuitous wet maple shot



Next will be about another four hours of sanding, before staining, sealing, grain filling and then finally lacquering.

[quote name='JPJ' post='479981' date='May 5 2009, 03:21 PM']Dont they have to be on the piss in comparison to the thru neck?

For the string spacing to be wider at the bridge than at the nut, the strings naturally splay out towards the bridge. With a conventional bridge, you hardly notice but on a five string, the B and the G are not at exactly ninety degrees to the saddle. However, the relative size of the string verses the saddle and the short'ish length of string after the saddle, mask the effect. With the single bridge pieces, Ibanez have probably aligned the bridge to the string hence the outer ones looking slightly off in relation to the edge of the through neck.[/quote]

Hmmm, just had a look at the picture of the six stringer and these just look generally on the piss. Could it be an access thing, when you have to fit six of them side by side?

Dont they have to be on the piss in comparison to the thru neck?

For the string spacing to be wider at the bridge than at the nut, the strings naturally splay out towards the bridge. With a conventional bridge, you hardly notice but on a five string, the B and the G are not at exactly ninety degrees to the saddle. However, the relative size of the string verses the saddle and the short'ish length of string after the saddle, mask the effect. With the single bridge pieces, Ibanez have probably aligned the bridge to the string hence the outer ones looking slightly off in relation to the edge of the through neck.

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='479678' date='May 5 2009, 09:05 AM']Result! I'm so glad that maple top worked out for you!

(Still hoping I can persuade you to go Tiger Eye...)



Yes/No?![/quote]

That's very pretty but just a bit too pretty for my tastes

I've promised myself a black translucent finish and that's what it's going to be (especially as I've already bought the black grain filler and stain )

[quote name='rockpig' post='479451' date='May 4 2009, 09:54 PM']here are some pictures I have been taking to document the build of the second bass I have made for myself. Started last august been slow progress job gets in the way too much.
Just thought I'd share and maybe encourage others to have a crack at knocking one up themselves.
the instrument will have a redwood back and front with black walnut body wings and a three piece neck through made of maple and mahogany[/quote]

Nice body shape and that headstock looks tasty too. Just a hint of Rickenbacker in the body shape, cant wait to see this one develop.

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='478976' date='May 4 2009, 01:23 PM']Nice one Kev!

Looking at the last couple of pics I am a bit concerned that you are preparing to tune the bass up already... [/quote]

Just checking the natural frequency

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='478713' date='May 4 2009, 12:43 AM']Ha! you didn't think I'd spot this but I have.

Liking a Warwick Gibbo/Walesque design is the thin end of the 'wedge', when I call round to yours tomorrow I'll bring a variety of 'W' designs and we'll see if you 'crack'! [/quote]

Must resist temptation, must resist..............

Alternatively, I could strap on one of your dimunitive W basses and catch sight of myself in the mirror, that should do the trick

Unless I'm mistaken the JB model looks like it has a slightly more conventional body size, so I might just get away with it. Don't tell me you have one of these as well?

[b]RESULT[/b]

Just took the clamps off and the maple cap is fine. Its bent over the swamp ash beautifully. I'm well chuffed!

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='478742' date='May 4 2009, 03:32 AM']Hopefully the wood is OK... quick question - how did you go about bending the maple? Presumably there was a little steaming action?! - or at least some sort of heat roller...? (ie you didn't bend the wood with just the wedges did you?

STILL one of my favourite threads!![/quote]

I opted to soak the top of the maple with boiling water, it was amazing how flexible the maple became, so I'm hoping the crack was the MDF not the maple!

[b]Episode IV[/b] A new hope

Today, I made another template and routed out for the control cavity and the battery box. As these were routed from the rear side, I had to use double sided tape to hold the template in place, which is my least favourite method. However, the tape held and there were no expensive slips of the router to report.



Then I got me long drill bits out and drilled for the pickup, earth and battery wires.



Then, I roughed out the shape of the bass on the maple cap with a jigsaw and covered the top of the body in glue.



Then I positioned the top, clamped the maple top between a piece of bass shaped MDF, the maple top, the bass body and then another bass shaped piece of MDF to make a nice sandwich and then clamped the whole thing using bar clamps C clamps G clamps and quick grip clamps. In fact, every clamp I own big enough to clamp the sandwich.



Then I bent the maple cap over the front comfort contour using wooden wedges.





At one point, whilst tapping in the wedges there was an awful crack. I'm hoping it was the MDF delaminating (as can be seen in the photos) but it could be that the maple has cracked, I wont know for sure until tomorrow when the clamps come off

Next step will be to get the clamps off, trim the cap to the final body shape and then start the sanding process.

[quote name='LeftyJ' post='475011' date='Apr 29 2009, 01:05 PM']How about that Warwick Jack Bruce Cream Reunion bass? Lookwise it's somewhere inbetween an EB-0 and a Wal mk I. Tonewise it leans more towards the Gibson but with that typical bright, punchy Warwick edge.

[/quote]

Dont tell Warwickhunt, but I'd really really like one of those. If only they'd do a five string fretless version for less than the price of a house.......

[quote name='mc2' post='477369' date='May 1 2009, 10:16 PM']-- like a giant bass piston.[/quote]

ooh err missus gimblet, that thrusting you can feel is my isobaric bass piston

I think secretly, we all need a giant bass piston

I have the bass buddy preamp which is the same as built into this without the poweramp bit (the bass buddy can put out 10w, whereas this puts out 110w). Its probably the warmest bass preamp I've used. Its so warm and detailed that you hardly ever have to touch the five band eq, and the best bit is the compressor, which for a single knob solution is THE most musical compressor for bass guitar I've ever used (and believe me, I've used a few!).

If I had £345 spare I'd be on this in a flash as this is just what I need for home practice.

Have a bump on me!

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='476397' date='Apr 30 2009, 09:14 PM']Glad you appreciate my handiwork

I'm still kicking myself over how little I let that bass go for. You need a Cutlass or two in there next I think![/quote]

CK, is that what you made of that sorry specimen from Germany with the lopped off horns?

pm WaterofTyne as he has owned/owns both Schroeder and Berg and has used both in a gigging situation.

[quote name='Huge Hands' post='474492' date='Apr 28 2009, 07:06 PM']I've already bookmarked "Wor Geordie's Lost His Liggie" on YouTube in anticipation....[/quote]

Ye nah it wasnt doon the netty, it waz in he's flamin pocket

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='470605' date='Apr 23 2009, 12:33 PM']Everybody ever had a Schaller straplock break? The bit that attaches to the strap and you pull off has fallen out. God knows how that happened... the thing is, I can't work out how the hell it would have ever stayed together anyway. I suspect that a piece of metal has come adrift somewhere.

I've already ordered a replacement set... bit bummed out because it was the gold set = more expensive...[/quote]


Most likely that the small circlip on the outside of the strap lock assembly has pinged off (happend to me once) allowing the pin & spring and everything to fall out the back of the clip that fits on your strap. A replacement circlip washer cost me £1.10 for 10 at B&Q and I've nine spares if it ever happens again