kevin_lindsay

Darth Vader bass!!! Looks cool matey!

Next step will be cutting the headstock shape.

The 5 stringer is an AV Bass made for my friend Paul Turner. I've nabbed it from him for my low string duties. Here' Paul using the AV Bass during an interview he did for iBass Magazine: https://youtu.be/xXhhkwG6NTs

I had ordered a set of LaBella 1954 "Jamerson" strings in the "through body" length. I'll decide whether to use those, or string the bass with DR Hi-Beams, once the instrument is complete. If I don't use the LaBella strings on this bass, I'll put them on my Shell Pink P-Bass.

I'e now received l the hardware I need - just need to finish shaping and sanding the neck (cutting headstock and getting the tuner holes ready, and "rolling" the fingerboard edges for a played-in feel), then spray the nitrocellulose lacquer. It'l take a few weeks to properly settle, and then I can final sand and buff it.

Neck work is now underway- yippee!!!

It's gonna look good!

Looking good!!!

The final parts have been ordered: Neck (which will require fettling by myself. String retainer, nut blank, bridge plate, period correct wax / paper capacitor. I'v also bought a set of "through body" LaBella 1954 Jamerson strings for some old school "thump". The tuning heads arrived today - I bought a set of Gotoh "Resolite" ones to minimise headstock dive. One thing I really like about them compared to the usual vintage style tuners (aside from the 40% weight saving aspect) is the way that the underside of the facing plate is made to sit flush with the headstock with no alteration to the headstock. The usual Fender style heads have protruding retainer lugs on the underside. This means you have to create divots on the headstock to accommodate these bumps. The Gotoh units are a straightforward fit - ideal!

They're expensive- $49.50 USA including delivery. However, Evan declares a tiny value on the delivery envelope, so you don't get any import duty or VAT at this side of the Atlantic.

There' no need to cut slots in the saddles. String pressure from the break angle keeps the str ings in place - they won't move anywhere once the bass is tuned to pitch.

Here' how the Webbteca slanted saddles look - ideal!

I decided that I'd craze the finish on the body - to give a lightly aged look, but still keep it looking shiny for now. (The bass will get any knocks and wear from gigging and playing over the coming years). Anyhow, when I've cracked the lacquer in the past, it's been on guitar bodies - which I've just stuck in my freezer overnight. The size of a bass body doesn't fit into the compartments of my home freezer, so I had to think of another method of crazing the lacquer. By chance, I'd met a plumber who was talking about freeing stuck pipe connections. He said, "when that happens, you just spray one part with Crack It spray. That instantly freezes the part and breaks the stuck connection". It turns out that this plumbers aerosol reduces the surface to minus 45 degrees. I got a can myself from a local Toolstation. All you have to do is get the lacquer warm, then simply spray the aerosol on the surface. You can sometimes hear the lacquer crack. Anyhow, the end result is a nice crazed lacquer. As the plumbers spray has an oil in it, you need to clean the surface afterwards using a rubbing compound (I used Mer Car Polish). I've heard that some folk use aerosols of compressed air to reduce the temp. I might try that on my next build? Here are some pics of some of the crazing (after crazing the lacquer, I wiped the body surface with water based Dark Oak stain to emulate years old grime in the cracks).

Yay! The angled saddles arrived from Webbteca. They look great.

Taking your time is good as it allows you to think, "what do I really need this instrument to do?". That's the best way- rather than rushing into things due to the initial excitement of a nrw build. Keep us updated as to the progress mate.

I've only ever used Craigslist to buying stuff when I'm over in New York. The key to any potential purchase is get a phone number and speak to the seller. Ask for further details (and pics if needed). If it feels "off", leave it. If it feels okay, then go for it - while being astute. Saying that, fortunately I've had good experiences so far.

Looking forward to seeing this beauty take shape mate!

Ooh!!! That looks amazing!!!

Oh, the joy of international orderng of parts!!! I bought a Glendale milled jack cup as I really like those solid inserts on the early Telecasters and P-Basses. So, I paid my $29.99 but no delivery charge was added. Apparently you have to manually add it to your order. So, I was then stuck with another $25 delivery!!! (That' their flat fee for international orders regardless of size). Then, the friendly Royal Mail sent me a nice card asking for a further £13.32 for VAT (including an £8 admin fee!!) Aaagh!!! Oh well, at least it's now here. I've also starting giving the body a slightly aged look - a few small chips and checking to the lacquer.

The humbucker Tele basses are cool. I gave an old original 70s Tele bass pickup to Pino Palladino years ago and he had it fitted to his vintage Fender in the bridge position for added punch as he found the single pickup was a bit too muddy in the mix when playing live.

Evan from Webbteca in Ohio, USA is making me a pair of slanted saddles so I can intonate the bass up at "The dusty end" while maintaining the traditional 2 saddle look. They'e being turned from aircraft grade aluminium. Nice touch. They'll look like these brass ones, but in a silvery hue.

Aaagh!!!!!! Guess I'll have to make it a relic?? I dropped the body and it hit off the edge of my coffee table! Actually, it'll be masked by the large scratchplate. Still annoying though!!!