Duarte

Thanks chaps, appreciate it. I'll check in soonish, hopefully with good news.

Well guys, gonna have to put the project aside for a few weeks. Family emergency happening so I have to get back to the UK ASAP. But we will pick this back up as soon as I'm back!

No real update, but my guy is sending the scratchplate now. I've actually never seen one like it. 0ba2f294-a3b3-41f2-b34d-cc31d1eabb0c.mp4

Update: Received this photo. Blue anodised incoming!

Just looking at yours again, it's definitely cool. I'll try it next time!

We're back! It's been a while, weather was bad for a bit, work and the other bass took over, but I'm back to work on this. It is ready for clear coat - but I have a question before I start. As I'm going for a satin finish, I've read that the best thing to do is to use a few layers of gloss, then a bit of satin over the top. Sounds fine to me. I have these 2 products to hand, a 2K glossy clear, and a satin standard varnish. They should be compatible, but am I better off getting a satin 2K? Or even a standard glossy varnish to pair with this satin one? Thanks!

Maybe you could use a little wood filler to really accent the grain? I've always wanted to do that.

I have been looking at your build! I didn't even think about reversing the P. I know it looks cool and I presume it sounds fatter on the D+G? I don't think I'll bve doing that on this build as I've already had the scratch plate cut, and paid a decent chunk for it haha. Pretty damn blue right? I like it. I think it fit's the brief. Today's experiment is to try adding a little multicolour sparkle, just because sparkles are fun, really.

My experiment this morning was to try a transparent light blue over the dark base colour. I applied it only to the end of the body so it catches the light. It definitely gives a subtle depth. Apologies for the construction sounds! 20250905_091820.mp4

I didn't know this was possible. Let me do some research.

Nice, very nice. It looks so good man. That's exactly what I wanted to hear about Herrick - I'll give Martin a shot

This is exactly what he's talking about. And you're so right, that is an excellent name to put on the headstock! Still undecided on how to apply the headstock logo or what it will even be. I have an engraver, which would work, but may not be so appropriate. I definitely want to engrave the ionizing radiation symbol on the neck plate. Ahhh such good ideas! I'm going to the paint shop today to see what they have for me to play with. This is great advice - sadly I'm working with cans for now so a little limited. There's a good graffiti shop nearby that seems to have some pretty specialist stuff so I'll see what I can muster up! I'm very excited to see the pickguard once it's back from the anodising place.

Probably not into the reactor core, but y'know...

Base coat! I have moved away from the 'punk bass' aesthetic. I've decided to gift this to my Dad once it's done, and he had a great idea which I'm rolling with. He has spent a lot of his life working inside nuclear reactors, and he's really into nuclear imagery and technology. He said that the inside of a reactor has a blue, oceanic, sci-fi glow, and that he'd like to see that on an instrument. So I'm going to experiment a little with this blue theme! Updates soonish, weather dependent.

This is beautiful - where did you get the neck? Also is that a Herrick pickup? I've been looking at trying them out on my project. And what are the controls? Only thing is you need to re-string the G-string so it's in line with the others!

Spent a lot longer than I should have stripping down the neck today. Made a right old mess!

Sent the dimensions to my mate in Thailand who has cut the shape, now sending it off to the anodising shop. Looking forward to showing everyone where we're actually going with this!

I am considering it! Or at least the headstock. Still undecided though.

First day without torrential rain in Sydney for a few weeks, so updates can begin! First coats of primer are on - revealing a few points that need attention. Also, the neck has arrived. I found a great deal on this pretty nice Samick neck, which fits perfectly and feels quite good. Hardware and custom pickguard are on order.

Don't fear the basswood. The Bongo has nothing to prove at this point, basswood works. And it has a big old booty. I'd be thankful for the lighter basswood body of the EBMM, over heavy mahogany. Also, I'm not sure what 'indonesian mahogany' really is, but it may not be actual mahogany. (edit: I'm guessing here)

Yeah, I've always hated the goofySBMM tuners. Not sure why they've done that.

True, my 93 Sterling is a ceramic pickup and sounds phenomenal. The Bongo has always been neodymium though so it's interesting they've made that change. Looking forward to hearing one for sure. The 2-band Stingray is a beast of its own, it'd be interesting to hear a Bongo with similar voicing!

These are ceramic pickups with 2 band EQ, so yeah, their electronics are definitely not up to the real thing. Still, I'm interested to hear one.

Far out, I never thought this would happen. I've owned a heap of Bongos and they're so good. Render me intrigued.

Excellent work, I'm looking forward to seeing how this turns out!