Manton Customs

Thanks, and I love visiting Aber in the Summer .

Continuing on with the neck, I drill the tuners. A simple job done with a 10 mm Brad point bit and careful measurements. [URL=http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/1.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u425/Manton-Customs/1.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Next the fingerboard gets its radius, here is the neck in the radius jig. The router runs on rails above in a cradle and the rails rest on the two semi circular end pieces. We are going for a 16" radius here. You may also notice I have roughly thinned the headstock to the correct thickness, I did this using the Safe T Planer. [URL=http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/2.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u425/Manton-Customs/2.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Onto some body work. The body blank unfortunately came with some nasty tearout from where the mill planed it, so my first job to the blank was to plane these out. The one piece blank is too wide for the planer we have, so we did it the old fashioned way with a hand plane! Which was no bid deal and didn't take long. [URL=http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/3.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u425/Manton-Customs/3.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Here's the body with templates attached. I missed a couple of pictures here, prior to this the waste was sawn away on the bandsaw and then routed flush to the template. You can see I attach the template with two screws, one is in the neck pocket so will be routed away and the other under the bridge which will be utilised for the start of the ground wire hole. I also use double sided tape but the screws ensure it stays in place. [URL=http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/4.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u425/Manton-Customs/4.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Here the template has been removed leaving nice clean edges. [URL=http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/5.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u425/Manton-Customs/5.jpg[/IMG][/URL] A shot of the back. We are further advanced than the progress shown here, so more updates coming soon! [URL=http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/6.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u425/Manton-Customs/6.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Thank you for checking out this build .

Thank you both. For the orange we are going for something like the colour of this poppy!...With contrasting black grain fill.

We'll start work on the neck first. The first job is to rout for the truss rod, you can see the very simple jig I use for this in this picture. It is attached to the blank with double sided tape and a router bushing is used to rout the rod in multiple passes. [URL=http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/IMG_3884.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u425/Manton-Customs/IMG_3884.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Next we prepare for cutting out the outline of the neck. In this picture the templates are attached to the blank, the next step will be to rough cut on the bandsaw to within 2mm or less to the template. [URL=http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/IMG_3885.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u425/Manton-Customs/IMG_3885.jpg[/IMG][/URL] After rough cutting on the bandsaw, we use the router to trim the neck to the template. This has been completed here. [URL=http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/IMG_3886.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u425/Manton-Customs/IMG_3886.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Next is time to place the russ rod into the neck and glue the fingerboard to the neck. It is extremely important both neck and fingerboard are perfectly flat to get a good joint. You'll notice I use a 2 X 4" to distribute the clamping pressure evenly. Before this I have inserted a couple of brass tacks through two of the fret slots to keep the board from slipping ...And yes, I got my thumb over the camera lens *facepalm*. [URL=http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/IMG_3898.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u425/Manton-Customs/IMG_3898.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Out of the clamps before trimming. Notice the brass tacks mentioned earlier. These are a real life saver, ensuring the board does not move while the clamps are tightened. [URL=http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/IMG_3899.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u425/Manton-Customs/IMG_3899.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Next we cut the board (again to around 2 mm) from the neck with the bandsaw and follow up with the router using a bottom bearing flush cutting bit. Its important not to leave too much material for the router to remove or you'll get tear out so I always get as close as is safe with the saw. [URL=http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/IMG_3902.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u425/Manton-Customs/IMG_3902.jpg[/IMG][/URL] A shot of the now tapered fingerboard with an air tight glue joint. Stay tuned for more neck work! [URL=http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/IMG_3903.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u425/Manton-Customs/IMG_3903.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Thank you for checking out this build

Its a non bass build but thought I'd share this commission here. We already had the Echo bass in the range before which was very much in the style of a Tele but with some unique features (30" bass with MM pickup). However with this guitar we have slightly revised the body shape to give a more sophisticated curvy look, a long with a more dynamic headstock, though it is still very much Telecaster inspired. Here are the specs. 1 Piece Ash Body Quarter Sawn Ash Neck AAA Grade Ebony Fingerboard With 24 Frets Gotoh Tuners Wilkinson Compensated Bridge Kent Armstrong Pickups Brass Nut EVO gold Fret Wire Finish: Trans Orange With Black Grain Fill As you may be able to tell, the theme will be black and orange which is why we are going for the Wilkinson bridge, brass nut and EVO fretwire to compliment the Ebony fingerboard. Work has begun already, so here we go! Ok, to get the ball rolling we have a shot of the 1 piece body blank and some of the parts: the Wilkinson bridge Kent Armstrong pickups and the Gotoh control plate. Apologies for continuing to get my feet in the pictures! [url="http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/IMG_3877.jpg.html"][/url] Here is the quarter sawn neck blank and double action truss rod. Ignore the curly grain and knots to the edges, this will be cut away leaving a stable neck. [url="http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/IMG_3879.jpg.html"][/url] The body template, as you can see we have gone for a rounded bottom as opposed to the standard flat Tele's. We have also reduced the waist of the guitar to give a more flowing shape...and the horn is a little curvier too! [url="http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/IMG_3880.jpg.html"][/url] Here is the revised headstock shape, just a little sharper than the standard offering. [url="http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/IMG_3881.jpg.html"][/url] And all the templates together. [url="http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/IMG_3882.jpg.html"][/url] The AAA grade Ebony fingerboard with 24 frets slots already cut. [url="http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/IMG_3883.jpg.html"][/url]

[quote name='aende' timestamp='1402478259' post='2473865'] Aha! Could you put graphite rods in the old neck? [/quote] Yes, it could be done but I would probably advise against it, as fingerboard removal is something you don't really want to do unless you have to. It would take a substantial amount of work and a little bit of risk as sometimes the fingerboard can react badly to the heat and bending used to remove it and warp. Are you considering the graphite rods because you are having stability issues? We could have a lot of fun if you went the new neck route, we could create a more exotic attractive neck than the original and with your choice of woods and inlay if required. [quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1402479440' post='2473884'] This interests me too - I have an old bass that sound amazing but the neck is just a bit too chunky. How much wood can be safely taken off? How can you tell how deep the truss rod channel is so you don't sand through the back? (Excuse my ignorance - I don't even trust myself to do pickup unstallations!) [/quote] It's a good question and the only real safe way of doing it is removing wood from the shoulders/profile of the neck rather than actually reducing the thickness in the middle to any large degree. This will still make the neck feel a lot slimmer as its often the profile of the neck which makes it feel chunky rather than the actual front to back thickness. The only really accurate way of knowing exactly where the truss rod is to have an X ray done, which I have seen done before.

We could make you neck or mod your existing one . Check out the website if interested.

I would go for a CTS (250k) pot, I would also change all pots while you're at it so they match. For the jack: Switchcraft. These pots and jacks are pretty much the standard for decent basses. If you need a jack plate I like the Gotoh ones, but that's just personal preference.

You'll be better off with aluminum rather than steel as you will be able to work it much easier and its plenty hard enough. Copying a nut shouldn't make it much easier other than the spacing of the strings, you'll need to buy or make a nut spacing rule for this if you don't have one to copy. The depth of the nut slots do not need to be copied and you'd be better off starting from scratch and filing them until you have the appropriate amount of relief (extra height), this varies from player to player but it's just a fraction more than the first fret (which can be measured with feeler gauges). File the slots with the strings on and gradually bring the depth of the slots down.

Looks great, congratulations to Andy and hope Chris has many happy hours rocking it .

PM sent

Matching chrome would be difficult, as it would need to be chrome plated after being cut. An easy though not so perfect solution would be Aluminium. If you went this route you could easily do it yourself as suggested with files to shape and epoxy to mount the plate

I cant imagine you're going to find a bridge that high, shimming the neck is the best option if its a bolt on. Or raising the bridge with a plate as suggested earlier...what finish does the current bridge have?

Just a thought, is it possible that this was once a completed build which has just had its fingerboard removed? That's about the only way I can see a bass getting to this stage without having a fingerboard! If this was the case, it wouldn't be too expensive or difficult to glue the fingerboard and fret it. What kind of budget have you set aside for it? I see you're in Lancashire, if Stoke on Trent isn't too far from you I could take a look at it as I'm at Stoke fairly often.

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1400020673' post='2450055'] I really liked playing this bass. It was very easy to play, and it has a really authoritative voice, very clear and punchy. Thanks for coming to the Bass Bash :-) [/quote] Really glad you liked it. It was my pleasure coming to the bash, we had an excellent day and look forward to future events. Thank you for helping to organise it. [quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1400048232' post='2450117'] Fantastic bass you clearly have a ton of talent to make some thing so nice [/quote] Thank you! Very much appreciated .

Thank you, really glad you like the bass . It was great to meet you and learn a bit about loopers....something that I have done nothing with before. I very much enjoyed having a go on it and wish you great success with it!

Thanks Chris, it was very nice to meet you both, hope to see you at the next bash which we will definitely be coming to! Next bass build shouldn't be too far away, but I have got a guitar to complete first...hope it goes quick though, as being a bass player I much prefer building basses! Hope the wait for the Westone isn't too painful and your rocking it soon!

A big thank you from us as well, we had a great day and couldn't believe how the time flew! We'll definitely be coming again .

[quote name='Manton Customs' timestamp='1399286337' post='2442696'] Great, thank you! Anyone coming by train and want to split a taxi from the station ? [/quote] Change of plan, I'm not coming by train anymore, so would like to bring an amp if that's ok? It's an Ashdown EB 180 combo.

Thank you . I will be taking it to the Bass Bash on Saturday so anyone that's coming to that can see it in person and have a go!

Here is my offering! I recently finished this bass, it was my first 32" scale that I have built and also I believe its the first I have played. It turns out I really like the medium scale, everything just feels a bit more comfortable. [URL=http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/MantonCustomsSiriusBass1-1.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u425/Manton-Customs/MantonCustomsSiriusBass1-1.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/MantonCustomsSiriusBass11-1.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u425/Manton-Customs/MantonCustomsSiriusBass11-1.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/MantonCustomsSiriusBass2.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u425/Manton-Customs/MantonCustomsSiriusBass2.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

I don't know off the top of my head which pots MM use, but you can pick up a set of calipers cheaply and measure the shaft. Having said that I suspect they would be fine as 6 mm is very common, though don't take my word for it!

Great, thank you! Anyone coming by train and want to split a taxi from the station ?

Room for one more ? I would like to come and bring my latest build for you all to have a go on. I would prefer to bring more basses but seeing as I would be coming by train I unfortunately can't bring any more, or even an amp so hoping someone can help me out by letting me share their amp! Here is a picture of said bass plus a link to it in the build diaries. [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/229856-manton-customs-cherry-and-maple-sirius-4-string-32-scale-bass-build/"]http://basschat.co.u...ale-bass-build/[/url] [url="http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/MantonCustomsSiriusBass1-1.jpg.html"][/url]

[color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,] And a few more! [/font][/color] [color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,] [URL=http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/MantonCustomsSiriusBass7-1.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u425/Manton-Customs/MantonCustomsSiriusBass7-1.jpg[/IMG][/URL][/font][/color] [color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,] [URL=http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/MantonCustomsSiriusBass8.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u425/Manton-Customs/MantonCustomsSiriusBass8.jpg[/IMG][/URL][/font][/color] [color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,] [URL=http://s1067.photobucket.com/user/Manton-Customs/media/MantonCustomsSiriusBass18-1.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1067.photobucket.com/albums/u425/Manton-Customs/MantonCustomsSiriusBass18-1.jpg[/IMG][/URL][/font][/color] [color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,] That's it now...honest [/font][/color]