SpondonBassed

It's looking right nice and all.

It's odd isn't it? You see a bell, you expect it to make a sound... not light up. I mean, I'd hate to flick a light switch and instead hear the ghost of Big Ben while I still struggle to see how many groats I have left in my man purse.

Yes. I'm thinking on those lines. Not a full headstock but a tactile heel if you will. Maybe a faux volute because I do like a good one now and again. (Not many people know that.)

Welcome Nick. Go on then... what's the Lou Reed connection?

Welcome Paul.

It would almost certainly be laminated. Stubzy said "Ash". I can't dispute that but then I have not got a good knowledge of timber. Metal is more my line. Yes folks. I'm good for metal.

Welcome Ladders. Mike Oldfield had stubby fingers if I recall. He played a whole suite of instruments.

Lush yard!

It will be interesting. The action of the strings against the truss rod would put the wood under compression. Unless you could get a significant angle between string and rod to triangulate you might get problems I suppose. I think it should be okay. If it looks on the dodgy side you still have the option of putting CF stiffeners in haven't you?

@Si600 Thanks for the reminder Si. That made me smile.

I've read up a bit and found that plain (or flat) sawn is not the most stable cut and it is preferable to use quarter sawn for guitar tops and backs... Bugger. Tomorrow I will measure up and see if anything useable can be got from this. Alternatively, I might make it an arch top so that bowing is less noticeable.

I've got this piece of timber to identify. I cleaned it back a bit to show the grain better. It's plain sawn, I think. I've got a bit of reading to do to see how it might affect the build. I found this. @Owen kindly sent me a headphone practice module that he got from @Chopthebass. It's got an Aux-in as well. Another member has promised to send me a rather nice pre-amp too. In addition, I've posted a topic in Recycling asking for donor instruments that are beyond economic repair so that I might start a parts collection. I should start sketching soon.

Can you give me an idea? Does it sound dull when you tap it or is it bendy for example...?

Welcome Talean. Good to see you are covering both styles of playing. Some here have polar opinions about that. I enjoy them both.

What's happened to confirm that?

I have a Build Diaries topic up. Although I have a workshop and some skills I have neither a thicknesser nor a table router. I haven't space for them. A table saw is not the most refined of tools for the job at hand but I can at least get timber to a handleable size for the detailed work. I am collecting more timber for the neck and I have some of the electronics that I'd like already. I may outsource some of the machine work. In any event, this is a project that I don't want to rush. While I am sketching up ideas I shall collect items of hardware. If I have to spend a significant amount of cash I would like it to go on pick-ups and strings first and foremost. I am happy to recycle bridges and machine heads etc. It occurred to me that some of the great Basschat membership might help by donating unwanted instruments so that I can start a bin of parts for reuse. PM me if you have something you think I could take off your hands and repurpose. It may be an old project of your own or an instrument that is damaged to such an extent that it is beyond economical repair. I'll consider anything bass related.

Welcome Solesoul.

I've just received a neat little headphone amp to go in the control cavity of a bass from Owen. The transaction was easy. We arranged by PM and I made a bank transfer. Owen packed it the same day (Friday) and I received it today (Monday) despite the pandemic, It was still in its envelope as sent to Owen. He got two so don't worry, I left him with one. Owen is a thoroughly nice chap and I don't hesitate to recommend you deal in confidence with him.

Crikey Andy! With the angle that you took the photo from it looks like you've taken a tenon saw to it! I had to double check to see it was a scraper.

Glamping? During a lockdown??!!?? Heeheehee no seriously... We get you. Getting the alignment is not the problem, keeping it is. As mentioned clamping in one direction alone does not guarantee that movement will not occur before the bond goes off. If this was easy, you wouldn't be enjoying it so much. This IS a cracking thread. It's good to see someone challenge themselves with due consideration of the alternatives. Respect.

Welcome Julfam.

...or a dry fish.

Welcome (again) Here are the same links as on your status page:

Welcome Saxa.