Jimothey

I think it was that other Luthiers started using hardwoods so pine ended up being seen as an inferior quality product

Fender used to make their bodies out of southern yellow pine but stopped using it I think in the early 60's

Now that the telebass is virtually done my attention is going to be back on this build, I'm going to order the 5 string neck next week hopefully they don't put it on a really slow boat from China!!

£30!! That's a steal!! Are you just going to restore it or have you got other plans for it?? 😀

Apart from a few little jobs e.g. strap buttons, MOP block vinyl inlays, Headstock decal and 1 black knob it's all done!!

Loving the yellow with the black headstock!! Looks awesome 😀

Thanks mate I really like the way it's turned out! Now I just need to see how bad the neck dive is and try and sort that out?? 😀

Pickguard all done now, Electrics tomorrow then set it up 😀

I thought you'd be more amazed by the invisible body!??! 😁

The pickup pole alignment isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be! I can live with that!! I've got to put a shim under the neck to bring it up a smidge as the action is way too high and the saddles are touching the bridge also I had to re-cut the pickguard so I've just got to spray it black then I'm ready to start doing the electrics 😀

I would invent a glove that syncs up with your brain that makes my hands to do what I'm actually telling them to do!! 😁

Damn my secret is out!! This is my stage outfit when I play 'Hello'!! 😁

Yeah the 2 inner poles are OK it's just the 2 outer ones if it's not really going to effect the sound then I'll probably just fit it where it was originally?? I was leaning more towards crushed velvet!! 😁

I thought I'd mock up where the pickups could go and this is where the strings lined up with the poles which is virtually where the bridge pickup is........ I probably could fit the other one right next to it but I think that wouldn't look very good?? Or would it look OK because they look good on a corvette $$

I've been thinking about the half and half pickup problem I suppose I could try and do it a bit like this and kind of make a feature out if it

The only problem with that is it will be half on and half off the pickguard, would that look a bit pony!?! 😳

I agree!! 🤫

@JohnDaBass you were right the 2 outer poles aren't going to be centered with the strings on the neck pickup they will still be on the poles tho, if it is only for aesthetic reasons I can live with it but do you think it will it make a big difference to the sound?? If it is going to be a problem the way I see it I've got a couple of choices...... 1. Only have 1 pickup (where the bridge pickup is, is that too far back far only 1) 2. Move the pickup back so its not on the pickguard (so it will probably end up like a Corvette $$) I didn't really want to buy a new smaller pickup (e.g Jazz) but if that's the only other option then I'll have to......... ☹️

The neck pickup isn't in it's right place yet so when it's fitted it should line up fine, also the bridge pickup needs to be routed out a bit deeper....... I'm in two minds whether to do it 2V 1T or just 1V 1T? 🤔

Once again a stunning looking guitar!! 😀

It's just matte black paint but I can see what you mean it's going to have a top coat of satin lacquer on it once I've routed it out...... I really like the look of them I thought maybe 2 would be too much but I think they look good 😀

Pickups turned up today so I've routed out the body just got to do the pickguard now! The top need another coat aswell so I'll do that tomorrow 😀

Purchased a set of individual saddles from Mick He posted them out very quickly and for a very reasonable price! Very happy as they are exactly what I was looking for! Thanks Jim

It's funny you say that I've been told in the past I'm as stealthy as a killer whale!! And yes you may christen it the Orca(ster) Bass!! 😁 I agree that would look nice with hidden pickups but I've got another build in mind which I was going to go down that route a semi hollow with piezo pickup possibly under the bridge I am going to call on Jez or Andy's expertise when I come to tackle that!! 🤔

Here's an updated picture The chrome knobs are just temporary they are just there for visual effect! I definitely prefer this in white than the black 😀