Sibob Posted October 17, 2008 Author Share Posted October 17, 2008 (edited) I'll post the pictures then tell the story! [url="http://imageshack.us"][/url] [url="http://imageshack.us"][/url] [url="http://imageshack.us"][/url] [url="http://imageshack.us"][/url] [url="http://imageshack.us"][/url] I'm sure you can see that Ian (Chopthebass) has done a stunning job!! It really is even more beautiful in the flesh! [b]HOWEVER[/b] Both myself and Ian have been bamboozled by a rogue truss rod!! It escaped both our attention when I went to pick up the bass! But whilst playing the bass acoustically later the same evening, I noticed a slight 'rattling' seemingly emanating from the neck itself! Tapping the back of the neck further revealed that something was definitly 'loose' within the neck, we think maybe the weld has broken holding the threaded collar on the truss rod bar!! Because of Ian's imminent move to Canada there is unfortunately no way of him fixing it in time! So it's going back to live with him until he has time to fix it across the water! What I would like to highlight here is that this is not a flaw in Ian's building by any stretch of the imagination! He's been amazing throughout the whole process, and the end product (save for the defective rod) is really stunning! We're both gutted as this was a real collaboration between us with some great problem solving and improvisation from Ian, and the wood specimens are the best I've seen in person! What this does mean however, is that the above pictures are what i've affectionally called 'Version 1', and is now an ongoing saga! I'm now interested in sourcing a new neck for the bass ASAP. Aside from this unfortunate setback, I'm sure you'll agree that the body is looking stunning with the scratchplate, Dimarzios, Badass and stack-knobs. The very brief time I've had it plugged in, the Dimarzios sound full and meaty and I'm really excited about them in the long-run! So yeah.....more updates soon hopefully! Cheers Si Edited July 2, 2009 by Sibob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 Wow, that's absolutely stunning mate - shame about the trussrod, but it's only a further delay, at least you already know it'll be worth the wait Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted October 17, 2008 Author Share Posted October 17, 2008 (edited) [quote name='steve' post='308899' date='Oct 17 2008, 08:27 PM']Wow, that's absolutely stunning mate - shame about the trussrod, but it's only a further delay, at least you already know it'll be worth the wait[/quote] The final Bass won't have this neck on it at all Steve Ian hasn't got time to fix it before he goes away which is a massive shame! He really does have a lot to sort before he goes. I think he also mentioned that when he eventually does attend to it, a new fingerboard will have to go on, which I can understand, as I'm sure this one won't survive being taken off! But you are right in a way, when the bass is finished with a neck, it's going to sound awesome!! Si Edited October 17, 2008 by Sibob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 [quote name='Sibob' post='308901' date='Oct 17 2008, 08:31 PM']The final Bass won't have this neck on it at all Steve Ian hasn't got time to fix it before he goes away which is a massive shame! He really does have a lot to sort before he goes. I think he also mentioned that when he eventually does attend to it, a new fingerboard will have to go on, which I can understand, as I'm sure this one won't survive being taken off! But you are right in a way, when the bass is finished with a neck, it's going to sound awesome!! Si[/quote] that's terrible mate, if the neck plays anywhere near as good as it looks, I'd have been inclined to send it to someone else to get it sorted (obviously no disrespect to Ian intended) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tait Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 thatd look great with a tort pickguard! looks great now, actually... im loving that neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted October 17, 2008 Author Share Posted October 17, 2008 [quote name='steve' post='308918' date='Oct 17 2008, 09:01 PM']that's terrible mate, if the neck plays anywhere near as good as it looks, I'd have been inclined to send it to someone else to get it sorted (obviously no disrespect to Ian intended)[/quote] This had crossed my mind mate, but my tech suggested it might cost something around £200 to sort out....and my funds don't really run to that, especially if it was on top of the price of the neck! Ian has been fantastic and very accommodating so I'm just going to suck it up and source another neck from somewhere (see the 'Wanted' post). Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7string Posted October 17, 2008 Share Posted October 17, 2008 I was sure I'd seen a repair for your trussrod problem in the original Dan Erlewine video tapes from the 1984. I went through two 3 hour video tapes, but I found it again! To fix the rattle, the video shows him taking off one of the mid-board fingerboard dots (7th) and drilling into the neck from the area underneath the dot. Thinned down Titebond glue is then injected into the neck using a plastic syringe. The instrument is left for a few hours for the glue to harden. If this doesn't stop the rattle, then another dot is removed and the process repeated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted October 17, 2008 Author Share Posted October 17, 2008 [quote name='7string' post='308990' date='Oct 17 2008, 11:34 PM']I was sure I'd seen a repair for your trussrod problem in the original Dan Erlewine video tapes from the 1984. I went through two 3 hour video tapes, but I found it again! To fix the rattle, the video shows him taking off one of the mid-board fingerboard dots (7th) and drilling into the neck from the area underneath the dot. Thinned down Titebond glue is then injected into the neck using a plastic syringe. The instrument is left for a few hours for the glue to harden. If this doesn't stop the rattle, then another dot is removed and the process repeated.[/quote] The fingerboard has no dots on the facing! Thanks for looking though mate! Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted October 18, 2008 Author Share Posted October 18, 2008 (edited) Oh, One thing I forgot to do was mention everyone who's helped out with this (ongoing) build, certainly up to 'Version 1'. It's been a real Forum effort lol [b]They include:[/b] Jon Shuker (for the sexy and solid 'version 2' neck) Chopthebass (Ian - for the beautiful 'version 1' neck, good luck in Canada) My Uncle Steve (for the ace refinish) Kevbass (Kev - for the body and neck plate) Mr Pablo (Rob - for some electronics and string tree) Bassistjonathan (Jon - for the Badass II) DylanB (Dylan - for the Hipshot tuners) Bassic Bits (for a superb price on some new DiMarzios) Neepheid (Matt - for the strap buttons) NJW (Nico - for the control plate) Cheers Si Edited January 8, 2009 by Sibob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chopthebass Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 [quote name='7string' post='308990' date='Oct 17 2008, 11:34 PM']I was sure I'd seen a repair for your trussrod problem in the original Dan Erlewine video tapes from the 1984. I went through two 3 hour video tapes, but I found it again! To fix the rattle, the video shows him taking off one of the mid-board fingerboard dots (7th) and drilling into the neck from the area underneath the dot. Thinned down Titebond glue is then injected into the neck using a plastic syringe. The instrument is left for a few hours for the glue to harden. If this doesn't stop the rattle, then another dot is removed and the process repeated.[/quote] Hi, That's a very useful piece of info for solving an ill-fitting truss rod. I must remember that! However, I'm 99% sure that the weld has broken that fixes the bar to the threaded part or the rod. This would mean the rod part would flap around as it is narrower than the bar itself. I'll be removing the board and fixing the problem at some point in the future. I'm sure this will end up an awesome bass. Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted January 8, 2009 Author Share Posted January 8, 2009 (edited) Ok, so this is getting resurrected.....why? COS IT'S FINISHED! I kept it quiet, but since the unfortunate troubles with the original neck that Ian (Chopthebass) built for me, I commisioned Mr Shuker to build me a neck. I guess this was around 2 months ago, and I went to pick it up it up yesterday. Jon was very helpful and I'm so grateful that he could finish it in time for my tour that starts this weekend! Here's the spec: One piece Rock Maple neck 2 Carbon reinforcement bars 21 frets Birdseye Maple fingerboard Black fingerboard binding No inlays on fingerboard facing I'll get some photos up ASAP It has its first rehearsal tomorrow, and then straight out on tour on saturday!! Gonna be immense! Si Edited January 8, 2009 by Sibob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Nice one dude! You kept that quiet, I bet it'll be a peach of a neck. Looking forward to seeing the pics... Eude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Congrats i remember this one, it better be just as pretty as the last one! Cant wait to see pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted January 10, 2009 Author Share Posted January 10, 2009 (edited) It is a beauty, and proper solid as a rock! I haven't had time to take pictures just yet, will get on it today, but I'm going on tour with it on tuesday (13th), so come to any of the gigs listed in the gig listing forum or at www.myspace.com/firstsignsoffrost, and you can see the young lady in action! Other than that, pics a little later today Si Edited January 10, 2009 by Sibob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted January 10, 2009 Share Posted January 10, 2009 Dude! i'd so come see you at rock city if it wasn't my mate's birthday that night! Are you in the basement? If it's cheap enough on the door i might make a special appearance I'll only be having a drink round the corner in speak easy anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted January 11, 2009 Share Posted January 11, 2009 hmmm, any idea what time you're on? might pop down for a bit, i really like what i've heard on your myspace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted January 11, 2009 Author Share Posted January 11, 2009 Should be on about 9:30ish, but maybe get there for 8:30 ish to be sure!? Cheers dude Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted January 12, 2009 Author Share Posted January 12, 2009 (edited) I found some time....pre-tour pictures! Sorry for the quality, just off my phone, but gives you an idea: [url="http://imageshack.us"][/url] [url="http://imageshack.us"][/url] [url="http://imageshack.us"][/url] [url="http://imageshack.us"][/url] [url="http://imageshack.us"][/url] [url="http://imageshack.us"][/url] [url="http://imageshack.us"][/url] As with any photos, with some professional exceptions, you can't really see the beauty of the birdseye fingerboard....which is apparently 15 years old according to Jon!! I think the Binding really sets it off though! On this neck I went for 'structural integrity' over the more fancy wooded construction of the previous neck. The neck wood of this neck being Rock Maple with two carbon fiber rods for reinforcement! Anyway, as I said, this is coming out on tour with me tomrrow, so come check it out in action! Gig listing in the 'Gigs' forum! Oh and it feels and sounds awesome as well, fantastic Jazz growl with a Piano like roundness! As I've mentioned before, this bass is tuned C, F, Bb, Eb. Si Edited May 11, 2009 by Sibob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 Nice! really nice fretboard, though that other flamed maple neck was really nice Still, very nice bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 Interestingly, and this is obviously open to debate, but according to Jon flamed maple isn't as strong as regular (rock) maple, and so doesn't make ideal necks. Obviously I learned this after the initial neck was built! But yeah, Love the bass in its current state! Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted January 23, 2009 Author Share Posted January 23, 2009 Well, the bass performed exactly how I wanted it too on my tour, sounded massive, was solid, barely went out of tune between shows/during transit, perfect. I've definitly found 'The Bass' for First Signs Of Frost. It is still a prototype of course, and money permitting I'll have something built for purpose heavily based around this, but for now, I'm really happy with it! Anyway, here's some live shots: [url="http://imageshack.us"][/url] [url="http://imageshack.us"][/url] [url="http://imageshack.us"][/url] [url="http://imageshack.us"][/url] Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tait Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 damn, ive only just read this thread, i'd have liked to come see you at rock city, but i missed it! let me know next time youre playing rock city lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 (edited) Awesome, looks cool, and some nice action shots! Sorry i couldn't make it to you last thursday, i was busy celebrating my mate's birthday, drop me a line next time you're in nottingham! Edited January 23, 2009 by budget bassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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