Gust0o Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 I've been promising some pics for a while, and since a combination of snow and hangover has freed my day up nicely, time to deliver! A few thoughts up front: [list=1] [*]It's great fun and a fantastic insight into what it takes to build, by hand, some supremely high-quality instruments [*]Jon is a top bloke. He's not bad at a pub quiz either [*]It's not a cheap way of owning a Shuker - it's your own hands building it. If you want a Shuker, order one [*]Be realistic in your ambitions. See 2 also: if you want a 7-string headless, built from the finest exotic woods and rubbed with the tears of virgins, order one. [/list] I was booked onto the course as a 30th birthday present from the wife. I've done some tinkering in the past, and had wanted to learn some more... so she thought, what better way! The course is a 5-day undertaking - the wife made ther mistake of thinking it was 3-days, so I split mine over Christmas, going back in January to finish what I'd started. I shared a lot of e-mails with Jon prior, chatting about spec, and agreed on a relatively straightforward passive Jazz. The joy of the course is its total flexibility - once you've decided on the basics, you can make decisions as they come thereafter (which pick-ups, neck radius, etc). So, having gotten lost on the way, day one kicked off in a cold engineering unit, petting Jon's Rottweiler Ruby and working out where to start. [IMG]http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/Gust0o/Shuker%20build/IMG_0717.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/Gust0o/Shuker%20build/IMG_0718.jpg[/IMG] It's best to start at the beginning... which with a guitar is the wood. I opted for an Alder body and a Maple neck. Thereafter it was deciding what variation of Jazz I might go for. Classic? Stretched? I borrowed an existing template for a start, but sketched out some of the lines by hand - getting it to the point I thought looked good. From then you're into the cutting - first cutting your own template in MDF, before taking the template to the Alder, getting the basic slab body cut. Once cut, it's time to work out where the various bits and pieces will fit - the pick-ups, bridge and controls; and where the cavities will need to go to support those. So, it's on to the router... [IMG]http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/Gust0o/Shuker%20build/IMG_0712.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/Gust0o/Shuker%20build/IMG_0713.jpg[/IMG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettsguitars Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 More please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted February 5, 2012 Author Share Posted February 5, 2012 (edited) Right, so with the body kicked off, all we're missing is a neck... so you're back to the template, and a discussion about what kind of neck I'd prefer. I opted for Maple and, er, Maple, and then it's back on the band saw to cut the neck and fingerboard. Once the neck is cut, the rout for the truss rod is marked out and done... ... before some more finesse is appied and the fingerboard is attached... [IMG]http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/Gust0o/Shuker%20build/IMG_0726.jpg[/IMG] Whilst this set, the rasp came out to begin shaping the body contours, which pretty much saw out day one... and then a chunk of the next. The rest of day two was spent sanding. And you don't realise how much sanding is involved in hand-built instruments. I think I'd just assumed it's done by a machine - but no, you work through the grades by hand, trying to remove every blemish. And Jon has an expert's eye for the finish, and I will guarantee that your definition of "good enough" will not be his! But this is the point at which the body really starts to take shape... ... and you get a sense of what it might be like when you're done... Edited February 5, 2012 by Gust0o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted February 5, 2012 Author Share Posted February 5, 2012 (edited) Day three was, again, spent sanding With the fingerboard now attached, the holes for the frets are cut... ... before I got ahead of myself and started to think towards the pickguard... I opted for a vintage Gibson radius on the fingerboard, and sanding that into the fingerboard was the next task. But I did then make a boob. Whilst Jon's assistance gave me a lesson in slap (and Rob is an exceptional player) my brain went for a walk and drilled the side dots in a unique pattern... but two dots on 11. Oops! However, disaster averted! What about binding asked Jon? Yes please! I then routed the fingerboard and neck to fit, before attaching and gluing the binding in place... At this point it was time to break for Christmas. I'd had a great three days, and Jon had joined me in the Bridge Inn for a pint both nights - I was learning a lot, and was keen to get back, but my hands were glad of the respite. Edited February 5, 2012 by Gust0o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettsguitars Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 It's great to see how others do these things. Is that a single action rod then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted February 5, 2012 Author Share Posted February 5, 2012 Day Four was time to take the masking tape off the binding - given it had had a fortnight to dry, we were pretty sure it had stuck! [IMG]http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/Gust0o/Shuker%20build/IMG_0777.jpg[/IMG] The binding then needs sanding flat to the neck and fingerboard. Thereafter you're able to add the frets... [IMG]http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/Gust0o/Shuker%20build/IMG_0781.jpg[/IMG] Once they were on and dressed, it was back with the rasp to the rear of the neck, getting the contour right. I was aiming for a Jazz, but gave it a deeper profile as I was aiming for a similar neck to my Gibson Grabber. Whilst I finished the neck Jon began with the lacquer on the body - first a clear coat, then going to the black stain... [IMG]http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/Gust0o/Shuker%20build/IMG_0783.jpg[/IMG] ... and you can see it getting closer! [IMG]http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/Gust0o/Shuker%20build/IMG_0787.jpg[/IMG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Looking forward to seeing the rest of this, including the finished product. What a great way to spend your time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettsguitars Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 (edited) Were those fret 'slots' marked out and cut freehand? I would assume a tablesaw is used. It just looks from the photo like the slots were cut on that there table. I realise now that the shot was taken during the radius. Easy now. Nice diary! Edited February 5, 2012 by lettsguitars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted February 5, 2012 Author Share Posted February 5, 2012 However, the black stain is only a temporary cover, and is lightly sanded back to leave behind a stunning grain - before going back for more clear coats: [IMG]http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/Gust0o/Shuker%20build/IMG_0789.jpg[/IMG] The tuners then go on, including the string tree... [IMG]http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/Gust0o/Shuker%20build/IMG_0791.jpg[/IMG] ... before being attached to the body... [IMG]http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/Gust0o/Shuker%20build/IMG_0795.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/Gust0o/Shuker%20build/IMG_0797.jpg[/IMG] Day five rounds off with shielding the cavity and fitting the electronics, before working out the string spacing and fitting the bridge. All the parts were reliabe old Gotoh, with Bartolinis for the pick-ups - keeping in theme, using a more vintage spacing for the pick-ups. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Love the upside-down headstock! Shaping up to be a lovely looking bass there! Truckstop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted February 5, 2012 Author Share Posted February 5, 2012 I had to borrow a little extra time, and kudos to Jon for allowing me to do so - so, Day Six was spenting finessing the string spacing... [IMG]http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/Gust0o/Shuker%20build/IMG_0799.jpg[/IMG] ... before finally being able to handle the finished product! [IMG]http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/Gust0o/Shuker%20build/IMG_0801.jpg[/IMG] I then got to go home, tired but happy, to show off to the wife - a brilliant present, I should say... [IMG]http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/Gust0o/Shuker%20build/IMG_0804.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/Gust0o/Shuker%20build/IMG_0809.jpg[/IMG] And here she is - my reverse headstock Jazz. Borrowing ideas from here and there, but built from some of the best bits of other guitars I've enjoyed; and kept ohh-so simple, meaning I could do it all with my own hands. No 7-string, No Jubba-jubba wood. No 12-piece neck. Just a bloody nice bass. [IMG]http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/Gust0o/Shuker%20build/IMG_0823.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/Gust0o/Shuker%20build/IMG_0820.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/Gust0o/Shuker%20build/IMG_0826.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/Gust0o/Shuker%20build/IMG_0828.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii186/Gust0o/Shuker%20build/IMG_0830.jpg[/IMG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted February 5, 2012 Author Share Posted February 5, 2012 Hope that works for you, guys. I'll take some nicer shots with the camera when I get a moment - everything here is iPhone, either 3GS before Xmas or the better ones one the 4GS at the end! Oh, and Schaller straplocks. I didn't build it super light, as I wanted something robust like the old Gibsons - and I didn't fancy dropping it after all that effort! Sounds super bright, and the sustain is amazing, getting some excellent comments from the band. It really is better than everyone expected - I think people at home thought I'd be building from a kit, or it would be something more plain... happy to disappoint and surprise them Lett's - single action truss, yes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichF Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 absolutely awesome!!! Great looking bass, great finish, great choice of pickups etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettsguitars Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 A job well done mate. A bass for life no doubt. kruto! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted February 5, 2012 Author Share Posted February 5, 2012 Oh, and staying topical... no markers on the fingerboard! Thanks for the great comments, guys. It's a brilliant course. I feel like I've learned a lot about working with wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichF Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 [quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1328451891' post='1527169']I feel like I've learned a lot about working with wood. [/quote] as the porn star said to the bishop . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted February 5, 2012 Author Share Posted February 5, 2012 Boom boom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon1964 Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 That looks fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thunderthumbs Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Lovely looking bass. Dare I ask how much it cost in total? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted February 5, 2012 Author Share Posted February 5, 2012 [quote name='Thunderthumbs' timestamp='1328457132' post='1527307'] Lovely looking bass. Dare I ask how much it cost in total? [/quote] I don't know, chief. It was a present and I haven't asked. Pretty hard to work out what the direct cost would be, versus the rest of the experience - learning all the tricks, going for a pint, mine and Jon's sh*tty pub quiz performance... I think the prices are on the website, but I'm not looking All the wood and parts were included in the cost, I didn't pay anything additional for the spec. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lettsguitars Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Gotta be well worth a coupla grand for the experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichF Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 i just realised what this being a present means - i am lucky if i get a pack o 3 sports socks. This is an unbelievable present. Double lucky my friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky72 Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 Mate, that looks fantastic. I'm looking to build a jazz/stingray hybrid with Jon on the course too. Now I've read your diary I need to book it up more than ever! You have an awesome looking bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted February 5, 2012 Share Posted February 5, 2012 I am in the process of getting a Bass Uke built. I was over there on Friday night measuring stuff and muttered that I fancied building an instrument in this way. Pete Howlett who is the luthier in question said I was welcome to use his place and skills on an hourly basis. I was going to save up to do the Shuker course, but I am now going to do something similar just down the road on an hour by hour basis when it is convenient for both of us. Pretty excited I am The bass you made looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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