de afwerking mk6-6s & mk6-g6 - blablas is doing a double build

[blablas 52]

Ordered and received more parts.

For the bass all the parts but neck attachment screws are in now, for the guitar version I'm still waiting for specifications.
Going to start on the bass very soon.

Edited August 1, 2017 by blablas

[Andyjr1515 450]

We're still here, waiting patiently

[blablas 52]

Finally going to make sawdust on this double build soon, already prepared some odds and ends, more details later.

Also did some designing for the next planned project, a 10 string, no exact plans yet. The only thing I discovered is that I have to build the bridge myself, there is nothing to my liking on the market for a 5 string with octave strings.

Edited August 6, 2017 by blablas

[tommorichards 7]

your builds are always fantastic. Even the photography. I look forward to seeing the results

Question, are all the basses on your site still in your possession? Because if so, thats a literal asstonne of basses.

Edited August 24, 2016 by tommorichards

[blablas 52]

Yup, they are all still with me.

Here's is most of them in one picture.

Edited August 6, 2017 by blablas

[roman_sub 22]

that's the most lefty's I've ever seen in one photo!!!! amazing

[tommorichards 7]

Jesus........

[Andyjr1515 450]

Great collection! Looking forward to seeing the continued progress on the 10 string build. I like the look of that bridge

[blablas 52]

Modified the 10 string bridge design a little bit and did a few modifications to make life easier once I start fabricating it, it's hybrid string through body/bridge now.

Edited August 6, 2017 by blablas

[blablas 52]

And done some fabricating today during lunchtime at work. Edited August 6, 2017 by blablas

[tommorichards 7]

Assuming the holes either side are for grub screws for height adjustment, whats the rod in the centre for?

[PlungerModerno 0]

[quote name='tommorichards' timestamp='1472517163' post='3121801']
Assuming the holes either side are for grub screws for height adjustment, whats the rod in the centre for?
[/quote]

My thoughts exactly!

Emmmm... Let me guess - It's to keep the two strings on the saddle apart?

[blablas 52]

You guessed right.

[blablas 52]

Saddles are done.


With all the screws and springs. Edited August 6, 2017 by blablas

[PlungerModerno 0]

[quote name='blablas' timestamp='1472538030' post='3121845']
You guessed right.
[/quote]

Yay! Seems like a clever way to get consistant spacing of the string pairs. With a slight pinching effect it should work great!
See diagram:
[attachment=226721:8 String Saddle Pinch Style.png]

[quote name='blablas' timestamp='1472576857' post='3122305']

Saddles are done.


With all the screws and springs.
[/quote]

Looking good!

Edited August 30, 2016 by PlungerModerno

[blablas 52]

[quote name='PlungerModerno' timestamp='1472582940' post='3122379']
Yay! Seems like a clever way to get consistant spacing of the string pairs. With a slight pinching effect it should work great!
See diagram:
[/quote]
Works like a charm, I used this trick for the first time on my old 8 string build.

Only minor disadvantage is that the intonation between the double course strings can't be fine tuned, but at the time I tried this saddle method out I also discovered that this is nowhere near as critical as some people might suggest.

Edited August 6, 2017 by blablas

[blablas 52]

Starting to look like a bridge, still need to drill the holes to mount it to the body and anodize the baseplate black. Edited August 6, 2017 by blablas

[6v6 0]

Awesome accuracy and attention to detail!

How did you make the parts, CNC?

Also what is the finish on the parts, as they don't look freshly machined but coated?

[blablas 52]

I made everything by hand, only using a conventional lathe and a milling machine, I can do it quicker this way than by using a CNC machine. CNC is only interesting for complicated shapes and bulk production not for something straightforward and simple as these parts. (in my old school trained machinist opinion).

The finish on the saddles was done with a drum polishing machine. the baseplate is sand-blasted (for now).

[Andyjr1515 450]

I love seeing good quality metalworking. This is A1 stuff. Lovely job, blablas

[Grangur 184]

Blablas, your work is breathtaking as always. Most of us, myself included can only dream of owning just one bass like these.

How do you manage to do all this AND find time to play them?

Thanks for posting this.

[blablas 52]

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1472713754' post='3123460']
How do you manage to do all this AND find time to play them?[/quote]
I don't.
Building during daytime, playing in the evening.... sort of.

[BigRedX 359]

Can I ask why you're not using a separately adjustable saddle for the octave string in each pair?

I've never played an 8 string bass with shared saddles for both strings in a course that didn't suffer from terrible tuning problems above the 7th fret (which for me on an 8-string bass is where all the interesting stuff happens).

[blablas 52]

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1472761301' post='3124081']
Can I ask why you're not using a separately adjustable saddle for the octave string in each pair?[/quote]
Much too complicated to engineer and fabricate and in my experience with both fixed and adjustable double course saddles it's not that critical, it's a small concession I'm willing to accept over a complicated bridge design.

Edited September 1, 2016 by blablas

[Bastav 34]

Bridge looks nice, looking forward to seeing some sawdust!

What sort of string spacing do you go for on an octave bridge (researching next build)?