Andyjr1515 Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 With a Les Paul six string refinish out of the way, I'm getting my head round two more projects. The first, more about later, is a lovely custom built semi-acoustic that needs some mods, including bridge, electrics including a powered EQ and a removable back plate. The second, a longer-term project is a long-scale version in the style of one of Jack Bruce's EB3 SGs for our old-gits-band's bassist. This one doesn't need to be finished until November, but I've started to get my head around it, particularly in that his wife is funding it for a significant birthday and wants to know how much financial pain he is sending her way this time! The body will be pretty much per the SG six string I built for him a while back, but all mahogany. And guess what I have got in my shed from a speculative purchase a couple of years ago? : Plenty of time to think through the final spec while I tackle the semi-acoustic but initial thoughts are: Through neck Chambered body Wenge veneer demarcation between top and bottom Lightweight tuners to counteract the long neck / light body Varitone Gibson 3 Point Bridge DiMarzio neck and minihumbucker bridge p/ups Can't wait! These two projects will be the first in my new rudimentary but better than the patio in the rain indoor work area! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 Looking forward to this, love the design of the EB basses. Are you absolutely sure about utilising the three point bridge though? Worst bit of guitar hardware of all time IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scojack Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 I was just thinking how quiet it's been of late, thought Mrs Andy had reclaimed the patio for the summer . Looking forward to them both. Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted July 17, 2016 Author Share Posted July 17, 2016 [quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1468776727' post='3093246'] Looking forward to this, love the design of the EB basses. Are you absolutely sure about utilising the three point bridge though? Worst bit of guitar hardware of all time IMO. [/quote] Yes, I know...but it does add the proper period look. Slightly, OK marginally, more functional than the non intonated earlier bar types, though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 That is a pretty piece of mahogany - not seen such a stripy piece before! Silly question, will it be quite as noticeable when all the carving and varnishing is finished? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 Currently owning an SG bass and thinking a long scale version would be rather nice I have given some thought to the neck dive issue. My thoughts were move the bridge as far back as possible and possibly lengthen the body slightly. A few inches gained this way would certainly help with the balance in addition to lightweight tuners etc. Even with the timber cut as shown in the pictures there is some length gain still available. Look forward to seeing the build Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bastav Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 Looking forward to another Andybuild Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted July 17, 2016 Author Share Posted July 17, 2016 [quote name='3below' timestamp='1468784034' post='3093314'] Currently owning an SG bass and thinking a long scale version would be rather nice I have given some thought to the neck dive issue. My thoughts were move the bridge as far back as possible and possibly lengthen the body slightly. A few inches gained this way would certainly help with the balance in addition to lightweight tuners etc. Even with the timber cut as shown in the pictures there is some length gain still available. Look forward to seeing the build [/quote] Yes, I agree - a fully rearward bridge is a must. The best example of that is the Cort Curbow - looks and feels like a short scale and is, in fact, the full 34" Interestingly, this is one of the issues faced with the semi-acoustic (ie the other new project just started). The bridge placement and resulting neck placement actually makes it pretty impossible to reach the first fret... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted July 17, 2016 Author Share Posted July 17, 2016 [quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1468780459' post='3093284'] That is a pretty piece of mahogany - not seen such a stripy piece before! Silly question, will it be quite as noticeable when all the carving and varnishing is finished? [/quote] Happily, Pete - the mate I'm building this for - isn't a purist. He does want me to go for a cherry red, but beyond that he is happy for me to add as much or as little AJR craziness as I like. One of the reasons I'm going for the infamous three point bridge is that it's one of the few focal points that give a nod to JB's original (or ONE of his originals at least ) and therefore leaves me a bit more freedom to go wayward in other areas... Many of you will have seen this before, also built for Pete, but this was my interpretation of what a six string electric SG should have been like if only the designers had been as mentally flawed as I am... Not everyone's cup of tea, but Pete likes it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 The back is absolutely stunning. Front is incredible, yes, not my choice of char but something very special! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted July 17, 2016 Author Share Posted July 17, 2016 [quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1468780459' post='3093284'] That is a pretty piece of mahogany - not seen such a stripy piece before! Silly question, will it be quite as noticeable when all the carving and varnishing is finished? [/quote] I slightly misread the question, Mykesbass . No - I think most, though not all, of the grain pattern will be indistinct once it's cherry red. Mind you, you never know - it's one of the things that makes this crazy hobby exciting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 [quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1468786114' post='3093332'] Yes, I agree - a fully rearward bridge is a must. The best example of that is the Cort Curbow - looks and feels like a short scale and is, in fact, the full 34" Interestingly, this is one of the issues faced with the semi-acoustic (ie the other new project just started). The bridge placement and resulting neck placement actually makes it pretty impossible to reach the first fret... [/quote] I have a 335 / EB2 long scale that verges on that same problem. Then again I am only 5'3" and have short arms It does balance fairly well though. The mahogany looks stunning btw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted July 17, 2016 Share Posted July 17, 2016 Hadn't realised thar mahogany was that figured as it never shows on finished guitars. Will be following this as inspiration for my Gripper build (see what I did there)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuNkShUi Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 About time you posted another build! You've been slacking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 That SG is stunning. I'm looking forward to following this build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted July 18, 2016 Author Share Posted July 18, 2016 [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/288555-custom-semi-acoustic-modifications/"]Thread started on the semi-acoustic here[/url] for anyone who might be interested. It's a challenging brief which I'm very excited about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W1_Pro Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 I've always wondered Andy, what is a chambered body and what does it do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuNkShUi Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 It's when parts of the body are hollowed out, or chambered, usually to make the guitar lighter or balance better. I think that's correct. I only know because the bass Andy made for me has a chambered body, and it has made a big difference to the weight!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W1_Pro Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 [quote name='FuNkShUi' timestamp='1469086409' post='3095561'] It's when parts of the body are hollowed out, or chambered, usually to make the guitar lighter or balance better. I think that's correct. I only know because the bass Andy made for me has a chambered body, and it has made a big difference to the weight!! [/quote] Ahhh, I see. Makes sense. Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 [quote name='FuNkShUi' timestamp='1469086409' post='3095561'] It's when parts of the body are hollowed out, or chambered, usually to make the guitar lighter or balance better. I think that's correct. I only know because the bass Andy made for me has a chambered body, and it has made a big difference to the weight!! [/quote] Yes - spot on, Kert. Sometimes they are called 'weight-relieved', W1_Pro. There are various ways of doing it - sometimes they are a series of slots, sometimes (like for Kert's bass) and actual chamber routed out. Pretty essential once you start using some of the heavier woods or larger bodies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted July 21, 2016 Author Share Posted July 21, 2016 This was the main chamber in Kert's single cut - trying to minimise any tendency of neck heavy with the extended upper bout: With a less aggressive carve of the edges, this could have been even larger. Often, the control chamber rout takes enough weight out by itself, but then you sometimes end up with the body lighter at the back and bottom than at the front and the top: It really does depend on the wood and the design shape...both can vary enormously! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W1_Pro Posted July 23, 2016 Share Posted July 23, 2016 So, my question would be- and please feel free to tell me if I'm getting ahead of myself here-Does the process of chambering have any implications (planned or otherwise) for the resonance of the guitar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted July 23, 2016 Author Share Posted July 23, 2016 [quote name='W1_Pro' timestamp='1469252684' post='3096934'] So, my question would be- and please feel free to tell me if I'm getting ahead of myself here-Does the process of chambering have any implications (planned or otherwise) for the resonance of the guitar? [/quote] Now there's a hornets nest! In my view, not at all unless it's to the degree where it is essentially a semi acoustic... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted July 23, 2016 Share Posted July 23, 2016 [quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1469260954' post='3096970'] Now there's a hornets nest! [/quote] Basschat Bingo!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted July 23, 2016 Author Share Posted July 23, 2016 [quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1469261612' post='3096978'] Basschat Bingo!! [/quote] I should add - before any other b****r inevitably will - "with the possible exception of a piezo bridge..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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