Andyjr1515 Posted October 10, 2016 Author Share Posted October 10, 2016 Oh...and in case you were wondering, yes... the headstock's fine now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted October 10, 2016 Author Share Posted October 10, 2016 Cut the holes for the controls...and for the infamous 3-pointer : Actually, although there's a twist drill in the shot, all the lead-in holes were done with a Forstner and then expanded where necessary with a twist drill (don't have an 11.5mm forstner!) Here it is mocked up, with the three-pointer fully fitted. Yes - I know... : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted October 10, 2016 Share Posted October 10, 2016 On the home straight to the first non neck diving EB3 Time someone formulated an effortless finish that you can brush on, one coat and as if by magic it emerges as a perfect smooth high gloss finish, no further work needed. Not likely to happen though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblueplanet Posted October 10, 2016 Share Posted October 10, 2016 I would have a bit of fun and make that dial go all the way up to 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted October 10, 2016 Author Share Posted October 10, 2016 [quote name='sblueplanet' timestamp='1476135447' post='3151738'] I would have a bit of fun and make that dial go all the way up to 11 [/quote] Well, in the old gits 5 piece, Pete, being the bass player, will be quite stunned that he has two more than the 4 he was expecting. Paul the lead guitarist, on the other hand, would have expected 11 as a basic right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted October 11, 2016 Author Share Posted October 11, 2016 OK - first the bullsh*t photo, then the truth.... This is looking pretty good? Wrong! There are presently a number of fatal flaws, some unfortunate, some where I deserve all I get and some where you all roll your eyes and say 'told you!' In no particular order:[list] [*]Yes - the three-pointer is rubbish and has got to go. Yes, yes, I know . Let me drop my defences and say "You were all right and it wasn't even worth trying it" . Main issue is - in unexpected ways - it sits too high. And to sort it would be major, major surgery. I'll go to plan B and go for a standard flat, chunky bridge that should cover all the evidence [*]The zero fret needs to be a little higher than the standard frets. For 6-string electrics, I always use the same fret height (many builders put in a higher one even on these) but on a bass, the bottom E just doesn't have enough clearance to let it do its stuff without buzzing [*]Total, idiotic schoolboy error. Two of the tuners are in the wrong place. Plotted the string runs for zero deflection like a good boy; put the pilot hole the wrong side of the peg, like an eejit I'll have to see if it will hide without having to replace the headstock plate... [/list] The good news is that total weight is around 8lb 6oz and it is going to balance on the strap beautifully.... And it does look rather splendid.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oopsdabassist Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 rather splendid?....RATHER SPLENDID???...That is fooking gorgeous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 Looking good, commiserations about the blunder. I keep hoping I will not drop a serious one in my build. I could measure the lowest and highest string height available on my supertone 3 pointer if that would help. Am away from bass until Weds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 I've never really liked the SG shape but the workmanship on this makes up for that in every possible way you can think of. Stunning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 Looks amazing and the mistakes are simply mistakes....mistakes line the road to success. As for the 3 point bridge? Cest la vie...you gave it a go and it wasn't to be (Phew ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted October 11, 2016 Author Share Posted October 11, 2016 [quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1476206372' post='3152345'] As for the 3 point bridge? Cest la vie...you gave it a go and it wasn't to be (Phew ) [/quote] Actually....I have a fiendish idea....I'm going to check it out tomorrow....the three pointer [i]might [/i]be staying.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted October 11, 2016 Author Share Posted October 11, 2016 [quote name='3below' timestamp='1476202148' post='3152269'] Looking good, commiserations about the blunder. I keep hoping I will not drop a serious one in my build. I could measure the lowest and highest string height available on my supertone 3 pointer if that would help. Am away from bass until Weds. [/quote] Actually, 3below, a check of the lowest height would be very useful as a fallback in case my fiendish idea comes to nothing. Later in the week is fine...still got plenty to do With a slight compromise to allow the outer strings to bend a bit from the nut, I might also have sorted the tuners with an invisible fix! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 [quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1476209595' post='3152391'] Actually....I have a fiendish idea....I'm going to check it out tomorrow....the three pointer [i]might [/i]be staying.... [/quote] Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted October 11, 2016 Share Posted October 11, 2016 (edited) Side angle on strings prevents rattling / spurious vibration in nut slots ☺ Measurements to follow on return to Mid Wales. Are you contemplating a routed recess for the whole bridge to lower into 📥? That would be very skilled and brave 🚫 The zero fret is an interesting issue. Logically (unless I am missing something) the zero fret is no different to any other fret in the near vicinity. Why does the zero fret need to be higher but the first fret does not? Is the amplitude difference between zero and first fret that great? Edited October 11, 2016 by 3below Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted October 11, 2016 Author Share Posted October 11, 2016 [quote name='3below' timestamp='1476223024' post='3152544'] Side angle on strings prevents rattling / spurious vibration in nut slots ☺ Measurements to follow on return to Mid Wales. Are you contemplating a routed recess for the whole bridge to lower into 📥? That would be very skilled and brave 🚫 The zero fret is an interesting issue. Logically (unless I am missing something) the zero fret is no different to any other fret in the near vicinity. Why does the zero fret need to be higher but the first fret does not? Is the amplitude difference between zero and first fret that great? [/quote] You are quite right about the zero fret. It's that logic why I've always used the same height for 6-string electrics and, logically, it must hold true also for basses. Maybe I've just got a high spot on fret 1...I haven't levelled them yet. I've discounted the possibility of recessing for the bridge...a sure way for it to end in tears with this particular shape. The thought is to slot the saddles (prob need about 3mm) and the go for the tried and tested through body stringing. That's why measuring a replacement bridge could be useful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 If the zero fret isn't doing its thing properly, is that not just a case of cutting the slots a little deeper in the nut to allow the string to 'break' over the zero fret? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manton Customs Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1476225593' post='3152567'] You are quite right about the zero fret. It's that logic why I've always used the same height for 6-string electrics and, logically, it must hold true also for basses. Maybe I've just got a high spot on fret 1...I haven't levelled them yet. I've discounted the possibility of recessing for the bridge...a sure way for it to end in tears with this particular shape. The thought is to slot the saddles (prob need about 3mm) and the go for the tried and tested through body stringing. That's why measuring a replacement bridge could be useful [/quote] As you've found out, the zero fret should be a fraction higher, just as a nut slot is a fraction higher. This is because of the way the neck arcs (or doesn't) around the first fret. So a little bit of "relief" is needed from the zero fret, as the truss rod won't provide it in this area very effectively. Simple to fix though, just don't level the zero when you do the others, if that doesn't give enough clearance just pull it and install a higher fret. It's looking great and no build is complete without a few obstacles to overcome Edited October 12, 2016 by Manton Customs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Hipshot supertone 3 point bridge fitted to SG bass: Baseplate is 7.95mm E & G string, 8.65mm A & D string. Saddles are 7.7mm deep (base to bottom of saddle notch). Approx 15 mm will be the lowest string height above the body (body to underside of string at saddle). Hope this is of some use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted October 12, 2016 Author Share Posted October 12, 2016 [quote name='Manton Customs' timestamp='1476291212' post='3153119'] As you've found out, the zero fret should be a fraction higher, just as a nut slot is a fraction higher. This is because of the way the neck arcs (or doesn't) around the first fret. So a little bit of "relief" is needed from the zero fret, as the truss rod won't provide it in this area very effectively. Simple to fix though, just don't level the zero when you do the others, if that doesn't give enough clearance just pull it and install a higher fret. It's looking great and no build is complete without a few obstacles to overcome [/quote] Ah - that makes sense. I thought it might just be my rubbish fret job As you say, when I do the levelling, I'll leave the zero fret alone. Thanks for the feedback Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted October 12, 2016 Author Share Posted October 12, 2016 [quote name='3below' timestamp='1476295923' post='3153174'] Hipshot supertone 3 point bridge fitted to SG bass: Baseplate is 7.95mm E & G string, 8.65mm A & D string. Saddles are 7.7mm deep (base to bottom of saddle notch). Approx 15 mm will be the lowest string height above the body (body to underside of string at saddle). Hope this is of some use. [/quote] That's great info, 3below - thank you very much Hopefully it won't take you 6 months to get all the heights back to 'just right' after fiddling with it for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted October 12, 2016 Author Share Posted October 12, 2016 (edited) [quote name='JPJ' timestamp='1476288847' post='3153086'] If the zero fret isn't doing its thing properly, is that not just a case of cutting the slots a little deeper in the nut to allow the string to 'break' over the zero fret? [/quote] No - it's firm against the zero fret. As you say, with a zero fret, the nut is cut fully deep as it is just providing lateral positioning and not vertical. I think Manton Customs has probably explained the causes of what I'm experiencing above. There is, having said that, the possibility of a slight issue with the nut area - for a bit of a construction-related experiment, I have left the headstock angle at pretty much the minimum that would normally be recommended. I was aware this might prove to be a bit too shallow for a decent break angle. No point in assessing it until the other bits relating to the set up are sorted. There are a number of ways round it if it is an issue. ....and you all thought this was one of my more conventional builds Edited October 12, 2016 by Andyjr1515 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manton Customs Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1476296805' post='3153187'] No - it's firm against the zero fret. As you say, with a zero fret, the nut is cut fully deep as it is just providing lateral positioning and not vertical. I think Manton Customs has probably explained the causes of what I'm experiencing above. There is, having said that, the possibility of a slight issue with the nut area - for a bit of a construction-related experiment, I have left the headstock angle at pretty much the minimum that would normally be recommended. I was aware this might prove to be a bit too shallow for a decent break angle. No point in assessing it until the other bits relating to the set up are sorted. There are a number of ways round it if it is an issue. ....and you all thought this was one of my more conventional builds [/quote] What angle did you go for? Gibsons tend to be excessive (usually 14 or even 17) and there's really no need for such a steep angle. Edited October 12, 2016 by Manton Customs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted October 12, 2016 Author Share Posted October 12, 2016 [quote name='Manton Customs' timestamp='1476305215' post='3153269'] What angle did you go for? Gibsons tend to be excessive (usually 14 or even 17) and there's really no need for such a steep angle. [/quote] It's 8 degrees. I think I read somewhere that 7 degrees is the lowest angle for practical purposes. The one that might be an issue is the bottom E where there isn't much of a run before it gets to the tuner. Then again, it might be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3below Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Manton Customs' timestamp='1476305215' post='3153269'] What angle did you go for? Gibsons tend to be excessive (usually 14 or even 17) and there's really no need for such a steep angle. [/quote] An interesting question, I have some extremely capable Physics students at the moment. They should be able to derive the maths and calculate what angle will prevent the string moving in the nut / zero fret view of the applied (plucking) force. Interesting to see how theory will compare to tradition. Should occupy them for a while Edited October 12, 2016 by 3below Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manton Customs Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 That should be fine, I use 10 as my standard and I believe Rickenbacker use 6 degrees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.gif.9ad672bb8b84505709f76b39c8c256ec.gif)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.