BassTool Posted February 12, 2019 Author Share Posted February 12, 2019 (edited) Well apparently all is not lost, bearing in mind there's still a battery compartment to put in around the back, my four kids surprised me by chipping in and buying me this for my birthday, I knew they'd come in useful eventually 😄😄 Edited February 12, 2019 by BassTool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkfinger Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 As promised, my amateur efforts at finishing my neck. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTool Posted February 12, 2019 Author Share Posted February 12, 2019 Early hours of NYE! 😮 Inspired! 🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkfinger Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 3 minutes ago, BassTool said: Early hours of NYE! 😮 Inspired! 🤣 'Inspired' by single malt scotch 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 10 hours ago, BassTool said: While the neck is progressing, time to see what's required to get the pickup in place. I had to put the neck, tuners, bridge and strings back on to get the position of the scratchplate and pickup marked out.Then time to get busy with the drill, chisel and if necessary the router. Now I've got to hold my hands up and say my routing experience is seriously lacking - I bought one to make a radiator cabinet which involved shaping of mainly straight edges, and again used it to do some straight stuff on the shed. I have never used a template before, so purists of the router, skilled luthiers and first class DIYers may want to look away at the following section.Started with some tape around the bit using the P pup hole as a depth guide, then used the drill in the corners and screwhole lugs. That's pretty much how I do it too. I drill the corners to the pickup lug and corner radii, forstner out the bulk up to the pickup outline, tidy up the sides with a chisel, then just use a router (using a short bearing - guided bit) to flatten the bottom. I basically hate routers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTool Posted February 12, 2019 Author Share Posted February 12, 2019 1 minute ago, Andyjr1515 said: That's pretty much how I do it too. I drill the corners to the pickup lug and corner radii, forstner out the bulk up to the pickup outline, tidy up the sides with a chisel, then just use a router (using a short bearing - guided bit) to flatten the bottom. I basically hate routers. And that's where I learned my technique, thanks Andy I couldn't take on a surface mounted (no scratchplate) pickup rout without getting the template skills right first, but as a first effort, this will do me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharkfinger Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 50 minutes ago, BassTool said: And that's where I learned my technique, thanks Andy I couldn't take on a surface mounted (no scratchplate) pickup rout without getting the template skills right first, but as a first effort, this will do me. Well, you're brave! I like to think I would have practiced on a block of wood first. But then again, when I wanted to do a 'cutaway' for upper fret access on my FengRay, I just went right ahead and did it without the practice. I actually came out pretty well, so I'll just shut up now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTool Posted February 12, 2019 Author Share Posted February 12, 2019 4 minutes ago, Sharkfinger said: Well, you're brave! I like to think I would have practiced on a block of wood first. But then again, when I wanted to do a 'cutaway' for upper fret access on my FengRay, I just went right ahead and did it without the practice. I actually came out pretty well, so I'll just shut up now. Dunno about brave, more impulsive.. Sometimes I just go for it, usually when time is against me, and with this rout being hidden, that's exactly what I did. I made sure I took my time remembering the mantra, you can't put it back on if you've routed it off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si600 Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 The only time I've cut holes in a guitar was to make an HSH Super Strat with a Floyd Rose. I did it on a milling machine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTool Posted February 12, 2019 Author Share Posted February 12, 2019 1 hour ago, Si600 said: The only time I've cut holes in a guitar was to make an HSH Super Strat with a Floyd Rose. I did it on a milling machine Now that, I'm guessing, is an engineer talking 😀 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTool Posted February 12, 2019 Author Share Posted February 12, 2019 Well with the new toy unpacked I could crack on with the cavity enlargement.. Once again I freehanded out with the router, took my time of course, then using the same scrap wood I'd used to plug the tuner hole, I cut and then halfed a circular piece out to fit into the curve that needed the infill, supplemented by a small triangular piece. My unorthodox clamping method was half a matchstick and some BBQ skewer.. Stop sniggering at the back! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba_the_gut Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 3 hours ago, Andyjr1515 said: I basically hate routers. I love them and wouldn’t route a pickup without a template. But that’s the great thing - there’s always more than one way to get results so you use the way that suits you best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTool Posted February 12, 2019 Author Share Posted February 12, 2019 Following a 24hr cure, I was able to sand down and fill with 2 pack filler to get it all level. Before finishing off with my Titebond trick, dunno why I'm doing this, probably because it's there, hardly used and will never get used again after this is done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTool Posted February 12, 2019 Author Share Posted February 12, 2019 3 minutes ago, Jabba_the_gut said: I love them and wouldn’t route a pickup without a template. But that’s the great thing - there’s always more than one way to get results so you use the way that suits you best. And another guru chips in, love your stuff Jabba! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTool Posted February 12, 2019 Author Share Posted February 12, 2019 I've just remembered why I'm lining the cavities with Tightbond. Because my finishing is rough, it'll give me a smoother surface to fix my copper tape to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTool Posted February 12, 2019 Author Share Posted February 12, 2019 Well the cavity is getting there, it will still need reinforcing where the screw holes sit, but that'll be another job to do later, lets see if that plate fits, John East put some work into these! Still a small amount of fettling but it's just about there or thereabouts, I'll do some fine tuning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTool Posted February 12, 2019 Author Share Posted February 12, 2019 The eagle eyed may have spotted this.. Which I'm hoping to flush fit on the underside, another nice touch I saw on one of @Andyjr1515's builds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 2 minutes ago, BassTool said: The eagle eyed may have spotted this.. Which I'm hoping to flush fit on the underside, another nice touch I saw on one of @Andyjr1515's builds. Flattery will, of course, get you everywhere.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTool Posted February 12, 2019 Author Share Posted February 12, 2019 Champion 😃 Can you desist from your purple shenanigans and pop up here to sort it then? 😆 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 8 minutes ago, BassTool said: Well the cavity is getting there, it will still need reinforcing where the screw holes sit, but that'll be another job to do later, lets see if that plate fits, John East put some work into these! Still a small amount of fettling but it's just about there or thereabouts, I'll do some fine tuning. Those preamps and wire harnesses take up a lot of real estate! I often struggle to get everything under the cover. Worst I came across was the Schaller 'Flagship'. Wonderful bit of kit - but this was AFTER I had to re-wire a number of the looms: This was the original switch hardrubber grommeted 'just plug in' cable before I took a Stanley knife to it. Do you know of any control chamber that could accommodate this???: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTool Posted February 12, 2019 Author Share Posted February 12, 2019 4 hours ago, Andyjr1515 said: Those preamps and wire harnesses take up a lot of real estate! I often struggle to get everything under the cover. Worst I came across was the Schaller 'Flagship'. Wonderful bit of kit - but this was AFTER I had to re-wire a number of the looms: This was the original switch hardrubber grommeted 'just plug in' cable before I took a Stanley knife to it. Do you know of any control chamber that could accommodate this???: That is some very fine electronic work right there. Amazingly tight but neat as 👍 Years ago I refitted a bass of mine with a Nordstrand pre amp, something wasn't quite right, so I paid a visit to the well known Bass Doc up here in the North East. Howard had fitted the previous EMG system for me at his now long gone shop The Bass Place, so if anyone could sort it, it was him. He opened the back up, looked at my soldering attempts, and without raising an eyebrow declared... 'Ah yes, I see the problem - you've used the wrong sized welding rods....' Brilliant 🤣 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTool Posted February 20, 2019 Author Share Posted February 20, 2019 Next up was my input jack, which needs to go underneath. I got so wrapped up with this I didn't get as many pics as I could have - but you get the general idea what went on. There was a Forstener bit first, a dremel, files and sandpaper to get this somewhere near. I deliberately made the hole as large as possible to enable easy installation of the jack socket and wires. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTool Posted February 20, 2019 Author Share Posted February 20, 2019 The postman brought me my steamed maple veneer from Griffiths and Hood https://www.griffithsandhood.com/ and in my haste to select a piece of veneer for the headstock when ordering online I forgot to stipulate the grain direction on the long side had to run parallel to it. The bit I received was the opposite way round, D'oh! A phone call to Ben Griffiths and I was sorted, a new veneer would be on its way in return for the veneer I received, great customer service from these guys, don't know if anyone has used them? This was a totally new experience for me, I've never seen a veneer never mind worked with one. Not as easy as I thought... I cut out he basic shape plus a bit extra with scissors.. Then double checked it covered the head. Now it was just a case of gluing and clamping surely? So I brushed on a thin layer of Titebond to the back of the veneer, and clamped it all up, even used a rolling pin to get into the curve of the headstock. Well, it looked ok as far as I could tell... Well, it had stuck firmly, but had also split down the grain in the curved section. I'll have to make the best of it, it's not coming off anytime soon. To rub salt in, I discovered a 'how to' by @Andyjr1515 after the event. I had to c o c k up somewhere along the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTool Posted February 20, 2019 Author Share Posted February 20, 2019 (edited) I made sure I did not rush the shaping of the veneer round the headstock. Little by little, with new blades - both Stanley and craft knife. I shaved off small sections at a time. That veneer wants to split down the grain at the slightest opportunity. Two more small splits happened, disappointing, but not much I can do. I started the sanding process to prepare for a true oil finish. Edited February 20, 2019 by BassTool 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTool Posted February 20, 2019 Author Share Posted February 20, 2019 The Truoil treatment on the back of the neck had turned out nicely. This stuff really is as great as everyone says it is. I've gone for a sort of 'in between' satin and gloss finish, it feels great, and is a huge improvement on the finish I removed. I'm contemplating re-doing my fretless neck when I finally finish this revamp - I'm already thinking I'm going to miss pottering around whenever I finally get this done. Before.... ......and after..... 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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