hubrad Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Hi all, Everyone over about 40 is probably familiar with the trusty Ibanez Roadster.. [attachment=22559:normal_Ibby_023.jpg] I got mine second hand, 20-odd years ago, already fretless with an unlined ebony board. Had to get a fretless and this one sounded ok and was in my price range.. under 200 quid with a hard case. As I took up bass to play in a ceilidh band, I soon fancied the idea of being able to play D below the E string, but couldn't cope with detuning one string. With hindsight, why didn't I think of detuning the whole bass? Anyway I tried a cheap 5-stringer, one of those Hohner cricket bat ones, which persuaded me that was the way to go. Ripped the frets out (as opposed to de-fretting it!) but it just didn't have the sound of the Roadster. I reet fancied the Status headless look, but even then you were looking at 1500 pounds, so sadly not on the cards! Out came the drills.. I worked out there was just enough space to fit a 5th string on that board. Only trouble was, with a 2-a-side head, the middle string tuner had to stick straight out the end.. kept snagging on curtains and band members! So, with hope in my heart and more than a flutter in my stomach, I hacksawed the head off. As you do. Used the Hohner hardware at head and tail. 'Job's a good un'! The truss rod cover stayed on board by way of a memento. Over the years, I developed tastes for fancier pickups. Not that the originals (poss. DiMarzio) were bad; poss low budget old school GAS? I had good communications with a pickup maker in Cornwall called David White, now sadly deceased, I believe. He sent various trial pickups for the experiment. Nice chap. New holes routed and drilled in the bass. After a few years I got hold of my first EMG soapbar, and I was hooked! More routing in the bass, and 2 pickups fitted. Reduced the controls down to Volume and Blend, so had a load of holes to cover.. gaffer tape for the switch holes and Wenge for the hardwood-filled spaces around the EMGs. So this was my bass for the last 15 or so years.. [attachment=22560:before_wb.jpg] I've been meaning to give it a tidy up for yonks! Finally got some flamed maple from Neil at [url="http://www.nscustomguitars.co.uk"]http://www.nscustomguitars.co.uk[/url] , then hung around for another couple of years plucking up courage to do the deed. Got into the zone a couple of weeks ago.. we're going in! First, the facing Wenge off.. now I can see the hardwood blocks again. [attachment=22564:faceoff_wb.jpg] Then onto the Nitromors and scrapers etc. [attachment=22567:stripping_wb.jpg] I've found some top abrasive called Abranet.. heartily recommended! It doesn't clog like normal sandpaper, and if you have a vac attachment the dust just gets sucked straight through. Having cleaned the finish off so as not to clog the machinery, it's off to see my local luthier Thomas Buchanan - [url="http://www.folkmandolin.co.uk/"]http://www.folkmandolin.co.uk/[/url] - for a run through his flatbed sander.. [attachment=22561:buchanan.jpg] and back home to glue and clamp.. [attachment=22562:clamped_wb.jpg] After some drying time, a couple of whips around with a router.. [attachment=22563:edgerouted.jpg] [attachment=22566:routedsmooth.jpg] to get the shaping right and the pickup and control holes in place. Now my bass body is back at Buchanan Heights as spraying lacquer around the place is definitely not one of my hobbies! Can't wait to get my trusty Roadster back up and running.. it's done every bass gig with me and has become my comfort zone! More news and pics soon! HUGH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted March 23, 2009 Author Share Posted March 23, 2009 ..and that last pic was backstage at a church hall gig last week! Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedontcarebear Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 That is a cool project, will be interested to see the end product! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted March 23, 2009 Author Share Posted March 23, 2009 Same here.. there's always a frisson of 'I hope this works'! Dr.Dave has seen this bass in action at gigs in Wakefield. It definitely still worked then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peted Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 What a great mash-up. A truely individual instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 lol seeing this conjured up conflicting reactions firstly I hated to see any decent instrument being hacked up but [list] [*]it didn't look so bad headless after all [*]its great that a low budget instrument can be reinvented like that - its the equivalent of a former warehouse converted into cheap workspaces and workshops. [*]it may look like a completely new instrument after this work is done [/list] And after all that, I admire your dedication and commitment to this particular tool. The stories it could tell, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geddys nose Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Your not selling the original Ibby preamp and knobs are you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agoulding Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 i cant wait to see how this turns out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh3184 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 I'd always be worried about taking the facing off a bass, you'll done a bloody good job on that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted March 24, 2009 Author Share Posted March 24, 2009 [quote name='josh3184' post='443322' date='Mar 24 2009, 12:36 AM']I'd always be worried about taking the facing off a bass, you'll done a bloody good job on that![/quote] Ha! Friends in high places.. see the pic with the power machinery! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted March 24, 2009 Author Share Posted March 24, 2009 [quote name='Crazykiwi' post='443162' date='Mar 23 2009, 09:46 PM']lol seeing this conjured up conflicting reactions firstly I hated to see any decent instrument being hacked up but [list] [*]it didn't look so bad headless after all [*]its great that a low budget instrument can be reinvented like that - its the equivalent of a former warehouse converted into cheap workspaces and workshops. [*]it may look like a completely new instrument after this work is done [/list] And after all that, I admire your dedication and commitment to this particular tool. The stories it could tell, eh? [/quote] It was this very decency that led to the hacking!! I just couldn't fund anything 'better', and the pieces of wood just sounded so good acoustically. I've since played various basses which are supposed to outrank this, but I suppose because I tweaked it so much myself it still really does the job. Mind you, a fretless Overwater.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted March 24, 2009 Author Share Posted March 24, 2009 [quote name='Geddys nose' post='443187' date='Mar 23 2009, 10:06 PM']Your not selling the original Ibby preamp and knobs are you?[/quote] I'll have a dig around, but I think they disappeared years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted March 24, 2009 Author Share Posted March 24, 2009 [quote name='Crazykiwi' post='443162' date='Mar 23 2009, 09:46 PM']it didn't look so bad headless after all[/quote] I still like headless.. balance is superb! [quote]The stories it could tell, eh? [/quote] On gigs involving camping it would even share the tent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 This is a really cool build, can't wait to see it finished!! What colour you having it? A blue or cherry burst would look awesome i think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDM Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 Cool project, and with a cool story too! Can't wait to see it finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted March 25, 2009 Author Share Posted March 25, 2009 (edited) I'm sticking to natural lacquer, so it'll just enrich rather than stain. I'm a sucker for a nice bit of woodgrain. Something like this: [attachment=22741:buchanan...ple_back.jpg] which is Buchanan's standard lacquer on an extremely tasty bit of maple! Edited March 25, 2009 by hubrad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted March 31, 2009 Author Share Posted March 31, 2009 HmmHmmm! Just got the body back yesterday from Chateau Buchanan, and feel suitably chuffed with the natural lacquer results. Barring a couple of tiny dings that I'd missed (plus a few bits which would be impossible to change!) and one small finish bleb in a hidden away spot this now looks amazing. [attachment=23108:roadster...ont_fame.jpg][attachment=23109:roadster_back_ash.jpg] I sat up daft late last night and got the bridge and neck back on.. still needs setting up but reminds me just why I'm doing this. p.s. anyone know anyone who could plate or lacquer the old metal truss rod cover? I still have this by way of a badge(!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harryharold Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 oooo that top is pretty, want to see it with the bridge and neck on - more pictures!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathewsanchez Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 This has to be one of my favourite build diaries, not just the bass (even though it is looking gorgeous), but the story behind it. Can't wait to see it finshed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted April 2, 2009 Author Share Posted April 2, 2009 [quote name='harryharold' post='451255' date='Apr 1 2009, 10:34 AM']oooo that top is pretty, want to see it with the bridge and neck on - more pictures!!!![/quote] Here's a taster, shot late last night.. not wired up yet and had to use fast ISO speed so grainy as you like, but it gives the overall effect. Better pics soon when finished. [attachment=23186:roadster...ont_assy.jpg] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 wow, looking very very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deep Thought Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 That's looking great-I always liked the Roadstar body shape, but never liked the over/under headstock. Looks great headless-I reckon that's nicer than a Status! Well played that man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 That's really cool, nice one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 That's really smart! And you would have never guessed what it was originally. How does lopping off the head affect the truss rod? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdphysio Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 sh*t-on-a-stick!! i honestly thought i wouldn't like how this would look.......but it's gorgeous!! well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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