Dom in Dorset Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 (edited) Hi, it's been a while since I posted here , I've been concentrating on gu*t@rs for a while but I have a bass build that I'm keen to get started with. If you haven't seen my stuff before I use reclaimed timber exclusively to make guitars and basses , most of the wood I use comes from 100 year old scrap pianos. I've just completed this thinline telecaster , walnut neck with oak board and ebony dots, poplar body with walnut and rosewood veneer front. This build will be slightly different... I front a tongue in cheek country rock trio and until now I've been using this bitsa that came together over a few years. It's made from various spare parts and plays like a dream , looks and sounds just right for the music we play (if Motorhead played country you'd get some idea of what we do ) As we are gigging again now and I also play the same bass in another band Ithough it was about time that I started using my own Scavenger branded reclaimed timber basses. I did have ideas of making some sort of cowboy bling bass a bit like the Thinline shown above but to save time, effort and money I have decide to go with something a little more gnarly .... I've been through the wood store and picked out the "character parts" : For the body: most pianos are poplar with veneer but this one has oak under the mahogany. Oak, gnarly oak! The woodworm holes were filled in under the veneer so they even predate the piano. Just to the left is a bit from the same source that I planed to make a fretboard but didn't use on account of the worm holes ....until now. From the left: two bits of an ancient bench that I may use for the neck although I still haven't decided for certain yet. The oak panel that will form the back of the body. Oak fretboard with ancient wormholes. An old orange box that I found in the garden. This will form the front face of the body. It's going to be a thinline style precision bass, the idea is to make something that looks like an ancient family heirloom rather that a barncaster. It's being fitted in around other more profitable builds so don't hold your breath ...but I've made a statement of intent and that's where it starts. Close up of a rotten , worm eaten orange box. Edited November 20, 2021 by Dom in Dorset Might as well face it I'm addicted to editing 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 (edited) I like the tele shape on a bass n classic tele headstock. I also like the tele bridge... Just an idea... you could 'go long' with a all in one tele style bridge and pickup bezel using an old style '51 single P in it's normal position but on the slant like the tele and mimicing the effect of a split P? Along with the classic control plate. Some cross lineage... and a unique style. I too like an edit!.. Motörwestern Edited November 20, 2021 by PaulThePlug 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted November 20, 2021 Author Share Posted November 20, 2021 8 minutes ago, PaulThePlug said: I like the tele shape on bass n classic tele headstock. I also like the tele bridge. Just an idea... you could 'go long' with a tele style bridge and pickup bezel using an old style '51 single P in the normal position instead of a split P but on the slant like the tele? And the classic control plate. Some cross lineage... and a unique style I'll go with a Tele headstock but precision body. The Tele body looks cool but with a long scale neck it dives like crazy. You may not be able to see in the picture but the front strap button has a six inch extension (hidden behind the neck) and the back one is half way along the back of the body to shift the centre of gravity and make it balance. As for the pickup , ideally I'd like an Entwistle PBXN as it gives the blue bass just the right sound. Sadly these don't seem to be available anymore so I'm looking at alternatives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted November 20, 2021 Share Posted November 20, 2021 2 hours ago, Dom in Dorset said: (Fot some reason I can't find the following is underlined) It is underlined because it contains a link. Open your post for editing and double click on the underlined bit. You should then get an edit box that shows the link and its associated text. Just delete the link and leave the text. Looking forward to this build. You've been away from the Build Diaries too long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted November 20, 2021 Author Share Posted November 20, 2021 33 minutes ago, SpondonBassed said: It is underlined because it contains a link. Open your post for editing and double click on the underlined bit. You should then get an edit box that shows the link and its associated text. Just delete the link and leave the text. Looking forward to this build. You've been away from the Build Diaries too long. Thanks, I've been busy elsewhere, this is the first bass I've started for over a year. 33 minutes ago, SpondonBassed said: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted November 21, 2021 Share Posted November 21, 2021 (edited) Like you I've started making all my basses and guitars out of reclaimed timber or furniture that I've managed to salvage out of a skip or free on facebook, my next project is going to be made from mahogany snooker table sides and my little boys old bed, I've been trying to keep my eye out for old pianos but I can't seem to find them anywhere? Where do you get yours from and do you get yours free or do you buy them? 👍🏻 Edited November 21, 2021 by Jimothey 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted November 21, 2021 Author Share Posted November 21, 2021 39 minutes ago, Jimothey said: Like you I've started making all my basses and guitars out of reclaimed timber or furniture that I've managed to salvage out of a skip or free on facebook, my next project is going to be made from mahogany snooker table sides and my little boys old bed, I've been trying to keep my eye out for old pianos but I can't seem to find them anywhere? Where do you get yours from and do you get yours free or do you buy them? 👍🏻 I have a part time job in a piano shop so it's a perk! Most piano dealers have loads of scrap that they struggle to get rid of. The only issue is that they might insist on you taking the whole thing including 100kg of cast iron and loads of other bits you can't use. If you can persuade them to let you have just the removal panels you could get some useable timber. Most pianos are just poplar so only good for bodies, I pick through a lot to get suitable woods for necks. There are loads free on Facebook marketplace but you'll have to move it and dispose of the frame etc. Brilliant that you are going down the reclaimed route, there's so much out there once you start looking. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted November 21, 2021 Share Posted November 21, 2021 30 minutes ago, Dom in Dorset said: I have a part time job in a piano shop so it's a perk! Most piano dealers have loads of scrap that they struggle to get rid of. The only issue is that they might insist on you taking the whole thing including 100kg of cast iron and loads of other bits you can't use. If you can persuade them to let you have just the removal panels you could get some useable timber. Most pianos are just poplar so only good for bodies, I pick through a lot to get suitable woods for necks. There are loads free on Facebook marketplace but you'll have to move it and dispose of the frame etc. Brilliant that you are going down the reclaimed route, there's so much out there once you start looking. Thats a bonus then! I'll just be using them as tops anyway and I've got a half decent scrap merchant just down the road so I'll be able to scrap the metal parts and hoprfully get a few quid towards the build!? I have been looking on marketplace but I haven't seen any local as yet but I'll kerp looking I'm no eco warrior or anything but I think by the likes of us using reclaimed timber it helps do our bit to reduce climate change and not buy exotic timber thats been shipped half way round the world also is a plus....... 👍🏻 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted December 2, 2021 Author Share Posted December 2, 2021 A bit if progress this morning... I've picked out the wood that will form the sides of the body. It's part of a garden bench, no idea what species it is but I like the wavey grain, hopefully this will be visible in the finished item. I'm assembling the pieces on the oak board that forms the back. I've already glued the spine in place , it's also part if the bench. Adding the side pieces: I'll trim the outside edge once all of the side bits are glued in place. I'm using bamboo skewers to help keep things in place during the glueing and clamping phase. I don't have enough clamps to do it all in one go so the other side will be glued tomorrow. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted December 2, 2021 Share Posted December 2, 2021 4 hours ago, Dom in Dorset said: I don't have enough clamps NOBODY has enough clamps. You can NEVER have enough clamps. There is NOTHING to be ashamed of. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted December 3, 2021 Author Share Posted December 3, 2021 I did the last of the glueing this morning and couldn't resist doing a bit of routing before I clocked off. I've decided on sapele for the neck, this bit looks suitably grainy. Worm eaten oak fretboard slotted and ready for glueing. I did remember to put the truss rod in first. All clamps on deck: 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted December 11, 2021 Author Share Posted December 11, 2021 I've done some trimming on the neck: Picked out the bits if orange box for the top The back of the body is made from a piano panel that had oak under the veneer, I've kept some veneer (two layers in all ) to reinforce the orange box where there are cavities in the body. Veneer reinforcement in situ on the back of the orange box. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted December 12, 2021 Author Share Posted December 12, 2021 The body top is now trimmed, couldn't resist a sneak preview. Close up of a sample of oiled and waxed orange box to get some idea of the eventual finish. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted December 12, 2021 Share Posted December 12, 2021 Loving it! It looks awesome! right up my street..... 👍🏻 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted December 24, 2021 Author Share Posted December 24, 2021 I managed to spend Lemmy's birthday putting in a few hours on this. I've routed out the spine to accept the pickup . They are still making Entwistle pbxn and I have one waiting to go in Bellow: cutting the f hole. The f hole cut, cleaned up and slightly out of focus. Pickup hole cut and ready for glueing. This bass will have a Lemmy tribute built in but more on that after Christmas. Have a good one , see you on the other side. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted December 24, 2021 Share Posted December 24, 2021 Lemmy tribute is always good ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted December 29, 2021 Author Share Posted December 29, 2021 (edited) More progress... I'm giving the fretboard and body bound edges. The fretboard already had the rebate for this. The eagle eyed amongst you will have noticed that (due to a template mix up) I trimmed the fretboard too close to the 21st fret slot. On any other bass that would send it to the scrap box but in this case it adds to the character. I've added a new but of oak to remedy the situation. It shouldn't be too obvious on the completed bass , but if it is ...so what? I've sanded the front of the body, I'll oil and wax it after the binding has been installed. The worm holes are looking great! Edited December 29, 2021 by Dom in Dorset 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 More wormholes than Stargate SG-1. Cool. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted December 31, 2021 Author Share Posted December 31, 2021 Bending the binding... Bent binding by the body... Bent binding bound to the body during bent binding to body bonding.... binding on bfret board.. 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benh Posted December 31, 2021 Share Posted December 31, 2021 It's looking great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted January 2, 2022 Author Share Posted January 2, 2022 I had a spare moment this afternoon and couldn't resist rubbing some oil into my body. It will darken further in the coming weeks. Next I need to decide what hardware to go for. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 Thats looking great!! 👍🏻 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 Dunno about the quality but these might look quite nice... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pack-of-4-Bass-Tuning-Pegs-Keys-Machine-Head-Tuner-for-Bass-Bronze-4R-Zinc-/154688084459?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-Quality-4-String-Bass-Guitar-With-Screws-Wreanch-Red-Bronze-/265273677285?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted January 3, 2022 Author Share Posted January 3, 2022 17 hours ago, PaulThePlug said: Dunno about the quality but these might look quite nice... https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pack-of-4-Bass-Tuning-Pegs-Keys-Machine-Head-Tuner-for-Bass-Bronze-4R-Zinc-/154688084459?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-Quality-4-String-Bass-Guitar-With-Screws-Wreanch-Red-Bronze-/265273677285?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0 Interesting colour but the style isn't what I'm looking for. I was debating the choice between chrome and gold , whatever I go for will also have to match other things I plan to add to it. I have customer's guitar to finish first so no decision needed just yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henrythe8 Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 That is looking absolutely gorg'. (been loking a lot of Queer Eye, sorry). I'd say that a bronze/coppper finish on the hardware would be nice, or aged zinc. I absolutely LOVE the old reclaimed wood, worm-eaten table. It's fabulous. The nice "open book" cut on the neck adds a nice country flavor, too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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