Help me choose which side for the front….

[Silky999]

Side A

 

Side B

[snorkie635]

Prefer side A personally. There's a face in there if you look for it. Beautiful piece of wood, whichever you choose. Best of luck with the build.

[Silky999]

3 minutes ago, snorkie635 said:

Prefer side A personally. There's a face in there if you look for it. Beautiful piece of wood, whichever you choose. Best of luck with the build.

oh yeah, I never noticed the face!

[Hellzero]

Side A for me as well.

[Reggaebass]

B for me, I like the way the grain runs outwards , but both very nice pieces of walnut indeed 

[benh]

I'd go side A - but whichever you choose, that is a lovely looking bit of timber

[Richard R]

B - for the same reason that @Reggaebass gives.

 

A nice problem to have though. Could you have a veneer cut from the side you choose for the back, so you can use it on another build later?

[Silky999]

So I went with A for the front. 
 

It’s a thin body (32mm) and slightly smaller than a P size so it will be an interesting project to see how everything fits. I will definitely have to go for lightweight tuners to combat neck dive. Part of me is thinking about doing a short scale. 

 

 

[bass_dinger]

Very natural, very organic  - as if the body has been worn to shape by wind erosion. 

 

Lovely. 

[Silky999]

58 minutes ago, bass_dinger said:

Very natural, very organic  - as if the body has been worn to shape by wind erosion. 

 

Lovely. 

Thank you, I have narrowed the width and reduced the size of the horns. It also has a 12.7 radius round over around the body so very curvy. 
 

I’m wondering whether to keep it quite grainy and not sanding to such a high grit as I would usually. 
 

It really is very lightweight and I’m thinking that a 34” scale neck might be too much on it

[tauzero]

I voted a little late - still, I went for A. One factor being that knot as I wondered if that might prove problematic on the front.

[Silky999]

I have filled it with milliput black epoxy to re-enforce it and plan to use machine screws and inserts as well. I’m hoping the knot goes off at angle so when I route out the neck pocket, it will not be a problem. Also if I use a short scale neck it will give me a few mm extra clearance as the neck pocket will be smaller. It will certainly be good practice for a lightweight Stingray body that I have been asked to do.

Edited October 1, 2025 by Silky999

[snorkie635]

On 30/09/2025 at 20:30, Silky999 said:

oh yeah, I never noticed the face!

I reckon it's a dead-ringer for Davros.

[Joe Nation]

Make it a lefty, then you can use B which is clearly the better side.

That know might make drilling the neck screw holes tricky, hopefully you have a pillar drill and a fresh bit.

[Silky999]

On 02/10/2025 at 11:00, Joe Nation said:

Make it a lefty, then you can use B which is clearly the better side.

That know might make drilling the neck screw holes tricky, hopefully you have a pillar drill and a fresh bit.

I have already cut it as a normal right side bass. Yeah I have a pillar drill and fresh bit. I think using inserts and possibly a custom made walnut neck plate will stop knot having to take too much load. I’m hoping the when I route the neck pocket, the knot goes off at and angle and there will be plenty of good wood in the pocket. 

[Andyjr1515]

Lovely.  Simply lovely...

[Silky999]

5 hours ago, Andyjr1515 said:

Lovely.  Simply lovely...

Thank you Andy…. I think its going to be a short scale with 30” neck as its difficult to find one in a natural wood body and I don’t want to have any neck dive. 

[Silky999]

Routing all finished and a cheeky little Paulowenia inlay on the edge of the neck pocket as a bit of an experiment to compliment the Maple neck.

 

[Owen]

On 03/10/2025 at 10:33, Andyjr1515 said:

Lovely.  Simply lovely...

Mr 1515 knows. 

 

I am actively selling off basses. I have one of each that I "need". But something built with a piece like that........

[Silky999]

Testing out the new branding iron on the walnut short scale with nitro clearcoat.

Edited November 1, 2025 by Silky999