Jabba_the_gut

Scrumpy Mike's lovely headless bass: Charlie and a shortie bass The quiet moment when everyone was eating!!

Very flattered!

Back home and unpacked from the SW Bass Bash. I have to say a big thank you to @scrumpymike and everyone who helped organise this event and all the lovely food - I'm leaving the first couple of weekends in April free in anticipation for next years bash! I've been looking forward to this event since it was announced last year and it was so nice to catch up with everyone I have met there previously and meet some new faces. You really couldn't ask for a more enjoyable day with a nicer bunch of people. Thanks again - it really is very much appreciated. I end up chatting to everyone for so long I actually forget to do things I planned to do - I didn't try half the amount of gear I wanted to and I missed getting a photo of @wrinkleygit's fretless bass alongside the fretted version I just finished building! Cheers again to @Rich for the couple of pieces of wood that will get recycled into bass necks sometime in the near-ish future. I also have to say thanks for all the positive comments I got on my basses and the surprised looks on folks faces when the tried the shortie basses!! Cheers and see you all soon! Jez

I keep saying that too!!

Egg, chips, beans and a finished shortie. Who says the dining table can't be used for both? Had a few issues getting this done - just went through the finish slightly in one place so will redo that after the bash. Apart from that it works, needs a little more setting up but I'll do that at the bash tomorrow. See you t there!

Today's job is to turn these parts into a working bass. Got to cut and polish the finish first without going through it!! Quite a bit to do but should get it done in time for the bash tomorrow. Apparently, when this is done I need to return the dining room table back to it's proper use (whatever that is), tidy up then 'put all my sh*t in the garage where it belongs'...…….Mrs_the_gut is very tolerant of my hobby so don't want to push it too far. Don't think too many others would put up with this in the corner of the dining room for the past 6 months.....!!

Interesting build diary ending up with a rather nice looking bass. And nice to be able to build a custom bass when the option you are looking for isn’t available. £900 for the week and materials seems like good value to me. Enjoy the bass!

Cheers Frank! I'm wanting to get that shortie finished, which will be done tomorrow, then I can concentrate on the walnut, short scale semi hollow bass ready for the Midlands bash!!

Liking this!

And done. One down and ready for Sunday...... Not the best picture - I'll get some better ones done tomorrow. On with the shortie bass now!!

Neck taped ready to level and polish the frets. Once that is done, just need to fix the neck to the body and fit the strings. Set-up will be minimal on this as I have fitted strings before and it didn't look like must adjustment will be required. And when this one is done, I'll be finishing off the other shortie bass.

Cheers Andy. Look forward to catching up on Sunday!

Really like these; nice and compact. And I do believe this is the one i bought off you a while back!

Last few (quite a few...) jobs to do to finish this off for the bash this weekend. First up, cavity shielding. Normally I use copper foil but I decide to try conductive paint this time. I've checked that everything fit so first step is to mount the battery tray so I can ensure there is no interference with the jack socket or the pots. Next up, I've drilled the holes for the controls (very carefully at this stage. This definitely was a case of measure, measure and measure again - really would not like an error at this stage!!. As per the previous one, I'm installing an East piezo preamp with a volume control and a tone control. Then all the components have been wired and a quick test done to make sure the power is getting to the preamp only when the jack is inserted and that there is some noise when the piezo element is tapped.

Busy, busy, busy getting things finished for Sunday......

Excellent - you will enjoy it! Cheers

It’s been a great bash the last couple of years so you should enjoy it! See you there. Cheers Jez

Just the finish, electrics and set-up to do......

Drilled the holes for the control cover magnets. and fitted the magnets

I've been having a bit of a rearrange of how I'm fitting all the gubbins in the cavity. I want to change it from what I've done previously as I'm using magnets to hold the control cover on this time. I need to ensure everything is well clear of the cover so it stays on and doesn't get lost!! I've made a copper tray to hold the battery securely - having said that the magnets are pretty strong. I've also marked the holes for the brass inserts. These will be drilled and an M3 insert fitted.

That is stunning! A beautiful colour combination. You must be very pleased with finish on this. Cheers Jez

Cheers! Will have this bass finished this week. Couldn’t resist a little play whilst I had the preamp temporarily connected - the bass (not my playing..) sounded really nice! I’ve only really been making basses as a hobby; there are a couple of people who have basses I’ve built but these weren’t made specifically for them. I am going to start looking at commissions as I’m running out of room at home for things I’ve made!! Cheers again

Really nice build- great looking bass!

Blooming heck (or words to that effect) - that is stunning!!

Cheers for the comments @honza992. I am quite fussy with lines and try to line things up (I think my wife would describe it as more obsessive!!). I am pleased with this one; took a bit of patience when glueing and a lot of sanding but turned out well. Jez