Jabba_the_gut

[font=Calibri][size=3][color=#000000]Cheers for the comments – much appreciated!! Building the odd bass now and then is my outlet from a day job shuffling papers.....[/color][/size][/font] [font=Calibri][size=3][color=#000000]I’ve done a couple of bits to this recently. I’ve made a controls cover from the same piece of wenge used for the front and I’ve cut the fretboard to shape. The maple for the fretboard is really nice so I’m not going to put block inlays on this as first planned but I will still add side LEDs (probably in white and because I am a tart....).[/color][/size][/font] [font=Calibri][size=3][color=#000000]I’ve allowed a battery for the LEDs and the possibility of an active circuit but I might leave it passive. I have no idea what passive Bartolini jazz pickups sound like yet so I’ll decide on that later.[/color][/size][/font]

I'd make a template from mdf or similar then use a template cutter router bit. This will make a really neat job and could be used for the body too. I've done this for a scratchplate for a 5 string USA SUB stingray and it looked cracking. Here's a photo of one I made for a bass in the build diaries section. Cheers Jez

Cheers for the positive comments chaps. I've got to say that I'm really pleased with how this one is going so far. I've done a bit of rough sanding to the edges and the veneer pinstripe is looking nice I think. The wenge is rock hard and didn't want to plane by hand very easily!! An old electric planer sorted that.

It's been a while but have finished (nearly...) the DIY so managed to get back on with this build. Started building a new neck that will have a plain maple fretboard as I used the wenge/block inlay neck on another build. I will have LEDs on the neck again though.....

Hi Ian. The Warwick bridge would sit far too high if you don't cut a recess with a router. Off the top of my head I seem to remember on the ones I've done having to cut a slot about 7mm deep for the string anchor and about 15mm for the saddles. I've made a template for cutting these if you get stuck. Cheers

Cheers Andy for all the details and the link. I was wondering about putting a 2mm wide/10mm deep strip either side of the truss rod as should be easy to fit. Might just give it a go and see what happens!!

Cheers for all the comments - much appreciated. I do find this a really useful forum and have found some really helpful information. There's some really beautiful and interesting builds that are always giving me ideas. It's also nice to have met up with a couple of guys from here at the Midlands bass bash too. Right, off to continue with my other half finished build.... Cheers again Jez

I'm finding this thread quite interesting. I've never had a bass with them in, I don't think I've even played a bass with them in so can make no comment on their benefit. I haven't built a bass with them in either but kind of feel I should if I ever want to try selling one of my basses as it seems some people want them!! If I am going to fit them what size should be used? Andy's eBay link chap sells 2 x 10mm strips - would these be any good? Cheers

Pretty much done. A small amount of polishing to be done and it's complete. Taken a while to finish this due to house DIY.....

That is looking very nice!!

[font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]Hi Andy,[/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]Building has been quiet due to needing to do some DIY!! I’m still finishing off a sycamore bass – need to do the frets, a bit of wiring then a final polish and that should be about it. This one should look nice with blue LEDs on the side of the neck. I’ll post pictures when it is complete but this is where it is at currently. [/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]Cheers[/color][/size][/font]

Hi Ian, Here's a full length picture and a close up of the LEDs - I'm really pleased with how they turned out. Cheers

Sorry - just trying out linking photos.....bit slow me!!!

Very nice basses! And Leiden is really nice too...

I like that! Very nice!

Sold a MarkBass cab to Stuart. Really nice guy, great communication and very easy to deal with. Many thanks again and I hope you enjoy the cab. Cheers Jez

Great bash again. Nice to catch up with folk from last time but also meeting new bassists too. Nice to hear how my bass sounds like in the right hands!!! Thanks again for organising this event. Look forward to the next one. Cheers Jez

Doh! Just posted the next bit of this on my thread for bass #5.......

Well, this one is taking some time, but finally bass #4 is moving along!! I have been building another bass (#6 the sycamore one) at the same time which may explain the delay. I hoping to have the sycamore one complete for the Midlands Bass Bash in May but this will be a bit tight. Both neck are progressing well but I need to fit LED markers before I go any further - fiddly and time consuming job.

That is looking very nice. I'm following this build. Cheers Jez