Jabba_the_gut

It's an interesting thread this regarding the quality we expect from a magazine but also the content of it. Might be worth Joe asking for opinion on here as to what folk would like to see as I guess we will all have different ideas. I've suggested in the past that review of more affordable basses should be included as other folk have stated, we don't all have 3 grand for a bass. I quite liked the 'Woodshed' articles because I'm interested in building basses as well as playing them. Thought there was some good stuff in the past with Zon and the likes. I see they have an article running at the moment about restoring a Ricky 4001. It's interesting enough but some costs against the work would make it more useful to anyone thinking of doing something similar. As far as interviews go, I do find the ones in 'Bassically Speaking' a little tedious at times as there so often seems to be the 'a bass only needs four strings' and 'I do/don't like slap because' as standard responses. So what else would anyone like to see? Maybe articles on how to record basses, recording kit - though that is probably starting to creep into an area covered by other mags, decent links to sound files for the tutorials, sound files for the basses reviewed, history of bass companies, I think there's all sorts of stuff. I still quite like it despite its flaws but I don't think it takes as long to read as it used to!!

Posted to Kevin today. Cheers

Will send it to Kevin in the next couple of days who will pass it on to someone else when he's done. Cheers Jez

Got a copy of Alex James Bit of a Blur if anyone would like it. Cheers Jez

PM'd

[quote name='Dolando' timestamp='1357475487' post='1923041'] Thanks so much for all the info guys. Much appreciated. I have literally no idea where to start, so will give that PDF a read to build up a a bit of knowledge before I start on some wood. And I will definitely be doing plenty of practice pieces. I won't be starting anything just yet, as I'm moving house soon, just doing a bit of digging. This may be a silly question, but what do you make the templates out of? Surely if its wood, there is risk of cutting the template and ended up with the wrong shape, or is it just the case of being careful not to? Thanks, [/quote] You get router bits often referred to as template cutters. These are straight bits with a bearing about 1/4" tall on the shaft that is the same diameter as the cutter. You can make a template out of something about 1/4" thick such as some decent ply or mdf. When you run the cutter round your work piece with the bearing running round the template you get a perfect replica - the cutter can't cut too far into the wood as it is prevented by the bearing. Here's a typical template cutter randomly picked from [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trend-C121-X-1-4-Tungsten-Carbide-Template-Profile-1-4in-C121X1-4TC-Brand-New-/370664678145?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item564d562301"]eBay [/url] Cheers Jez

Quite agree with what Ben has said - just take small cuts, be patient and it easy at the end grain. I had a go on a test piece, got a bit eager and took a chunk out of the end grain. Would have been a pain to fix if it was the proper piece of wood but I learnt!! I'm just completing the second bass I've made from [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/176477-scratch-built-bass-2/"]scratch[/url] and I have a Black and Decker router with a 1/4" shank. It's not the best bit of kit but it has done the job so the router you have should be fine. The router bits I have used are made by Trend mainly and seem to cope with the work well. I'd also make sure you make decent templates for routing - time spent here will give you a better, more accurate result in the end and if you are pleased and decide to make another then you already have a template to cut to. Making a decent template for a neck pocket is in my opinion the way to go as you can practice a cut on a test piece of wood and adjust the template until it give you a nice, tidy pocket. Always go by the old saying 'measure twice, cut once'...... Definitely have a go - it's a nice feeling to say you made it yourself! Cheers Jez

[quote name='kevin_lindsay' timestamp='1357258365' post='1920146'] Take your time mate. Light goats and light flatting back between coats is the way to go [/quote] Cheers for the details. I'll try it that way and see how I get on. I'll post details as to how I get on with the water based laquer in case it is of interest to anyone else. Jez

Hooray! It's finally warm and dry enough to get back to the garage and start spraying this thing. I'm having a go with some water based sanding sealer and laquer with a satin finish. I'm applying it using a cheap (£10) airbrush. Seems to go on okay but can see this needing a fair few coats and plenty of sanding to get a nice finish.

Cheers for that Harry - always nice to get replies from people on here who have tried already. I've also got some wenge for a neck and top for a future build so your reply is helpful towards that too. I've got a few wenge offcuts so I might try a little oil or wax just to see but it does look quite nice as it is (I think I sanded it with 1500 paper as you say). I've had another read through your 'Blingray' build which is looking lovely. Completely agree about the splinters! I can't wait to get my bass finished too - I met up with Nugget last week as he's only 20 miles up the road from me and I took this bass with me but with no hardware fitted. Was really interesting having a chat with someone else building basses on here both to see what they have crafted and the way they approached it. Cheers again Jez

Getting to the point of applying the finish to my scratch built bass. I'm using water based satin laquer for the body and neck but am not sure what to use on the wenge fretboard to give a nice finish. Any suggestions for a nice natural finish? Cheers Jez

Just seen this [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Overwater-by-Tanglewood-Classic-J-Passive-Bass-Guitar-in-Candy-Apple-Red-/110988009372?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item19d7669f9c"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item19d7669f9c[/url] Would I be right in saying that seems pretty cheap?

Haven't managed to finish scratch built bass #2 yet as it's just too cold to get in the garage to start spraying so I've started thinking about the next build...... Got a pair of jazz bass pickups or a Delano Hybrid in the bit box so will use one of those. Have a Warwick bridge and some Schaller tuners in chrome. Currently think of making a 4 string the same shape as scratch built bass #2. It will be a while before I get to start on this but couldn't resist. Bought a piece of rippled sycamore from Tyler Hardwoods near Marlborough in Wiltshire [url="http://www.tylerhardwoods.com/"]http://www.tylerhardwoods.com/[/url] . As you buy the wood by the board, this peice is about 5 1/2 feet long so should be enough for three bass bodies.....we'll see.

[quote name='bengreen49' timestamp='1355145006' post='1894538'] Will do. I've started messing with some ideas in Corel (I have a plotter so can do full size working drawings). Might have to wait for the temperature to rise in the old shed though. [/quote] Yep - know that feeling!! I'm desperate to get out there and start spraying the sanding sealer and laquer on this but it's just too damn cold!!!