Jabba_the_gut

[quote name='nugget' timestamp='1348077359' post='1809006'] If you're useing nickel-silver fretwire then you wanna over do the radius on the fret before fitting quite a lot so it's too curvey. Tap the ends of the fret into the slot first then work from middle outwards. This puts some sideways pressure on the tangs and frets hold better. With stainless frets you want the radius to be as per fretboard before tapping in. I really cant see any reason to use superglue (or anything like that) to hold frets, it's just not necessary and it's only gonna make a mess and really screw things up years down the line when you need to take the frets out for a refret. If you get one fret that doesnt seat properly just whip it out, and stick a new over-bent one in rather than bodging it with glue. Wenge does splinter really easy and you have to be very carefull when cutting across the grain [/quote] Cheers Nugget. How's your latest build going?

[quote name='tonyf' timestamp='1348069060' post='1808838'] That looks absolutely fantastic. Seriously impressed! Even more worrying, I'm starting to get a bit of a hankering for clearing the shed out and having a go myself. As well as the build diaries on here, I've been looking at loads of build vids on YouTube. I've built a bitsa but obviously starting from the ground up is a total different story. From your own experience, what's the minimum kit you need (ie hand router, drill, jigsaw etc). T [/quote] There's definitely something satisfying about building your own bass from the ground up - I think there's a few folk on here who have that bug!! From my own experience in terms of kit I don't have masses of kit but will buy odd and sods as I go along. I have a Black and Decker router (nothing flash), a cordless drill and an electric drill. I got a drill stand and a woodwork vice off Freecycle both of which are very useful (there was a bandsaw on there once but I missed out on that one). For the router I have a few straight bits of varying sizes for cutting truss rod channels, but one of the most useful bits if a template cutter (this has a bearing on it that you guide round a template so you can get accurate cuts). I also have about a dozen g-clamps and a couple of sash cramps for joining two halves of bodies. If I buy some wood that needs thicknessing or when I want the rough outline of a body cutting, I go to one of the local handyman centres or joiners. For those tasks I think you do need specialist kit like a bandsaw or a thicknesser, the local guys are great and only cost me a couple of quid. This bass is only my second ground up build so I'm very much still learning - I'm sure any of folk in this forum would quite happily give you any advice if you are thinking of having a go. I did buy a couple of books, that were quite handy, as well as looking at stuff on the web. I bought 'Electric Guitar Construction' by Tom Hirst which I found quite useful and 'Electric Guitar & Bass Design' by Leonardo Lospennato' which I thought was really interesting. Hope this helps! Cheers Jez

Ah...didn't spot that typo!!! I bought the fretboard with the slots pre-cut for this one. Next time I think I will have a go at doing that myself to. I'm trying to learn a bit more with each one I build. I'm kind of leaning towards using superglue to hold the frets so thanks for letting me know how you found it. Cheers also for the advice regarding pre-bend frets - that might save a bit of time. Cheers Jez

Finally cut the neck pocket - turned out quite well. Time for the fun bit shaping it now!

I'm getting close to installing frets in a bass I'm building and would like to know if I should glue the frets in. I found mixed opinions from the web and I'm guessing this topic has been discussed on here at some point (though I couldn;t find a thread) I've got two necks I'm going to do, one has a wenge board the other is maple if that makes any difference. These are also new fretboards that have not had frets installed before. There seemed to be a fait bit of stuff on the web from using Titbond, superglue, epoxy resin or not using anything at all. I'd be grateful for anyones opinion on this.... Cheers Jez

Still plodding along with this!! I installed blue LEDs on the fretboard - no other reason than to see if I could. Seems to have worked out ok. I've used threaded inserts in the neck the allow it to be attached by bolts rather than screws. The inserts can be a pain in the backside to fit as they are made from a relatively soft alloy; the allen key can round off the socket before it is completely seated so you can't get it all the way in and struggle to get it out again. I've cut the template for cutting the neck pocket, just need to get on and do it now. I've also cut the control cavity out and made a cover out of spalted beech from a leftover. I think it looks quite nice.

I've now shaped the outline of the neck and headstock. I've also drilled the holes for the tuners. Just need to shape the heel the I'll look at cutting the neck pocket on the body. I'm going to try to fit blue LEDs to the fretboard - not sure how that will turn out, we'll see!!!

As I know folk on here like a bit more details, here we go. The truss rod and swamp ash came from Tonetech supplies, the wenge veneer from Nantwich veneers (comes in very long sheets), the maple neck, blank wenge fingerboard and spalted beech came from eBay. It's been stuck together using Cascamite wood glue. I'm still undecided about fitting LED edge markers on the neck - might be too much faff with more to go wrong but still tempeted to try it!! I've now fitted the truss rod and veneered the headstock to match the body. Anyway, here's a few more photos of progress.

That neck looks wonderful. Out of interest, what are the two bars running parallel to the truss rod?

Can you useTraffolyte for scratchplates? Seems to be the right thickness and comes in sheets up to 4' x 2' [url="http://www.ukengravingservices.co.uk/latest-news/test-post-11"]http://www.ukengravingservices.co.uk/latest-news/test-post-11[/url] WDMusic and CH Guitars do sheets of material but I guess they are the retail and ebay ones yo have looked at.

Quite tempted by these myself but I know they'll just end up in the parts bin!! Bridge looks like a Schaller roller bridge to me (correct me if I'm wrong) and there's some other stuff as well. Postage seems a bit on the steep side at but the parts might be good. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bass-Guitar-Dimarzio-pickup-Machine-heads-and-Bridge-6-string-bits-/180952946176?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item2a21a2d600"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bass-Guitar-Dimarzio-pickup-Machine-heads-and-Bridge-6-string-bits-/180952946176?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item2a21a2d600[/url]

That looks cracking! How are you going to finish it? Just trying to get some ideas of how to get a decent finish on spalted beech. Cheers J.

Starting to make a bit of progress with this build but it's been slow going so far. Pickup routing complete and bridge holes drilled. Next task is to get the neck pocket sorted.

Thought I'd post a picture of my SUB basses.... Must get some better photos as this doesn't really do them justice.

That wood is gorgeous. Will have to pay Tyler's a visit soon.....

Is that a Kahler bass trem fitted to that first bass?

Well I've finally started this! Not done too much but decided to change the head shape a bit. Made a rough template from plywood to see how everything lines up. I've made a couple of templates for the body but these aren't quite finished yet. Also thinking about fingerboard radius. This will be a 5 string bass with 19mm string spacing at the bridge so I'm considering a flat fretboard - though I've never tried one!! Anyone had a flat fretboard with a symmetrical neck or have any guidance on this?