benh

Question for the luthiers among us - does this look substantial enough for the neck pocket?

Looks fantastic!

Yeah, I wondered if it might be a bit busy. I think I'm going to stick to what I originally planned, wenge for the board. Relatively understated but nice grain. Hopefully will contrast nicely with the padauk

Headstock idea... input welcome. Again I feel I'm being incredibly derivative of something, I just don't know what. Although I guess there are only so many shapes a headstock can be.

Another thought re: fretboard material... could look rather splendid, although maybe a bit much

I'll bear that in mind!

Thanks Tony - agreed regarding the pickup positioning - looks better too in the Stingray position. Amended photo below. Good shout for purpleheart, I hadn't considered that... decisions, decisions! Regarding the body shape, first of all, thanks! Edit - I've altered the lower horn as @TheGreek and @Jabba_the_gut suggested, thank you. I'm sure I've subconsciously plagiarised something, I'm just not sure what 😅

Mock up with a single Superquad - I quite like it.

Very true, and probably the way I'll go to be honest. Glad I posted this thread, good advice already.

Thanks - not 100% decided on electronics yet. Depends what pickup I decide to go for - I think the phrase "flying by the seat of my pants" applies at the moment 😅

That purple is awesome!!

Can't wait to see that body wood with a finish on it!

Excellent point @Jabba_the_gut - and thanks for the edit @TheGreek! I'd considered that. Also toying with the idea of going a bit further and making it a set neck - especially if I'm going single pickup, the neck tenon I feel could be plenty long/strong enough, and hidden under the top. However this could soon overtake my meagre skillset!

Joking aside, this is exactly why I'm seriously contemplating it. I've tried to overlay a few different pickup configurations onto the body shape, and 2 pickups just looks... weird I guess. Definitely leaning towards just the 1. Will have a play around and post some pics later tonight and see what people think.

I blame @Andyjr1515 for my sudden compulsion to use a single SIMS Superquad 🙂

Thanks - glad people seem to like the body shape so far. I can't help feeling it might look a bit weird flat, but I'm not sure my skills would extend to a carved top! At the moment I'm leaning towards a wenge board - loved the feel of it on an old Warwick I had. Not sure how it'll look with the padauk neck though. I must admit, a fat Bartolini does have appeal - I haven't fully decided on pickups yet. Any ideas are welcome!

Thanks guys! May well be a slow one I'm afraid. A combination of a Workmate in the garden and my dining table (don't tell the Mrs).

Well, first step taken - roughly sketched and wood picked! Was going to buy a kit to build originally but decided to take a risk. Opinions welcome on design - sticking with something relatively basic for now. The plan is 5 string, 34" scale, bolt on, ash body with spalted alder top (couldn't resist) and padauk neck (love the colour). Undecided on fretboard material yet. I wasn't sure whether to post this or not - I'm a long time lurker in the Build Diaries section, and am constantly amazed by the skills of the members in here. So any input is most welcome!

Looking tip top. That finish is sublime!

Was just about to post that exact link! +1 for Cort.

I tried some Nordstrand Big Splits as a replacement for Bart MK1s, if aggressive is what you're looking for I think they fit the bill. Weren't my cup of tea but they did sound great, somewhere between a high output P and a J.

Also, if the pickups aren't to your liking (they weren't to mine) there are a fair few drop in replacements - Bartolini P2 shape fits straight in.

I have an A5 and it's great. Only letdown really are the preamps - the MK1 electronics leave a lot to be desired.

Not had any story-worthy bad customer service in recent memory (luckily), but the last bass I ordered from Kenny's Music came via FedEx and looked like it had been through WW2. The body was full of cracks and splits, the box had boot prints all over it. However, within 2 minutes of speaking to a very helpful and apologetic chap at Kenny's Music (even though it wasn't their fault), a courier was booked with a replacement which arrived the next day and swapped the basses over. Wouldn't hesitate to order from them again.

Cheers - I have a bit of a thing for second hand tools so won't be a problem. The Japanese pull saws are beautiful, fancied one or two of those for a while. Got my eye on a few bits on eBay so you never know!