stewblack

Kicking back with some Tedeschi Trucks Band while reading Joe R Lansdale. Getting a southern vibe on.

Keep an eye on the for sale threads here, there are often quality Trace Elliot heads going for an absolute bargain. *cough*

Beautiful!

If I was setting up as a luthier this kit would pay for itself. Real quality gear, but what is the bass worth? 200 maybe? I can't justify the cost. Thanks though.

*Ahem*

OK so, I bought a bass many moons ago because I thought it was a pretty shape. Took it to an old acquaintance who services, builds and tarts up guitars. He returned it with a rueful shake of the head. Trussrod is at maximum adjustment and the neck doesn't come off so I can't shim it. I smiled politely and hoped my utter incomprehension wasn't too clearly written on my face. Fast forward a few years. Having enjoyed many build threads here, I fancy myself as a pretty well read chap. Consider - haven't I changed pickups? Straightened necks? Raised and lowered nuts and set my own action? Ah yes, I even own a tool for levelling frets. So I had at it! and promptly took the end of the trussrod clean off. It now lives buried in the nut. Here is the bass And here is where there ought to be a bit of trussrod showing. Or at least a bit more. And why am I doing this outside? Well, when the most recent Mrs Black handed me the pink slip, I took leave of my palatial lifestyle and with it went my lovely workshop. So I have a workmate (Lidl) and whatever tools I can dig out of the shed. Nowhere to repair a bass, not indoors. I am going to warm and then slice the finish with surgical precision, the aim to separate it where fretboard meets neck. Then having exposed the body end of the fretboard begin with heat and gentle leverage to raise the board. First job, remove the strings This went better than I dared to hope. So filled with confidence I removed the scratchplate too. Exposing the round bits and the wiggly bits too. For those who care about such things here is where the socket appears to have grown another, like some dreadful furuncle. The next part has no photograph. Because the next part involved ordering a scalpel and some blades. How I stopped myself from having at it with a cold chisel and an eight pound lump I do not know. Never the most patient kind of man, I am wont to improvise and have a crack with whatever is to hand. But not this time. I promised I'd be good. So tune in next time when we play Can Stew Ruin A Perfectly Acceptable Wall Hanging Or Will He Actually End Up With A Playable Instrument. Preferably one that doesn't look like he found it on a skip.

Looking lush my bab

Not really a build, but it was suggested I start a thread here so that those with actual knowledge can chip in and explain where I went wrong. Or congratulate me on my previously unsuspected skill. Pics and story to follow.

Well I just listened to it for the very first time today, following your transcription (reading not playing) and I have to say it's a fascinating piece.

Thanks for freely sharing your hard work. I'm using the lockdown to learn to read music and to transcribe every new bass line I learn or create. I have an inkling therefore just how much time and effort goes into it.

Yes. If it was bolt on I would be be at it already. To be honest a bit of mojo on an old bass doesn't bother me, and an instrument which can't be played is a sad sight. My time is incredibly cheap and what does a scalpel cost? Other than a couple of fingers, probably.

What on earth??? I mean.... it's.... I....

I am not incapable with my hands, my biggest handicap is my inability to work patiently. Maybe this lockdown will be the perfect opportunity to learn.

Love this thread. It will not rest in peace.

Good grief. There are some talented folk around here.

Fabulous work. Thanks for sharing.