Andyjr1515

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1489165902' post='3254927'] When you say bowing backwards, do you mean that frets 1,2,3,7,8,9,10 are lower than the rest? Assuming I've understood correctly, if it was just 1-3, I would have said tighten the truss rod. If it is 1-3 and 7-10, it sounds like you need the frets levelling (and re-crowning). It's not a huge job but does need to be done by someone who knows what they are doing. Are there any 'Basschat members willing to help other basschat members' on the sticky thread that are in your area? [/quote] The [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/277468-bcers-prepared-to-help-fix-a-bass/"]updated list is at the beginning of the thread here[/url]

[quote name='addictedtobass' timestamp='1489155079' post='3254800'] hi all. my eb0 bass has been playing a bit doggy recently so i decided to get to the bottom of the issue , and after putting a straight edge over the frets it looks like the nut end frets 1-3 are bowing backwards and the same with frets 7-10 . can this be easily fixed ? or is it going to be a money pit ? being only en epi it would be silly throwing loads of cash at it .if so its a wall deco from now on or at best get a new neck and do a frankenbass jobbie. cheers bob [/quote] When you say bowing backwards, do you mean that frets 1,2,3,7,8,9,10 are lower than the rest? Assuming I've understood correctly, if it was just 1-3, I would have said tighten the truss rod. If it is 1-3 and 7-10, it sounds like you need the frets levelling (and re-crowning). It's not a huge job but does need to be done by someone who knows what they are doing. Are there any 'Basschat members willing to help other basschat members' on the sticky thread that are in your area?

REALLY looking forward to this, Bastav That's what I call a spec! Armchair and popcorn ready

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1489088484' post='3254341'] Probably feel like the longest week of his life..."[i]Is it here yet??[/i]" [/quote]

Quick shot of the 'first fitting' with some strings on. Visually, the main changes to come will be the brass nut, the knobs, etc, and the bridge ferrules that fit inside the holders (photographed were some old large telecaster ones I happened to have - they are needed because guitar string ball-ends are too small for the bass bridge retainers) I reckon this will be ready to pass across to Pete by the end of next week...

[quote name='Oopsdabassist' timestamp='1489070935' post='3254155'] Definitely loving that combo, and a brass nut to finish off..........hmm maybe the frets should have gold coloured ....*hides* [/quote] You can come out of your hiding place...they are EVO Golds

[quote name='FuNkShUi' timestamp='1489047174' post='3253897'] As always, looking cracking mate! [/quote] Thanks, Kert!

[quote name='sblueplanet' timestamp='1489029158' post='3253854'] The gold and black gives the bass a boutique quality and the body shape with that hollow chamber is killer. Have you tried the look of a brass nut instead of black? [/quote] Thanks Yes - that's on the list. I've been looking for a blank that is the right dimensions but needed to get the strings on at this stage to do the 'first fit' checks so used a length of blank I had in the bits box. On a more general note in terms of playability, the initial conclusions are that: - the volute is a bit too big and a bit too far forward, particularly where the bass strings rake back - the relatively light string tension means that the truss-rod is basically loose. - the bridge saddles are set quite high for a normal (electric 6 string) action. They are within adjustment limits, but I will consider adding a shim under the bridge cluster - some further fret-levelling is needed to sort a few buzzes. I generally do a light levelling first time round to get a feel of the set up before removing too much metal! - I will check the clearance so I don't break through into the truss rod, but I might slim the neck just a touch, but I'll play it a bit more with the other stuff sorted before I do that

[quote name='stearstree1304' timestamp='1488999253' post='3253640'] Whichever combination you go for, the best bit is that you'll have to build another bass using the leftovers!!! [/quote] ...or, as MrsAndyjr1515 put it, "So what are you going to do with the left over bits, then??? Oh....nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!" Here's how it's looking with mixing everywhere. I'm actually quite liking this even though it is significantly outlandish!!

There's another option someone came up with that I'll try this evening - black body, gold ferrule, gold knob. Personality complex or wot!

Thanks, folks. Any views on another possible permutation? The above has gold tuners with a black ferrule, but it might pull it altogether to go black tuners with black ferrule: Here they are side by side: Any views?

I've been fiddling about with permutations and combinations of the hardware. I generally steer clear of gold, but the colours of the wood are just shouting out for something more than black to set them off. Chrome also wasn't quite right when I tried a couple of items. I tried gold tuners - they suited the headstock much more than the black. I tried a gold pickup ring - that looked the ticket. But gold bridge elements - screamed bling and cheap. So with some mixing and matching of components, I've come up with this: What do you think? Too bling? Too John Player Special (although, even as a non-smoker, that was always pretty darned cool!)?

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1488875502' post='3252472'] This? [/quote] There are, of course, limits and there are some downsides, but doing this significantly reduces weight, but also allows a very much slimmer neck heel:

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1488838561' post='3252341'] Show us the body profile?? Just love the sculpture contours on mine... [/quote] This?

Just noticed that I started this thread on 8th Feb. I can't believe that, barring late disasters, this is within a few days or so of being finished! Some of that is because Pete specifically wants the tactile slurry and buffed satin finished rather than a gloss, which would have added at least 3 weeks. I'm actually more than happy with that aesthetically as well as the silky feel of it, having had a sunny day at last so I can see what it actually looks like! I'm waiting for some hardware, but sorted the magnetic catches while I was waiting: And also for the truss-rod cover - worked well on Nic's Mouradian-esque build, so I thought I'd try it on this too : I'm out tomorrow but will try to do the fret-levelling on Wednesday. For the build itself, that just leaves a possible tweak on the volute - it's in the perfect position for the treble strings but, because of the rake, might be a touch too forward for the bass. I won't know for sure until I've got the strings fitted and been able to try it for real...again hopefully Wednesday. I've got a few weeks to sort out some of the domestic tasks and also to rearrange my work area a bit, and then there is a "this could be the final straw that broke the camel's back" project due to be on the drawing board. More about that one soon

[quote name='W1_Pro' timestamp='1488687577' post='3251046'] The figure on that fingerboard is lovely. Great thread Andy. [/quote] Thanks, Stuart Trust all is well with you and yours.

[quote name='sblueplanet' timestamp='1488728152' post='3251330'] The current finish on the body reminds me of my former Warwick Thumb bass. [/quote] Yes - probably much the same process

It's OK - I can see them fine on the iPad:) And they are WONDERFUL! Speechless. Stunning.

Something odd is happening with the images on my desktop. Can everyone else see them?

...and yes - going for gold

Well, I used to be indecisive but now I'm not so sure To varnish or not to varnish. While I KNOW that the colour absolutely pops out when you gloss varnish a wood like this, there is NOTHING, SIMPLY NOTHING like the organic feel of a tru-oil slurry and buffed piece of wood. Silky smooth to the touch but undoubtedly wood, deep satin in colour tone. Here it is, photo'd in the shade, after two applications: ..and in the sunshine: The neck is going to be this finish whatever, but, I don't know...very tempted to forgo that extra bit of bling....

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1488626379' post='3250550'] Must be the swift logo, Andy. Looks sumptuous, like a slab of rich fruit cake. [/quote]

[quote name='sblueplanet' timestamp='1488571250' post='3250229'] If it was mine I would say "GLOSS VARNISH PLEASE!" Looking great and seems a super-fast build. Almost like you sneakily bought a kit and stuck it together :-) [/quote] Can't believe I haven't missed something really important out. If it carries on the way it's gone so far, it will be done in half my normal build time! And I'm not entirely sure why! Out in daylight, you can get a better idea of the likely end colour tone. This is just the sealer coat but will be fairly representative. I think you can also see why I'm getting a bit excited about the quilting - it's everywhere! It's confirmed in my head that gloss varnish is the way to go: The only thing I may have to rethink is the hardware colour. I've gone for black, but I think it needs something to lift and contrast. Probably chrome, but...would gold be too bling? The back has darkened also to a lovely...well...mahogany colour :

I haven't decided yet whether this will be a satin tru-oil slurry and buff, or subsequently gloss varnished. However, I do get the tru-oil sealer on early in the process because it gives me a decent idea how much the wood is going to darken and also shows up any missed sandpaper marks or PVA glue patches. This is typical of the degree of darkening once pretty much any finish goes on: Black walnut usually lives up to its name and REALLY darkens: One of the reasons this might be a candidate for a gloss final finish is that I can see quite a bit of quilting around the top horn and also where the controls will be. Quilting really only comes into its own with a gloss varnish on top. I suspect the overall colour of this top once its all done will be very similar to the back of my home-built OM acoustic although probably with less quilting (although this on the acoustic only showed through at all once I started varnishing!):

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1488545760' post='3249875'] I like that... [/quote] Thanks, Mick...do you see an evolution developing....