Andyjr1515

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1464195411' post='3057457'] Could you angle the saddle block back about say 30 degrees so that there's clear access to the intonation screws? [/quote] To be honest, it's not a problem. Bit of a faff first time round, but it's very rare that the intonation will change once set correctly assuming same type of strings. Nowhere near as big a faff as the old fender truss rods!!!!

[quote name='Ashweb' timestamp='1464128783' post='3056867'] What an incredible build, can't wait to see the finished article. I reckon whoever came up with the phrase 'Go do the voodoo that you do' probably had you in mind, Andy [/quote] Probably closer to the truth is the general belief we all share that 'When it works, it's my skills and experience. When it falls to pieces or looks, frankly, s**t....it's all down to some really bad magic at work!'

[quote name='roman_sub' timestamp='1464090879' post='3056457'] Just throwing out an idea - how about a veneer top, to create another "peeled layer" at the sides (by not extending it all the way)? Though I suppose the walnut blocks add some mojo... amazing progress either way [/quote] Don't put ideas in Mick's head! Seriously, though...Mick and I have a dastardly plan for the top that won't be revealed until it's done. In fact, this is probably the last shot before it's done - I'm in close contact with Mick ref the finishing, but I don't want to give away the final look until it's basically done. Other than the control chamber, the last structural thing was to recess the bridge and stoptail. If you remember, Mick's preference was a t-o-m bridge and also to be able to use his standard medium length strings. Because the neck has no angle (a t-o-m bridged bass would usually have a neck angle of around 5 degrees) the bridge and stop tail needed to be lowered. Also, to be able to accommodate medium length strings, the bridge needed to be closer to the stoptail than you might normally see. This has advantages, nevertheless, for the break angle. Routing is too dodgy at this stage if there is any other way of doing it, so I forstner'd it and tidied up with a chisel: These aren't Mick's strings - they are just some spares I use to line everything up: So...the public posts might drop to few and far between over the coming week The good news is that it would now need a pretty unexpected catastrophe for this not to be ready to hand over to Mick at the Herts Bash I know that's tempting fate but, what the heck....

I have the long scale version ( my avatar) and have always been very pleased with it. Folk I know who have the short scales are also very happy indeed with them. They are soooo affordable too

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1464040561' post='3056096'] I was surprised that you didn't fill in the existing control cavity completely while the back laminations were off, with a view to routing a new and more elegantly shaped one. [/quote] I know what you mean, but almost certainly the new cavity will be bigger all round than the old one, so it will all be routed out anyway. The challenge with the rear cavity is actually that the back is now curved - that adds a few challenges ref the template, but hey, it'd be boring if there weren't more challenges around

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1464011381' post='3055721'] Despite the obvious foot-tapping from many following this fascinating topic, it would be more than horrendous to have a tiny slip-up at this late stage, just to get it to the Bash on time. Better a week late than a daft blunder (yes, we've all been there, and too often for some..!). You're the Boss, of course, but please, please, don't rush this. Besides, it'll give us all a few more days of blissful suspense and eager eye-balling. Take the time for a cuppa or three now and again (or more, if the bladder can stand it...). [/quote] Don't worry, Dad3353. When there's a real deadline like this, I go into an ultra-careful mode...simply because I know there is no room for even a small tweak to put something right. This routing and fill-in was pretty much the most careful and accurate of any similar task I can remember doing. There are still some scary bits to do, but fewer than there were! This evening I'll glue the infills so that I can route the bridge and stop-tail recesses tomorrow. If those go OK, there is only one really scary bit left - the control chamber. I can start the finishing process before I need to do that to give me plenty of time to think through exactly how best and how to do it.

This morning has made me very happy. One of the remaining 'got real problems if I c**k this up!' jobs has now been done OK, and that means that finishing this project by the Herts bash is now actually in the realm of the possible! Task was to rout out for the pickups and carve the walnut infills to hide as many of the remaining holes as possible. Standard stuff - rough out with a Forstener and then rout with an MDF template and a bearing trimmer bit: Then some VERY VERY careful carving of my remaining two largish bits of walnut offcut: I've cancelled some things tomorrow to try to get the remaining bodywork stuff done. I have to start finishing by Wednesday at the very latest!

[quote name='allighatt0r' timestamp='1464002314' post='3055631'] Just a quick chip in to say that I love watching your work as ever Andy! [/quote] Thanks, Bryan!

If it's dry tomorrow, I'll start the routing for the pickups. First I drilled the reference corners for the router template: Then joined up the holes with a coping saw and file: Also routed the headstock and epoxied in the logo. Coincidentally, the real-live swifts have finally arrived for the summer Many fewer than last year (which was fewer than the previous years) but still tearing round the houses just like this, at breakneck speeds and with their unmistakeable screeches. The last small black bits from the old coating should sand away with the final sanding stages! The two big black bits will stay as part of the historical mojo.

[quote name='The-Ox' timestamp='1463825036' post='3054300'] Is Mick's mystery bass like an Alembic? [/quote] Yes and no - the shape was / is similar to an Alembic Stanley Clarke Signature and the headstock is just a lawsuit's whisker away. I think it is a home or custom built 'in the style of' from the era of the early SC models. Loads of pics on the build thread - we can probably all argue the toss at the bash

I'm doing my best to try to get this ready for the Herts bash (but still a long-shot, Mick!!!) so tried to reach into my feminine side and multi-task. Frets and Swifts. First, I needed to make sure the fret slots in the sanded-flat board were still deep enough and clear: Then started fretting. Because the slots have already been used once (at least), I needed to add a bead of glue along the tang line and let that set, clamped under a radius former, for each fret hammered in: While each one was setting, I got on with jeweller-sawing out my MoP moniker swifts: ...by which time, I'd got to the last fret with about 1" of fretwire to spare (phew!)

[quote name='ped' timestamp='1463770283' post='3054002'] Yep looks nice and tactile. How have you decided on pickup placement, in terms of actual distance from the bridge? [/quote] Similar to a J setup and then also by comparing with the demo's Sims have on various videos...

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1463763497' post='3053949'] Attendance list needs updating. Please add your details. [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][b]1.[/b] [b]TheGreek[/b] - Veillette Citron - [b]For sale Ashdown 5 combo in custom cab with 12" speaker.[/b][/font][/color] [b]2. Bassface 2k10 3. Billy Apple 4. Bluejay[/b] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][b]5. Skinnyman[/b] - Dingwall P/J bass, Roland GR55 synth, Fender Bassman 300 head, Fender 410 Neo (or possibly a genz 112. That 410's a bit much for my poor back)[/font][/color] [b]6. gary_mac 7. such[/b] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][b]8. Bottle[/b] - Ibanez Bass, Line6 Amp, Various Pedals and 1x12 Cab [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][b]9. Grangur[/b] - Barefaced One10, MarkBass LM3, Warwick Thumb BO 5er[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][b]10. Lozz196[/b] - Fender US Precision, Aguilar Tonehammer Pre-amp/DI, Tech 21 Sansamp Bass Driver Preamp/DI[/font][/color] [b]11. Truckstop[/b] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][b]​12. Sibob [/b](pending new baby situations) - 1971 Precision, Xotic XJ-1T 5, Maruszczyk Jake custom, Shuker 5 Single Cut[b] (for sale)[/b][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][b]13. Jazzneck[/b] (90% sure)[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][b]14. NickD[/b] - M[/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]aruszczyk Elwood L5a, TE Series 6 1x15, Zoom B3. [/font][/color] [b]15. ChunkyMunky 16. Davo-London 17. disgrace of bass 18. MacDaddy 19. Adonbass[/b] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][b]19 Happy Jack [/b]- Bluejay, MacDaddy[/font][/color] [b]20 Hertsbass [/b] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][b]21. Ordep[/b] - Schroeder, Tecamp Puma, Fbass BN4, Le Bass tube preamp, etc[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][b]22. CamdenRob[/b] - Mrs C, Wal MK3 6 String, Moollon P[/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color] [b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]23. Oopsdaassist[/font][/color][/b] [b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]24. Chevy-stu[/font][/color][/b] [b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]25. SilverfoxNik??[/font][/color][/b] [b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]26. Andyjr1515 [/font][/color][/b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] - TheGreek's Alemicesque rebuild (prob WIP); Bubinga Fretless (Own Design); Squier VM Jaguar with fancy veneer (per Avatar)[/font][/color] [/quote]

Thanks, folks Hope I don't disappoint you all I checked the placement of the Super Quads with Mick. They are big b*****s!!!! The other thing Mick had asked me to do was to do a bit of a carve at the back...in addition to the scoop we'd already decided on. I like these types of builds for exactly this reason - the client usually adds the magical question and then often I end up with an answer I wouldn't have got to on my own. The issue with scoops and carves combined is that they are sort of geometrically at odds with one another. Worth a go, though. Here was the the upper side of the back after a bit of attention with a rasp file: The mahogany breakthrough at the top is quite subtle as it tones with the walnut rather than contrasts. Once the bottom had been tweaked a bit too: Because everything is curving towards and away from everything, you end up with a very tactile, organic shape...if you've got a good imagination, it's a bit Barbara Hepworth! I will be routing for the pick-ups soon so cut a fill-in out of walnut for the hole of the old pickup, only partially covered by the Sims: This is sort of how it will fit and cover the hole: Similarly, I will be setting in a 10mm strip of walnut to hide the 6 old bridge screw holes visible between the stop tail and t-o-m bridge (see the top pic in this post). That's all for now As usual, thanks for looking and for the very encouraging comments

That is a FABULOUS raffle prize, Mick Well done! Great job

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1463661426' post='3053182'] That's great! Looking forward to meeting you there, Andy. It's only a shame we won't also get to see Jabba's amazing recycled door that was also at the Midlands bash. [/quote] Maybe I could cut out a shape from an old hardboard panel door and pretend it's one of his. You know how rough Jabba's builds are. ....I bloody wish

Hi, All I know I will be an out-of-region interloper, but I'll be at the bash too I have agreed with Mick to bring along his 'mystery bass rebuild' [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/283510-thegreeks-mystery-bass-rebuild/"]per the ongoing build thread here[/url] Mick knows it's a very long shot that it will be finished by then but I will be able to:[list] [*]meet him (and y'all) in person [*]pass it over if it's actually finished [*]let him drool and then cruelly whisk it away again if it isn't [/list] I'll also bring along my bubinga fretless and my avatar veneered Squier VM Jaguar. Everyone will be welcome to play them - but just don't ask me to...it would be a dreadful end of a perfectly decent bash Look forward to seeing you all there Andy

OK....back to structural stuff. The guitar builder's equivalent of that tried and tested remedy that 'if all else fails, hit it with a sledgehammer!' The two new/remaining body cracks on the two horns.... [list] [*]Mask up as best as can be to stop the cyano soaking into the wood in too many places: [/list] [list] [*]Pour two complete mini-tubes of cyano into the crack. Wicking is a wonderful phenomenon!!!: [/list] [list] [*]Put MASSIVE clamping pressure to close the gap: [/list] [list] [*]Leave longer than normal for superglue setting. [/list] The above one is still curing, but this is the other side that I did last night using the same method: In the meantime, Mick's stupendous Sims Super Quad pickups arrived: ....leaves one with somewhat overwhelming sense of responsibility not to f***k it up By the way, I've agreed with Mick that I'll come to Herts Bash with this, either:[list] [*]to pass this across to Mick in the unlikely event that it is finished in time [*]to let Mick have a look at the progress - and the rest of you all who will be going - before whisking it back from under his desperate and eager eyes to finish it off [/list]

There is some fabulous and true craft-work on this build. I love the organic look....

Just to give Mick his daily fix.... ....finished the reshape of the neck and heel. I haven't changed the profile of the neck - I don't want to mess with it too much ref the strength issue - but I reduced the width of the neck by around 5mm to fit a more 'modern' nut width and so needed to get rid of the sharp corners. The heel is looking a lot slicker: Those marks in the maple are splices - it was one of the reasons I was pretty sure that this was originally a copy build rather than an early Alembic. There are signs - even ignoring the later hacking - of gifted amateur rather than commercial professional about the original build. There are more splices at the nut: At first my thoughts were that this could be an inner scarf join arrangement (I do that sometimes with the inner splices) but then you see this bit: ie, two badly executed fill-ins for a badly judged couple of maple strips... It matters not - it actually adds to the mojo of the original build in my view More of a concern is that the extra split has been joined by another one: ...but again, fixable because it is not structural, either using super-dooper-strength glue wicked in or - if that doesn't work, just filled. I don't think they are new cracks - I think they were always there but now you can simply see them more clearly. Other progress while it's still dry was getting out my cheapest-bandsaw-on-the-market: ...and cutting these slivers from offcuts of the already thin walnut back panel timber to eventually become coordinating control covers: They are a shade under 2mm. Not bad for a cheapo saw. Note the ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL pusher stick, though, if anyone wants to try something similar and retain their fingers!

[quote name='Joebethell' timestamp='1463428184' post='3051314'] Got a hint of a fatter EB0/3 with the new edges I like it always had a soft spot for that design. [/quote] Interestingly, that's probably going to be my next full build. Our old-gits-band's bassist has been going on at me for months to build him one. I think I probably need to yield to the pressure before the end of 2016...

[quote name='blablas' timestamp='1463414457' post='3051168'] You make me blush Andy. I've been making (and designing) laboratory equipment for a living for almost 35 years now. In my childhood years I was almost always busy trying to make things, however in those days was better at breaking them , this breaking taught me a lot in how to fix things and how they actually worked. In short, I've been building all my life, been educated in it, I'd better be good at it . [/quote] You see, that's the difference between us, Blablas . I did a Mechanical Engineering degree on the same basis - a childhood of curiosity of how everything mechanical works a boxes and boxes of bits that I needed to put back together. Someone should have told the young Andyjr1515 'It's not a mechanical engineer you need to be....it's a mechanic!' Suffice to say, NEVER cross over a bridge I've designed....

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1463401198' post='3050997'] Good thought - Andy, can you have a think about this please?? Thanks Blablas, nice to have your input (I've seen some of your work..also very nice) [/quote] That's an understatement, Mick. Blablas' builds are simply in another league

[quote name='blablas' timestamp='1463400676' post='3050990'] On seeing this picture I would slim down the heel area as well, there is enough real estate there you can to remove. This will also get rid of, or at least tone down, the damage that can be seen there. [/quote] Yes - that's planned - it will be slimmed right down as a smooth transition. This was just the first rough carve of the body - (unfortunately) plenty more to do Along with the other stuff, I'm slimming down the neck so will reshape that - I'll do the heel at the same time.

One of the things that Mick has suggested is to slim down some of the edges to lighten it (visually and actually) and to show off the layers. The lower part of the main body area is more limited because the control chamber has been cut quite deeply. However, the upper area gives a great opportunity. Dampened down to simulate a 'finished' colour this is how it is starting to look after the rough carve: Starting to look like a bass...