Andyjr1515

[quote name='donslow' timestamp='1427639338' post='2732550'] Currently have a bee in my bonnet about a new project if for no other reason just for fun Am looking for a hollow body gretsch esque build your own kit, does anyone have any experiences with these or know where would be a good place to get a decent quality one for less than just buying one off the shelf? [/quote] There are almost two opposing objectives here... Doing a kit self-build is great fun, the source of immense personal satisfaction, a great way to learn how a guitar or bass goes together, the chance to decide totally what colour and finish and the ability to choose - to a point - what hardware or electrics you would like to change from the stock offer (which, if it is a decent kit, is usually a very acceptable build & machining standard, but 'economical' bits that go with it...think Sainsbury's Best Buy rather than Taste the Difference ). It will not be any cheaper than a built bass and, for equivalent standard, will be quite a bit more expensive. Its resale value will be very low. If you want a very nice bass at a very reasonable cost, go for the reputable entry-level suppliers (Thomann's Harley Benton; Squier; Epiphone; Cort, etc..). Resale will be normal second-hand rates If you want a very nice bass that sounds fantastic, at a reasonable cost, buy one of the above and upgrade the things that make the most difference. Resale, however, will usually NOT be enhanced by doing this but you can often end up with something that, for your own use, knocks spots off basses of significantly higher RRP's So basically, the first decisions are, do want this for: the fun OR to keep and to use yourself OR to save money / retain value...they are sort of mutually exclusive... I can give you a worked cost example if it helps...a kit build 6-string electric that is now my go-to 6 string, cost a small fortune but is fantastic and unique. Let me know if you want to see the comparisons which are fairly illustrative of the norm... Hope this helps rather than further confuses!!! Andy

Yup - the decals look great...

It looks magnificent! A real 'old school' look. I used to have a transistor radio that had the same vibe....

Can't really describe just how great that looks to me...speechless...

[quote name='Joebethell' timestamp='1427578755' post='2732022'] Still a great looking top though. Been doing a bit of Ebaying myself not made a purchase yet but have seen a nice looking tele style body if it is still available on payday it will be the next purchase and then will get some pictures up on here to start the build proper. [/quote] Great - we'll all follow with interest....

Looking really, really good. Some great techniques and skills...

[quote name='Joebethell' timestamp='1427360312' post='2729237'] nice top is it burl maple? [/quote] To my shame I'm not entirely sure what it is. The veneer was a fleabay purchase and wasn't specific. It's not maple, certainly. It has an Amboyna look about it but I don't recall it having the distinctive Amboyna smell. Never been able to get any more, sadly... Andy

[quote name='Joebethell' timestamp='1427356633' post='2729177'] Thanks for the input i don't think the P/lyte look is for me but a classic tele may do it. i also was thinking Jag bass or even going mad with a starcaster body. Cheers Joe [/quote] Ooooh - Jag....now you're talking This is my Squier Jag, slightly 'tweaked': It's a great design and fairly straightforward for a first build! Andy

What about a Precision Lyte type of shape? This is PaulS's (of this forum): It always seemed 'pleasingly different' to me but still in a traditional Fender style...

I just love that fretboard Also, very neat routing indeed!

[quote name='rk7' timestamp='1427270480' post='2727997'] Fantastic build diary, and impressive skills on show. I haven't done enough Basschatting recently so have arrived into this thread too late, but I'm well impressed with this one. Great work! RK [/quote] Thanks, RK ! Good to see you back - not only for your encouraging feedback, but also for the best avatar on the site...I've missed it Andy

That's a good find, Paul...might need something similar for one of my next flights of fantasy...making a yew and mahogany cello Andy

[quote name='alittlebitrobot' timestamp='1427131302' post='2726191'] Excellent! When's your next thread? [/quote] Hi alittlebitrobot The next bass closest to finishing is the 'under-wraps' one. There's a high risk of it not working and the guy I'm doing it for wants to hold off going public until we know we have a working bass...it is quite, quite special. I'm making decent progress on it so hopefully we'll be able to go public with it, or the bonfire, in the next couple of months. After that, it's a toss up between the 'essence of Thumb fretless' and an electric cello... Thanks for the great feedback over this last build Owner's picking it up tomorrow...I think he'll love it. Andy

[quote name='Chris Sharman' timestamp='1427139060' post='2726357'] Actually Andy, I may be able to lay my hands on a 5 string fretless unfinished Jazz neck... I think we need another chat. [/quote] Sounds good to me

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1427126449' post='2726088'] I'd eat that. Oh, isn't it made of chocolate? Looks delish anyway - always liked the shape of these basses and the carves suit it very well indeed. [/quote] Already done - *burp* - pardon!

So, all over bar the shouting... Just waiting for a plain black truss-rod cover and to do the final action set-up but in all other respects, it's done. Final weight...within 1 gramme of the original target weight. Here's what it looks like: Thanks for all of the kind comments and encouraging feedback, folks Andy

[quote name='Chris Sharman' timestamp='1427117759' post='2725905'] I have been watching this with interest whilst trying to find suitable words... I believe "Ay Caramba" should suffice. Really nice work there Andy. [/quote] That'll do fine, Chris Thanks!

Tidied up headstock: ...and the shielding going in... With a bit of luck and a following wind, reassembly should start this evening Andy

It looks really, really good, Rumple . Great to hear you've found a neck to match it with a good playing feel...makes all the difference! Andy

The chap I'm doing this for has asked if I can pop a couple of my moniker 'swifts' on the headstock. I've gone through the detail how I do this in other threads, but briefly: Jeweller's saw to cut out the mother of pearl shapes. Note the high-tech cutting bench! When they have been cut out, I position them and trace round onto the headstock with a fine pencil: Then route out, using a dremel and precision router base: ...and - providing I didn't cock it up - trial fit before gluing: I glue them with epoxy mixed with sanding dust from appropriate coloured woods - with this one, I've used ebony. You basically fill the chamber, then press the inlay firmly in, using the squeezed out epoxy to fill any gaps. It's curing at the moment - I'll post a pic tomorrow when it's set and sanded. Thanks for looking Andy

[quote name='blablas' timestamp='1426870204' post='2722984'] The official portrait: [/quote] Nice lineup

Excellent...it's on its way

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1426603744' post='2719755'] Here's the walnut control chamber cover. I'm not sure if I can get neodymium magnets and plates small enough - and the panel has to have 4 holes to secure the EQ and give access to the trim pots in any case, so may well attach with screws per the Cort. All of the access channels to the pickup chamber, battery chamber and bridge earth are drilled, so just waiting a replacement volume-pot and some copper-foil to line the control chamber from Axesrus and then it's ready for reassembly As always, thanks for looking Andy [/quote] Correction - found some

Here's the walnut control chamber cover. I'm not sure if I can get neodymium magnets and plates small enough - and the panel has to have 4 holes to secure the EQ and give access to the trim pots in any case, so may well attach with screws per the Cort. All of the access channels to the pickup chamber, battery chamber and bridge earth are drilled, so just waiting a replacement volume-pot and some copper-foil to line the control chamber from Axesrus and then it's ready for reassembly As always, thanks for looking Andy

That is looking really good, Ian. Some very nice choices of wood