Andyjr1515

Thanks, folks Committed myself now with an order in place at Thomann for a couple of SD SJB-2's, an SCT-2 Equaliser, Warwick bridge, tuners and 'just a nut' . Thomann don't seem to do the MEC's anymore and I wanted to try out the SBJs in any case... What's the view on the body shape? It's trying to be 'familiar but different'... Andy

Hi All The 'under-wraps' project is progressing well so I am starting to work out the what next. It's a few weeks away before any physical progress, probably, but I am planning to make a start on an 'essence of thumb' thru-neck fretless. As I've discussed before, I built a thumb tribute for a band mate who idolises the late Jack Bruce and asked if I could build something like JD's own fabulous Warwick NT Thumb. The build went very well and it is fantastic to play. Construction method was quite different to the original, and it has my moniker inlaid 'swifts' on the headstock for all avoidance of doubt but is clearly a copy not only of the materials but also the shape. I've had a few enquiries about building another, but building a bass to sell is quite different to building an at-cost tribute for a mate and I have no interest in encroaching on Warwick's products which, I think, are fabulous. I also use my mate's bass now and again and the green monster always gets to me 'want it...want it...keep it....keep it....steal it.....steal it....' because, regardless of the shape (which does polarise views a bit) it has a great (quite full-on) weight, great tone, great playability. My answer is to design my own shape but with the same overall dimensions and timbers as the last one I did. May turn out to be a lemon, but worth a try This is the shape I have in mind... ...and this is the bubinga I've got maturing like a good wine in the shed: I won't know until I start slimming it down how good the figuring is going to be, but based on the grain, it should be nice: As I say, it'll probably be a few weeks before I start on it in earnest but I'll let you know when I do for them's that might be interested... Andy

Hi, Paul Out of my experience zone (and you know my philosophy...I always try to do something new on one of my own guitars, not on someone else's pride and joy) but, to do it properly, I think it's quite involved. Someone correct me but - with it being bound - the 'proper' way would be to take the frets out, sand, rebind and refret. If it didn't have binding, you'd probably get away with just sanding the sides and frets and all, re-curving the neck profile and then re-finishing the fret ends. Probably wrong and probably doesn't help a jot Andy

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1428266880' post='2739815'] It just gets better and better. One of the most attractive guitars I can ever remember seeing...really... Andy [/quote] When I say 'guitars'....you know what I mean

It just gets better and better. One of the most attractive guitars I can ever remember seeing...really... Andy

[quote name='donslow' timestamp='1427827651' post='2734822'] I think the point I was trying to make was, even the cheapest of build your own kits are a great place to start building your skills but bodies, necks and all other parts, quite often better quality than the kits, can be picked up on eBay sometimes for literally peanuts, it also gives you the option to be picky and get exactly what you want [/quote] Yes - that was a shorter way of putting it . And yes, quite agree

[quote name='Rumple' timestamp='1427793215' post='2734200'] Slight error in my thinking and a school boy error TBH! decals are clear [u]not[/u] white and you can't print (on an inkjet) in white so what looks like grey with the backing paper in place is actually a light tint of black, when in place on the headstock the centre section of the decal only has the effect of slightly darkening the headstock colour, it actually looks OK but is pretty cheap and cheerful compared to a properly printed decal. I'll take a snap of it later, I varnished the decal before applying it but haven't varnished over it on the headstock just in case I change my mind and want to replace it. [/quote] Hi Rumple Nowadays, I use these stick on labels rather than waterslide decals: Now the thing is, I know these are clear (and hence same problem) but [b]I'm almost certain they also do them in white. [/b] I got these from Staples and am sure I saw also white ones next to them... This is how the clear ones come out...and MUCH easier than the water slides. They are fully varnishable with the varnishes I use, although I didn't bother on this one: Worth a try? Andy

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1427814371' post='2734557'] What tempts me to do a self-build would be Andyjr's learning more about how a bass goes together. I was seriously (and am still) considering a cheap Jazz bass kit, solely to give me something to practice doing fret jobs on. The rest of fettling a bass seems fairly simple, levelling and rounding frets looks more difficult. But, if I could learn to do it, I'm sure that I would save the purchase of the kit through being able to do it myself on future basses. [/quote] Go for it - perfect way to start and, if you get the bug, it could easily lead onto full builds

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1427814521' post='2734560'] Can I just mention that, before each gig we play, our drummer builds his own kit? [/quote] - and in the middle of each of our's, our's destroys his...

[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