Andyjr1515

And so - how is Richlite going to behave in fret cutting compared with ebony: - Well, it's tough stuff. I reckon I might need a new tenon saw when I've done all 22 frets plus zero slots - It is very hard work...even in my prime, I don't think I could slot one in a single session. Then again, I would say the same for ebony. - But ebony grabs the blade, and early on. Richlite still grabs the blade, but much later on. Nevertheless - you can see the workbench. It is VERY heavy. And the jig is screwed to it. And the bench has moved an inch away from the wall after a dozen frets - Nice clean slots, though and no chipping! And so, 15 slots done, 8 to go: Time for another break. Besides, the local village Defibrillation Team have told me either to get rid of the smart watch or give up woodworking.

And onto fret cutting. And here we have the same issue. I use the G&W fretting mitre block. The blank sticks to a metal notched template...you guessed it...with industrial quality double sided tape. Usually, I would use one inch strip at either end and one in the middle. Here I have two lengths of it all the way down the board. And I can still easily move the board from side to side! So I am going to use the tape simply to stop the board from creeping forwards and backwards and, to stop it moving with the saw cuts, I've cut some wooden wedges that I can fit in the gap between the board and the jig sides and remove them and replace them for each fret progression, and use a sturdy bench clamp to ensure that the board cannot move, however much pull is on the saw:

OK - 20 minutes before the next nap. So...yes. Maple neck with a Richlite fretboard. First time I've used this material so should be (is already) interesting. The project started with a bag of bits from @fleabag, including the Richlite blank, truss rod, nut blank and a set of EVO gold frets. First job, after clarifying the spec (which we repeat a few times a day on account of my age - "Have you switched the kettle off? Have you switched the kettle off?? I SAID HAVE YOU SWITCHED THE KETTLE OFF!!!???" - was to be radiusing the board to the requested 20" (I checked a few times). And here was the first challenge. I use an industrial-quality double-sided tape when I'm routing to hold the blank to the jig. This stuff would hold insulation tiles onto the Space Shuttle very happily...but not Richlite... I then tried the old trick of two sides of masking tape held with CA glue...nah! In the end - I had to SCREW it to the jig! Hmmm...this is going to be fun I use the excellent G&W jig. The Richlite routed, well...just like ebony. 10 minutes or so of final sanding with a radius block to remove the router lines. It sands like, well...just like ebony : And it was done. And it looks, well...just like ebony. Except, of course, you can no longer get jet-black ebony due to sustainability measures : Next job, still ongoing, was cutting the fret slots. But I see it's already Horlicks time.

Hmm...what? Who? Gosh it's early. And what are you all doing in my bathroom? What time? 8:46?? Gosh it's late. Must be time for a nap...

Great video and fascinating. I need to listen to it a few times with headphones on, but through my Bose, your bass in the series settings seems very close to some of your settings on the Wal...

Me too - transforms it

If you do use this method, the key is a VERY sharp chisel and, using a mallet or light hammer, removing the 'waves' a teeny bit at a time from the peak to the base.

Here's an extract from the build of @Jus Lukin's headless with three Sims Superquads. As I say above, the use of the router at the end is optional - you can use the Forstner to the full depth of the pickup and leave the 'spike holes' there...no one's going to see them. This one has just 4 corners for each pickup, but it is just the same principle for, say, a lugged Jazz pickup - you just use appropriate diameter drills for the corners and lug ends. I use this method for all of my pickup chambers - I flipping detest routers! The pickup chambers. I use the same method - which is basically mark out, hog out, chisel out and then use a captive bearing router bit to tidy it up and reach the final depth. With pickup chambers, the first thing I do is check the radius of the corners and use a bradpoint 1mm larger (to allow for the 0.5mm clearance all round) and drill the corners: Then I hog out as close to the marked line as I can with as large a Forstner as I can: Then I chisel 10mm or so down, right up to the outline: Finally, I use a flush bearing router bit, that will be fully captive, to deepen the chamber to final depth:

In terms of pickup routs, I don't use a router except for tidying up the lower part of the sides and bottom of the chamber...and that is unseen and optional. I use a forstner bit and sharp chisel. I can post an extract from one of my build threads if that helps.

I think the BB option is a great one to test out your thoughts about the impact of the neck construction on the sound you are trying to emulate.

Lovely job

Yes - I reckon so. I suspect that would add a great deal to the vibe. The black clashes, to my eye, with the brown hue of the new finish. I missed your earlier post and had a bit of a double take on this (especially as you were doing more than one build originally). This is the one that used to be red? And/or the packing case one?

The thread is here:

I lightened an HB a few years back. You do have to remove a LOT of wood, but it can make the difference between being an 'occasional play' and an 'all-night gigger' I'll see if I can find the thread.

I do know where you are coming from. If you do want to carry on trying first, then take the neck off again and put a thicker shim in from the back of the pocket (neck pickup side) to the first set of screws. Be prepared to end up trying this a few times. - Try an old credit card or similar - usually more than plenty but it will give you an idea where you are starting from. Plastic is better than card as it won't compress. - Make sure that there is no obstruction in the pocket and that the neck heel at the front of the pocket is fully seated so that you are gaining the full advantage of the shim - Bolt it all back up and restring. - If the action is now close to OK, then OK. If the strings are flat against the frets at the end of the fretboard, then will the saddle block adjust enough for a decent action without it looking like it's sitting on stalks? If not, then take it off and find a thinner piece of plastic. If the action is still way too high and the neck is seating properly in the pocket, take the neck off again and add a second piece of credit card When you are there or thereabouts, fine tune the truss rod relief and compensate by lowering or raising the saddle block. Many of the Basschatters on the list will do this sort of thing for nowt or close to nowt, so if there is one local to you...

What part of the country are you in @Dankology ? There's a permanent thread at the top of the Repairs section here of Basschatters round the country who can offer help to other Basschatters. It wouldn't take long for someone experienced to diagnose the issue...and I'm always bothered when a majorly high action is put down to truss rod (and yours is a majorly high action). Agreed, the rod may well be not adjusted correctly but, as @BigRedX says, this starts as a neck angle problem and, generally, that is easily fixed.

Just noticed that you replaced the bridge - and the Staytrem doesn't have springs. Ignore my suggestion.

I would certainly contact the supplier and see what they can/will do. Explain to them what you have said in your opening post. You can just about get away with an aberration with a fretted bass but it never works satisfactorily with a fretless - the tolerances between buzz and no buzz are infinitesimally small!

That's the way I would go too.

Does the saddle have a spring behind it? If it does, then removing the spring can get you a few more mm backward movement...might be just enough

It looks lovely.

Yes - fascinating. This is going to be a very cool bass. Might start a trend....

Not sure how I missed this in January! Yes - I like oak too and have used it in a number of builds, including one using oak for the back of a 6 string electric which is the lightest of any of the builds I've done so far (5 1/4lbs including double humbuckers!) Will be watching this one with interest, @benh

Nothing to do with rookies - we've all done it...

That body carve is a delight with the wood choices...