HazBeen

Exactly this!

Nut, tuners and string retainers sorted. Side dots also done. And first coat of red stain on (will be sanded back). Staining Alder is always a little challenging, multiple coats and sanding back ensures a consistent finish.

I have been totally and utterly swamped, finally found some time yesterday. Redid the pickguard, much happier with it. It is every so slightly bigger in certain places and trimmer in other. Also looks less handmade (picture is before final trim/shaping with scalpel). Also did the nutslot… I have decided to go for a brass nut (a la Malmsteen), often overlooked on guitars but I have an incling it will work well for what the future owner will use it for.

I have it’s bigger brother. One of the most if not the most important tools for me, it was a game changer when I got mine.

RIP Rick Laird, I listened to Birds of Fire a gazillion times trying to suss out his bass parts.

Or use shielding paint …..

Finally found some time again…. Neck fixing/ferrules sorted, bridge and tailpiece sorted (and scale and lining of strings is even fine 😂). Nut and tuners next….. then redo the pickguard and polish up the frets. Then just lots of sanding and finishing…… And once this skinny thing is done, I will be refocusing on a real instrument, ie the bass ….

This is exactly the thing that separates the true professionals from decent amateurs like me. People underestimate how tricky a job like this actually is.

Indeed.

See comment about oscillators and ADSR below. Big difference.

Indeed @Quatschmacher is best placed to respond, but I can unequivocally state that the FI is superior to the C4 for me in all areas that matter.

If Wenge and Ash was a listed company, you’d be a major shareholder:)

Thank you, very kind of you. It is a little on the “artisan” side still, so will try to give it a more refined look, even if just for my own peace of mind.

Some more progress….. needs a little fine tuning but getting there. Used 600 grit sandpaper to get the mat look, 1000 grit to finish once I am fully happy with the guard.

Looks blooming amazing! I do see 2 potential challenges, the fretless tone Tony alludes to and the potential for string tension to slowly push the saddle messing up intonation. Both easily sorted (break angle and grub screw) so worth giving it a shot as is. Very well done,

Did more neck shaping as well… forgot to post Almost final now, pending client approval.

And fretted…. Still need to level, dress etc.

12” radius in progress, always by hand….. good exercise 😎

I have decided to deviate on the bass from original plan. I will be installing 2 Thunderbucker 66 pickups (in PJ locations) I currently have in my Bogart instead of the PJ pickups. The PJ pickups (together with a new pickguard) and Noll 3 band pre I have lying around will then be put in the Bogart. https://www.thunderbuckerranch.com

Did some work on the “n0b machine” Rough carved the neck …. Still lot’s to do, but rough shape is all good.

I really like the woods on this build, they just look right. Excellent build too, proper job!

Wow, that is some glow!

Just a little update…. Turns out I do not like the Fishman Fluence setup. There is a built in limiter that to my ears is not very musical. So I reverted back to EMG DCs and a BQC. I can honestly say that it is the best playing and sounding 5 I have ever built…. Chuffed to bits.