Bridgehouse

Also, managed to get some Daphne Blue on:

Got some primer on.

Great replies so far everyone. I guess it was curiosity tbh. Maybe I should find a cheapie short scale to see if I like them...?

[quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1502265728' post='3350257'] Years back, in my first era of bass playing, I had a Fender Musicmaster. It was quite old back then (early 80's) At the time, I sold it to get a 34" scale bass. Now wish I'd kept it. At the time, I felt it lacked a bit of bottom end Though that was probably due to string choice, set-up and my inexperience with amps / EQ'ing I've got a SS Jazz that I don't use much - its just nice to have it there lol It certainly lacks nothing a 34" has. Yes, it's lightweight and I don't have to stretch my left hand as much But short scale feels a bit odd to me - I can over-stretch or over-shoot notes if I'm not concentrating I've got a 32" Medium scale P bass, and I find that's an effortless switch from long scale EDIT: Some of my "problems" re scale length may be due to the fact I also play DB [/quote] Part of my original thought re a short scale was seeing an old music master bass and wondering if it would be a fun addition.. My understanding of the lack of bottom end on the original ones was because they used a guitar pickup - you can swap them out and get a lot more low end thump apparently..

Bit more neck relic'ing. Now the lacquer has dried some more, I've started to relic the exposed wood. I use a 6B pencil - rub it on the exposed wood and then rub off with a finger. It gives the wood a more subtle grey-slivery aged look rather than a bright "I've just knocked my bass" look!!

Of course, I could really shake things up by saying that Helix sounds pretty damn good through the back of a Markbass LMIII into a Barefaced Compact Gen 2 as well.. It's not quite as rounded and articulate as the VK and EICH, but it's more than good enough. Really rather more than good enough in fact.

[quote name='SisterAbdullahX' timestamp='1502141305' post='3349615'] I'm surprised you're even considering another cab with the VK/Eich setup! [/quote] Yeah. I'm not now. It's saved me a huge chunk of change by just plugging Helix into the back and giving it a whirl with no cabs on my patches!

I don't have a short scale bass - mine are all 34's. I feel I may be missing out. Am I?

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1502103900' post='3349287'] interested to see how you do the checking and body relic. What did you do the the tuners, or did they come like that ? [/quote] Not got the tuners yet - but it will be documented I usually go for a scuffing/denting then vinegar vapour suspension.. Checking will be freezer then sunlight - but it's got to harden off first!!

You know what, having played with Helix more and more, in getting the best out of it by going straight out of 1/4" mono into the back of my EICH 1000 power amp in and then into the VK 2x10 cab. I've set up each bass patch as dual path, so 1/4" has no cab model, but preamp only, and the XLR path set up with a cab so I can DI out of the Helix for FOH and the amp/cab are an onstage monitor

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1501958705' post='3348514'] That's looking well aged. You can imagine that it has absorbed the nicotine out of lots of basement gigs. [/quote] Just the look I was going for - very aged, played often in smoky clubs, but looked after and not abused!

Interestingly, the neck has definitely gone a bit more amber over night... looking nice tho.

Alder is really thirsty! It's drying off now, and I'll do another coat tomorrow..

On to the body whilst the neck is hardening off.. Built a makeshift body holding contraption and got ready for stage 1: Sanding Sealer. A bit of filler was used here and there first, then sanded back.

Just one more shot before the next stage - helps to show the contrast with the alder body..

This is the neck tint I was aiming for:

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1501866088' post='3347936'] Good job, I'm looking forward to seeing how this progresses. [/quote] Quite possibly slowly Tomorrow I'll get some sanding sealer on the body - but I don't have a colour for it yet!

It's now hardening off - once it's much harder I'll look at the lacquer checking stage!

And some outside shots:

Once dry to the touch (not long in the sun!!) - it's time to give it some relic treatment. I'm doing it straight after spraying to allow me to rub back (less of the belt sander look) and it means the relic'ing will harden as the lacquer does.. Here's pre relic: Then, it's on with the various sharp and blunt bits of metal, the 600 grit wet and dry, and some 0000 wire wool. Oh, and some shoe polish

I then rubbed back certain parts - some back to the wood, to give a patchy appearance, and then sprayed a second coat to give a deeper colour in some areas to others:

Started the first neck - for the gigging bass. Now for this build, as I'm going hardcore relic, I wanted to start with that in mind, so I've gone for a much darker tint and tried to give it an uneven coat so that there are some darker areas than others - hopefully looking like lacquer darkening over time. Anyway, masked up: First coat of tint:

The bodies and necks were sourced from a UK Luthier - but he doesn't advertise widely at all. My contact with him came via another popular UK online forum. I specified the nut width, and other specs - I'm sure 35" scale could be specified too. If you want some details then PM me. The Tele body and neck are also getting built up (as an Esquire) but I didn't think you lot would be as interested in these

Got a pair of bodies and necks on the way (due to be delivered tomorrow!) One is for a friend and the spec is agreed on for it (so it will be a surprise as I go through it ) The other, however, is going to be built up as a gigging bass - relatively low cost etc. So the specs? - Alder PJ body (x2) - Standard P neck, rosewood board, 1.75" nut & 7.5" radius For my gigging bass, I'm going to do a satin amber tint neck, and it will be a relic. The question is, what colour to go for? It's a gigging bass, so preference is bright, cheery, pastel or bling as I'd like it to stick out a bit....

Sorry - I've been rather busy! As pointed out, I've made a few comments in the other thread about the VK vs BF debate. However, WRT the VK specifically, it's the only cab I use live. It's exactly the sound I'm looking for, the EICH head is very well rounded and precise - best of all, I also use the setup to go straight into the power amp from my Helix - the bass amp models are superb and they sound very good indeed through the EICH and VK combo...