Custom Build Advice? Jason Newsted Élan 5

[JazzBassfreak]

Hi folks. I'm quite fancying a custom copy of Jason Newsted's old JPJ Alembic Élan. Problem is I'm wondering whether to take it upon myself to make it (first bass build) or pay nearly a grand for luthier skills.
Advice?
Cheers!

[White Cloud]

Have you any experience of guitar building?

[JazzBassfreak]

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1383386885' post='2263843']
Have you any experience of guitar building?
[/quote]


Abit of putting together with ready made kits but no. This would be my first full bass build

[nugget]

Make it yourself! Even if your 1[sup]st[/sup] attempt isn’t perfect it’ll still be your baby
As long as you take your time and research loads on the net you’ll get there.

[scojack]

Reproducing an Alembic at the first attempt is a bit of an ask imho.

[JazzBassfreak]

[quote name='nugget' timestamp='1383552100' post='2265632']
Make it yourself! Even if your 1[sup]st[/sup] attempt isn’t perfect it’ll still be your baby
As long as you take your time and research loads on the net you’ll get there.
[/quote]

Nice thinking mate! Another interesting fact is as it looks it's going to be made of oak, since it's the scraps I have around the workshop. So it'll even be heavy like an Alembic too

[JazzBassfreak]

[quote name='scojack' timestamp='1383556699' post='2265693']
Reproducing an Alembic at the first attempt is a bit of an ask imho.
[/quote]

Maybe so, but in not aiming to reproduce the woods and Alembics quality is unmatched so that's going to be pretty much impossible for my first build. I'm just sorta basing my project on the shape

[nugget]

[quote name='JazzBassfreak' timestamp='1383574457' post='2265994']
Nice thinking mate! Another interesting fact is as it looks it's going to be made of oak, since it's the scraps I have around the workshop. So it'll even be heavy like an Alembic too
[/quote]

I know oak isn’t fashionable for basses but I’ve always fancied trying it out, I bet it would be very resonant.
Oak bass doesn’t have to be too heavy, just make the body thinner than normal as a % of the density difference, for example if you made the body 37mm thick it would weigh about the same as a 44mm thick ash body. I did that recently with an ovangkol body and it’s 8.5lb finished

[JazzBassfreak]

[quote name='nugget' timestamp='1383584118' post='2266198']


I know oak isn’t fashionable for basses but I’ve always fancied trying it out, I bet it would be very resonant.
Oak bass doesn’t have to be too heavy, just make the body thinner than normal as a % of the density difference, for example if you made the body 37mm thick it would weigh about the same as a 44mm thick ash body. I did that recently with an ovangkol body and it’s 8.5lb finished
[/quote]

The oak I've got is about 2 inches thick so I'll shave it down to my liking and contour it oak is supposed to be very stiff and stable so sounds like it'll be good for a neck wood. I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out. Atm I'm having trouble with the template of the Élan shape /:

[White Cloud]

My first build (fretless bass) was a merranti core with oak front & rear facings...both unfashionable woods in guitar building terms.....it sounds Awesome.

Good luck with the build...it will be a journey and the learning process will be priceless.

[JazzBassfreak]

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1383680987' post='2267673']
My first build (fretless bass) was a merranti core with oak front & rear facings...both unfashionable woods in guitar building terms.....it sounds Awesome.

Good luck with the build...it will be a journey and the learning process will be priceless.
[/quote]

Thanks man, I've found some mahogany too, glued it all up today. It's a 3 piece neck mahogany being in the middle. I'm hoping you're right about the oak, I've heard bad things, but then a lot of positive things too. So to be honest i don't really know what to think /: either way with a JPJ config of EMGs it should sound killer !

[White Cloud]

[quote name='JazzBassfreak' timestamp='1383690363' post='2267844']
Thanks man, I've found some mahogany too, glued it all up today. It's a 3 piece neck mahogany being in the middle. I'm hoping you're right about the oak, I've heard bad things, but then a lot of positive things too. So to be honest i don't really know what to think /: either way with a JPJ config of EMGs it should sound killer !
[/quote]
Well, I heard horror stories about Oak in guitar building...but also heard Chestnut being championed by the same people. As a furniture maker I knew that Oak & Chestnut are virtually identical...so I figured "whats the beef?" and went for it. I was spurred on when I saw a beautiful 1970's Alembic series 1 with Oak facings.

My advice...go for it.

[JazzBassfreak]

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1383774170' post='2269070']

Well, I heard horror stories about Oak in guitar building...but also heard Chestnut being championed by the same people. As a furniture maker I knew that Oak & Chestnut are virtually identical...so I figured "whats the beef?" and went for it. I was spurred on when I saw a beautiful 1970's Alembic series 1 with Oak facings.

My advice...go for it.
[/quote]

Awesome man, Alembic know their stuff, so hopefully it'll turn out ok, Thanks to nugget, I got templates printed on A1 and should be cutting the body tuesdayish. Will update with pics too!

[henry norton]

Looking forward to watching this progress - you definitely made the right decision making your own, there's nothing quite like it. So far as oak goes I made a neck years ago from oak, maple and walnut and it worked just fine. The main reason oak isn't used that often is just fashion.

[JazzBassfreak]

[quote name='henry norton' timestamp='1383809694' post='2269275']
Looking forward to watching this progress - you definitely made the right decision making your own, there's nothing quite like it. So far as oak goes I made a neck years ago from oak, maple and walnut and it worked just fine. The main reason oak isn't used that often is just fashion.
[/quote]

Yeah, oak is a lovely wood, very sturdy. I just hope it turns out the way I hope. I'm just thinking about the JPJ pickup config, I was hoping to get a set from emg with all the solderless bumph, but emailed them and they won't do it! Very helpful!

[White Cloud]

[quote name='JazzBassfreak' timestamp='1383834804' post='2269766']
Yeah, oak is a lovely wood, very sturdy. I just hope it turns out the way I hope. I'm just thinking about the JPJ pickup config, I was hoping to get a set from emg with all the solderless bumph, but emailed them and they won't do it! Very helpful!
[/quote]
Just remember not to machine against the grain on the Oak or it may tear out...particularly when routing!

[JazzBassfreak]

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1383909140' post='2270619']

Just remember not to machine against the grain on the Oak or it may tear out...particularly when routing!
[/quote]
Will do! cheers for the help!

[JazzBassfreak]

Here's where we're at so far guys

[nugget]

looks like a bass to me... one more day and it'll be finished

[JazzBassfreak]

[quote name='nugget' timestamp='1384292252' post='2275017']
looks like a bass to me... one more day and it'll be finished
[/quote]

It's 50" from top to bottom! Obviously to compensate for the headstock being 10" in length. The templates are going to come in handy in the next few days saved my life man XD

[JazzBassfreak]

Sorry not been much on the thread atm, getting weigh layed with electical and alarm work would you believe! Still it's all paying for the hardware! Anyone know where I can get an Alembic style two piece bridge? Can only think of Warwick at the moment :S

[White Cloud]

Looks extremely promising!

[JazzBassfreak]

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1384538184' post='2277963']
Looks extremely promising!
[/quote]

You reckon? It's all due for sanding now, I'm getting taken up with work atm -.-

[JazzBassfreak]

Hey guys, update coming this week. Spending a whole day down the shop getting stuck into it. Anyone know where I can get a decent wiring diagram for a JPJ?

[JazzBassfreak]

Can't seem to find one /:

Edited November 24, 2013 by JazzBassfreak