blablas Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 (edited) I'm beginning on a new build.... and build thread. The plan is to make a (left handed) 12 string (4 + 2 octave strings per string), it will once again be based on my mk4 single cut body design. Most of the CAD-work is already done, the tuner layout, the placement of the bridge and the fret positions. I've also been working on the headstock shape. Due to the huge amount of tuners I'm limited to working with straight lines, if I try a curve somewhere I run into position problems with them. I'm really happy with the tuner layout so I'm afraid I'll have to live with these straight lines. The advantage of these straight edges is that the fabrication of the headstock will be a lot easier. The details I'm pretty sure of: - 12 strings, 4 + 2 octave strings per string. - mk4 body design. - Bolt-on neck. - 35 inch scale. - 24 frets, brass nut. - Two dual action trussrods. - Schaller 3D-8 bridge (which will need some modifications to be used for twelve strings, and while I'm working on it some other refinements as well). - 4 Warwick bass tuners en 8 Boston guitar tuners. Things I need think about in more detail: - Pickups (two, probably dual coils). - Electronics (active, but which one). - Wood: body, top & back, neck & fingerboard. For the top and back I will use one of these two sets: Rosewood: the first one will be the top. Poplar burl: I'm net yet sure which of these two will be the top. Edited August 6, 2017 by blablas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 What sort of tension will you get on the neck? I guess a double truss rod will be more than capable of dealing with it. Love the poplar burl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blablas Posted July 12, 2014 Author Share Posted July 12, 2014 Roughly three times the amount that's on a normal 4 string. That is why I'm going for two rods, it's better to be safe then sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blablas Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 (edited) I've been working on the body design, I think it's almost there, I'm not yet sure if I'm fully satisfied with the lower horn shape, for now I'm letting sink in this design and see if I want to do a little more reshaping. Edited August 6, 2017 by blablas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blablas Posted July 13, 2014 Author Share Posted July 13, 2014 Decided on the pickups and preamp I'm going to use and ordered them. - Pickups: Delano SBC 5 HE/S (Set) - Yes, a 5 string set, on the 4 string set they have the sensing area is too small for the width of my string layout. - Preamp: Noll TCM 3 PM - 3 band, parametric midrange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBobTTD Posted July 13, 2014 Share Posted July 13, 2014 Fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixingwithtom Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Curious to hear about your planned refinements for the bridge, and all round seems like another great project! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blablas Posted July 14, 2014 Author Share Posted July 14, 2014 In due time this will be one of the three places where it will be revealed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blablas Posted July 15, 2014 Author Share Posted July 15, 2014 (edited) I'm going with the rosewood for the top and back due to the simple fact that the poplar burl is to small for this body design. No problem, the poplar burl will be use for a future mk5 build. The first parts arrived today. The rest of the parts I need are also ordered, once these and the wood for the back are in I can start making sawdust. Edited August 6, 2017 by blablas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blablas Posted July 17, 2014 Author Share Posted July 17, 2014 (edited) And today the top for the back arrived at my doorstep. Decided on the wood I'm going to use for the body, khaya mahogany core, three ply birch accent layer between the mahogany and rosewood and of course the rosewood top and back. Re-sawed the body core, straightened the edges of all the layers for gluing and very roughly sawed the body shape. Re-sawed the top for the headstock from a leftover piece of the top. Edited August 6, 2017 by blablas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blablas Posted July 20, 2014 Author Share Posted July 20, 2014 (edited) Finally got the headstock shape right, I got a flash of inspiration after I took a better look at what I did with my 8 string headstock. Edited August 6, 2017 by blablas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blablas Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 (edited) Most of the ordered parts are in, the only things that are still missing are the bass tuners and strings. A forest of clamps, the body layers being glued up. Edited August 6, 2017 by blablas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blablas Posted July 25, 2014 Author Share Posted July 25, 2014 (edited) Body out of the clamps, ready to be sawed in shape. Edited August 6, 2017 by blablas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blablas Posted July 25, 2014 Author Share Posted July 25, 2014 (edited) Need I say more! Edited August 6, 2017 by blablas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Love the differences in body woods, should look great when you get the contours sorted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blablas Posted July 28, 2014 Author Share Posted July 28, 2014 (edited) Made a set of knobs now that I've got leftovers from to body to make these from. The knobs for the stacked pots are not yet at the right height, I'll determine this size once the pots are mounted in the body. Edited August 6, 2017 by blablas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimBobTTD Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Fantastic, as ever. Well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sblueplanet Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 If I could make just one of those knobs I would be well chuffed never mind a whole instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 I look at those layered wooden knobs and can't help thinking 'expensive Belgian chocolates' LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 [quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1406638549' post='2513265'] I look at those layered wooden knobs and can't help thinking 'expensive Belgian chocolates' LOL [/quote] Mmm... expensive Belgian chocolates. Arrrghhhlllle... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blablas Posted August 1, 2014 Author Share Posted August 1, 2014 (edited) Done more work on the body, sanded the outer contour and routed the roundover. Edited August 6, 2017 by blablas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 I have to keep reminding myself that you're a leftie when I work out what's the back and what's the front of the body Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blablas Posted August 1, 2014 Author Share Posted August 1, 2014 Everything will be a lot easier to distinguish once the arm rest and belly cut are done. Maybe tomorrow, if the weather is not too sweaty over here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 I do like the front. That is delicious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blablas Posted August 1, 2014 Author Share Posted August 1, 2014 (edited) Done more body shaping. Edited August 6, 2017 by blablas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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