budget bassist Posted October 1, 2014 Author Share Posted October 1, 2014 (edited) I also stripped the neck and refinished with a single coat of tung oil - it's come out really nice. A sort of soft matte finish, nicer than the poly satin finish that was on there before.Looks a bit more natural. [attachment=172907:IMG_4395.jpg] [attachment=172908:IMG_4396.jpg] I also drilled the hole for the side-mount jack and countersunk it, though I won't post photos as it's not hugely interesting. I'm just waiting for the black dye to turn up now so I can get on with finishing it. I also have some maple on order for the neck. Edited October 1, 2014 by budget bassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted October 14, 2014 Author Share Posted October 14, 2014 I've been messing about with finishes for the last couple of weeks, hence the radio silence. I couldn't get the stains to work right, the ash was just really porous and wouldn't soak it up, even with grain filler on there, so I gave up for now. I'll be experimenting with it some more though for sure, I'd like to get a decent stained finish done at some point. So here's where I am now, filled the grain with black filler, to make it 'pop', as you can see, and then just put a coat of tung oil on there. I think it looks awesome! I'll probably put a few more coats of oil on and call it done. There are some light marks though that I couldn't see before the oil went on, so I'm tempted to sand it back and get it perfect, even though they'll be mostly obscured... I'll decide tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 A transparent finish over that as it is right now would look lush IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted October 14, 2014 Author Share Posted October 14, 2014 That's what I'm doing - that's the first coat of an oil finish in the photo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted October 20, 2014 Author Share Posted October 20, 2014 This has been a while coming, it's not 100% finished - electronics need work, and I'd like to have matching hardware at some point, when funds allow! I also need to make my own neck, that's getting there, I need to start machining it though. Maybe in a week or two. I have the thing built with the OLP neck anyway, and it plays pretty nice, though it could do with a proper set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 I'd be a bit worried about that control cavity cover falling off. Needs some more screws, I think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share Posted October 26, 2014 Haha, it looked fine in solidworks, realised I had over-done it a bit though once I had it fitted! No matter though, took all of 30 seconds on the laser cutter, I can just do another Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88reaper88 Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 Just an idea; Why not fibreglass the polystyrene body and actually use that? Might be an interesting experiment tone-wise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted February 8, 2015 Author Share Posted February 8, 2015 (edited) [quote name='88reaper88' timestamp='1420943908' post='2655401'] Just an idea; Why not fibreglass the polystyrene body and actually use that? Might be an interesting experiment tone-wise [/quote] Interesting idea, might be worth a try! Almost seems a shame to have 'wasted' all that machining time on it. This has really been on the back-burner due to not having any money and/or time. I've tried a few prototype necks, but none have worked out. I should have better access to a router again soon I'm hoping and can continue this project. But as I say, time and money are a factor, and I'm trying to spend as much time as I can at the moment earning. That said, I have a few other projects going on concerning CNC/advanced manufacturing, and if anyone is interested in these, I would be happy to post a few of the less IP-sensitive details, though I am trying to keep a lot of it under wraps at the moment. That being said, I've just agreed to play a gig for a reggae covers band later this month, so this thing really HAS to be finished. I've ordered a very cheap chinese 3 band pre for it, and if that doesn't arrive in time, I'm just going to wire pickup to jack. Edited February 8, 2015 by budget bassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted November 22, 2021 Author Share Posted November 22, 2021 (edited) Making a slightly delayed return to this after several years of life upheaval. Some of you may remember me?! I did eventually finish this and gigged it a few times. I can't actually remember what state this thing is in since I haven't seen it in a few years but I'm hoping I can get it shipped to Canada where I'm now living and hopefully pick up playing bass (and guitar) again for the first time in about five or six years. Here are a few of the last photos I took of it. I seem to remember it playing and sounding pretty decent! Edited November 22, 2021 by budget bassist 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted November 23, 2021 Share Posted November 23, 2021 Nice work. Was there a discount on screws back in the day ? 😉 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted November 23, 2021 Author Share Posted November 23, 2021 8 hours ago, Hellzero said: Nice work. Was there a discount on screws back in the day ? 😉 Must’ve been 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nekomatic Posted December 2, 2021 Share Posted December 2, 2021 Just seen this thread - no bass content to contribute (except to say yours looks very nice!) but it reminds me that I used the Ellesmere Port Fab Lab a couple of times around the same time as you, in my case on a paid basis for some work stuff - it was a really good concept and staffed by really helpful individuals, but sadly it shut down as I think their funding ran out and they weren’t getting the user numbers to justify continuing it. The Manchester one is still going… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted December 3, 2021 Author Share Posted December 3, 2021 18 hours ago, nekomatic said: Just seen this thread - no bass content to contribute (except to say yours looks very nice!) but it reminds me that I used the Ellesmere Port Fab Lab a couple of times around the same time as you, in my case on a paid basis for some work stuff - it was a really good concept and staffed by really helpful individuals, but sadly it shut down as I think their funding ran out and they weren’t getting the user numbers to justify continuing it. The Manchester one is still going… That’s a real shame, the I remember the guys there being super helpful and accommodating as you say. The Fablab model as a whole is ridiculously useful to so many people, I just think most don’t know they exist or where to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubis Posted December 19, 2021 Share Posted December 19, 2021 Hey budget bassist, great to hear from you again, and nice to see you aren't leaving music/bass playing behind, your bass turned out great You have also re-ignited my curiosity in FabLabs, and I see they have one in Plymouth, which is both interesting and dangerous 😏 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted December 23, 2021 Author Share Posted December 23, 2021 On 19/12/2021 at 03:05, rubis said: Hey budget bassist, great to hear from you again, and nice to see you aren't leaving music/bass playing behind, your bass turned out great You have also re-ignited my curiosity in FabLabs, and I see they have one in Plymouth, which is both interesting and dangerous 😏 That’s great to hear! I’ve also found one local to me that opened in October this year and it’s got me thinking about the neck I never managed to finish on this project, amongst other things… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted December 23, 2021 Author Share Posted December 23, 2021 My bass turned up yesterday - thanks dad! He shipped it to me from the UK for Christmas. It looks like I put a 3-band 9v preamp in there. It works and sounds pretty good but I need to figure out how to relocate the jack socket and probably put some foam around the battery. The bass could use a good setup, the action is pretty high and I’d like to replace the bridge eventually but it works for now. Photo with an ampeg ba110 that I managed to pick up for $20 not working. Looks like somebody had pulled out the headphone jack while the amp was on and made it go bang. Just sanded the contacts a touch and works perfectly. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 Indeed, the output jack location is ... strange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 1 hour ago, Hellzero said: Indeed, the output jack location is ... strange. Very Ritter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted December 23, 2021 Share Posted December 23, 2021 Just now, owen said: Very Ritter! Ritter is recessed like Leduc has been making for decades. 😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted December 23, 2021 Author Share Posted December 23, 2021 10 hours ago, Hellzero said: Indeed, the output jack location is ... strange. Yeah... I drilled the hole for a barrel jack like you might find in a warwick and I guess this was my temporary solution to use the jack that came with the preamp. Surprisingly it's not actually in the way when sitting, and I think I may have even gigged it like this. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted March 15, 2023 Author Share Posted March 15, 2023 (edited) I'm bringing this thread back to life somewhat. I've been playing the bass a little more lately - it didn't get much time last year due to other projects. For anyone that's actually interested, I built a squaredrop camper - thread here. It's becoming obvious that I like projects and building things then... While playing recently, I decided that the Chinese preamp is a POS and needs to be replaced. A colleague of mine I think might have an older Aguilar preamp to donate. I sourced a barrel jack so I can hopefully relocate that to the hole I drilled in the appropriate location. I also decided that I'm not a huge fan of the single pickup. Back when I built this thing I was mostly playing either metal or funk and modelled my sounds after the likes of Flea, Dave Ellefson of Megadeth etc. and really liked the aggressive, nasally bridge pickup sound. These days I'm playing a bit more dub, reggae etc. and really wish I had a neck pickup, so I might attempt to fit one. I'm thinking another MM pickup to keep things matchy matchy. I'll likely try to find a Fablab to laser cut a template for the pickup cavity and hand-route the hole with my cordless Dewalt router (that thing is really nice, recommend one to anyone doing this type of work). Shouldn't be too hard. Once that's done I'd like to source a nicer bridge and the body could use a fresh coat of oil, it's starting to look a little dry. Will try to keep this updated as I go. Now to start shopping for parts... Edited March 15, 2023 by budget bassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted March 15, 2023 Share Posted March 15, 2023 I guess you mean a neck pickup... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted March 15, 2023 Share Posted March 15, 2023 You can put the output jack this way up the rear cavity, which is far better that a barrel jack side mounted ergonomically speaking. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted March 15, 2023 Share Posted March 15, 2023 And I put this excellent lightweight bridge on my Rebellion Jazz Bass, it's a great plus compared to an original MusicMan or a simple budget one like yours. https://www.ampshopbassexchange.com/product/albridge-parts-m20b-music-man-style-4-string-quick-release-bridge-for-jazz-bass-or-precision-electric-bass-guitars/ The new version is not a quick release model. It's this: 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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