basexperience Posted January 27, 2015 Posted January 27, 2015 Well, I did it - I commissioned a bass! Slightly giddy. Scuse me while I grab something. I'm documenting over on my blog with the first chapter - engaging with the process - at [url="http://basexperience.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/commissioning-bass-engaging-with-builder.html"]http://basexperience.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/commissioning-bass-engaging-with-builder.html[/url] Next chapter coming soon: "how we chose the top using technology and a little innovation"! I'll keep the updates and Q&As on this thread so this will be the place I have the whole story, so to speak. I have pics of the process so far, including some really nice ones of the build. BTW the Rikkers guys are great: Ferdinand really knows his stuff. And that bass, though... this is the LBGS one - mine will have [i][b]some [/b][/i]differences... and the top is an absolute stunner. Quote
BassBus Posted January 27, 2015 Posted January 27, 2015 Look forward to seeing this develop. Always exciting to commison a prject like this. Quote
basexperience Posted March 1, 2015 Author Posted March 1, 2015 - http://basexperience.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/rikkers-build-part-1-choosing-components.html - how we discussed what the bass would be made of, the options etc - http://basexperience.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/rikkers-build-part-2-hearing-about.html - some great shots of the early build: the first glimpse of the olive wood top, covers the neck being glued, and the early gluing of the wings and top. - http://basexperience.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/rikkers-build-part-3-hand-carving-back.html - Mr Rikkers has fun with hand tools! I'm really looking forward to next Sunday now: Rikkers were kind enough to get me a guest pass to LBGS 2015, so in addition to saving money (and worry) on having the bass shipped, I saved on admission to the show! Quote
basexperience Posted March 1, 2015 Author Posted March 1, 2015 I thought it might be cool to stick a teaser picture on here too - this is the first glimpse I got of the woods which would be the face of the bass :-) Quote
alittlebitrobot Posted March 1, 2015 Posted March 1, 2015 wowww I love Olive. Beautiful wood. Thanks for posting the informative process blogs. Quote
basexperience Posted March 1, 2015 Author Posted March 1, 2015 Thanks! I've really enjoyed the process: it's engaging, and you learn a lot (I've learned a lot about tonewoods). Quote
BassBus Posted March 1, 2015 Posted March 1, 2015 Love watching a luthier carving out a neck heel with a chisel like that. Such skill. Quote
basexperience Posted March 1, 2015 Author Posted March 1, 2015 The youtube link I linked in the blog post about hand tools shows Ferdinand carving a guitar heel the same way: beautiful work. Quote
basexperience Posted March 2, 2015 Author Posted March 2, 2015 I have another update on the fabulous Rikkers bass to share - this brings us up to date! In this post I discuss the inlay - and how we had a sudden change of approach, and how technology saved the day, with a little help from Ferdinand Rikkers and his engraving skills. http://basexperience.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/rikkers-build-part-4-bass-emerges-and.html Quote
basexperience Posted March 2, 2015 Author Posted March 2, 2015 ... And again, with the attachment :-) You can see the little switches on the SwitchBuckers: they're ebony pickups to keep with the fretboard. Quote
basexperience Posted March 3, 2015 Author Posted March 3, 2015 The guys at Rikkers have a wicked sense of humour: Here's Jacco, God Of Wiring, really pulling out the stops to meet the weekend's deadline! [url="http://youtu.be/bKjFxx80K-M"]http://youtu.be/bKjFxx80K-M[/url] Quote
basexperience Posted March 3, 2015 Author Posted March 3, 2015 So - here's the final instalment. I got a parcel of complete build shots which included all the shots they've just uploaded to Facebook: The bass is beautiful and now she's coming over here... and I'll pick her up on Sunday. [url="http://basexperience.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/rikkers-build-part-5-final-stretch.html"]http://basexperience.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/rikkers-build-part-5-final-stretch.html[/url] I love that video of the wiring god, cracks me up! Quote
basexperience Posted March 3, 2015 Author Posted March 3, 2015 (edited) The final word should go to the bass, really Edited March 3, 2015 by basexperience Quote
alittlebitrobot Posted March 5, 2015 Posted March 5, 2015 Wow, this was a short but powerful build diary Those switches on the pickup covers are pure class. Happy NBD Quote
basexperience Posted March 5, 2015 Author Posted March 5, 2015 Yeah, that's the Rikkers "SwitchBuckers" in ebony pickup covers. The diary should have run from last November through to now: it's my bad it's been compressed, but I'm glad I managed to get it all on here. NBD will be a happy one. Quote
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