Dolando Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 (edited) Hello, I have done a couple of build diaries from parts, but thought I'd share a scratch build with you all, so I hope you enjoy seeing thus come together. It's a custom shape, but it's based on a deluxe jazz and a few other shapes I like the feel of. The specs are;[list] [*]1 piece Swamp Ash Body with Honey Roasted maple cap and wenge veneer pinstripe [*]5 piece multi laminate neck - Honey roasted maple/wenge/birdseye maple [*]Birdseye maple fingerboard [*]20" radius with stainless steel frets [*]2 way truss rod [*]Hipshot hardware [*]Nordstrand Big Splits [*]Glockenklang 3 band preamp [/list] The wood I'm using; [url="http://s917.photobucket.com/user/DolanCustomGuitars/media/Dolan%20Custom%20Guitars%20Build/Number11_zpsda458c85.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s917.photobucket.com/user/DolanCustomGuitars/media/Dolan%20Custom%20Guitars%20Build/EE390DFB-A67B-418F-9476-CAB65C199841_zpsxmwduvg0.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s917.photobucket.com/user/DolanCustomGuitars/media/Dolan%20Custom%20Guitars%20Build/646F5190-8844-4F21-9D5C-A3F4EA5BB0E7_zpsvaoket1d.jpg.html"][/url] The initial Plans....I have since redrawn this more accurately before I started building. [url="http://s917.photobucket.com/user/DolanCustomGuitars/media/Dolan%20Custom%20Guitars%20Build/DC393EEF-AD60-4C87-BECF-F12E1472570E_zps8snjexuv.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s917.photobucket.com/user/DolanCustomGuitars/media/Dolan%20Custom%20Guitars%20Build/0289849D-2170-4DF4-8D28-57E0322ED99C_zpsykkjitmx.jpg.html"][/url] The first job was glue the cap together, After it was taken down to thickness using a drum sander, I jointed the edges on a planer and once I was happy with the join, I then roughed up the edges slightly with 180 grit sandpaper to give the glue some surface to grab onto. On a jig I then clamped it up just tight enough to pinch together but being careful not to put a bend in the wood. [url="http://s917.photobucket.com/user/DolanCustomGuitars/media/Dolan%20Custom%20Guitars%20Build/A9F6AFCA-322D-4213-822F-930D1850376E_zpsl2pqe6y7.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s917.photobucket.com/user/DolanCustomGuitars/media/Dolan%20Custom%20Guitars%20Build/61EA8AA6-DA49-4DB4-8D74-DF59F4FD861F_zpszw2znasy.jpg.html"][/url] After cleaning up the cap, I then cut out an oversized rough shape of the body shape so it's a lot easier to clamp up. I did this on all three pieces oversized by about 10mm. [url="http://s917.photobucket.com/user/DolanCustomGuitars/media/Dolan%20Custom%20Guitars%20Build/AD834A1F-6508-4925-845B-1CF08466C778_zpsbbyazh04.jpg.html"][/url] I used a synthetic glue rather than a PVA based glue like Titebond as i was using an oily wood like wenge as a pinstripe, and this would react with the PVA based glue. [url="http://s917.photobucket.com/user/DolanCustomGuitars/media/Dolan%20Custom%20Guitars%20Build/D8695785-57F6-49C2-A509-812AA005F0B5_zps7jv5elkg.jpg.html"][/url] It was then just the case of clamping all this together making sure that the centre line was matched up on all pieces. I have cut these all around 10mm oversized to give me a little margin for error incase anything does slip. [url="http://s917.photobucket.com/user/DolanCustomGuitars/media/Dolan%20Custom%20Guitars%20Build/1EAC1015-AAAB-4466-9FCE-8052B5025A24_zpssibud1ta.jpg.html"][/url] I will have more photos of this very soon... next step is to unclamp clean up and draw on the final shape and trip off the as much excess with the bandsaw ready for routing the final shape. Edited October 16, 2015 by Dolando Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scojack Posted September 21, 2015 Share Posted September 21, 2015 Nice one look forward to seeing how it turns out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolando Posted September 22, 2015 Author Share Posted September 22, 2015 [quote name='scojack' timestamp='1442832203' post='2869744'] Nice one look forward to seeing how it turns out. [/quote] Thanks, I am a little further than this now, so will add some pore photos when I get a chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted September 22, 2015 Share Posted September 22, 2015 [quote name='Dolando' timestamp='1442902388' post='2870293'] Thanks, I am a little further than this now, so will add some [b]pore[/b] photos when I get a chance. [/quote] Wow, they will be close ups!! Great looking build, will be keeping an eye open for updates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolando Posted September 25, 2015 Author Share Posted September 25, 2015 [quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1442907826' post='2870324'] Wow, they will be close ups!! Great looking build, will be keeping an eye open for updates. [/quote] Thanks, should have some more updates very soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolando Posted October 16, 2015 Author Share Posted October 16, 2015 (edited) Hello all, I've made a little more progress on this bass, and I'm really liking how its turning out. Ive taken inspiration from a particular Fodera bass I've seen. And thought the contrast between the roasted maple and white maple fingerboard should look really nice. I trimmed the excess off the edges with my bandsaw to give my route a little less work to do, then I went round the whole body using flush cutter bits. I used top and bottom bearing cutters so I could chose the appropriate way to route according to grain direction. I also went round top and bottom with a 6.3mm roundover bit. The top was also thinessed so that the veneer would be at the start of the round over. It's all in the details. This is what it will look like when tru oil is applied! The back.... Fingerboard wood has also been prepared ready for slotting. I have also managed to get the multi laminate neck glued up, is a bit hectic and can be fiddly, but well worth the effort. I rasped off the excess then but it through a belt sander to finish the last 1mm down to flush. When oiled will look stunning! Next I will be slotting the fingerboard and routing the truss rod cavity. Edited February 20, 2018 by Dolando Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allighatt0r Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 That looks gorgeous. Very nice looking indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolando Posted October 16, 2015 Author Share Posted October 16, 2015 [quote name='allighatt0r' timestamp='1444993993' post='2887934'] That looks gorgeous. Very nice looking indeed. [/quote] Thanks for the kind words, keep your eyes peeled for the finished article, and maybe a cheeky video if you're lucky. haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 Is there a reason why fretboards exist? I was just thinking to myself that I quite like the laminated neck that you've made and supposed that it would be nice to keep the lamination visible rather than cover it with a fretboard. Could you not apply the frets directly onto a 'naked' neck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolando Posted October 16, 2015 Author Share Posted October 16, 2015 [quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1445018293' post='2888264'] Is there a reason why fretboards exist? I was just thinking to myself that I quite like the laminated neck that you've made and supposed that it would be nice to keep the lamination visible rather than cover it with a fretboard. Could you not apply the frets directly onto a 'naked' neck? [/quote] I don't see why not. Fender have made 1 piece necks for years. I'm sure you could radius and slot that if you left the extra height. You would just have to put the truss rod in the back, but if you were really clever you could hide the skunk stripe in the white maple strip, and it would be completely hidden in the pattern. hmmmm.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scojack Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 (edited) The maple looks really really good when it's dressed, for what its worth .. BEM fingerboard for me Edited October 16, 2015 by scojack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted October 16, 2015 Share Posted October 16, 2015 This is lush. I am subscribing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Lovely job and very nice choice of woods Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painy Posted October 17, 2015 Share Posted October 17, 2015 Gotta say I'm impressed mate. Doesn't seem any time ago you were just dabbling in putting together Warmoth self builds and now you're producing some really classy looking stuff of your own design. Looking forward to seeing the finished article! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolando Posted October 17, 2015 Author Share Posted October 17, 2015 Thanks all for the very kind words, its always nice to hear, So really appreciate it, especially that its my own design (loosely based on a few classics). I can't wait to get some finish on this. All that maple is going look awesome! [quote name='Painy' timestamp='1445088078' post='2888720'] Gotta say I'm impressed mate. Doesn't seem any time ago you were just dabbling in putting together Warmoth self builds and now you're producing some really classy looking stuff of your own design. Looking forward to seeing the finished article! [/quote] Hey mate, how are things? Yea those were the start of an addiction, I'm constantly looking at new tools or techniques, I think I may have a slight problem. I'll make sure to bring with me next time I'm back in norfolk and you can have a play on it, and maybe build you one in the near future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexDelores Posted October 19, 2015 Share Posted October 19, 2015 Wow, this looks great, looking forward to seeing how progress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolando Posted December 10, 2016 Author Share Posted December 10, 2016 I shouldn't have stopped posting on this...shame on me! I will be uploading some more photos very soon so keep your eye's peeled! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz39 Posted December 10, 2016 Share Posted December 10, 2016 Cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolando Posted December 10, 2016 Author Share Posted December 10, 2016 [quote name='Daz39' timestamp='1481413906' post='3192201'] Cool! [/quote] Thanks mate, Uploading some photos now, so will have an update soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolando Posted December 11, 2016 Author Share Posted December 11, 2016 (edited) Birdseye maple fingerboard was slotted with a jig Here are the parts put together, started to see what it will look like now.... I love the contrast between the normal maple and roasted maple As promised truss duel action truss rod channel has been routed to depth and cut out wider parts with a chisel. No need to glue in truss rod, just held in place with silicone sealer! I didn't get a photo of the fretboard gluing, but I used a caul that only put pressure on the outer edges to help prevent glue in the truss rod which would be a disaster! Fretboard radius is 10" and done with a mixture of a levelling beam and a radius block, making sure to check each edge is the same thickness and is being radius'd evenly. Oh and lastly, I made a little progress on the volute! More coming soon... Edited February 20, 2018 by Dolando Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 It's progressing well. I always make a mental tick when other builders describe a technique and I can think "yes...I do that too!" Example, clamping the fretboard at the sides and not the middle.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Great seeing how creative some of you clever BCers are! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolando Posted December 14, 2016 Author Share Posted December 14, 2016 [quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1481707773' post='3194372'] It's progressing well. I always make a mental tick when other builders describe a technique and I can think "yes...I do that too!" Example, clamping the fretboard at the sides and not the middle.... [/quote] Thanks! Yea I do that all the time [quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1481710474' post='3194392'] Great seeing how creative some of you clever BCers are! [/quote] Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolando Posted December 14, 2016 Author Share Posted December 14, 2016 (edited) I will never use normal side dots again.... Took a bit of time but managed to get the control cavity mapped out and routed. There's a lot to get in there, and didn't want a huge cavity. I've also made it so I have room if I want to install CTS pots on a new build. The headstock is all routed out and the volute is definitely starting to look a lot cleaner. I also realised that i didn't take any photos of the neck carving....well here it is mostly finished! And finally with tuners installed! [/url] Also just about managed to get the control cover made. I couldn't think of what to make this cover from for aged and then my now fiencee said well you've used wenge in the accent line and in the neck, why not use wenge? I really don't know why i never thought of that!? And lastly for now...I got the belly contour roughed out. hand carving is the best bit of building! That's all for now.... Edited February 20, 2018 by Dolando Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W1_Pro Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 (edited) That is a lovely looking bass, even at this early stage. The honey maple is glorious. Is the body unusually deep? I only ask because it looks like there is a lot of headroom in the control cavity! Edited December 15, 2016 by W1_Pro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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