Buying a neck-through for a project

[EliasMooseblaster]

I have a daft idea.

Well, maybe not that daft. But a while ago, I conceived an idea of what my ideal custom bass might look like, and rather than splashing out a small fortune on a custom build to be disappointed by it, I wondered whether it would be worth building a prototype myself.

With only limited carpentry experience, I'd aim to buy a neck. Easy enough to buy bolt-ons; I've built two basses this way from parts in the past. The bass I have in mind, however, is a neck-through design, and buying ready-built neck-throughs seems a little trickier. Anybody know of a place that might sell me one?

[paulnb57]

http://www.carvinguitars.com/necks/neck_through_bass_necks

[TheGreek]

Thanks...useful piece of info there - must remember to try to ignore it - I can feel homebuild GAS coming on...

[Manton Customs]

At the risk of sounding harsh or condescending (really not my intention!) - Why do you think you would you be disappointing with a custom build? Whoever you commissioned to build the bass (within reason!) would undoubtedly do a better job of constructing it if they specialise in the field, as you have limited carpentry experience with only a couple of bass assemblies in your favour. You'll notice even the Carvin neck through kits are labeled as "for experienced woodworkers".

I'm not trying to say a neck through or (part) scratch build is anything like rocket science or even that it is [i]that[/i] difficult. I certainly wouldn't want to discourage the idea, which may end up to be an enjoyable hobby. But just point out that your first one will most likely come out way below the standard of dream bass! I'd also say that if you're buying tools also, you'll soon reach the price of a full custom!

What sort of build are you thinking?

Edited February 10, 2016 by Manton Customs

[EliasMooseblaster]

Hi Manton, sorry if I gave the wrong impression with my OP. My fear of disappointment relates more to the configuration of the bass - I have no doubt that a custom builder would do a superb job, but I'm one of those naturally apprehensive people who would umm and ahh over such an idea before actually pulling the trigger on such an investment!

Hence the prototyping idea, I guess - though I could easily end up spending a few hundred quid on that. And even then, knowing myself, if it was a disappointment I'd wonder whether to blame my own woodworking skills.

(The idea is basically a Gibson hybrid - combining the bits I like best of a T-bird and a long-scale SG.)

[PlungerModerno]

I'd say go buy some cheaper hardwood - or better yet recycle some furniture hardwood e.g. maple, birch, oak etc. And use it to work out the dimensions and balance you want - I'd even suggest mdf, or softwoods to work out some basic dimensions. for a neck through, as long as you don't mind mixing up some epoxy and reinforcing wrap (like fiberglass or carbon fibre) you could make protoype necks with or without truss rods - but that's up to you to decide how best to proceed. Often the best way is to just jump in with some fairly budget materials, make your mistakes, correct them as best you can - and start again, learning from your mistakes as best you can.

[Manton Customs]

No worries, I was just wondering what you meant .

As to pricing, even without tools you're probably looking at close to £600 in parts if you bought the Carvin neck through beam and decent quality hardware/pickups...that'd be a deposit on a custom! .

If you decide to go ahead, good luck, be warned though....it's addictive!

Edited February 11, 2016 by Manton Customs

[EliasMooseblaster]

[quote name='Manton Customs' timestamp='1455194793' post='2976886']
As to pricing, even without tools you're probably looking at close to £600 in parts if you bought the Carvin neck through beam and decent quality hardware/pickups...that'd be a deposit on a custom! .
[/quote]

Yeah, the more I look into it, the more expensive it becomes. Previous builds, I managed to keep down to £2-300, but then I was happy to use a lot of inexpensive hardware - whereas on this I'd like a pair of T-bird pickups...and I'd probably want something more substantial than a "BBOT" bridge, for example!

Plunger's advice above sounds quite sensible, though it then makes me wonder whether I'd have the time to fashion a quick-and-dirty neck out of softwood. Perhaps I would be better off approaching someone who does this professionally.

[PlungerModerno]

Prototyping takes time - even for an experienced builder. If you're trying to get an ideal neck profile, fingerboard radius, bodyshape, transition shape and overall balance - that's a lot of things to get right. If you want a known neck shape (profile & radius) and have clear plans for the body - then you can work with that - either with a builder or with your first prototype.

[Manton Customs]

[quote name='EliasMooseblaster' timestamp='1455197903' post='2976934']

Perhaps I would be better off approaching someone who does this professionally.
[/quote]

Feel free to send me an email and we could talk about it in more detail if you like. I'd be happy to offer any advice I can .

[Mykesbass]

Any use: [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/5-String-ML-Factory-Through-active-electronic/dp/B00SNMRW44"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/5-String-ML-Factory-Through-active-electronic/dp/B00SNMRW44[/url] ?

[Mykesbass]

[quote name='EliasMooseblaster' timestamp='1455197903' post='2976934']
Yeah, the more I look into it, the more expensive it becomes. Previous builds, I managed to keep down to £2-300, but then I was happy to use a lot of inexpensive hardware - whereas on this I'd like a pair of T-bird pickups...and I'd probably want something more substantial than a "BBOT" bridge, for example!

Plunger's advice above sounds quite sensible, though it then makes me wonder whether I'd have the time to fashion a quick-and-dirty neck out of softwood. Perhaps I would be better off approaching someone who does this professionally.
[/quote]

Don't forget, you can re-use these parts on the final build.

[PlungerModerno]

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1455209300' post='2977103']
Don't forget, you can re-use these parts on the final build.
[/quote]
+1 As long as you take care installing & uninstalling the parts. If you're clever (using a heat removable glue like most woodglues on the fingerboard) you can even re-use truss rods. If it's installed in the back (like a one piece neck with the skunk stripe style) - You'll either have to saw or split the neck, or use a double action truss rod in a straight slot - that way it can always be straightened and slid out of the neck. See the below links for examples:
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG8pFyLlFg0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG8pFyLlFg0[/url]
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT_iDrcLtKY"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xT_iDrcLtKY[/url]
Obviously with pickups and the like care should be taken not to overheat when soldering, and any shielding materials are best binned - unless you make a metal plate for a control cavity for example - that can be reused as well as screws and wiring looms etc.
Keep in mind if you want specific high end or custom hardware or electronics - this is going to be pretty much the same cost if you build it yourself or comission somebody else to use them in your build. I wouldn't immediately decide to invest one way or the other - I'd try a cheapy prototype to get the feel for what you want - don't worry too about getting the finish and finishing details right - you can always call in a pro to do that if you like when it comes to that stage!.