Norris Posted December 17, 2016 Share Posted December 17, 2016 Very neat job. Your swifts go well with your new signature headstock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted December 17, 2016 Author Share Posted December 17, 2016 Like the swifts in the fretboard, I used the Dremel on a precision router base with a 1.5mm and 0.8mm bit, cut freehand after tracing round the mother of pearl cut-out shapes: This gave a 'not perfect but quite tight' fit: Which, squeezed into epoxy mixed with some rosewood sanding dust, should look the business once sanded down and the mahogany stained to match the fretboard: Loads and loads still to do on the build, but not so many scary jobs left Thanks for looking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted December 17, 2016 Author Share Posted December 17, 2016 Mahogany not yet stained, but the epoxy now sanded off: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted December 18, 2016 Author Share Posted December 18, 2016 Starting to get my head around the final building jobs. When you put them down on paper, there still seem to be an immense number left! The last one, 'Finish' isn't like the french cartoons 'Fin', it's actually 'Start the finishing process' . Not too bad, though...the trick is not to write this 'finishing' list too soon otherwise it really CAN be disheartening! I'm going to start routing the control chamber and pickup chambers soon so am talking to Nic about preferred knob positions. He sent me some very fancy knobs to fit, wherever we finally decide they should go: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted December 18, 2016 Author Share Posted December 18, 2016 The nice thing about the scarily long list of 'to do's' is that you can find the easy ones and tick a few of them off A bit of chestnut stain on the headstock and, once it is varnished and the fretboard is properly oiled, they will compliment each other pretty well: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oopsdabassist Posted December 18, 2016 Share Posted December 18, 2016 I love watching you work........beautiful stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted December 18, 2016 Author Share Posted December 18, 2016 [quote name='Oopsdabassist' timestamp='1482063593' post='3197271'] I love watching you work........beautiful stuff [/quote] Thanks Funnily enough, a lot of my bosses over the years have said they love watching me work.... Another small one ticked off the list. I won't decide what colour to do the truss-rod cover until the finishing is done (or maybe even leave it natural), but it wants to be slightly contrasted to the fretboard and headstock: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted December 18, 2016 Author Share Posted December 18, 2016 Last job off the list for today - sorting the jack/Tx socket and deepening the open-backed chamber. A bit scary, this one If you remember, Nic wanted it hidden from the front but open and fully accessible at the back. With lots of lateral support, I used a couple of forstners to drill the holes for the tele-type jack holder: Then deepened the chamber with a router, roughing out with a guide-ring and then finishing with a roller-guided edge trimmer. From the front it looks like this: From the back it looks like this: and from the end it looks like this: And if the battery goes, just pull it out and plug in a standard jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted December 18, 2016 Share Posted December 18, 2016 Neat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted December 18, 2016 Author Share Posted December 18, 2016 [quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1482074000' post='3197392'] Neat! [/quote] Thanks, ezbass. Nic's concept, to be honest, but happy to take the plaudits Obviously, there's some tidying up of the curves and edges, but it will look quite good when it's finished Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 What! No update today?? I'm having withdrawals and it's not even my bass... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted December 19, 2016 Author Share Posted December 19, 2016 [quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1482170007' post='3198204'] What! No update today?? I'm having withdrawals and it's not even my bass... [/quote] I was doing a 'basschat helping other basschat members' stint today, helping to bring a lovely early 70's Precision back to life The DiMarzio Model One should arrive tomorrow, so there might be a bit more progress before MrsAndyjr1515 insists that I take the rapidly approaching festivity preparations seriously Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 I know how you feel. I've pretty much had to shut down for Xmas. That and a cold damp garage to work in. Still, I'm very impressed with the speed that you are churning out your builds. I assume your day job gives you plenty of time to spend making sawdust Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gelfin Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 [quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1482173676' post='3198233'] I was doing a 'basschat helping other basschat members' stint today, helping to bring a lovely early 70's Precision back to life The DiMarzio Model One should arrive tomorrow, so there might be a bit more progress before MrsAndyjr1515 insists that I take the rapidly approaching festivity preparations seriously [/quote] I think a break for Christmas is perfectly justified Andy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted December 19, 2016 Author Share Posted December 19, 2016 [quote name='gelfin' timestamp='1482182643' post='3198318'] I think a break for Christmas is perfectly justified Andy. [/quote] Luckily, MrsAndyjr1515 knows that the best Christmas present I can be given is being permission to spend another hour in the cellar workshop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted December 19, 2016 Author Share Posted December 19, 2016 [quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1482183862' post='3198330'] Luckily, MrsAndyjr1515 knows that the best Christmas present I can be given is being permission to spend another hour in the cellar workshop [/quote] ...and that would be a bit of Christmas present for MrsAndyjr1515 too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gelfin Posted December 19, 2016 Share Posted December 19, 2016 [URL=http://s970.photobucket.com/user/gelfin5959/media/snoopy_dancing_by_jessie4508_zpsozd1ombx.jpg.html][IMG]http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae181/gelfin5959/snoopy_dancing_by_jessie4508_zpsozd1ombx.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Awesome job! For the Chris Squire! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted December 20, 2016 Author Share Posted December 20, 2016 [quote name='Fabrocker' timestamp='1482235121' post='3198642'] Awesome job! For the Chris Squire! [/quote] Thanks Not a huge amount to show, but two more important items crossed off the list. First the final flattening and radiusing of the fretboard before the frets go on. Now THAT'S what I call a levelling beam : I'm trying to replicate the general feel of Nic's erstwhile Ric as far as possible. That had quite a tight radius of 10". This gets the fretboard end very close and personal to the top, which was another preference of Nic's: It's that much tighter than a 'standard' bass that the fret slots will need deepening! Once I've done that, I can install the frets. The other important progress step is that the Model One has arrived. It's going to look beefy!: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted December 20, 2016 Author Share Posted December 20, 2016 I've covered the way I do frets in previous threads. In brief: I file a small relief at the edge of the slots with a triangular needle file: I run a small bead of titebond along the tang. Note the fret wire I buy comes coiled, so I don't have to pre-bend: With the back supported, I hammer one side, then the other, then the middle. The squeeze out gives me a good indication that it's properly seated. Every two or three frets hammered in, I 'walk' the radius block up the neck and clamp while the glue sets: Where the frets are next to the body, I roughly pre-finish the ends to minimise the amount of bevelling: Note the dampness where I've wiped off the titebond squeeze-out so it doesn't stain the fretboard. And with a few ends still to trim once the glue has dried sufficiently, done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Has one of the Swifts flown away?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted December 20, 2016 Author Share Posted December 20, 2016 [quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1482254273' post='3198948'] Has one of the Swifts flown away?? [/quote] No - there were always just two on the fretboard. There are another three on the headstock (and one on the truss rod cover). That's enough swifts...even for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlungerModerno Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Coming along... ...swiftly Seriously though it's beautiful, in an unusual way. And it's progressing well. Thanks for taking the time to share! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted December 20, 2016 Author Share Posted December 20, 2016 [quote name='PlungerModerno' timestamp='1482261025' post='3199058'] Coming along... ...swiftly Seriously though it's beautiful, in an unusual way. And it's progressing well. Thanks for taking the time to share! [/quote] I've heard worse! ..and thanks - very much appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted December 27, 2016 Author Share Posted December 27, 2016 Well, my tactic of sitting for four days, drink in hand, grinning inebriatedly and inanely at Mrs Andyjr1515 finally worked. "Why don't you just go back into the cellar and go back to make lots of noise and dust! ANYTHING would be better than seeing your stupid face gawping everywhere!!!" The luminlay side dots are in. There are cheaper alternatives (and it's a bit of a bind having to order direct from Japan), but the ease of fitment with the neat outer sheath and easy, chip-free sawing makes such a difference. Basically, it's drill the hole; drop of cyano; press the stick in; cut flush: The are neat and great both in daylight and in the dark. Here they are fitted - I've gone for the 5mm ones up to the body join: ...and 3mm where the fretboard is flat against the body top: That's another job crossed off the 'to-do' list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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