elom Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 Well it was all the fault of [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=27747&hl="]this thread[/url]. It planted the seed and before long I'd convinced myself that a custom build would be a fitting tribute to celebrate/commiserate my 40 years on the planet next year. There are many fine luthiers to choose from but in the end I went with Ben from [url="http://www.crimsonguitars.com/"]Crimson Guitars[/url]. If you have a look at his site you'll see that he makes some stunning instruments and from the first phone call I knew that this was the kind of guy that I wanted to deal with. I went out to see him about 10 days ago and spent a very enjoyable few hours talking designs, specs, woods etc This is what we came up with: 4 string Basic design is from his PAF guitar model which is a Les Paulish shape - exactly what I was after The neck will be modeled on the very thin round profile of my Fender Performer 33" neck (to aid the balance given the small light body) black hardware (gotoh bridge/tuners) blue stained pinstripe through multi-laminate neck rosewood board blue stained figured pear-wood bookmatched top spalted beech back through neck design. comfort carves and all access neck joint.. through body stringing 2 Wizard humbucker pickups I am really excited about this. In particular I knew the look I wanted in terms of the wood but was struggling to describe it very well. We found it on a piece of pear wood which I am so pleased with. Not a wood I'd ever considered but I think it looks the business. Anyway this is going to be a slow build because I don't actually want to collect it until my birthday next June - even though Ben said he could get it finished as early as January if I wanted. At least now it gives me a reason to look forward to turning 40! Anyhoo, here are some pics of the outlines etc taken from his [url="http://www.crimsonguitars.com/diary.html"]Workshop Diary[/url] I'll keep you posted as it progresses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7string Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 I remember reading something about that Klein-esque instrument which they built. It wasn't my cup of tea, but there was no denying the quality of the work. Be good to follow this build diary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted October 21, 2008 Share Posted October 21, 2008 Body and headstock shapes look good so far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tait Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 (edited) i always liked les paul shaped basses, dont know why you dont see them more often. the outline is looking great, im looking forward to seeing this finished, you sure you dont wanna get it done for January? I can look after it till june if you like. Edited November 3, 2008 by lwtait Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elom Posted February 9, 2009 Author Share Posted February 9, 2009 I like this chunk of wood! Should see one or two developments slowly starting to happen now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prosebass Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 I like the look of this as the Les Paul shape has never been that popular with bassists. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardHimself Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 It looks a bit like an ESP eclipse bass, it'll probably look brilliant in blue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Ooh sweet, i'm really looking forward to seeing this, i love the les paul shape on a bass if it's done properly, and blue stain over figured top? Gorgeous! Can't wait to see the end result! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 The strap button isn't going to support the neck very well. Make sure it's not top heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 [quote name='chris_b' post='405492' date='Feb 10 2009, 04:45 PM']The strap button isn't going to support the neck very well. Make sure it's not top heavy.[/quote] He could always put it on the back of the neck joint, if possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elom Posted February 15, 2009 Author Share Posted February 15, 2009 [quote name='chris_b' post='405492' date='Feb 10 2009, 04:45 PM']The strap button isn't going to support the neck very well. Make sure it's not top heavy.[/quote] I know that les paul shaped basses often suffer from a bit of neck dive. However the spec is for a particularly thin neck and the scale is 33" specifically to try and get a better balance. With a decent strap too I think I'll be fine but now that you've got me thinking about it I'll mention it to Ben! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elom Posted March 4, 2009 Author Share Posted March 4, 2009 You can see the stages in the construction of the blue pin-stripe neck [url="http://www.crimsonguitars.com/article328.html"]here[/url]. This is what it's looking like now and the pickups have arrived from Andy at [url="http://www.wizardpickups.co.uk/index.asp"]Wizard[/url] (not the distressed ones) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardHimself Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Are those warpig humbuckers? I was thinking of getting some of them once but then i decided not to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 [quote name='elom' post='410557' date='Feb 15 2009, 10:35 PM']I know that les paul shaped basses often suffer from a bit of neck dive. However the spec is for a particularly thin neck and the scale is 33" specifically to try and get a better balance. With a decent strap too I think I'll be fine but now that you've got me thinking about it I'll mention it to Ben![/quote] If it's any help, my Epi Les Paul Standard has NO neck dive. I couldn't believe it either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7string Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 [quote name='elom' post='410557' date='Feb 15 2009, 10:35 PM']I know that les paul shaped basses often suffer from a bit of neck dive. However the spec is for a particularly thin neck and the scale is 33" specifically to try and get a better balance. With a decent strap too I think I'll be fine but now that you've got me thinking about it I'll mention it to Ben![/quote] You could always use the cunning trick that's on an NS Bolin bass, where they have an arm which swivels out from the top horn. I 'googled' Bolin bass to try to get a pic of what I'm going on about and it pinged be back to Basschat!! Anyway, you can see how the strap is attached the arm instead of to behind the top horn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elom Posted March 8, 2009 Author Share Posted March 8, 2009 [quote name='7string' post='428268' date='Mar 7 2009, 10:07 PM']You could always use the cunning trick that's on an NS Bolin bass, where they have an arm which swivels out from the top horn.[/quote] That's original. I don't like it but you've got to admire innovation! Having spoken with Ben I'm sure the balance wont be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 The pinstripe looks cool, I'll be interested to see how this develops. I do like the look of those distressed pups Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_the_bassist Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 [quote name='7string' post='428268' date='Mar 7 2009, 10:07 PM']You could always use the cunning trick that's on an NS Bolin bass, where they have an arm which swivels out from the top horn. I 'googled' Bolin bass to try to get a pic of what I'm going on about and it pinged be back to Basschat!! Anyway, you can see how the strap is attached the arm instead of to behind the top horn. [/quote] Thats like on my Steiny Synapse...personally, it;s takin a bit of gettin used to, but it's an ingenious way to hold the strap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elom Posted April 3, 2009 Author Share Posted April 3, 2009 Some neck based construction for y'all. All photos from the [url="http://www.crimsonguitars.com/diary.html"]Crimson Guitars Build Diary[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tait Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 everytime i see this thread i go onto warmouth and see how much a les paul bass with 2 musicman pickups would cost, and realise its too expensive for me. im really looking forwards to seeing this built. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 [quote name='elom' post='453424' date='Apr 3 2009, 03:25 PM']Some neck based construction for y'all. All photos from the [url="http://www.crimsonguitars.com/diary.html"]Crimson Guitars Build Diary[/url][/quote] That big can of lemon oil is making my tongue swell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Anyone who can plane a neck straight with a Record Flat, is a total dude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elom Posted April 26, 2009 Author Share Posted April 26, 2009 Add octave inlay: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted April 26, 2009 Share Posted April 26, 2009 (edited) oooh, nice inlay some sweet looking grain going on in that fretboard too Edited April 26, 2009 by budget bassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 [quote name='steve-soar' post='458865' date='Apr 9 2009, 09:55 PM']Anyone who can plane a neck straight with a Record Flat, is a total dude. [/quote] Hand tools are the only way really when making musical instruments. Power tools are great for roughing out shapes and routing and stuff, but you need the contact with the work piece that hand tools give you. I have a record plane which belonged to my grandfather and then my father. I've just paid a kings ransom to have the blade professionally sharpened and dressed and it now cuts end grain shavings! Hand tools are defo the way for this type of work imho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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