Andyjr1515 Posted June 16, 2017 Author Share Posted June 16, 2017 [quote name='Jakester' timestamp='1497621024' post='3319582'] You mean you're only going to start worrying about it now? [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted June 16, 2017 Author Share Posted June 16, 2017 [quote name='JPJ' timestamp='1497621048' post='3319583'] With all the complicated shapes and unusual features I'd have been fretting from day #1 [/quote] also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted June 16, 2017 Author Share Posted June 16, 2017 First dozen frets installed : In the 'hammer them or caul them' debate, I do a bit of both. I put them in 4 at a time, using the 'fret radiused tighter than the fretboard, tiny bead of titebond on the tangs, then tap one side, tap the other side, tap the middle' method to make sure the tangs are properly locked in. I then clamp the appropriate radius block on the four I've just done for half an hour or so. Note I've finished the ends on the bass side before installing. I will do that also on the upper frets where the slots are blind due to the upper horn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 Feels like the end is in sight....here's to sleepless nights between now and then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted June 16, 2017 Author Share Posted June 16, 2017 [quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1497642633' post='3319793'] Feels like the end is in sight....here's to sleepless nights between now and then. [/quote] Nine and a half 'to-do's' left on my list. I have to say that I'm extremely pleased how this is starting to look and feel. The final carves and shaping always does pull the whole thing together - and it certainly is doing with this one. I know I say this every time - but I've got a feeling in my water that this is going to be one of my best yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted June 16, 2017 Share Posted June 16, 2017 so one of the nine will be... what kinda finish is it going to have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted June 17, 2017 Author Share Posted June 17, 2017 [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1497653556' post='3319896'] so one of the nine will be... what kinda finish is it going to have? [/quote] As natural as I can make it. Probably truoil slurry and buff. I think the silky smooth organic feel will be just right. It will darken the wood a touch, but not much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twincam Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 (edited) [quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1497537866' post='3318961'] Luminlay fretmarkers installed: By the way, Mick - don't panic. That's the garden chair it was on and not the lower horn! [/quote] As already said the fretmarkers with the surrounds and accent line look fantastic! Also loving the stripy effect on the headstock. I know its nothing new but it really looks classy. And dare I say this but I love the Flock of Seagulls headstock inlays haha. It does remind me of said bands album covers (in a good way). Edited June 17, 2017 by Twincam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted June 17, 2017 Author Share Posted June 17, 2017 [quote name='Twincam' timestamp='1497658695' post='3319926'] And dare I say this but I love the Flock of Seagulls headstock inlays haha. It does remind me of said bands album covers (in a good way). [/quote] Seagulls? Hmmm....they're OK, I suppose. They are superlative gliders and remind us all of the seaside...and rubbish tips But Swifts - now then, they are MUCH more classy... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd3NlfbA7yQ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted June 17, 2017 Author Share Posted June 17, 2017 (edited) Now it really IS starting to look like a bass These are with a brass nut. I tried black, but for the front, it clashed: Edited June 17, 2017 by Andyjr1515 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rOB Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 Wonderful to watch this progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saved Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 Very good job done there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted June 18, 2017 Author Share Posted June 18, 2017 Thanks, folks Next big task is the control chamber and cover. This is a bit chicken and egg and will need me to make up some routing templates. Looking at the John East pre-amp circuit that Jez (Jabba_the_gut) sent to me, there are optional connection points for master vol, piezo / magnetic blend, piezo tone and magnetic tone. So hang it - may as well try to get ALL of those in, if I can To get the above in full, I need one more pot - Artec do a mini concentric pot that I could use for the two tones, but in terms of footprint, this is basically how it would fit (and also these are not the final knobs): If the concentric tones is a no go, actually the above would work with a dual gang pot, one wired to the piezo and one to the magnetic and then just use the blend to get the right vibe... Either way, with a bit of squaring off of the two chambers, it will fit. The usability is also OK - you would just reach down and roll the knobs from their sides. I do need to get the dividing wall quite a bit thinner - the two pots John recommends for the blend and master volume are only available in short thread. With care, though, it should be fine. Once the shape of the chamber has been tweaked, I can then rout the rebate for the cover... Oh - and ignore the ragged corner of the tuner block chamber - haven't got there yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 Most of that was Japanese to me but it's good to read that the vital organs are starting to go in.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted June 18, 2017 Author Share Posted June 18, 2017 [quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1497793643' post='3320576'] Most of that was Japanese to me but it's good to read that the vital organs are starting to go in.... [/quote] Yes - finishing the control chamber shape and its cover means the final sanding can be done and then the finishing started. It's one of the last big steps..the remaining stuff is more routine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted June 19, 2017 Author Share Posted June 19, 2017 Bit of progress on this. I've lengthened the chamber to allow for a bit more space between the knobs and also to allow a comfortable distance between the last knob and the jack. I've also done the cover rebate - the wider areas are to give me room to fit the magnets. After a final tidying up of the rebate shape, I will see if I can cut a nice tight-fitting cover. Probably a 'tomorrow job' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost_Bass Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 [quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1497883319' post='3321089'] (...) Probably a 'tomorrow job' [/quote] It's tomorrow now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 (edited) No update yet today...hope that means Andy's been busy doing more of his magic... Anxiety will be kicking in shortly...."[i]is it done yet?[/i]" Edited June 20, 2017 by TheGreek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted June 20, 2017 Author Share Posted June 20, 2017 Got a bit distracted with exciting stuff through the post (bone for acoustic saddle, battery clips, electrical stuff) and planning the final steps Cover should be cut tomorrow (today's tomorrow rather than yesterday's tomorow... ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 (edited) The thing I've been pondering is the bridge saddle. I'm going to be fitting an acoustic-style saddle with a piezo element underneath it - this is just a scrap 6-string acoustic saddle, but it illustrates the kind of thing: Having built a couple of acoustics in my past, I am acutely aware that the saddle intonation angle has to be accurately predetermined - it's pretty non-adjustable once the slot for it is cut. Because the intonation varies from bass to bass from a number of factors, I need to be pretty certain what this needs to be before I cut the slot. The starting point is usually "G string at 1/2mm behind scale length, bottom E at 3mm behind scale length" but I want to be more certain than that. So what I am planning is this:[list] [*]Drill the string exit holes in the headstock [*]Fit the underside headstock clamp [*]Fit the tuner block [*]String it up with a temporary loose saddle, tuned to normal pitch, fully set-up truss-rod wise, etc [*]Sort the intonation as you would with a floating bridge (like on Hofner Violin Basses) [*]Mark the position [*]Cut the saddle slot [/list] I did consider making a low profile semi-floating bridge, but I think it would detract from the clean lines.... Gosh...there's a lot of sit-and-ponder-while-sitting-on-hands time involved in this project! Edited June 21, 2017 by Andyjr1515 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 Before I start drilling any holes, a quick check of the break angles at the nut. Does ANYONE use cocktail sticks for cocktails? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 (edited) It's been a good morning so far. Through the post came the mini stacked pot, so now we have the capability for:[list] [*]Master Volume [*]Piezo / Magnetic Blend [*]Piezo Tone [*]Magnetic Tone [/list] Also, I tried out an idea put forward by a member of TheFretboard forum to get a better security on the short-threaded specialist pots I needed to get (which were only available with short thread) - using a threaded bush rather than a nut. Of course, there is no such thing as a 7mm threaded bush!!! (6mm yes, 8mm yes) so I got an old externally threaded machine head bush, bored it out a touch and threaded it to 7mm inside - works an absolute treat!: Edited June 21, 2017 by Andyjr1515 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oopsdabassist Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Outstanding! Proper 'outside the box' thinking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 (edited) [quote name='Oopsdabassist' timestamp='1498049068' post='3322208'] Outstanding! Proper 'outside the box' thinking [/quote] All credit to Sporky of the other forum. My thinking is quite often 'in a sealed plastic bag' Edited June 21, 2017 by Andyjr1515 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 OK - this is where everyone thinks, "Oh that's that, then - it's finished!" It's far from finished but, to misquote Churchill, we may well at least have got from 'the end of the beginning to the beginning of the end' I have some strings on: It's fitted with some spare strings I keep for the purpose. I will need to string with Mick's favourites to sort out the final saddle position but the less they are messed about with the better. At the moment these are just single clamped at the headstock and it's holding great. Double-clamped will hold excellently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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