Semi Hollow Bass (and another two...)

[Andyjr1515]

12 hours ago, Soledad said:

Don't think it has extract of peacock in it (so probably couldn't sell it in the EU). Made by a man who was formerly a gunsmith (and they knoiw a very lot about wood finishes, turns out).

https://www.skeltonsaws.co.uk/peacock-oil

 

 

New one on me too!

Thanks for the link

 

[Jabba_the_gut]

I've gone for a satin nitro in the end for this one as the neck had already been finished in nitro. Quite chuffed how this is finishing.

This is how it looks at the moment, still got quite a few jobs to do but it's getting there!!

[Guest Marcoelwray]

Amazing.

[Jimothey]

That looks awesome!! 

[Jabba_the_gut]

Time to determine the bridge position before drill fixing holes. Firstly I drilled a hole for the piezo cable at the scale length (800mm). I have a few mm play back and forth to set the intonation as the cable hole can be oversized. Once this is drilled and the cable threaded through, the strings can be fitted, the piezo connected to a tuner. The harmonics can then be checked at the 12th fret and 24th fret and the bridge adjusted accordingly. The string anchors are fully installed or levelled yet - they are a tight fit and don't want to come out once pushed into place!

 

[TheGreek]

Love how the fretboard and bridge match the wood grain. Works as a limited palette. 

[Crusoe]

I've just read through this whole thread and am stunned by these basses.

[Jabba_the_gut]

Thanks @Crusoe glad you like them! I’m pleased how they have turned out so far.

Cheers

Jez

[honza992]

On 04/03/2019 at 22:30, Jabba_the_gut said:

 

This is as good as it gets.  Until you've tried to do it, beautifully smooth creamy end grain like this may look easy.  It really isn't. 

Jabba, I have a folder of photos of your sanding, just to remind me of what I should be aiming for.  

 

Edit:  Jabba, can I ask what the string retainers are that you use?  They look as though they work really well. 

Edited March 25, 2019 by honza992

[Jabba_the_gut]

11 hours ago, honza992 said:

This is as good as it gets.  Until you've tried to do it, beautifully smooth creamy end grain like this may look easy.  It really isn't.  

Cheers for the comments @honza992. I am quite fussy with lines and try to line things up (I think my wife would describe it as more obsessive!!). I am pleased with this one; took a bit of patience when glueing and a lot of sanding but turned out well.

Jez

[Unknown_User]

22 hours ago, Crusoe said:

I've just read through this whole thread and am stunned by these basses.

Same here.  The craftsmanship that's gone into them is amazing.  The wood that's been used looks stunning too.

[Guest Marcoelwray]

@Jabba_the_gut The finish is splendid ! What a level of detailing ! This spalted maple too....

BTW, what are your stoptails?

[Jabba_the_gut]

I've been having a bit of a rearrange of how I'm fitting all the gubbins in the cavity. I want to change it from what I've done previously as I'm using magnets to hold the control cover on this time. I need to ensure everything is well clear of the cover so it stays on and doesn't get lost!! I've made a copper tray to hold the battery securely - having said that the magnets are pretty strong.

I've also marked the holes for the brass inserts. These will be drilled and an M3 insert fitted.

[Jabba_the_gut]

Last few (quite a few...) jobs to do to finish this off for the bash this weekend.

First up, cavity shielding. Normally I use copper foil but I decide to try conductive paint this time.

I've checked that everything fit so first step is to mount the battery tray so I can ensure there is no interference with the jack socket or the pots.

Next up, I've drilled the holes for the controls (very carefully at this stage. This definitely was a case of measure, measure and measure again - really would not like an error at this stage!!. As per the previous one, I'm installing an East piezo preamp with a volume control and a tone control.

Then all the components have been wired and a quick test done to make sure the power is getting to the preamp only when the jack is inserted and that there is some noise when the piezo element is tapped. 

[Andyjr1515]

Very neat in that chamber!

[Owen]

On 01/04/2019 at 23:01, Jabba_the_gut said:

I've been having a bit of a rearrange of how I'm fitting all the gubbins in the cavity. I want to change it from what I've done previously as I'm using magnets to hold the control cover on this time. I need to ensure everything is well clear of the cover so it stays on and doesn't get lost!! I've made a copper tray to hold the battery securely - having said that the magnets are pretty strong.

I've also marked the holes for the brass inserts. These will be drilled and an M3 insert fitted.

 

Nice looking preamp

[Jabba_the_gut]

46 minutes ago, owen said:

Nice looking preamp

Really like these; nice and compact. And I do believe this is the one i bought off you a while back!

[Jabba_the_gut]

1 hour ago, Andyjr1515 said:

Very neat in that chamber!

Cheers Andy. Look forward to catching up on Sunday!

[Jabba_the_gut]

Neck taped ready to level and polish the frets.

Once that is done, just need to fix the neck to the body and fit the strings. Set-up will be minimal on this as I have fitted strings before and it didn't look like must adjustment will be required. 

And when this one is done, I'll be finishing off the other shortie bass.

[Jabba_the_gut]

And done. One down and ready for Sunday......

Not the best picture - I'll get some better ones done tomorrow.

On with the shortie bass now!!

Edited April 5, 2019 by Jabba_the_gut

[Owen]

5 hours ago, Jabba_the_gut said:

Really like these; nice and compact. And I do believe this is the one i bought off you a while back!

I thought I recognised it. 

[Frank Blank]

9 minutes ago, Jabba_the_gut said:

And done. One down and ready for Sunday......

Not the best picture - I'll get some better ones done tomorrow.

On with the shortie bass now!!

Man alive you design and build basses directly from my head...

[Jabba_the_gut]

2 minutes ago, Frank Blank said:

Man alive you design and build basses directly from my head...

Cheers Frank!

I'm wanting to get that shortie finished, which will be done tomorrow, then I can concentrate on the walnut, short scale semi hollow bass ready for the Midlands bash!!

[Frank Blank]

46 minutes ago, Jabba_the_gut said:

Cheers Frank!

I'm wanting to get that shortie finished, which will be done tomorrow, then I can concentrate on the walnut, short scale semi hollow bass ready for the Midlands bash!!

No problem and no rush Sir, I’m looking forward to trying a shortie, never got around to it last time! See you Sunday.

[Jabba_the_gut]

So time to cut the fret slots in the ebony fretboard for the short scale bass. I'm using a StewMac mitre block and a GW fret scale template. 

Here's a picture of the slotted fretboard and a Specsavers letter. Note to self 'measure twice, cut once, look at what your doing;....

Ended up cutting slots for 27.5" scale rather than 29.5". Still, will use the board to make an extended shortie bass at a later date. Time to cut a new board!!

 

Edited April 16, 2019 by Jabba_the_gut