Semi Hollow Bass (and another two...)

[Jabba_the_gut]

I've been doing some more work on this so here's an update.

The neck has now been shaped. This was done using a rasp and a small sanding drum. I've tried to blend the neck joint to make it look like it flows a bit more than usual bolt on joints.




And this is the joint complete with a coat of oil.



The ripple has come out in the neck quite nicely too

Edited November 12, 2017 by Jabba_the_gut

[Jabba_the_gut]

As the rest of the bass is a bit more rounded I decided to round the headstock - not tried this before but pleased with how it turned out. It's very tactile - I'll do this again on the next build.

I also needed to measure the approximate position for the bridge so I could drill a hole in the body for the cable. This would still give me a few mm play to get the intonation right before fixing the bridge permanently. I put a single string on just to see what it was like - got a nice acoustic edge to the sound as hoped.

Edited November 12, 2017 by Jabba_the_gut

[Jabba_the_gut]

So then it has been on with the finish, wait, sand a little and repeat several times! The final holes have been drilled for the neck and string retainers (just enlarging / changing depths) so I can put the bass together to ensure everything is right before getting on with the final finish.

Edited November 12, 2017 by Jabba_the_gut

[Jabba_the_gut]

Getting close to finishing but lots of little jobs to do:[list]
[*]Fit pre-amp
[*]Make a couple of decent knobs
[*]Set-up (adjust nut, bridge, intonation etc.)
[*]Fit string tree / bar
[*]Fit strap buttons
[*]Dismantle and complete the finish
[*]Wait......
[*]Put back together
[/list]
Once this is done I'll get some decent photos put up on here.

Edited October 15, 2017 by Jabba_the_gut

[rubis]

That finish looks luxurious

[scrumpymike]

That is just breathtaking . Good call rounding the headstock.

[TheGreek]

This is looking fantastic....some really nice curves on this, Jez.

Good work.

[ezbass]

WOW!

[honza992]

Wonderful neck joint!

What oil are you using for finishing? Same for neck & body?

[T-Bay]

That is beautiful and then some.

[Jabba_the_gut]

Wonderful neck joint!

What oil are you using for finishing? Same for neck & body?

Hi Honza,

I've used Ozmo again on this one both on the body and neck. It's had 3 or 4 coats so far - one more should finish it nicely.

Cheers Edited November 12, 2017 by Jabba_the_gut

[Jabba_the_gut]

Cheers for the positive comments on this one. I have tried it even though the setup needs sorting and I'm really pleased how it sounds so far. I've also weighed it and it comes in at 6lb / 2.75kg so it is quite light - I weighed a solid body bass I built and that came in at 10lb for comparison. It needs the battery and preamp but that won't add much to the weight.

Cheers

Jez

Edited October 15, 2017 by Jabba_the_gut

[Andyjr1515]

6lb is a very, very good weight, Jez. That diddy and ultra-slim piccolo bass of mine is about that. To achieve the same weight on this size is no mean feat. Oh...and did I mention how fabulous it looks too?

[SpondonBassed]

Even at this stage of finish it's a piece of art. It needn't play a single note to earn pride of place in someone's collection. It will though no doubt. The sound should be special too.

I'm always impressed by your builds.

[Jabba_the_gut]

Fitted the preamp to this today so it is now finished!! Hooray!! Ready for the SW Bass Bash.

Edited March 24, 2018 by Jabba_the_gut

[TheGreek]

Good work.....

 

[SpondonBassed]

Beautiful.

Again, the headstock is the equal to the body in terms of form.  Often they can take second place and let down the overall effect.

Enjoy the SW Bash.  You have something really special for them.

[Andyjr1515]

...and look forward to hearing this

What do you reckon to the preamp?

[Jabba_the_gut]

21 hours ago, Andyjr1515 said:

...and look forward to hearing this

What do you reckon to the preamp?

Hi Andy.

I quite like the preamp (could do with a bit more explanation / documentation) - there's just enough tone control with the top end roll off. Certainly sounds better than the piezo on its own. See what you think at the SW Bass Bash. How did you find it in Mick's bass as you were using it with both piezo and mag pickups? I struggled to find a piezo only preamp so half of this one isn't being used!! The only thing I could really find was Café Walter preamp but that means ordering from the States.

Cheers

P. S. I'm hoping there's a decent fretless player there to see what it really sounds like - I'm useless with it!!! My neighbour is a guitar teacher and had a quick noodle before the preamp was fitted and it sounded very nice in his hands.

 

Edited March 26, 2018 by Jabba_the_gut

[scrumpymike]

I CANNOT WAIT to see this at the bash!!

[fleabag]

What a work of art. 

 

[Jabba_the_gut]

Cheers for the all the comments!

I was thinking it might be interesting to post a sound clip and I hoping to ask someone at the SW Bass Bash if I could record them playing (I'm not very good on a fretless) but I completely forgot. Doh!

[BassBod]

Had a quick noodle on this one yesterday - a lovely little bass!  Simple, and very nicely made.  Fantastic to see things like this 😎

[Pea Turgh]

Seeing in the flesh was immense. The lines & curves - even my wife wanted one, and she doesn’t even play!

[Lee-Man]

Played this at the Midlands Bass Bash this past weekend. I was blown away, its a really lovely instrument.