F****r AE Precision build - Final PICS added!

[honza992]

Oops, not sure what happened there. Honza, you were premature. Hold on.....Why is everything so small?


I've edited this to add in the poll relating to the choice of wood in Post # 21.

[TheGreek]

[quote name='honza992' timestamp='1501871894' post='3347991']
[font=Arial][color=#000000][size=2]Oops, not sure what happened there. Honza, you were premature. Hold on.....Why is everything so small?[/size][/color][/font]
[/quote]

Is that what Mrs Honza says?

[Rumple]

I was expecting a build diary not the script for a Carry On Film

Looking forward to seeing the Fretless P.

[honza992]

[font="Arial"][color="#000000"][size=4]The trouble is I just can't get it up...[/size][/color][/font]

[honza992]

The photo that is.


Fu_k me I hate technology. I'm using google, I've got a shareable link, but when I put it in here using the 'Image' button it comes up broken. ARRGHHH

(I used to be able to do this on basschat. I'm getting old.)

[honza992]

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1501872376' post='3347997']
Is that what Mrs Honza says?
[/quote]
As I always say, I've never had any complaints....In writing.....

[honza992]

Given that my 6 year old IT Consultant nephew is in bed, rather than just laughing and pointing can anyone help me out?

Ped's video is all very well and good and lovely, but I can't see the "attach" button....

[Edit - yes I can, hold on, I'm coming]

[Further edit - this must be the least convincing start to a build thread ever]

[honza992]

[size=4]OK, shall we all try this again? From the top? Here goes....

[color=#000000][font=Arial]Hi All[/font][/color]

[color=#000000][font=Arial]This will be my second build thread. The first is on a bass forum where there’s more talking than chatting, if you know what I mean. Largely because I didn’t know you all existed. I know I know, my invite to the good times got lost in the post. Well I’m here now, so it’s Blighty for me from now on. [/font][/color]

[color=#000000][font=Arial]I build for a hobby. And for the moment I build P basses. Which I realise will cause most of you to turn back to Love Island. Not that I don’t want to someday build Carl Thompson-esque masterpieces for the adoring masses, but for now a P is challenge enough….[/font][/color]

[color=#000000][font=Arial]That said, I want a fretless. So I’ve decided to build this. Or, for the lawyers among you, I’m going to build something inspired by this. [/font][/color]
[attachment=250649:TLB1.jpg]
[Edit - for those of you that haven't seen one before, it's a Fender AE Precision, made in Japan, briefly, in the 90s. They weren't a success!]
[color=#000000][font=Arial]Actually it will be my second version. But this time I want it to be perfect. [/font][/color]

[color=#000000][font=Arial]Honza, shut up and show us some wood….[/font][/color][/size]
[attachment=250652:IMG_20170728_121258.jpg]

[size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial]OK, and some rock solid decided fo' sho specs:[/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Arial]Fretless[/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Arial]Mahogany (chambered) body[/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Arial]Flatsawn maple neck[/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Arial]33” scale[/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Arial]18.5mm spacing at bridge, 40mm nut[/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Arial]Hand made wood & bone saddle bridge & knobs[/font][/color][/size]
[size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial]Piezo under the saddle with Cafe Walter preamp[/font][/color]

[color=#000000][font=Arial]And some specs open for negotiation:[/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Arial]Lined, unlined, or partially lined (if I can work out how to do it. How do you cut a slot only part way across the board? Any ideas?)[/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Arial]Ebony or Rosewood board[/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Arial]Maple or spruce top with single ‘f’ hole. The original Fender AE had a spruce top. Which I like, but I think I may want it a bit more pimped. So flame maple? Possibly dyed? In the photo the maple is on the left, spruce the right. [/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Arial]Black, white or Black & white binding[/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Arial]Single Jazz pickup in the bridge position (ie no P pickup at all)[/font][/color]

[color=#000000][font=Arial]Finish-wise it will have a water base clear coat (General Finishes High Performance) which I’m using on my other build. Probably satin. [/font][/color]

[color=#000000][font=Arial]For the top, if I decide to go with the Spruce then I think it will be natural. If its flame maple then I quite like this:[/font][/color]
[attachment=250648:ctvp153a.jpg]

[color=#000000][font=Arial]My goal is to hit 3kg total weight. [/font][/color]

[color=#000000][font=Arial]Any thoughts?? Hit me. [/font][/color][/size]

Edited August 4, 2017 by honza992

[SpondonBassed]

Welcome to the forum Honza. Where are you from please?

That's a nice little fretless you are going for.

The obvious answer to the slot thing is small scale CNC machining. Some firms will contract out for specialist jobs in batches but I don't think this would be cost effective for small production.

I'd say you need to build a jig to guide a disc cutter such as a Dremel and attachments. Proxxon also do small scale machine tools. Once cut you might want to finish the ends of the grooves with fine hand tools so that they are squared off and cut to the same depth as the main part of the slot.

What are you going to fill the grooves with though? If resin, go for the slower cures. They're stronger and less prone to contraction issues as they cure. They don't generate so much heat as they go off either.

[honza992]

Yes, of course, a few words of introduction. I'm 47, live in Nottingham, and have the incredible good fortune to have a pretty well equipped workshop in the centre of town, a few yards from Nottingham Trent Uni, if anyone is from round here. I've been building as a hobby for a few years, only for myself, with painfully slow progress. I'm beginning to gain a bit of confidence and competence, but for now I'm really focused on simple builds that will allow me to perfect the basic techniques before moving onwards and upwards. I'm also really focused on the ergonomic aspects of building. I suffered from tendinitis for a while, so perfect balance, scale length and weight are important to me. It always amazes me how poor so many basses are in that respect.....

Anyway if anyone is local and wants to pop in and say hello drop me a line. Or if you've got a top you want to put through a drum sander, or want to cut some frets on a radial arm saw or whatever then I'd love to help out. Though I have a pretty expensive taste in biscuits in return......

I hadn't thought about the dremel. I'll dig it out and have a think. My initial plan though was to use maple veneer as I would on a normal fretless fret marker.

Edited August 5, 2017 by honza992

[Norris]

Welcome. Colour me jealous that you have a drum sander I have to make do with good old elbow grease.

I'm looking forward to seeing your build progress

[honza992]

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1501925139' post='3348228']
Welcome. Colour me jealous that you have a drum sander I have to make do with good old elbow grease.
[/quote]

The gods smiled on me as I found it on eBay, cheap, and for sale just up the road. It looks like it was lying in someone's garden under a pile of nettles for a decade, but works perfectly! The offer's a serious one....

Edited August 5, 2017 by honza992

[Jabba_the_gut]

Drum sander? Luxury. Jealous? No.....😢

[scojack]

Welcome to the fold Honza looking forward to your builds and i can admit a hint of drum sander envy 😊

[SpondonBassed]

[quote name='honza992' timestamp='1501923751' post='3348220']
Yes, of course, a few words of introduction. I'm 47, live in Nottingham, and have the incredible good fortune to have a pretty well equipped workshop in the centre of town, a few yards from Nottingham Trent Uni, if anyone is from round here. I've been building as a hobby for a few years, only for myself, with painfully slow progress. I'm beginning to gain a bit of confidence and competence, but for now I'm really focused on simple builds that will allow me to perfect the basic techniques before moving onwards and upwards. I'm also really focused on the ergonomic aspects of building. I suffered from tendinitis for a while, so perfect balance, scale length and weight are important to me. It always amazes me how poor so many basses are in that respect.....

Anyway if anyone is local and wants to pop in and say hello drop me a line. Or if you've got a top you want to put through a drum sander, or want to cut some frets on a radial arm saw or whatever then I'd love to help out. Though I have a pretty expensive taste in biscuits in return......

I hadn't thought about the dremel. I'll dig it out and have a think. My initial plan though was to use maple veneer as I would on a normal fretless fret marker.
[/quote]

Not so far away as I'd first thought then. I got the notion that you were abroad for some reason. Brain fart probably.

If you are into ergonomics then you must have read this;
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/303531-navarone45-43multiscale-headless/"]http://basschat.co.u...scale-headless/[/url]

A maple fret marker inlay on ebony would be striking. On rosewood it would still be stunning. I understand ebony is not the easiest of materials to work with though.

Oh and Welcome to the forum. I know you've been here for a bit but it's good of you to pull up a chair and share your build story with us so to speak.

Edited August 5, 2017 by SpondonBassed

[honza992]

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1501945030' post='3348396']
Not so far away as I'd first thought then. I got the notion that you were abroad for some reason. Brain fart probably.

If you are into ergonomics then you must have read this;
[url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/303531-navarone45-43multiscale-headless/"]http://basschat.co.u...scale-headless/[/url]

A maple fret marker inlay on ebony would be striking. On rosewood it would still be stunning. I understand ebony is not the easiest of materials to work with though.

Oh and Welcome to the forum. I know you've been here for a bit but it's good of you to pull up a chair and share your build story with us so to speak.
[/quote]

Yes, I had seen that thread. Now that is ambition. Headless, Fanned fret, torzal.... It makes me feel slightly seasick just looking at it. One day though, you never know. The headless thing is definitely very close to being next on my list. One of my favourite builders is an Italian luthier called Biarnel ([url="http://www.biarnel.com/liuteria/scorcio/seriescorcio.html"]http://www.biarnel.com/liuteria/scorcio/seriescorcio.html[/url]) who's based in Pisa close to where my wife is from in Italy. I love his headless series called Scorcio. They have a slight....80s feel to them. Which, having grown up in the 80s I quite like. Now you've got me thinking


I've used veneer fret markers with rosewood and it looked great. The same as ebony though one problem is sanding dust getting into the pores of the veneer. I don't have an air compressor so it's hard to get out and you can find the veneer markers look a bit 'dirty' from the dust. It's not bad, and probably the average person wouldn't even notice, but that's the trouble with building....you know where every mistake is. I read once (though now can't find the link) about soaking the veneer markers in shellac first, to fill in all the gaps in the veneer so the ebony sanding dust has got nowhere to go. I may do a bit of experimenting this week - I've got a bottle of Zinsser SealCoat (which as far as I know is 2lb cut shellac) and some veneer so we'll see.

Thanks everyone for the welcome. Biscuits all round.

[SpondonBassed]

[quote name='honza992' timestamp='1501962784' post='3348540']
Yes, I had seen that thread. Now that is ambition. Headless, Fanned fret, torzal.... It makes me feel slightly seasick just looking at it. One day though, you never know. The headless thing is definitely very close to being next on my list. One of my favourite builders is an Italian luthier called Biarnel ([url="http://www.biarnel.com/liuteria/scorcio/seriescorcio.html"]http://www.biarnel.c...riescorcio.html[/url]) who's based in Pisa close to where my wife is from in Italy. I love his headless series called Scorcio. They have a slight....80s feel to them. Which, having grown up in the 80s I quite like. Now you've got me thinking


I've used veneer fret markers with rosewood and it looked great. The same as ebony though one problem is sanding dust getting into the pores of the veneer. I don't have an air compressor so it's hard to get out and you can find the veneer markers look a bit 'dirty' from the dust. It's not bad, and probably the average person wouldn't even notice, but that's the trouble with building....you know where every mistake is. I read once (though now can't find the link) about soaking the veneer markers in shellac first, to fill in all the gaps in the veneer so the ebony sanding dust has got nowhere to go. I may do a bit of experimenting this week - I've got a bottle of Zinsser SealCoat (which as far as I know is 2lb cut shellac) and some veneer so we'll see.

Thanks everyone for the welcome. Biscuits all round.
[/quote]

I have one of these;
https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/mini-vacuum-cleaner-lg61r

Would that help? (Make mine a ginger nut ta.)

[SpondonBassed]

[quote name='honza992' timestamp='1501962784' post='3348540']
...([url="http://www.biarnel.com/liuteria/scorcio/seriescorcio.html"]http://www.biarnel.c...riescorcio.html[/url])...
[/quote]

Eighties? I get that. I am not proud though. Heeheehee

That's Italian style right there. Thanks for the pointer, I am going to spend some time over there with the eye candy on that site. If I'm not back in ten minutes send a loan shark to pay for my GAS.

[Andyjr1515]

Hi, Honza

Welcome!

I share your interest in ergonomics and weight - I've been doing quite a bit of work myself in that area over my last 4-5 builds and I think there is a LOT of potential with some relatively modest design changes. I'm Derby so would be very pleased to [s]drool over your drum sander[/s] talk through the various successes and failures sometime. I'll drop you a pm.

In the meantime we are all very interested to see how your present project develops and, if you encounter any challenges or uncertainties, just ask anything at all - there is bound to be someone dropping along who can help

Andy

[honza992]

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1502047956' post='3348996']
Hi, Honza

Welcome!

I share your interest in ergonomics and weight - I've been doing quite a bit of work myself in that area over my last 4-5 builds and I think there is a LOT of potential with some relatively modest design changes. I'm Derby so would be very pleased to [s]drool over your drum sander[/s] talk through the various successes and failures sometime. I'll drop you a pm.

In the meantime we are all very interested to see how your present project develops and, if you encounter any challenges or uncertainties, just ask anything at all - there is bound to be someone dropping along who can help

Andy
[/quote]

Great, thanks for the post Andy, look forward to hearing from you.

Agreed re modest changes, particularly with neck dive. I aim the strap button to be level with at least fret 11, the bridge to be as close to the other strap button as is aesthetically and practically possible, and ultralites. The holy trinity! And no neck dive means the body can be lighter, thinner, chambered etc......Of course I'm only building P basses.......

[honza992]

Help me choose some wood. Surely everybody's favourite time, when the illusion of future perfection is still possible.....

OK, I'm going to give you 4 options, two choices of top and two choices of fretboard.

The top can either be flamed maple or spruce. The fretboard can either be rosewood or ebony. The ebony is unusual in that, well it isn't black. It is though quite dramatic. So here are the four possible combinations. Ignore everything other than the wood itself - the knobs are practice ones that I had lying around, the bridge I made for the previous version (and won't be reused) and the pickup is a random jazz cover. So, here they are:

Option 1: Flamed maple top and Rosewood Fretboard
[attachment=250904:IMG_20170808_105054.jpg]

Option 2: Flamed maple top and Ebony Fretboard
[attachment=250903:IMG_20170808_105028.jpg]

Option 3: Spruce top and Rosewood Fretboard
[attachment=250902:IMG_20170808_104700.jpg]
Option 4: Spruce top and Ebony Fretboard (with free feet....)
[attachment=250901:IMG_20170808_104627.jpg]
It's a bit hard to fit in all of the fretboard in the photos, so here they both are in a full frontal shot.....
[attachment=250905:IMG_20170808_110339.jpg]

And if I can work out how to do it, I'll add in a poll so you can vote. Presuming of course that you give monkey's....

Edit - OK, the poll is up and running. VOTE VOTE VOTE.

Edited August 8, 2017 by honza992

[Rumple]

Voted for Maple top and Ebony fretboard

[honza992]

Spent the day mulling. If I use the rosewood board then I will use full veneer lines, if I'm using the ebony board then it will be unlined (side dots only).

[Andyjr1515]

No competition for me - flamed maple and ebony Voted

[FuNkShUi]

Maple and Ebony for me too