Jabba_the_gut Posted December 16, 2017 Share Posted December 16, 2017 I've decided to shelve my planned headless bass whilst I have a bit of a think.... So instead, I've decided to build a medium scale solid bodied bass. I'm going to use the same body shape I used for a recent semi-hollow build and the same scale neck. I have a piece of ash I got from a local tree surgeon a while back which I'm using for the body. The ash is quite a good size and I've had it thicknessed; there are a few faults in the timber but I'll be able to work around those. I've got a piece of bocote for the fretboard and a piece of maple for the neck. Pickup wise, I have a new-old-stock Schaller active p-bass pickup and some Schaller machine heads. I'm not settled on the bridge yet but have a few ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubis Posted December 16, 2017 Share Posted December 16, 2017 Have you considered a Schaller bridge as well? The 2000 looks good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba_the_gut Posted December 17, 2017 Author Share Posted December 17, 2017 (edited) Hi Rubis. I did consider a Schaller bridge - I have a spare 2000 model but I'd like to use a two piece type. Ideally I'd like this bass to look similar to the semi hollow one I made so I'm looking for something quite specific, will possibly an ETS part. Still looking at options at the moment..... Edited December 17, 2017 by Jabba_the_gut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba_the_gut Posted December 17, 2017 Author Share Posted December 17, 2017 (edited) This is one option I'm considering but can't decide if it looks 'cheap'. The two edges of the body were planed and a hole drilled for where I want the pickup cable to run - sometimes it is easier to do that at this point rather than trying to use a long drill later on in the build (just have to record where the hole is so cavities can be routed in the right place later!!). I then joined the two halves using three clamps to hold the body together and two g-clamps to keep it aligned. Even at this point, I'm quite pleased with how this ash looks. The piece I bought from the tree surgeon is plenty big enough to make another body from and, if anything, the piece I have left is a bit nicer than this. This piece has some kind of 'feature' in it but that will be well out of the way when the body shape is cut. Edited December 17, 2017 by Jabba_the_gut 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 Good to see yet another build on the go, Jez. I stole that 3-sashclamp trick from last time you posted it. Great tip 18 hours ago, Jabba_the_gut said: I have a piece of ash I got from a local tree surgeon a while back which I'm using for the body. And that's got me thinking. I'm on nodding terms with a few hospital surgeons. Hmmm....bone acoustic saddles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 As time goes on I'm erring towards simplistic and minimalist designs. I can't remember where I saw (one of the builds here probably) it but a strung through body with a wooden acoustic style bridge really caught my eye. You've plenty of change from the piece of wood you have which could be used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted December 17, 2017 Share Posted December 17, 2017 (edited) Oooops...it was one of you own builds.. Or something like this: Edited December 17, 2017 by TheGreek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba_the_gut Posted December 18, 2017 Author Share Posted December 18, 2017 18 hours ago, TheGreek said: Oooops...it was one of you own builds.. Hi Mick. This bass will be the same shape as this spalted beech one but will be a little heavier!! The two pieces of ash weighed about 5.7kg but should drop by a couple of kg when the body shape is cut. With the body halves joined, I checked them front and back and they needed just a little sanding to make them completely flat. With that complete the body shape was rough cut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba_the_gut Posted December 19, 2017 Author Share Posted December 19, 2017 I used the template to trim around the shape and make everything look a bit neater!! Next task was to cut the pocket for the pickup. I've previously made a template for the main body of the pickup and it worked well last time. There does seem to be a fair bit of difference when it comes to the size of the mounting lugs so I'll make another template that will suit this particular pickup and add that to the template library. With the pickup routed, the hole drilled for the wires can now be seen (and has ended up in the right place thankfully!). Next task is to route the control cavity and check that the hole made it all the way to that. I don't have suitable templates for this so they need to be made first. Two templates are required; one for the actual cavity with space for the cover screws, and one for the actual cover shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted December 19, 2017 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Looking good!! I’m intrigued to see how it turns out!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba_the_gut Posted December 20, 2017 Author Share Posted December 20, 2017 11 hours ago, Jimothey said: Looking good!! I’m intrigued to see how it turns out!?! Cheers. Hopefully it will look and sound nice when done. I have no idea what the Schaller pickup will be like so will have to wait a while to find that out!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba_the_gut Posted December 20, 2017 Author Share Posted December 20, 2017 I used some more MDF to make a couple of templates for the control cavity and cover. I made a bit of a pigs ear of the cavity template and needed to build back up a section where I got a bit carried away with the router - doh!! It looks a bit untidy where layers of veneer have been added and sanded back but this is absolutely fine for a template. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba_the_gut Posted December 20, 2017 Author Share Posted December 20, 2017 (edited) I've cut the pocket using this repaired template and it looks fine. Second template ready to go in the picture for the control cover cavity. Edited December 20, 2017 by Jabba_the_gut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba_the_gut Posted December 21, 2017 Author Share Posted December 21, 2017 Control cover cavity now routed. String ferrule holes drilled and now ready for rounding the edges. This is the bit I like doing as it really transforms it from looking like a block of wood to looking like a bass body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumple Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 Looking good so far, I'm a big fan of medium scale basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba_the_gut Posted December 21, 2017 Author Share Posted December 21, 2017 (edited) 27 minutes ago, Rumple said: Looking good so far, I'm a big fan of medium scale basses. I have to say I'm starting to get into them too. I made a short scale bass with a neck using the offcuts from a long scale bass neck I was making. It was only short scale as that was how long the wood was but it turned out really well and is lovely to play. I also made a medium scale fretless bass using the same body and neck templates I'm using for this bass and that is also really nice to play. I will be using the offcuts from the neck on this bass to make another short scale - that'll be another project for next year!! I'm looking forward to seeing how this fretted bass turns out. Edited December 21, 2017 by Jabba_the_gut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumple Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 When it's done post a pic HERE as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba_the_gut Posted December 21, 2017 Author Share Posted December 21, 2017 3 hours ago, Rumple said: When it's done post a pic HERE as well Will do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba_the_gut Posted December 21, 2017 Author Share Posted December 21, 2017 Rough rounding of body done. Bit of shaping required then lots of sanding..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba_the_gut Posted December 21, 2017 Author Share Posted December 21, 2017 Started shaping. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 Quality workmanship here Jabba Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 I love organic shapes - all curvy and voluptuous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 1 hour ago, fleabag said: I love organic shapes - all curvy and voluptuous Organic Shapes - 1970's prog rock band? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fleabag Posted December 21, 2017 Share Posted December 21, 2017 Curvy & Voluptuous were the prog band IIRC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted December 22, 2017 Share Posted December 22, 2017 You can't beat a bit of Shinto action. Lovely work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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