Jabba_the_gut Posted September 27, 2021 Author Posted September 27, 2021 On 06/09/2021 at 02:03, The Crusher said: Hi Jabba, A friend asked me today if I could make him a 5 string short scale bass. I've successfully made a few 6 string custom bodies but no bass' yet. I've got everthing I need to build 6 string fret boards, including a nifty heavy steel slotting template from Stew Mac for 25 inch and 25.5 inch scale. I use this with a crosscut sled on my table saw. Please help if you can. How are you cutting your 27 inch scale fret board? Thank you in advance, Matt @The CrusherHi Matt - apologies - I completely missed this reply. I got a 27"/29" slotting template from G&W (I think - I'll check and repost if it anything different). These slotting templates work with my Stew Mac slotting jig just fine. You might even get close using a standard bass template and skipping the first 7" worth of frets if that makes sense. Cheers Jez Quote
Jabba_the_gut Posted June 6, 2022 Author Posted June 6, 2022 Blows the dust off this post...... Various things have caused me to have paused building for a bit but hopefully I can continue and finish a few builds I started last year. It looks like I've rounded the body since I rounded the body edges since my last post. I also got round to installing some LEDS in the fretboard - I've taken the feedback from previous builds and made them not so blinding!! 3 Quote
Jabba_the_gut Posted June 6, 2022 Author Posted June 6, 2022 2 minutes ago, Woodinblack said: Love the red leds! Not as bright as the white ones I used previously!! Quote
Owen Posted June 6, 2022 Posted June 6, 2022 1 hour ago, Jabba_the_gut said: Blows the dust off this post...... Various things have caused me to have paused building for a bit but hopefully I can continue and finish a few builds I started last year. It looks like I've rounded the body since I rounded the body edges since my last post. I also got round to installing some LEDS in the fretboard - I've taken the feedback from previous builds and made them not so blinding!! That is a very yes indeed. Quote
Jabba_the_gut Posted June 24, 2022 Author Posted June 24, 2022 (edited) Measure twice, measure twice again then cut. Then kick yourself…… Then spend some time removing LEDs and fit correctly!!! Edited June 24, 2022 by Jabba_the_gut 4 Quote
MoonBassAlpha Posted June 24, 2022 Posted June 24, 2022 2 hours ago, Jabba_the_gut said: Measure twice, measure twice again then cut. Then kick yourself…… Then spend some time removing LEDs and fit correctly!!! Oh yeah, just spotted it. I feel your pain, man! 1 Quote
Woodinblack Posted June 24, 2022 Posted June 24, 2022 On 06/06/2022 at 22:28, Jabba_the_gut said: Not as bright as the white ones I used previously!! Not quite... Although I do like the more traditional double-dot position 1 Quote
Jabba_the_gut Posted June 25, 2022 Author Posted June 25, 2022 The only good thing was I spotted it before I glued the fretboard in which would have made it far worse!! Quote
Owen Posted June 25, 2022 Posted June 25, 2022 Sorry, I have to ask what the issue was. I have looked but cannot see. My wife has suggested this is a problem in general for me. 2 Quote
Bunion Posted June 25, 2022 Posted June 25, 2022 7 minutes ago, Owen said: Sorry, I have to ask what the issue was. I have looked but cannot see. My wife has suggested this is a problem in general for me. The double dots are on the fifteenth fret instead of the 12th Quote
Owen Posted June 25, 2022 Posted June 25, 2022 24 minutes ago, Bunion said: The double dots are on the fifteenth fret instead of the 12th Ah. Yep. Awkward. I bought a 2nds LH Harley Benton Tele for £13 once because the double dots are on the 13th. 1 Quote
Woodinblack Posted June 25, 2022 Posted June 25, 2022 3 hours ago, Jabba_the_gut said: The only good thing was I spotted it before I glued the fretboard in which would have made it far worse!! Its amazing really that that photo had been there for a few weeks and noone noticed until you said. Quote
Andyjr1515 Posted July 3, 2022 Posted July 3, 2022 I wouldn't have spotted it either. The thing is so darn short, it looks right Quote
Jabba_the_gut Posted August 29, 2022 Author Posted August 29, 2022 Just a quick update. LED issue sorted - won't make that mistake again!! Holes drilled for tuners, headstock edges rounded, neck sculpted and sanding sealer put on the neck and body. Next task is to make a truss rod cover and nut and to install the frets. 6 Quote
Richard R Posted August 29, 2022 Posted August 29, 2022 (edited) Lovely 😍. Scrolling with my phone I accidentally stopped between two photographs such that it looked (a bit) like one continuous image. And thought what the hell is that thing behind the headstock for?? Edited August 29, 2022 by Richard R 2 Quote
Jabba_the_gut Posted September 4, 2022 Author Posted September 4, 2022 And a little more done.... Before I start applying the final finish, I wanted to make sure everything fitted together properly so any adjustments could be made without creating more work! I've fitted threaded inserts for the pickup screws again - just something about them that I like but a minor detail. The strings for this bass are custom made by Newtone strings, this set is .105 to .025 so tuning E to C. I'm quite pleased how the tuner arrangement has worked out - the headstock isn't much bigger than the four string versions I've made before. I will use this headstock layout again on a longer scale 5 string at some point soon. I've played it acoustically and I'm really liking it! The pickup is and EMG 40TW so has a pull switch on the volume to split the coil and give a bit more variation to the sound for a single pickup bass. Next task is to fit the other hardware and electrics so I can finish the body. The neck then needs the frets dressing and I need to make a nut. No too far off so should be ready for the SW Bass Bash. 9 Quote
Richard R Posted September 5, 2022 Posted September 5, 2022 8 hours ago, Jabba_the_gut said: And a little more done.... The bass is fabulous, of couse, but just look at the workshop organisation! A bass hanger in front of the toolbard and everything in place! 8 hours ago, Jabba_the_gut said: No too far off so should be ready for the SW Bass Bash. If I can't arrange legitimate swaps then I may just log in and hack the church rotas so I can be there! Quote
Jabba_the_gut Posted September 19, 2022 Author Posted September 19, 2022 Just the truss rod cover to sort - all other jobs done!! Electrics all sorted - not the world's biggest cavity and no spare height to work with for the EMG push/pull pot but it fitted!! Here's a couple of pictures of it next to my MarkBass 801 - makes for a nice little mobile set-up!! I'll take some proper pictures when I've finished the truss rod cover. Cheers 10 Quote
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