stereoplayer Posted February 19, 2021 Posted February 19, 2021 (edited) I have wanted to build this bass for a very long time. I couldn’t find someone to do the body. I could have, when I was working, done this myself but am now retired. I had access to more tools where I worked. Some of the details will come out as they are done. But it will be as such: Babinga/Babinga fretless neck (Freestone Guitars) Walnut Jazz body with heavy contours (Ray, a builder in California) Wired stereo and possibly stereo/mono Back routed for the controls. More to come on the controls... Tapped J PU’s being built by Tom Brantley Standard Fender machine heads Standard bent plate Fender bridge Dunlop strap locks Special PU positions Total estimated weight should be around 10 lbs. More details to come. Edited March 27, 2021 by stereoplayer 1 Quote
stereoplayer Posted February 19, 2021 Author Posted February 19, 2021 (edited) First some body pics. The body is being built by a builder in California, USA, PM me if interested. He’s a real nice guy and is very easy to work with. Edited February 19, 2021 by stereoplayer 3 Quote
stereoplayer Posted February 19, 2021 Author Posted February 19, 2021 (edited) I was going to finish the body myself, but have decided to let the builder do it. He uses a product called “ Solarez, I can’t believe it’s not lacquer “ It sounds like it’s pretty easy to use. Here’s a sample. Edited February 19, 2021 by stereoplayer Typos Quote
stereoplayer Posted February 19, 2021 Author Posted February 19, 2021 (edited) The Babinga/babinga fretless J neck was made by Freestone guitars. Tucker Freestone is pretty easy to work with. Carbon fiber stiffening rods and standard truss rod and an extended fretboard. Abalone markers. I should have used different markers...though to see. Edited February 19, 2021 by stereoplayer 2 Quote
stereoplayer Posted February 19, 2021 Author Posted February 19, 2021 (edited) Test fit the machine heads before the lacquer. Edited February 19, 2021 by stereoplayer 1 Quote
stereoplayer Posted February 19, 2021 Author Posted February 19, 2021 (edited) Clear lacquer finish on the neck more to come... Edited February 19, 2021 by stereoplayer 3 Quote
stereoplayer Posted February 19, 2021 Author Posted February 19, 2021 A though to see pic of the abalone markers. Quote
stereoplayer Posted February 19, 2021 Author Posted February 19, 2021 (edited) The body is not book matched. The pieces came from opposite ends of the board. But wow! They look nice together! Edited February 19, 2021 by stereoplayer 2 Quote
TheGreek Posted February 19, 2021 Posted February 19, 2021 Nice....I'll happily "test drive" it for you when it's finished. 1 Quote
stereoplayer Posted February 19, 2021 Author Posted February 19, 2021 (edited) Thanks, it will be a while. I started this process in November 2020. The body PU/neck routes should be started soon. The PU’s are being built right now. A pair of tapped J PU’s. Although, I’m have another PU being repaired with that order. So it might slow it all down. http://tombrantleyrewinds.com/ And... a water slide decal is arriving in today’s mail. Thanks for your interest! Edited February 19, 2021 by stereoplayer Quote
stereoplayer Posted February 19, 2021 Author Posted February 19, 2021 I forgot to add this detail about the body. back routed, no pickguard. Quote
stereoplayer Posted February 19, 2021 Author Posted February 19, 2021 I’m a simple sort of guy. I’m using standard Fender machine heads and retainer. And a Fender bent plate threaded rod bridge. 1 Quote
TheGreek Posted February 19, 2021 Posted February 19, 2021 Something other than new shiny chrome surely... How about aged brass or similar? No idea how easy it is to de-chrome new tuners.... 1 Quote
stereoplayer Posted February 19, 2021 Author Posted February 19, 2021 Well...it IS going to be a new bass!😃 Quote
TheGreek Posted February 19, 2021 Posted February 19, 2021 Gold would be too shiny but would be in the Autumn colour palette hence the bronze recommendation. 1 Quote
TheGreek Posted February 19, 2021 Posted February 19, 2021 (edited) ...but I can't find the Elephant's ears version. Would match the neck and body so well... Edited February 19, 2021 by TheGreek 1 1 Quote
stereoplayer Posted February 19, 2021 Author Posted February 19, 2021 (edited) 7 minutes ago, TheGreek said: ...but I can't find the Elephant's ears version. Would match the neck and body so well... Purchased already...I’m going to use these. Edited February 19, 2021 by stereoplayer Quote
Pea Turgh Posted February 19, 2021 Posted February 19, 2021 Love the wood choice. I’d like a walnut bodied bass some day. I also like the contrast of shiny chrome 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 1 Quote
stereoplayer Posted February 20, 2021 Author Posted February 20, 2021 (edited) 9 hours ago, stereoplayer said: ... a water slide decal is arriving in today’s mail. More lacquer needed but 1st preview. The neck and body builders. I don’t care for plain headstocks. For me anyways. Edited February 20, 2021 by stereoplayer 2 Quote
stereoplayer Posted February 20, 2021 Author Posted February 20, 2021 (edited) 4 minutes ago, rogo said: looking great mate! Thanks! Edited February 20, 2021 by stereoplayer Quote
Maude Posted February 20, 2021 Posted February 20, 2021 That body looks lovely. I think walnut is possibly my favourite wood, not overly fancy, just a lovely colour and grain, kind of silky looking. 1 Quote
stereoplayer Posted February 21, 2021 Author Posted February 21, 2021 (edited) My luthier sent me these pictures. Progress. The neck pictured is a test neck. Edited February 21, 2021 by stereoplayer Spelling 2 Quote
stereoplayer Posted February 21, 2021 Author Posted February 21, 2021 (edited) Many of my skills have turned to suck these days. I have redone the headstock and decals. I messed up the lacquer finish again. Edited February 21, 2021 by stereoplayer Spelling Quote
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