First build complete! 32" scale 5 string

[benh]

Carefully marked and cut the fret slots - as I don't have the funds or inclination to buy a slotting jig, I marked each position with a marking knife, and cut the slot using a set square to keep the saw dead level - measured after cutting and all lines up as it should (phew!)

[Andyjr1515]

32 minutes ago, benh said:

Carefully marked and cut the fret slots - as I don't have the funds or inclination to buy a slotting jig, I marked each position with a marking knife, and cut the slot using a set square to keep the saw dead level - measured after cutting and all lines up as it should (phew!)

Nothing wrong with that  

For oddball sizes / multi-scale. etc, I also mark out and cut by hand.  

Looking good, @benh

[benh]

11 minutes ago, Andyjr1515 said:

Nothing wrong with that  

For oddball sizes / multi-scale. etc, I also mark out and cut by hand.  

Looking good, @benh

Thanks @Andyjr1515 - glad to know I'm not alone 🙂 although I'd never dream of putting myself in the same league as your esteemed self!

[benh]

Some black mother of pearl just arrived through the post - experimenting with a small headstock inlay is the plan!

[benh]

And probably the last bit for today, thicknessed the piece of spalted alder for the headstock.

[benh]

The angle of this photo makes it look way more tapered than it is, but tapered the fretboard this evening with the plane. Rightly or wrongly, my plan is to use it as a "template" for routing the neck blank to width once I've taken it something like with the jigsaw (once I've routed the truss rod slot - that's the next job I think, and the scariest so far)

[benh]

One scary job done - unfortunately I went off track a bit on the first pass, but other than that fits snug.

[TheGreek]

19 minutes ago, benh said:

I went off track a bit on the first pass

Nobody will ever know...

Coming along a treat...

[benh]

Almost forgot the access hole, could have been embarrassing!

[Andyjr1515]

1 hour ago, benh said:

Almost forgot the access hole, could have been embarrassing!

 

The reason I do such detailed build threads is so I don't forget on the present build what I forgot on the previous build  

[benh]

1 minute ago, Andyjr1515 said:

 

The reason I do such detailed build threads is so I don't forget on the present build what I forgot on the previous build  

Good thinking! Although knowing me, I'd forget to read the previous thread 🙃

[benh]

Clamps away!

[benh]

Starting to look a bit more like a neck now! Edit: just realised what a s***hole I'm making this corner of the garden... oops!

Edited June 17, 2021 by benh

[benh]

Gave the sides a quick scrape, happy with how the black veneer came out between the fretboard and neck woods

[Andyjr1515]

1 hour ago, benh said:

Gave the sides a quick scrape, happy with how the black veneer came out between the fretboard and neck woods

I agree.  It adds a major touch of class

[benh]

Not had much chance to do bass related tasks this weekend, but started to shape the headstock a bit more. Getting there!

[benh]

On 10/03/2021 at 23:38, Geek99 said:

Nice - go for it. Keep us posted 

start your “coloured wood dust”collection with this build and soon you’ll have a wall full just like @Andyjr1515

Started my dust collection from the fretboard!

[Geek99]

Now label it … and then make a custom rack for your collection out of 1100 year old spruce trunks hauled from a riverbed 

[Geek99]

And don’t forget to get the pixies to bless it whilst you’re there - they love everything dust-related 

[SpondonBassed]

18 hours ago, Geek99 said:

And don’t forget to get the pixies to bless it whilst you’re there - they love everything dust-related 

If Man is five, If Man is five
If Man is five, then the Devil is six
Then the Devil is six, the Devil is six
The Devil is six, and if the Devil is six
Then God is seven, then God is seven
Then God is seven

[Hellzero]

18 hours ago, Geek99 said:

And don’t forget to get the pixies to bless it whilst you’re there - they love everything dust-related 

Franck Black or Kim Deal ? 😎 

But wasn't it white dust ? 

[Geek99]

3 hours ago, Hellzero said:

Franck Black or Kim Deal ? 😎 

But wasn't it white dust ? 

I was thinking more of tinkerbell movies

[Hellzero]

43 minutes ago, Geek99 said:

I was thinking more of tinkerbell movies

Sorry, my fault, typical Belgian second degré. 😉

[benh]

Only a small update - shaped the heel and radiussed (radiused?) the fretboard. On to another scary job next, fretting!

[benh]

Changed my mind regarding the inlay. Not much space on the headstock as it is, and may be a little too busy with the spalted top. So 12th fret it is, sketched a new design and cut from the black MOP blank. Needs the edges cleaning up, but I think it'll look OK!