changing specs

[itu]

I had a great idea to build a 5-string bass. 35", 19 mm spacing etc. But as things tend to change every now and then...

 

I met a luthier who has lots of ideas and makes not so ordinary basses. Well, after lots of talk we decided he follows the wood and I will source/make the metal parts. It was elsewhere here, where the tuning part is on its way. Now here are few photos of the tuner(s).

 

The instrument may still be a 5-string, and has 19 mm spacing, but scale length has turned to 32", neck has been NT and bolt-on, and let's see...

 

 

[TheGreek]

Nice unit. Expect a few "can you build me one" messages. 

 

JOOI how much?

[itu]

The project continues. I bought few taps and made this today. I need to shape it, and the line can be seen in the face. The big hole in the middle is for the truss rod.

 

(I should have had this and the bridge ready by August, but the anodizing company was away, and the project halted. Well, for few other reasons, too.)

[itu]

This is far too slow...

Next steps: hardware. electronics.

 

[SamIAm]

OMG how did I miss this before now!

Love the tuners … do you have a ball race between them and the bridge? I found the ones I made needed them.

What technique did you use to make them?

S’manth x

[benh]

That is some fine looking wood!

[tauzero]

Looking forward to seeing this assembled.

[itu]

As I said earlier, woodworking comes from one strange luthier, self learned man. I am just making the hardware. I did not use bearings, and I get your point, @Smanth.

 

Some woods are oak (fretboard) and curly birch among others. The body was an ageold project that I fell in love with, and the neck, well, let's see.

 

Thank you all for your kind words.

[Hellzero]

Following as I like the original idea which seems to be : Let it come to life and see what it will be...

 

[Hellzero]

Better put a nylon washer between your brass tuners and the aluminium bridge as brass will tear aluminium faster than you might think. 😉

[itu]

Exactly. I was considering teflon, if I only find the material. If not, then some oily polymer, nylon, pp, pe...

 

At the moment the schedule is set to February. I wish it will be this year.

[Richard R]

I think I used to have a block of teflon somewhere in the garage. If I can find it over the weekend I'll let you know 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[itu]

Thanks! And no worries, I still have quite a lot of work left. Bridge parts are practically done, but I am wondering whether to do a floating bridge (a shape and strings would hold it in place), or use screws.

[itu]

6082 was not the most suitable material for string holder... now I am working with Alumec.

[TheGreek]

Am I alone in wanting to see more photos of that body? Looks amazing.

 

I think that @itu is taunting us.

[SamIAm]

17 minutes ago, TheGreek said:

I think that @itu is taunting us.

I

Taunt

U

???

S'manth x

[itu]

You'll need to wait, because the crazy luthier wants to reveal the complete instrument after a few weeks.

[itu]

String holder is nearly ready. Some more shaping is still required. Alumec is one good material: threads are a breeze to make. Next big problem is the bridge, because the body is curved.

 

Edited February 2, 2023 by itu

[SamIAm]

That looks totally amazing!

 

I've googled alumec but can't find where to source it in the UK ... do you have any links/suggestions?

I'd  love to know how you are crafting it ... hand tools, metalshop tools, CNC?

 

S'manth x

[Ralf1e]

So how much neck protrudes inside that string holder?

Are those two bolts into inserts of some kind or are they screws going straight into the end grain of that neck?

[tauzero]

As you don't have a zero fret, have you got an edge to the string holes in the string holder so that the string passes over a defined end point, rather than the end point being where the clamp screw contacts it?

[itu]

This is the material, I got a small piece from a friend of mine. He bought it from the manufacturer years ago:

https://www.uddeholm.com/uk/en/products/alumec-89/

 

I only have a small machine and hand tools in my one car garage (no, there's no space):

https://www.bernardo.at/en/metall/metallbearbeitung/bohr-und-frasmaschinen/bohr-und-frasmaschinen/kf-20-super.html

If I need to do anything complicated or big, my friend has an Aciera (F3, maybe?). His three car workshop includes two CNCs and two 3D units among others.

 

The string holder is attached to the neck with two 2" wood screws. They seemed to be sturdy enough.

 

The crazy luthier wants to have some age old bone saddle, and I am interested in zero fret... you may get the idea of changing specs, do you... this will be solved during next week, I hope.

[SamIAm]

4 hours ago, itu said:

This is the material, I got a small piece from a friend of mine. He bought it from the manufacturer years ago:

https://www.uddeholm.com/uk/en/products/alumec-89/

 

I only have a small machine and hand tools in my one car garage (no, there's no space):

https://www.bernardo.at/en/metall/metallbearbeitung/bohr-und-frasmaschinen/bohr-und-frasmaschinen/kf-20-super.html

If I need to do anything complicated or big, my friend has an Aciera (F3, maybe?). His three car workshop includes two CNCs and two 3D units among others.

 

The string holder is attached to the neck with two 2" wood screws. They seemed to be sturdy enough.

 

The crazy luthier wants to have some age old bone saddle, and I am interested in zero fret... you may get the idea of changing specs, do you... this will be solved during next week, I hope.

Thanks for the details, that KF-20 looks amazing!

FWIW I'm with you one the zero fret.

S'manth x

[3below]

4 hours ago, Smanth said:

Thanks for the details, that KF-20 looks amazing!

FWIW I'm with you one the zero fret.

S'manth x

We need a bc community KF-20   I want one.

Edited February 2, 2023 by 3below

[SamIAm]

2 hours ago, 3below said:

We need a bc community KF-20   I want one.

+1