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Lightweight fretless bass build 30" scale


JGTay
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  • 1 month later...

Been very busy since starting the new job, have settled in nicely and it is going very well.

 

Not had much time to do anything on this, but a couple of weekends ago I managed to get started on the carving/shaping and then got a few hours today to do some sanding, not much progress really. Very happy with the shape now and the rounded edges make a huge difference.

 

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Hopefully I can get a bit more done tomorrow, will see how it goes.

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On 28/01/2023 at 19:02, JGTay said:

Been very busy since starting the new job, have settled in nicely and it is going very well.

 

Not had much time to do anything on this, but a couple of weekends ago I managed to get started on the carving/shaping and then got a few hours today to do some sanding, not much progress really. Very happy with the shape now and the rounded edges make a huge difference.

 

52654794924_b340d21224_k.jpg

 

52654955920_aafad7c2b5_k.jpg

 

Hopefully I can get a bit more done tomorrow, will see how it goes.

The more I look at this, the more I think it's going to be an absolute beauty!

 

There are some splendid details - the exposure of the core wood at the cutaways and sides, the join of volute and back headstock plate, the fretboard (generally) and inlays (specifically) to name but three.  And the soft curve of the body carve to add a fourth.  Once the finish is on it is going to be spectacular.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Progress from last weekend and this weekend.

 

Sanded up through the grades all over.

 

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Drilled for the controls and tested in place.

 

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And then got started on the first coats of varnish.

 

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The neck will be oiled once the varnishing is all finished. Not sure whether to do a finish on the fretboard to give it some protection? 

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On 02/02/2023 at 09:24, Andyjr1515 said:

The more I look at this, the more I think it's going to be an absolute beauty!

 

There are some splendid details - the exposure of the core wood at the cutaways and sides, the join of volute and back headstock plate, the fretboard (generally) and inlays (specifically) to name but three.  And the soft curve of the body carve to add a fourth.  Once the finish is on it is going to be spectacular.

This, plus the truss rod cover and I admire you for doing the truss rod channel with a chisel. The latter is skill (and persistence) above and beyond my level these days, although recently I do more and more with hand tools - rediscovering woodwork of my youth.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Have done all the varnishing, also oiled the neck and fretboard over the past couple of weekends. Still needs a final buffing, but happy with how it is coming together.

 

Back view first, with test fit of the tuners. 

 

52742956331_22f99f9aa7_k.jpg

 

And the front. Hardware roughly positioned.

 

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Next up for today was securing the pickup, no pics as it was a bit of a pain and just got on with it, went with magnets and a couple of panel pins with the heads snipped off to push it onto and keep it in place, didn't want screws showing but will have to see how it is when it is strung up. 

 

Next was positioning the individual bridge saddles, out with the string and marked it up.

 

52743373180_1cae76f5f0_k.jpg

 

And then did a strip of copper underneath the saddles, attached to the earth wire and passed into the control cavity. Then screwed the saddles in place.

 

52743446118_11707d8485_k.jpg  

 

It is great having a job again, but makes build progress very slow. Not getting any time in the evenings, so just weekends at the moment. Hopefully can get on with the controls next weekend.

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  • 3 weeks later...

It is 'bass'ically finished... :)  

 

Need to do some final minor tweaks and give it a bit of a polish, but had a play with it on Rocksmith tonight. Very happy with it.

 

The final steps from weekend and a couple of evenings this week -

 

Shielding of pickup cavity

 

52782496829_de9f0a68d7_k.jpg

 

And the control cavity

 

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cover, which I had to cut a square out of in order for the jack to have enough room. Hadn't really accounted for it, so quite lucky in the end.

 

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In with the hardware and soldering done. 

 

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Then the copy of @Andyjr1515 no neck dive pics. ;) 

 

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Final weigh in

 

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5.771 lbs. or 2.618 kg if it's easier.

 

And finally a full frontal pic... 😮

 

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Will take some glamour shots once the final bits are done. :) 

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19 hours ago, TheGreek said:

The scales don't lie???  5.7LBs is hard to believe though.

The aim at the start of the build was to try to get it around the 6.5 lbs mark without chambering, so when the final weigh in showed less than 6 lbs it was a very nice surprise.

 

I thought it would have problems with neck dive, but the centre line of balance is around the 20th fret position, almost in line with the lower horn.

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  • 1 month later...

Just realised, I didn't post the final pics of this. Sorry for the delay.

 

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Really pleased with how it has come out, loving fretless bass. :) 

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

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