hamfist Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 I've been using my homemade bitsa "Jazz with a P body" for about 3 years. Its got a lovely walnut body which was never massively heavy but I have been wanting a slightly lighter bass recently as I have a back problem. I toyed with getting a new body, or a new bass but I love my bass - everything is exactly as I want it. So a few jumbo forstner drill bits were acquired and drilling began on monday. As well as the holes you see there are also a few more under the scratchplate. It went surprisingly well and I produced a vast amount of walnut shavings. Finished off with a dremel and sandpaper. A quick oil and beeswax finish to the new holes and by tuesday evening I was back in business. Only a 0.2 kg saving, but it all helps and its a manageable 4.0kg now. Personally I think it now looks awesome too ! 17 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnH89 Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 Love the walnut . Not a huge fan of the holes , but if you love it , thats all that matters . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Che Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 Love the looks! Fantastic idea to drill different sized holes! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 I came in here expecting a cover of "Doll Parts" or "Celebrity Skin"... 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madshadows Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 Holy bass Batman !! 😛 I bet the thing you played on it was "Hole Lotta Love" 😂 Seriously it looks pretty cool John 😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
three Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 Love that - really individual. Did it change the tone at all? Got me thinking. My long scale is a bit heavy. There’s batteries and stuff in there so I’d have to be a bit careful but I love the aesthetic 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzyvee Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 How have the holes affected the way the bass balances on a strap? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzyvee Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 7 minutes ago, three said: Love that - really individual. Did it change the tone at all? Got me thinking. My long scale is a bit heavy. There’s batteries and stuff in there so I’d have to be a bit careful but I love the aesthetic Would you really take large drill bits to your alembic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 2 minutes ago, jazzyvee said: Would you really take large drill bits to your alembic? This won't hurt a bit... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamfist Posted February 3, 2023 Author Share Posted February 3, 2023 53 minutes ago, neepheid said: This won't hurt a bit... That is the exact same bit as my largest holes ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamfist Posted February 3, 2023 Author Share Posted February 3, 2023 1 hour ago, jazzyvee said: How have the holes affected the way the bass balances on a strap? Not noticeably. It already balanced really well, with not a hint of neck dive, and ultimately the weight change was fairly minimal in the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamfist Posted February 3, 2023 Author Share Posted February 3, 2023 1 hour ago, three said: Did it change the tone at all? Not noticeable at the moment, although I don't have my normal effects etc at home. I'll find out more definitively playing at church on sunday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 That is a rather elegant solution, well done. Reminded me of Drillium, when before the arrival of composite components in the late 80's, pro cyclists used to drill out various components to save weight, most frequently the cranks. And occasionally they failed catastrophically as the result, but apparently it's a fashion that has returned courtesy of the hipster/fixie community 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 Swap the tuners for Hipshot Ultralites and depending on the tuners you currently have you could save another half pound / 0.226kg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
three Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 1 hour ago, jazzyvee said: Would you really take large drill bits to your alembic? Sorry, it was a bit of a cr*p joke. I’ve done some pretty daft things over the years but even I wouldn’t take a big drill bit to an Alembic. I do genuinely admire the OP’s handiwork though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 36 minutes ago, hamfist said: I'll find out more definitively playing at church on Sunday. Ah, so it's a Holy Bass?? Sorry, but surely you expected that... 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 1 hour ago, Beedster said: That is a rather elegant solution, well done. Reminded me of Drillium, when before the arrival of composite components in the late 80's, pro cyclists used to drill out various components to save weight, most frequently the cranks. And occasionally they failed catastrophically as the result, but apparently it's a fashion that has returned courtesy of the hipster/fixie community Be that a Stronglight chainset? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 Yeah I'm not sold on the aesthetics. Looks a bit cheesey to me. Ooh look, a tumbleweed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueMoon Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 Interesting idea and quite unusual to leave the chambers (holes) visible. I kinda like it on this example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 I like the holes (great work!) but that scratchplate combined with a gold bridge makes my head hurt. One of them would have to go! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itu Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 5 hours ago, Lfalex v1.1 said: Be that a Stronglight chainset? Specialites TA, but I got your joke... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJPJ Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 That's a very gouda 🙂 although I think it definitely has a Italian influence ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bunion Posted February 3, 2023 Share Posted February 3, 2023 7 hours ago, three said: Sorry, it was a bit of a cr*p joke. I’ve done some pretty daft things over the years but even I wouldn’t take a big drill bit to an Alembic. I do genuinely admire the OP’s handiwork though I can pop round and do it for you, I have no soul… 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamfist Posted February 3, 2023 Author Share Posted February 3, 2023 8 hours ago, TheGreek said: Ah, so it's a Holy Bass?? Sorry, but surely you expected that... Difficult to believe but I honestly didn't see it coming ! 8 hours ago, Beedster said: That is a rather elegant solution, well done. Reminded me of Drillium, when before the arrival of composite components in the late 80's, pro cyclists used to drill out various components to save weight, most frequently the cranks. And occasionally they failed catastrophically as the result, but apparently it's a fashion that has returned courtesy of the hipster/fixie community It was the Ibanez Steve Vai superstrats that gave me the inspiration for the holes. I have never been a shredder but I admired the hole/handle on the Vai strat the moment I saw it. 4 hours ago, uncle psychosis said: I like the holes (great work!) but that scratchplate combined with a gold bridge makes my head hurt. One of them would have to go! Yup, I'm vaguely with you there, but you try buying a precision scratchplate for a Jazz neck pickup ! Simply not available unless custom made (and thus lots of dosh). The blue plate was one I made up a few years ago and I simply don't dislike it enough to bother making up a new one ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamfist Posted February 3, 2023 Author Share Posted February 3, 2023 8 hours ago, fretmeister said: Swap the tuners for Hipshot Ultralites and depending on the tuners you currently have you could save another half pound / 0.226kg. The tuners I have on there are actually a fraction lighter than Ultralites already ! They are super cheapo ones I have had for years, but they hold tune well and are very light ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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