stereoplayer Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 (edited) After the success of my last build, I’m putting another one together. I’m having fun already. This one is a j body blank body that I got with the neck route, bridge location and control pocket only. I think I counted 8 pieces of walnut…hence the name, “Butch” for butcher block. I ordered the custom PU’s already from Tom Brantley. They will be single coil, tapped at ~ 60% and 100% output. There is a lead time of about 6 weeks. The PU locations will be routed to my specs. It will be wired stereo. With two, three way mini switches. On/off/on or about 60% volume/off/100% volume. No knobs. A standard Fender bent plate bridge. Dunlop strap locks. A chrome neckplate. AllParts P Fretless neck, ebony board with no lines. Schaller tuners. Pretty simple but very effective. It roars….punch and crunch! Edited April 29, 2023 by stereoplayer 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereoplayer Posted April 16, 2023 Author Share Posted April 16, 2023 (edited) 1st up, the PU routes. After locating the bridge base location, I laid out the PU locations. I bought a set of J PU templates…ran quite a few test routes on scrap wood. I routed the PU’s in . This step is always stressful…you only get one chance. Edited April 19, 2023 by stereoplayer 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereoplayer Posted April 16, 2023 Author Share Posted April 16, 2023 The next step was the drilling of the wiring holes. Very stressful. Lots of planning. The control chase was almost ruined but the next step covers that. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereoplayer Posted April 16, 2023 Author Share Posted April 16, 2023 Next up…the control plate will be mortised. I did a lot of this kind of stuff at my old job I retired from. I made a jig and made quite a few test routes in scrap wood. This wasn’t as stressful as the other routes. The pocket seems low to me…it’s the way I received it. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereoplayer Posted April 16, 2023 Author Share Posted April 16, 2023 Next up will be the rounding of the edges and heavy contours. All the parts have been ordered as of today. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted April 16, 2023 Share Posted April 16, 2023 After my recent 51 "build" I was considering another, somewhat more complicated and challenging build. Your comments about only getting one chance of getting it right gave me a reality check...leave it to those who have the tools and the ability. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereoplayer Posted April 16, 2023 Author Share Posted April 16, 2023 (edited) I’m no luthier by any means. My basic tools so far are: A cordless drill. A small plunge router. And a 5” hand grinder…of which I’m going to do the contours with. A 5” palm sander. And various other handheld tools, nothing fancy. I did buy the PU routing templates and a couple of router bits. Edited April 17, 2023 by stereoplayer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereoplayer Posted April 16, 2023 Author Share Posted April 16, 2023 8 minutes ago, TheGreek said: After my recent 51 "build" I was considering another, somewhat more complicated and challenging build. Your comments about only getting one chance of getting it right gave me a reality check...leave it to those who have the tools and the ability. I appreciate your input and thank you for that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereoplayer Posted April 18, 2023 Author Share Posted April 18, 2023 (edited) The weather turned cold-ish for the next day or so. Since I’m going to make a lot of sawdust rounding out the edges, I’m waiting for warmer temps so I can do this outside…😐 Edited April 18, 2023 by stereoplayer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted April 18, 2023 Share Posted April 18, 2023 Following to wherever it's going. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereoplayer Posted April 19, 2023 Author Share Posted April 19, 2023 (edited) Back at it today… Butch got softer around the edges. Forearm contour is a little aggressive…but ok for me. Tummy contour isn’t enough but will do for now… Knowing me, I’m sure I’ll be doing mods down the road. Sanded to 220 grit. Union break…for the rest of the day…. The hardware is coming in piece by piece… The PU’s should have been ordered a long time ago…I predict the bass will be done before they arrive. Edited April 19, 2023 by stereoplayer 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereoplayer Posted April 19, 2023 Author Share Posted April 19, 2023 (edited) This is therapeutic for me in retirement. Edited April 20, 2023 by stereoplayer 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereoplayer Posted April 20, 2023 Author Share Posted April 20, 2023 (edited) I did some finish sanding today. Of course there are imperfections…but I’m sure I’ll be changing something…sometime in the future. The neck came in too…a quick mock up. I’ll be putting some oil on it soon… Yea, there‘s that near fatal error in the control area…the mortised control plate covers it completely. Edited April 20, 2023 by stereoplayer 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereoplayer Posted April 20, 2023 Author Share Posted April 20, 2023 (edited) 1st coat of tung oil. It soaked it right up. Edited April 20, 2023 by stereoplayer 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereoplayer Posted April 21, 2023 Author Share Posted April 21, 2023 I’m patiently waiting the full 24 hours between coats of tung oil…jeesh! But to make that easier…I’m still waiting on parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereoplayer Posted April 22, 2023 Author Share Posted April 22, 2023 (edited) This is gonna take a while. 3rd coat. edit: I saw a little blemish in this photo…fixed already. Edited April 22, 2023 by stereoplayer 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted April 23, 2023 Share Posted April 23, 2023 On 19/04/2023 at 21:06, stereoplayer said: Back at it today… Butch got softer around the edges. Forearm contour is a little aggressive…but ok for me. Tummy contour isn’t enough but will do for now… Knowing me, I’m sure I’ll be doing mods down the road. Sanded to 220 grit. Union break…for the rest of the day…. The hardware is coming in piece by piece… The PU’s should have been ordered a long time ago…I predict the bass will be done before they arrive. I really like the look of that 'aggressive' contour. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted April 23, 2023 Share Posted April 23, 2023 Funny, but it looks like an Ikea cutting board... No offence intended as I always wanted to make a Bo Diddley tribute bass using one... 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereoplayer Posted April 23, 2023 Author Share Posted April 23, 2023 3 hours ago, Hellzero said: Funny, but it looks like an Ikea cutting board... No offense intended as I always wanted to make a Bo Diddley tribute bass using one... Ya, it wouldn’t be my first choice of woods…but the price was right and works for me as a great project! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereoplayer Posted April 23, 2023 Author Share Posted April 23, 2023 (edited) 7 hours ago, Mykesbass said: I really like the look of that 'aggressive' contour. I do too. I’ll have to post a picture of the top edge….it’s pretty thin…😎 Edited April 23, 2023 by stereoplayer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted April 23, 2023 Share Posted April 23, 2023 On 16/04/2023 at 22:15, stereoplayer said: I’m no luthier by any means. My basic tools so far are: A cordless drill. A small plunge router. And a 5” hand grinder…of which I’m going to do the contours with. A 5” palm sander. And various other handheld tools, nothing fancy. I did buy the PU routing templates and a couple of router bits. I think you forgot your brain and experience...I have neither of these. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereoplayer Posted April 25, 2023 Author Share Posted April 25, 2023 4th coat. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereoplayer Posted April 26, 2023 Author Share Posted April 26, 2023 5-6 coats of finish now. Most of the parts are here now…except the custom PU’s😐 I did this minor task this morning. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stereoplayer Posted April 28, 2023 Author Share Posted April 28, 2023 (edited) After 7+ coats, I may just let it harden up and buff it out in a couple of days. It’s very hard being patient waiting on the pu’s. I don’t want to bug the guy building them… Maybe I’ll start the wiring on the control plate. I can install the machine heads too. Gig this Sunday. I’m retired…so there’s lots of time to do stuff.😎 I also got a new pedal top play with. An early birthday present to myself. Electro-Harmonix Strings-9. It’s pretty cool! Edited April 28, 2023 by stereoplayer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard R Posted April 28, 2023 Share Posted April 28, 2023 Looks excellent. 👍 Do wiring, play with the new pedal, go out to the cinema. Do whatever you need to distract yourself, but definitely let it harden completely. After 7 coats it looks far to good to accidentally ding the finish. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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