It's Bonny

[kodiakblair]

Anyone who has saw my previous builds will know my fondness for the humble 51 P-bass, well the fondness remains but I'm not doing the build this time 🙂

 

Some unexpected housing issues have my home workshop dismantled in preparation for a move. Trouble is I did that in April and April saw a significant birthday which deserved a bass 😁

Facebook provided the solution in the capable hands of Mark Provan and Bonnywood Guitars 😎 First spotted Mark's work when photos of his 'Super Yob' guitars appeared in a feed, could have knocked me down with a feather when I discovered the man lived 10 - 15 minutes away 😮

 

 

A short message asking if he had time for a P-bass build then things were up and running 🙂

[kodiakblair]

I wasted a bit time thinking about hardware, did I go with chrome or gold. Chrome won so 2nd week in May the parts and materials went to Mark.

 

Body blank is Utile with a black walnut drop top. Neck is Panga Panga with a Panga Panga fretboard. All from Reid Timber in Glasgow.

 

Hardware/electrics are Aklot 23:1 tuners, chrome control plate/knobs, Wilkinson by Gotoh compensated 2 saddle bridge. This bass will be the new home for the 29k monster Dave at Bloodstone Guitarworks made for me a few years back.

 

[kodiakblair]

Next day Mark has his templates cut 👍

 

[kodiakblair]

Fast forward over the weekend and I've an update on the neck's progress.

 

 

 

 

 

[kodiakblair]

Next day it's the fretboard's turn.

 

 

 

[kodiakblair]

Short Sunday afternoon intermission over, I'll get on with the diary 🙂

 

Mark moved on with gluing the fretboard.

 

The fret and side dots came next.

 

[kodiakblair]

I forgot the side dots photo 😁

 

[kodiakblair]

We're now 3 weeks after I dropped off the materials and Mark is shaping the neck.

 

 

 

[kodiakblair]

There's a dual timeline running as work on the body started soon as the templates were done.

 

[kodiakblair]

The Utile is a heavy timber,  weight reduction was called for.

 

[kodiakblair]

The keen eyed will see work had also been done on the droptop.

 

 

Then it was time to join the two 🙂

 

 

[kodiakblair]

Hey Presto.

 

[kodiakblair]

Router and sanding followed.

 

 

With that done there was a trial fit.

 

 

[kodiakblair]

On to frets next.

 

 

Fret ends dressed and sealed.

 

[kodiakblair]

Cheeky wee logo.

 

Etched then filled with shiny stuff 🙂

 

[kodiakblair]

First coat of oil to the neck.

 

[kodiakblair]

Now the neck lived up to the 'Bonny wood' logo, body takes that up a notch or two.

 

[kodiakblair]

This is 6 week of a 3 month build estimate and I'm sure you'll agree Mark is doing a great job 🙂

 

I'd say no more updates until it's nearer completion, doubt anyone is interested in seeing 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc coats of oil 😀

 

The man is well on track with my build so can tackle other jobs, if you'd like to see those other jobs please check out his Facebook page 👍

 

https://www.facebook.com/BonnyWoodInstruments

[Andyjr1515]

Great job indeed!  Looks lovely

[Pea Turgh]

Ooh that neck wood looks lush!  Nice one!!!

[kodiakblair]

2 minutes ago, Pea Turgh said:

Ooh that neck wood looks lush!  Nice one!!!

Aye, turned out lovely 🙂

 

Just in from work, Mark has sent me these photos with a wee note saying he thinks it's time to leave things to settle for a couple of weeks .

 

[Reggaebass]

Wonderful work, well done sir 👌

[kodiakblair]

41 minutes ago, Reggaebass said:

Wonderful work, well done sir 👌

Aye, he's doing a grand job.

 

I don't suppose I can claim any credit for supplying the timber 😄

[kodiakblair]

Had a message from Mark this morning, asking for strings as he's about to start cutting the nut.

 

Oh my, it's gorgeous.

 

[kodiakblair]

When I arrived at his place, clutching both TIs and La Bella's, the wiring was done.

 

What a sight to behold