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Claypool-inspired walnut scroll 4-banger
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Author:  Erik Hauri [ Wed Jun 25, 2008 9:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Claypool-inspired walnut scroll 4-banger
While gearing up for a round of acoustic building, I got this solidbody bass finished for Chris from Arlington VA. Les Claypool was a big inspiration for him growing up (helps that I like him too!), so it was fun to build in the style of one's "guitar hero".

Walnut body w/flame maple stringers
3-piece bolt-on maple neck w/ contoured heel
4-fret fretboard extension doubling as truss rod access cover
bound wenge fretboard, guitar frets w/semihemispherical fret ends
wenge headplate/backstrap/control plate
Hipshot A bridge & Hipshot ultralight tuners
EMG 35DC & BQC electronics @ 18V
Tru Oil finish

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The fretboard extension doubles as a truss rod access cover, held in place with three neo magnets that register precisely in the neck wood so that it doesn't slide around. It plays and intonates great!

After paying very close attention to fretboard and neck tolerances, and working out the back-bow after fretting the board off the neck, I glued the board down with epoxy with radiused cauls, and it came out great. Apart from a little fallaway above #17, there was no fret levelling to do!

All the in-progress shots can be found here:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v241/bojerik/CM1/?start=all

Comments welcome.
Author:  Big John [ Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Claypool-inspired walnut scroll 4-banger
I am really digging that truss cover [:Y:] ...beautiful bass...what was your finish schedule?
big John
Author:  Bob Garrish [ Thu Jun 26, 2008 2:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Claypool-inspired walnut scroll 4-banger
Very nice, especially the TRC idea! I love those Carl Thompson basses (and Primus!)
Author:  Zach Ehley [ Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Claypool-inspired walnut scroll 4-banger
I read that Les' Rainbow Bass was made from scrap that Carl had lying around the shop.
Author:  jhowell [ Thu Jun 26, 2008 4:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Claypool-inspired walnut scroll 4-banger
Sweet bass! I too really like the idea that you have for the truss rod cover. Outstanding!
Author:  Erik Hauri [ Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Claypool-inspired walnut scroll 4-banger
Big John wrote:
I am really digging that truss cover [:Y:] ...beautiful bass...what was your finish schedule?
big John


Thanks guys!

The finish schedule was (leaving a day for curing between each, then scuff sanding with 500 (after 1st coat) or 1000 grit Abralon:
1) a heavy first coat of Tru Oil (let sit for 5 minutes, wipe off excess)
2) 3 coats of TO 15 minutes apart
3) 3 coats of TO 15 minutes apart
4) 3 coats of TO cut 50/50 with naptha 15 minutes apart
5) buff with clean T-shirt

Yep, the truss rod cover is proving to be quite playable.
Author:  Brad Way [ Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Claypool-inspired walnut scroll 4-banger
Very nice job. The truss rod cover is a very interesting and cool idea.
Author:  Erik Hauri [ Wed Jul 02, 2008 4:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Claypool-inspired walnut scroll 4-banger
One of the things I worried about here was that the neo mags would pull on the strings, damping the string vibrations. But I found some that are only 1/16" thick, and a little magnet modelling showed that they were no worse than a typical pickup. [:Y:]

The wenge control plate is also held down by neo magnets.
Author:  Kim [ Wed Jul 02, 2008 5:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Claypool-inspired walnut scroll 4-banger
Erik Hauri wrote:
The wenge control plate is also held down by neo magnets.


Now THAT is real clever and should be standard on all leci gits which have a control cavity cover, like others I also really like the TRC.

Well done Eric, nice work M8 and thank you for sharing some golden ideas [:Y:]

Cheers

Kim
Author:  Hesh [ Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Claypool-inspired walnut scroll 4-banger
Eric buddy nice job - she is a great looking bass! [:Y:] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap] [clap]
Author:  Big John [ Wed Jul 02, 2008 8:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Claypool-inspired walnut scroll 4-banger
Thanks for the info Eric....I will be using tru-oil on guitar neck....looks real nice,and sounds relatively easy for a newb like me [:Y:] .
peace and respect
big John
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