Official Luthiers Forum!
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/

Bass build
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10123&t=40767		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  newluhtier [ Sat Jun 29, 2013 2:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Bass build
Hi, we'll I've been planing and thinking about making a new instrument ever since my mandolin. I have had so many ideas and changed my mind about what I'm going to build but I've finally decided :)

I'm going to be building a electric bass. The body is a three piece, and will consist of an ash middle and walnut wings (the woods in picture bellow). Im starting today by getting every thing cut and planed to size so I can start the body.
Author:  Chris Pile [ Sat Jun 29, 2013 2:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
Looks like a white bass in a snowstorm to me.
Author:  newluhtier [ Tue Jul 16, 2013 10:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
I just got the body blank done, i decided to use tiger maple for the middle peice because it looks à whole lot better then ash (I'm trying to get à picture up of the blank).
Author:  Chameleon [ Thu Jul 18, 2013 2:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
I was gonna say, why ash in the middle with walnut for wings? I'd rather have the heavier wood in the middle and something light for wings. Flame maple sounds good though, for visual effect. Remember these are heavy woods though, a smaller body might be worth thinking about.
Author:  theguitarwhisperer [ Sat Jul 20, 2013 1:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
Pictures?
Author:  newluhtier [ Tue Jul 23, 2013 9:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
Chameleon wrote:
I was gonna say, why ash in the middle with walnut for wings? I'd rather have the heavier wood in the middle and something light for wings. Flame maple sounds good though, for visual effect. Remember these are heavy woods though, a smaller body might be worth thinking about.


Yeah the tiger maple is a much better choice and looks great, and it is a smaller body bass so it's a good weight.
Author:  newluhtier [ Tue Jul 23, 2013 2:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
Picture of the body blank.
Author:  dzsmith [ Tue Jul 23, 2013 6:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
Looking good, Cameron.
Keep us up to date.
Dan
Author:  newluhtier [ Wed Jul 24, 2013 3:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
Thanks and I surely will, I just ordered the some of the wiring, hardware and a template so ill be on my way To building the actual bass very soon.
Author:  dzsmith [ Wed Jul 24, 2013 6:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
The most fun is the rough cutting of the body and neck. I get the neck and fret board near completion prior to cutting the body to final shape.
It's easier to fit the body to the neck than vice versa. The worst part? Sanding and finishing of course.
Good luck Cameron,
Dan
Author:  newluhtier [ Thu Jul 25, 2013 5:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
Some parts......
Author:  newluhtier [ Sat Jul 27, 2013 5:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
Could anyone give me some tips on carving the neck and the head stock? I believe I'm going to be using some kind of maple (curly probably).
Author:  Chameleon [ Sat Jul 27, 2013 10:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
newluhtier wrote:
Could anyone give me some tips on carving the neck and the head stock? I believe I'm going to be using some kind of maple (curly probably).


Ask us questions, and we will ask you more questions. What kind of neck did you plan on constructing? Angled headstock or flat like fender?
Author:  newluhtier [ Sun Jul 28, 2013 8:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
Flat, like a fender p bass/jazz bass neck.
Author:  Chameleon [ Sun Jul 28, 2013 12:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
newluhtier wrote:
Flat, like a fender p bass/jazz bass neck.


Have you bought your neck wood yet? Start with some measurements, make sure you get a piece with enough LxWxH. I assume you will be gluing on a fretboard? And have you purchased a truss rod yet?
Author:  Chameleon [ Sun Jul 28, 2013 12:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
If you scroll down, there's a pdf of a 51 P-bass neck template. You should be able to print this out at 100% at a kinkos or wherever. Just check the measurements of the actual print. From the nut to the 12th fret should be right at 17". You can use that printout to make yourself a neck template out of MDF that you can use to route out the neck shape. I would route your truss rod slot first though, and don't do that until you have your truss rod, so you can check the fit.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/bass-place/105784-need-50s-p-bass-tele-bass-drawing-tracing.html
Author:  newluhtier [ Sun Jul 28, 2013 4:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
Ok thanks I will look at that plan. And I'm planing to order my neck wood soon (when I have enough money), once I get it ill try to lay everything out and get my measurements. After I have all that ill get what length truss rod I need and go from there with the routing than shapeing of the neck then the making on the fretboard.
Author:  Chameleon [ Sun Jul 28, 2013 10:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
Sounds good. Do you have a router and a router table? I've got a tip or two on making a clever neck template when you're ready. I highly recommend the truss rods from Allied Luthiery (link at the top) their two way rods are very nice and low profile so you can carve your neck quite thin if you like them that way. Walnut is another great choice for bass necks.

Keep up the progress.
Author:  newluhtier [ Mon Jul 29, 2013 3:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
Ok thanks and yes I have both a router and a router table. I'll be sure to take a look at that truss rod.
Author:  newluhtier [ Mon Jul 29, 2013 3:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
Do think making a three price neck just like the body, walnut wings with a maple middle would be A good Idea? I think It would look pretty cool but would just a one peice be a better idea?
Author:  Chameleon [ Mon Jul 29, 2013 3:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
One piece would be a lot less work. Gluing takes patience.
Author:  newluhtier [ Mon Jul 29, 2013 4:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
Yeah I guess but I still might try it anyways I have the time and kinda want to expeiment a bit.
Author:  newluhtier [ Wed Aug 07, 2013 10:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
I just got the last of my wiring supplies, a bridge and a template. I'm all ready to make the body! And I'm going to order my neck wood and fretboard, since I want everything to kind of match what would a good fretboard wood be? (Ebony?)
Author:  Chameleon [ Wed Aug 07, 2013 10:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
newluhtier wrote:
I just got the last of my wiring supplies, a bridge and a template. I'm all ready to make the body! And I'm going to order my neck wood and fretboard, since I want everything to kind of match what would a good fretboard wood be? (Ebony?)


To match the walnut? Ebony would be a bit dark to call a match, maybe one of the brown-colored rosewoods, they'd be much cheaper anyway. If you want ebony though, nothing wrong with that. Katalox is another good one, AKA Mexican ebony. It's dark brownish purple when cut fresh and oxidizes over time to almost black.

Happy wood hunting!
Author:  HaMMerHeD [ Thu Aug 08, 2013 9:31 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bass build
Matching is nice. Contrasting is better. I think Indian rosewood goes well with walnut. It's what I used on my most recent project. It's a darkish brown, but with some purple-ish and reddish coloring, which sets the chocolate brown of the walnut off pretty nicely.

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd60 ... 09d15a.jpg
Page 1 of 2 All times are UTC - 5 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/