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Decisions, Decisions!
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Author:  JimO [ Mon Aug 25, 2014 12:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Decisions, Decisions!
Got a few builds in the works. Two strat types and an acoustic bass, sort of (LOL). Started with a bass neck blank I laminated together of walnut and ipe. Got it squared off and level and wanted to build a T Bird out of it, but it's a tad too short at the headstock. Had a mahogany body wings I was foolin around with and decided to use it for a hollowbody bass. Cut the back off, cut out the innerds and glued the back on. Planning on cutting out most of the neck thru in the body, leaving 1/2" on the back for strength.

Now my question is what do I use for a top. All of my flame maple is too narrow. Needs to be 7 1/2" wide and 20" long. I do have some Sapele and Purpleheart which are plenty wide. Purpleheart would look cooler, but not sure how it would sound. Sapele would probably be a better sounding wood since it's a mahogany, but won't have a contrast from the back. Would kind of like it to look cool if you know what I mean. So any suggestions and comments would be appreciated.

One of the strats in process
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Hollowbody bass
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Possible Top woods
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Author:  JimO [ Tue Aug 26, 2014 9:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
What? Is everyone laughing at this? I'm just having fun with it. bliss

Anyway I picked Sapele after seeing an acoustic top. I have a mahogany 12 string that sounds good, so I'm going with that. It's just for me to use the neck and try something different. I need an acoustic bass anyway. After I lick my wounds from the other two builds I might get a pickup for it as well.
Author:  dzsmith [ Tue Aug 26, 2014 7:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
Those are some really cool builds, Jim!
Nice work!
dan
Author:  JimO [ Wed Aug 27, 2014 12:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
Thanks!
Author:  Sandywood [ Tue Sep 02, 2014 11:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
Sure enjoy seeing your projects Jim.

The first instrument I was asked to build after building my first guitar was a 5 string bass.
The guy in CA sure had blind faith in me LOL and fortunately loved it. Not being a bassist setting action/nut was
just my preference because he didn't like answering questions I had, but that's cool.
I wasn't winding pups then either so those aren't mine.

I wasn't taking many photos then and not doing much better now but since you didn't go with Purpleheart I thought
you may like seeing mine.

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Look for to seeing them completed.
Author:  JimO [ Tue Sep 02, 2014 12:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
Awesome bass.
Author:  dzsmith [ Tue Sep 02, 2014 5:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
I like it Michael!
Author:  Sandywood [ Tue Sep 02, 2014 6:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
Thank you Dan and Jim I sure hope I wasn't rude posting that...I apologize if so, but it's done.

Since it is: I knew the guy played an Alembic so I made a big cavity so it could easily be modified with
more controls, stereo and such.
I did put a blender ( vol. tone and blender)

That's why the cavity cover is so big.

Wanted it to have some Alembic "flavor" so that's his nickname nameplate between neck and neck pup.
Author:  dzsmith [ Tue Sep 02, 2014 7:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
Well, it took me a while to see the cavity cover.
Good job matching the woods!
Author:  JimO [ Wed Sep 03, 2014 7:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
All's cool Sandywood. Nice Build. Purpleheart sure makes a nice top. I was actually going at it from more of an acoustic bass kinda thing. The sapele was close to quartersawn, my PH wasn't. I went and resawed the Sapele to make the top and ran them thru the sander about a hundred times. Also cut the profile for the neck on the bandsaw and picked out a Rosewood fretboard. And a chunk of Bubinga for the bridge.

Decided to have the bridge on the soundboard to resonate the sound and the strings to go thru the body. Should I glue braces under the soundboard?

If you ain't got pix, it didn't happen:

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Routed truss rod
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Detail at nut.
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Author:  JimO [ Sat Sep 27, 2014 10:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
Seems like I spend as much time making and foolin' with jigs as I do building, LOL! Anyway making headway thru these builds, except for the thread's namesake. The top warped thanks to Georgia's fabulous humidity, so I've been trying to get them flattened out. Ended up putting them between two boards with maple stringers to convince it to flatten out. After 2 weeks, success. Now they are stored between two boards for safekeeping until I get ready for them. In the mean time been working on the other two axes.

Modded my binding jig to carve out the wiring cavity in the lower wing
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Another mod. A 2x6 under my vise so I can move where I want. Also made pads with magnets after this pic.
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Side dot jig.
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Two necks carved out with carving tools.
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Author:  JimO [ Sat Sep 27, 2014 10:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
Awesome neck shaper! Rigid spindle sander. Love this tool.
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Fretboard ready to go
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Daughter had tracing paper!
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Author:  JimO [ Sat Sep 27, 2014 10:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
Top wood is hiding
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Hot dawg, Parts!
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Templates!
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Wonder if I'll ever need that, LOL!
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Author:  James T [ Sun Sep 28, 2014 7:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
nice work Sir
Author:  JimO [ Wed Oct 01, 2014 8:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
In between mowing and weedeating getting a little done. Top has been joined and glued. Used HHG and I'm getting to like it. Except if you leave the lid off in the crock pot and come back a week later. WHEW, what a stench! eek wow7-eyes eek

Made a little jig with maple strips.
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Turned out amazingly well! This is easier than I imagined it to be.
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Not bad for first time!
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Now if I'm not honey dooed to much tomorrow I might get the top put on.
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Author:  dzsmith [ Wed Oct 01, 2014 8:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
Nice!
Author:  JimO [ Sun Oct 12, 2014 9:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
Top is on.
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Now I have to get the one strat finished for my son in law by Thanksgiving. Need to make sure it plays well as it's going to London.
Got the shaping done, fretboard on and fretted this weekend.
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Author:  JimO [ Sun Oct 12, 2014 9:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
I love doing neck thru guitars. They have lines to follow for lining everything up, plus being able to route inside the wing for wiring is way too cool. Hardest part is getting the wings and neck perfectly flat for joining.
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Have magnets for the cover. Note the slot I routed in the wing for the pup wires to go thru to the cavity.
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Whipped this together to file the fret ends. Cut a slot on the table saw at 35 degrees and pounded the file in. Now I'll have to cut off
the ends and finish it up. Makes a big difference finishing the frets!
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Author:  JimO [ Sat Nov 15, 2014 11:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
Got the first one finished. A surprise for my son-in-law to take back to London. Love the GFS Texas Strat Pups. A mini switch for each one. Vintage frets that play sweet. Tru Oil finish. Hate to let it go, except mine is next and half completed. Yes!

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Author:  JimO [ Sat Nov 15, 2014 11:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
The herd.

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Brothers in Arms!
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Author:  dzsmith [ Sun Nov 16, 2014 4:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
Saaaweeet!
Author:  dzsmith [ Sun Nov 16, 2014 4:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
So where's your Tele?
Everyone needs a Tele!
Author:  JimO [ Sun Nov 16, 2014 8:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
Thanks, man. Tele, YES! That's on my wish list.

Need to replace the '70 Tele Custom I foolishly sold way back when. Ash body and maple neck. That was before the internet and prices when ballistic. Also had a SG with a bigby on it. Dang those would have been worth some bucks today. gaah

After my next two builds I'm planning a 5 or 6 string bass. Wanting to try to do a one piece neck, incl the fingerboard. Kinda like Ernie Ball basses. Slice off the FB, route and install the truss rod, slot the board and glue it back on. Flame maple would look awesome. Make them wonder how I did it. bliss
Author:  dzsmith [ Mon Nov 17, 2014 8:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
Cool neck concept.
Tele's are a cinch to make without any stress or worries.
The hardware and pickups form China are ludicrously inexpensive.
This one here cost me $60.00 for the hardware.
I got me one of them spindle sanders but I have not mastered carving the neck with it yet.
Any tips?
Dan
Author:  JimO [ Tue Nov 18, 2014 5:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Decisions, Decisions!
Cool Tele. The figure in the neck is cool.

Well this was my first with the spindle sander. Just dove in and sanded back and forth with it. Went back and forth with that, a hand plane and a surform. The 80 grit large size chowed down on the Purpleheart. Just worked with it, and some muscle too.
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