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I just started putting finish on this guy and started getting really excited.

It is flamed redwood, walnut veneer, soft maple, walnut veneer, burled redwood. I one thought the transition block (the pink wood) was jatoba, but I am not sure, so if anyone knows, feel free to let me know...

However, I wanted to throw out the general question of feelings on burls used in large quantities - like on solid body guitars. My feeling is that they look "mean & nasty" and am not sure that I am going to use one again. It might just be a little too overwhelming for me...

Thanks so mcuh for looking

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www.ziegenfussguitars.com

Steve that looks fantastic! I cant wait to see it in action!

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

That is a nice looking bass!

I'm curious as to the construction, The neck appears jointed to the upper bout, is it glued or is that inner maple body and the upper laminate of the neck one piece of wood?

I'm finishing up a bass myself, first one. It was a huge learning curve. I will post a picture when its all done.

Stefan

Yeah stefan, the neck is actually joined to the upper bout. I laminate the mid layer and the bottom layer of the body together...Then I rout the neck pocket out (complete with a 4 in tenon that extends into the body). Then I fit the neck into the pocket - fashion the tenon out of the end of the neck, and glue it and the top layer all together. (I rout the same pocket in the top, less the 4 inch tenon portion). This ensures the neck will not be going anywhere, and allows me to carve so deeply into the neck/body joint to create the high fret access. The tightness of the neck pocket determines the fit and finish of the carve, because it is viewable for all to see...

Regardless, please do post the picture of the bass when you are done, or where it is now...I would love to see it - to learn and share ideas and all that sweet stuff...

Thanks
Stephen

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www.ziegenfussguitars.com

Looks nice! I must do a single-cut one of these days.

Yep, burls are a lot of work. None more than redwood IMO, all sorts of soft endgrain. How'd you go about it?

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The member formerly known as erikbojerik....

Great looking bass! What do you plan to use for pickups and hardware?

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Brad
Avon, OH

What he said.

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http://www.dickeyguitars.com

That is cool. Looks great!

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Mike

"The Dude abides. I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us sinners. Shoosh." The Stranger

Eric, To get around the end grain, I used a thick slurry mix of west systems fast set epoxy and colloidal silica (cabosil) the consistency of whipped cream which I smeared over all of the redwood. I then sanded this down, leaving a smooth filled surface that was ready to finish. Moreso than that, I had huge problems with the slightest unbalanced pressure putting a big dent in my top or back - it was so blasted annoying...I was almost rushing to get some finish on it to protect it from myself...

As for the electronics, I am putting in a yet undecided single coil jazz set. a tone and volume for each with a series/ parallel pickup arrangement switch. I have not decided on all of the particulars because I feel as though the bass is going to be a bit muddy because of the soft redwood, and I want to brighten it up a bit, but not too much - also, this bass is going to be sold either on consignment or right out to Elderly instruments (depends on how much their repair team likes it) so I want it to really speak well of my effort. Tuners will be gotohs, and the bridge is a hipshot style.

Thanks so much,
Stephen

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www.ziegenfussguitars.com

That wood is wowser! And the shape is very unique and cool. Great job!

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

I have always been a big fan of Bartonlini pickups and have used them in several basses. They also have an array of electronics that can add tone in different ways. Of course this is assuming you can get their product. Many years ago I started using EMG since Bartonlini was so slow shipping from the factory.

Keep us posted on the results!

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Brad
Avon, OH

Nice looking bass! Love the top and back wood! Nice contrast!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Looks great. I'm curious what you did on the headstock. Specifically the joint you used, assuming it isnt a solid piece with the neck. I've been toying with ideas on the one I designed a long time ago and probably wonnt get to for several years down the road. Got a pic?

Brad,

Bartaloni makes some really nice stuff. Sometimes, I wish they would make more pickups with visible poles, but, they are a respectable company. I should look more in to them, because in the past I have passed them off as too "niche" or high class. Basically, this bass is going to be sold on commission at Elderly Instruments, so I want to equip it to please the greatest market.

Zehley,
Here are some pictures of what I do..I use a tri- scarf laminate because that is the most readily available material to me. Usually, I put a front and back plate veneer on it anyway, so mismatched grain is not a problem. I blend the fretboard to the headstock with the use of a decorative transition piece that matched what I used to blend the neck and body together...Then I cap it all off with a decorative truss rod cover to hide mistakes like the router slip shown in the picture...man

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www.ziegenfussguitars.com