Finished! Single cut bass - Alder and Camphor

Andyjr1515

paulnb57 said:

Have a wow!

Thank you, Paul

Once it is properly finished, it is going to be stunning...

Andyjr1515

Neck is now rough-shaped - I am using some profile outlines taken from the guy's favourite bass to try to replicate it as best I can:

Then the volute and headstock lead-in:

Then the faceplate glued, carved and sanded:

Still got some post-Christmas visitors and battling somewhat with the weather, but hope to be able to do the final sanding and start the gloss finishing before the end of the weekend.  I'm going to fret it almost last so that I can sand off the inevitable finger prints from the fretboard before I have frets in the way!

Andyjr1515

Started the finishing process - I am using tru-oil as the sanding sealer and then will finish off with gloss polyurethane wiped on per my normal crazy technique.

The pickup covers are large and I had cut them out of camphor, but that actually detracted from the looks.  After some thought and some discussions with the guy I'm building this for, I have inset a thin piece of ebony into each...I think it works.  Views?

WezV

love the look of those pickups.

Andyjr1515

WezV said:

love the look of those pickups.

Thanks, @WezV.  As plain camphor, they really didn't look right at all.  I'm happy with these now 

paulnb57

New Year Wow! Andy!

Andyjr1515

paulnb57 said:

New Year Wow! Andy!

Thanks, Paul 

Andyjr1515

Frets fitted, ready for trimming:

paulnb57

Looking very special Andy...

Andyjr1515

paulnb57 said:

Looking very special Andy...

Thanks, Paul 

JezWynd

Beautiful. The ebony insets on the PU covers are an inspiration.

Andyjr1515

JezWynd said:

Beautiful. The ebony insets on the PU covers are an inspiration.

Thanks. @JezWynd  

Bit of luck and lateral thinking but I'm pleased with the result 

Andyjr1515

Early stages of final finishing started:

...and Luminlays fitted:

Andyjr1515

Final varnish coats are going on:

...and while that's drying, it's time to make a bit more progress on the dreadnought acoustic I'm building as a surprise significant birthday present for our old-gits-band's vocalist:

mart

Whenever I look at your build threads I often wonder if I'm going to wear out the "wow" button. Your builds just look so fantastic!

Rocker

Wow! awarded Andy. Great work.

octatonic

TTony said:

WezV said:

 using the offcuts of the top to add other features to the bass makes a lot more sense

Why is it that you can do that on a bass, but not on a guitar?

Is it because guitarists are so much more conservative in the design of their instruments?

Yes.

Have a look on Basschat- bassists are much more likely to embrace different shapes and designs.

paulnb57

Have another Wow! Andy...

Andyjr1515

paulnb57 said:

Have another Wow! Andy...

You're a sweetie )

paulnb57

I'm alot of things Andy, sweetie? mmmmmm