Hi
Yes - I know...another bass! Sort of good news in a way - each time I finish a bass, I seem to get an enquiry for another and different one. The only downside, because I only tackle one full project at a time, is that it has been AGES since I did a 6-string electric build.
After this one, a Mouradian-style 4 string bass, I've been asked to build a short scale (c 25") piccolo bass, so that will feel more like a 6 string at least
But this one is another unusual one. It is in the style of the bass that Jim Mouradian built for Chris Squire of Yes:
The guy who's asked me to build it has actually built himself a couple on the past - including a double neck one! Anyway, he wants a through neck one and had seen the recent EB-3 build so came my way.
The basic construction I've chosen is similar.
Through neck with wings, then top on top. Here were the templates - slightly slimmer than the original:
Maple / rosewood/ maple neck was thicknessed, trued up and glued and then notched at a 2 degree neck angle to accept the mahogany top. It is going to be solid colour painted (cream), so the mahogany mismatch isn't an issue:
With such a complex shape, it was too risky to cut out the wings until the top fit was sorted, even though the wings will be glued first. Once the top and neck were trial-fitted, I could trace the shape onto the back wings and cut those out:
Comments
In the meantime, I started sorting the fret markers on the excellent slotted rosewood fretboard supplied by David Dyke. The owner wanted my logo swifts on the fretboard, but we agreed we didn't want it to go PRS bling-ish, so opted for twelfth fret only:
Before gluing the top, I routed out the lightening chambers (top and bottom) and cable runs. I also cut a chamber for a Smooth Hound wireless Tx, with access for a normal cable if needed:
And then the top could be glued and the sanding could begin...and go on...and on... and on:
...and then, bringing things up to date, the corners were radiused:
Still loads to do - next job is neck and neck transition - but it's starting to look like a bass
Skip to 20:50 time link isn't pasteing in
I also remember seeing nuno playing the washburn prototype of this guitar at the Freddie Mercury tribute gig in 92
Very cool to see a piccolo version being made,but id have loved to see it in a bright wacky color or maybe a pearl white
Very cool though
Been doing some work on the headstock.
I'm trying to give a passing nod the body shape with the carve on the headstock:
It's going to be painted cream, leaving the thru neck natural and the headstock plate will have a central matching cream stripe.
This is what the overall shape is starting to look like:
Next major job is carving the neck and volute
Although I have some issues with the recent reformulation of the product, I basically apply standard Ronseal Hardglaze, thinned with white spirits, wiped on with a micro-fibre cloth
Hi again, @paulnb57
This is a pretty comprehensive article on how I go about it - assuming projectguitar.com is accessible to non-subscribers. Let me know if you are not able to get onto the link:
http://www.projectguitar.com/forums/topic/48429-wipe-on-polyurethane-varnish/
There is a wrinkle since I wrote this, maybe specifically for Ronseal - the formulation of Ronseal Hardglaze has been changed recently to lower the volatiles. It is still a good varnish but I've found that you can't thin it quite to the levels I quote in the article without experiencing parting lines in the flow. Next one (in fact probably this one) I'm going to try the Rustins clear polyurethane and see if that fares any better.
The main length of the neck was shaped with a little bit of spokeshave, a fine micro-plane blade out of its handle (but with gloves!) but mainly cabinet scraper :
Note also the template, taken from the prospective owner's favourite-felling bass using a profile gauge. That way, the bass will at least feel familiar to him:
Then, creeping up on the volute with every tool in the workshop!
Still have the neck to body join to shape, bit in the meantime fitted the tuners and positioned the templates for my logo 'swifts':
Then, after cutting out a trio of Mother of Pearl swifts, routed out the shapes with a dremel and precision router base:
...and done, here dry-fitted ready for gluing with epoxy mixed with some rosewood sanding dust:
Control chamber routed and cover created from some of the neck offcut:
Fretboard shaped, fitted and fretted and pickup chambers cut (forstner and chisel):
Luminlay side dots added:
Painting started. The owner wants cream solid for the top and sides and for the mahogany wings at the back. The through neck will be left unpainted from tip to toe:
Second colour coat, in spite of the first coat being cured for the recommended time, orange-peeled like crazy. Don't you just love products that aren't compatible with themselves!
Anyway, it might be recoverable and, if not, I'll just sand it off and use something else.