Simo Posted April 21, 2010 Report Share Posted April 21, 2010 Finally, a bass for yours truly! I've been wanting to build myself a short scale, piezo only bass for a while but I've been too busy with commission builds lately. I've still got to draw up a more detailed plan, but the spec so far is... 30" scale, 4 string Korina body Ziricote top, with dyed black Sycamore veneer Maple neck Hipshot 'Ghost' bridge (black) Acousti-Phonic pre-amp Ultra Lite tuners (black) Macassar Ebony fretboard ...all of the above is subject to change of course, I'm still toying with the idea of adding a magnetic pickup (or 2), but we'll see Due to other commitments, it'll be a couple of week until I can really get stuck into this project, but I've made a small start... the body has been glued up and cut to shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Our Souls inc. Posted April 21, 2010 Report Share Posted April 21, 2010 P-P-P-puuurrrdy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihocky2 Posted April 22, 2010 Report Share Posted April 22, 2010 Very nice looking so far. I really like that top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solomon684 Posted April 22, 2010 Report Share Posted April 22, 2010 Yea, the top is fantastic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ae3 Posted April 22, 2010 Report Share Posted April 22, 2010 As is the shape Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simo Posted May 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2010 Some progress, at last! I've rounded over the edges, as well as carving the forearm and the rear 'gut cut' contours, I'll be making a start on the neck next week... so more updates soon . By the way, my workshop blog is now online at www.simnettguitars.com (shameless advertising ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuntinDoug Posted May 20, 2010 Report Share Posted May 20, 2010 Ziricote is my favorite wood. That is one beautiful body! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narcissism Posted May 20, 2010 Report Share Posted May 20, 2010 Simo, I've been amazed by your bass guitar builds since I joined the forum! I can see why people are recommending ziricote as a fretboard for my limba guitar now. Good stuff! I can't wait to see what you do with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willliam_q Posted May 21, 2010 Report Share Posted May 21, 2010 I'm not into Bass guitar in anyway but I really like the figure in that chunk of wood, gorgeous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simo Posted May 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2010 Simo, I've been amazed by your bass guitar builds since I joined the forum! I can see why people are recommending ziricote as a fretboard for my limba guitar now. Good stuff! I can't wait to see what you do with it Cheers Ziricote is great for fretboards, just make sure you check the pieces carefully, as it's prone to surface checking and end splitting during the drying process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simo Posted May 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2010 Work has begun on the neck... I wanted the neck to have a clean & simple look, so nothing too fancy, just plain Maple with Black Walnut laminates, which should fit nicely with the colours of the body woods. I've also picked out a Macassar Ebony fretboard to use. Pic taken before gluing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simo Posted May 27, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2010 Just a quick update... The scarf joint is done & I've glued on the headstock veneers. Again, nothing too fancy, just plain black veneers (dyed Sycamore) front & back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hooglebug Posted May 27, 2010 Report Share Posted May 27, 2010 i love those veneers (anita yes?). a headstock just looks so much classier with a black veneer back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simo Posted May 27, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2010 i love those veneers (anita yes?). a headstock just looks so much classier with a black veneer back Yep, they're from Anita, it's the same stuff I use for the body accent line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted May 28, 2010 Report Share Posted May 28, 2010 30" scale, Jon? I'm moving in the opposite direction from "standard" to 36" ;-) That backstrap looks fantastically clean - steam bent, or was is pliable enough on its own? This really makes me wish that I would have the opportunity to continue making instruments sooner....I have so many ideas and concepts to try out.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simo Posted May 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2010 30" scale, Jon? I'm moving in the opposite direction from "standard" to 36" ;-) That backstrap looks fantastically clean - steam bent, or was is pliable enough on its own? This really makes me wish that I would have the opportunity to continue making instruments sooner....I have so many ideas and concepts to try out.... My arms aren't long enough for 36" I pre-bend the veneer before gluing... I damp the veneer down with some water, then place an mdf caul underneath (curved to fit the bend of the neck) and clamp it down for a little while. Once the clamps are off, a quick check to make sure everything fits ok, then it's time for the Titebond. It makes the job a lot easier, especially when the headstock angle is quite steep, like mine. A couple of toothpicks to keep the veneer from moving while being glued works well too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simo Posted June 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2010 Another quick update... nothing too exciting I'm afraid I've slotted the Macassar Ebony fretboard (21 frets) and the truss rod channel has been routed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oblaty Posted June 10, 2010 Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 I love the headstock shape Keep up good work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simo Posted June 12, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2010 The neck is getting there, slowly but surely... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simo Posted June 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 The neck pocket has been routed & I've done the majority of the neck shaping... it's starting to look like a bass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuntinDoug Posted June 16, 2010 Report Share Posted June 16, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Untitled_Project Posted June 17, 2010 Report Share Posted June 17, 2010 Wow man! That is a work of art! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simo Posted June 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2010 After a lot of thought I've decided to add a magnetic pickup... as I've mentioned, this will be my personal bass and will mainly be used for recording purposes, so I decided that adding a magnetic pickup would be a good idea to give me a greater range of tones. I've gone for an EMG 35P4 in the neck position, I tend to favour the neck pickup when playing and the deeper tone should blend nicely with the bright sounding piezo. Just to give an idea of how it will look... I've also done the side dot inlays, they're 2mm sterling silver tube (the centres still need to be filled)... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narcissism Posted June 18, 2010 Report Share Posted June 18, 2010 For my playing style and visual preference, I would have had the pickup more centered between the bridge and neck. However, I see a lot of people pivoting off the neck join lately. Also, the diversity in the sound that you mentioned is key. Just my opinion/trailing thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted June 18, 2010 Report Share Posted June 18, 2010 Hmm. Many jazz-style (not "Fender Jazz") basses have one pickup in the neck position only. I think it will work nicely, especially if given the option of a blend with the Piezo. The pickup looks roughly in the 24th fret position....wonder how that will sound? Not wanting to open that redundant can of pickup positioning worms however! I've found Ziricote adds a lot of character as a fingerboard wood - my RBX is far livelier with one, although the stainless steel frets may also have something to do with that also. You need to get that 12th fret sidemarker sorted, Simo ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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