ScottR Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 Quote In case I don't post for a while, have a Very Happy Christmas y'all Likewise. I'm in a similar circumstance. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted January 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 (edited) Happy New Year everyone!!!! The over-staying overstaying seasonal visitors are gone at last (lovely to see them...but not for THAT long!!! ) so started to head towards finishing this build. These shots make it look further along than it actually is, but I have started using a bit of Tru-oil as a sand-mark highlighter and sealer (it will eventually be wipe-on poly varnished). I have also inset a couple of slivers of ebony into the camphor pickup covers - trying just camphor actually detracted from the top rather than enhanced it, just ebony would have been a bit 'normal' so thought I'd try a half and half... I have to say, I really pleased how this is panning out - single-cut basses can be downright ugly, but this one is starting to gain a degree of elegance I was not entirely expecting Edited January 5, 2016 by Andyjr1515 typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted January 5, 2016 Report Share Posted January 5, 2016 The ebony in the covers does add to the look. Nice touch. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted January 6, 2016 Report Share Posted January 6, 2016 14 hours ago, Andyjr1515 said: single-cut basses can be downright ugly, but this one is starting to gain a degree of elegance I was not entirely expecting Agreed. I'm not a fan of single cuts, but this is looking very sweet. Nice work that man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted January 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2016 Bit more progress With enough coatings of varnish to protect the body during the handling involved, I have turned my attention to the fretting. There will be quite a few more coats of varnish before it's finished, but this is it after just 3-4, wiped on in my slightly unconventional style. : I then re-sanded the fretboard, checked and cleared the fret slots, opened the tops of the fret slots a touch with a triangular needle file and then installed the frets using a touch of titebond along the tang and the time honoured method of hammer one side, hammer the other side, hammer the middle, pop the radius block over the seated fret and hammer the c**p out of it a bit more for luck. Here they are, clipped but not yet fret-ended: I've since dressed the fret-ends, so next stages are to insert the luminlay side dots, level, recrown and polish the frets and then finish off the varnishing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted January 11, 2016 Report Share Posted January 11, 2016 Funny that you used Luminlay dots when I published an article on how to make your own today. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted January 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 11 hours ago, Prostheta said: Funny that you used Luminlay dots when I published an article on how to make your own today. Missed this! I'll track it down straightaway...Luminlay is great but VERY expensive for what it is... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 I only published it yesterday. Yeah, Luminlay is somewhat expensive. Making your own costs more than what buying one set does, however the materials produce something like (I guess) ten times as much. Sourcing a good price on the luminescent powder is the key. You'll probably have more luck finding a good local price in the UK. I bought from elsewhere in the EU. Equally, you've got a better choice of epoxies and casting resins on your doorstep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted January 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 2 hours ago, Prostheta said: I only published it yesterday. Yeah, Luminlay is somewhat expensive. Making your own costs more than what buying one set does, however the materials produce something like (I guess) ten times as much. Sourcing a good price on the luminescent powder is the key. You'll probably have more luck finding a good local price in the UK. I bought from elsewhere in the EU. Equally, you've got a better choice of epoxies and casting resins on your doorstep. Great article, @Prostheta Too late for this build but I'll certainly experiment with future builds. I wonder if I can get my logo 'swifts' to glow in the dark In the meantime, the final finishing phases are ongoing with the bass. I'm wiping on thinned polyurethane varnish. A bit slower with a thru-neck than a bolt-on as I am doing one side at a time (with wipe-on, it's a lot more consistent if you apply it flat) but lets me do other stuff while each coat is drying...and the other stuff at the moment is a dreadnought acoustic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 I was talking to @curtisa about machining inlay moulds into HDPE or other plastic. Corner radii are always an issue with that of course. Other options are to make a master inlay, create a negative mould with Sugru, Formcard or whatever and then mould inlays as described. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted January 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 2 hours ago, Prostheta said: I was talking to @curtisa about machining inlay moulds into HDPE or other plastic. Corner radii are always an issue with that of course. Other options are to make a master inlay, create a negative mould with Sugru, Formcard or whatever and then mould inlays as described. Interesting stuff. For small batches of intricate shapes, maybe also good-old-fashioned plaster of paris.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 Epoxy will stick to that like hell! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted January 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 9 minutes ago, Prostheta said: Epoxy will stick to that like hell! True - but I was thinking sacrificial like an cast metal resinated sand mould...hence only for small batch stuff. I can see the plaster being a beggar to chip off the relatively soft epoxy, mind you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted January 12, 2016 Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 The plaster would contaminate the epoxy (or vice versa) too much. Try it out, however it won't be a clean finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted January 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2016 8 minutes ago, Prostheta said: The plaster would contaminate the epoxy (or vice versa) too much. Try it out, however it won't be a clean finish. Yes - I think you're right. Just as well I've got too many other things on the go at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted January 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2016 Just doing what I hope is the final coat of varnish on the back and the neck - although with my unconventional wipe-on technique, you can never be sure until it's fully dry. Just before I did, I couldn't resist some mock-up shots: Assuming the finish is OK, a week to fully harden and then I can finish the fret dressing and hardware installation. While the varnish has been drying, I've been making a bit more progress on the dreadnought acoustic I'm doing for our old-gits-band's vocalist as a surprise present for his 'special' birthday in July. Plenty of time for me to c**k it up and start again : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted January 15, 2016 Report Share Posted January 15, 2016 That bass is looking impressive with the finish on it......and the dreadnought has some impressive looking timber in it. What is that? Sycamore? SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted January 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2016 42 minutes ago, ScottR said: That bass is looking impressive with the finish on it......and the dreadnought has some impressive looking timber in it. What is that? Sycamore? SR Thanks, Scott It's Lacewood - specifically London Plane Tree. It's going to be lovely when it's been fully prepared and finished... Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted January 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2016 Onto the final knockings. Frets are dressed and polished, tuners are fitted. Still to do is: lining the chambers with copper shielding fitting the bridge fitting the jack plate, p/ups and electrics final height dimensioning and fitting of pickup covers. Couldn't resist a few mock-up shots The Hipshot drop D appears to be workman-like and was very easy to fit Andy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitaraxz Posted January 21, 2016 Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 Everything of that bass looks top notch, the woods, the workmanship, great work! R 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted January 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2016 3 hours ago, Guitaraxz said: Everything of that bass looks top notch, the woods, the workmanship, great work! R Thanks @Guitaraxz . It's a build I have enjoyed immensely. I knew the camphor was special, so it was worth taking the extra care with the rest of the build to make the most of it. The most satisfying thing is that the future owner is delighted with the way it's starting to look 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted January 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 Well on the home straight now Got the bridge fitted and strings on - nice low action possible and very loud acoustically. That meant I could trial the pickups and see how low I can get those covers. Since then, I've shielded and earthed the cavities: Next job is to fit the electrics and see how low I can get the pickups with still retaining a decent output (the powered EQ will help here). Then I can get those covers as low as possible and then....it will be pretty much done In the meantime, I couldn't resist a strings-on mock up: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 Jeepers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted January 22, 2016 Report Share Posted January 22, 2016 5 hours ago, Prostheta said: Jeepers! What he said! I always see faces in burl........ SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted January 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2016 On 22 January 2016 at 8:26 PM, ScottR said: What he said! I always see faces in burl........ SR I didn't see faces....until now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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