Andyjr1515 Posted August 5, 2016 Report Share Posted August 5, 2016 Hi again. This is the other project a few folk have asked about. Same format - just a general picture based summary. This was my first build for Pete - he wanted something in the style of his hero Jack Bruce's fabulous Warwick Thumb Fretless. This was also my first full build including neck (I had done a few partial builds, but generally using commercial necks). My slightly unconventional build method came about from the fact I had never seen a Warwick Thumb in real life and couldn't work out any other way of them getting a single-piece top in the solid piece of Bubinga. I now know that Warwick add wings to the neck in the 'conventional' way but then add a fantastically finely chosen and fitted middle piece of top wood and so it looks like a single blank, when in fact it's a three piece! Anyway, a flying visit to the past: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted August 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2016 And here was the finished article: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted August 5, 2016 Report Share Posted August 5, 2016 I thought that was bubinga. Before my first build I put together a prototype to test my construction theories. It had a solid bubinga body. so I know that has to be one heavy bass. I've said this before...but it is still true. I've sanded harder woods than bubinga, but I've never sanded a wood that's harder to sand than bubinga. It is seriously tough stuff. And it makes a very nice looking bass. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted August 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2016 29 minutes ago, ScottR said: I thought that was bubinga. Before my first build I put together a prototype to test my construction theories. It had a solid bubinga body. so I know that has to be one heavy bass. I've said this before...but it is still true. I've sanded harder woods than bubinga, but I've never sanded a wood that's harder to sand than bubinga. It is seriously tough stuff. And it makes a very nice looking bass. SR You're right, Scott - it's a very heavy wood. The bass, on the other hand is far from it. The Thumb has a tiny body, and the scalloped back also takes out a lot of weight. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SIMpleONe89 Posted August 5, 2016 Report Share Posted August 5, 2016 How did you do the radiused body? With a router jig? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted August 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 5, 2016 On that one I used a router with a straight edge guide to route contour slots then a curved scraper to take away the corners. I now have a curve-bottomed pull shave which is a lot, lot easier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted August 11, 2016 Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 That's a monster bit of Bubinga, but I guess that it needs to be! "Wiz zis thread sir, you are spoiling ahz" Not sure if that sounded like the Ferrero Rocher embassy ad, John Cleese's waiter in "The Meaning Of Life" or Arnie. Perhaps all three. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted August 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2016 30 minutes ago, Prostheta said: That's a monster bit of Bubinga, but I guess that it needs to be! "Wiz zis thread sir, you are spoiling ahz" Not sure if that sounded like the Ferrero Rocher embassy ad, John Cleese's waiter in "The Meaning Of Life" or Arnie. Perhaps all three. It was my wife who took delivery of the two sides wrapped together in black plastic. The post man grinned and said, "Here's the brieze block (concrete building block) you ordered!" It was certainly the right size and weight! It's a VERY heavy wood.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted August 12, 2016 Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 Where did you manage to source that monster anyway? Care to share the price also? Good reference information..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted August 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 58 minutes ago, Prostheta said: Where did you manage to source that monster anyway? Care to share the price also? Good reference information..... It's a UK specialist woods supplier here http://www.exotichardwoodsukltd.com/ The Bubinga two piece blanks currently retail at £66 but, for those, you can't see the specific pieces you are getting so presumably not guaranteed to be pommelled figuring. On the other hand, his extensive range of tops and acoustic sets have photos of the specific piece you are getting. Mind you, some are v expensive (look at the Blackwood acoustic sets at £750!!!) Its from here I also got the camphor for my recent single cut bass. If you do a Google search rather than use the link be careful because there is another supplier called Exotic Hardwoods. The one I use is Exotic Hardwoods UK Ltd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted August 12, 2016 Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 I've come across them before but never really spent much time considering specifics. Short of Madinter, I'm looking for a source of some basic back and side sets for my dreadnought. Bubinga would be interesting, however I have zero idea how that bends in comparison to others at this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted August 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 1 hour ago, Prostheta said: I've come across them before but never really spent much time considering specifics. Short of Madinter, I'm looking for a source of some basic back and side sets for my dreadnought. Bubinga would be interesting, however I have zero idea how that bends in comparison to others at this time. I've never used bubinga for an acoustic, although it is a popular choice, so I suspect that it isn't too bad for bending, but I can't be sure. However, I think the bubinga acoustic sets I've seen on sale in various places tend to be a plainer grain - presumably for the enhanced stability and workability - although I have seen some finished guitars with quite strong figuring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted August 12, 2016 Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 Well this is my first acoustic after all. I'd like to try and get in some practice pieces first. I can easily make up a bunch of Birch "sides" however I'm sure how representative it is of the species I would prefer to use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted August 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2016 1 hour ago, Prostheta said: Well this is my first acoustic after all. I'd like to try and get in some practice pieces first. I can easily make up a bunch of Birch "sides" however I'm sure how representative it is of the species I would prefer to use. From what I can gather, the more figured bubinga is, the more difficult it is to bend. Straight-grained bubinga is said to bend well and 'waterfall' bubinga is said to be difficult. What will you be using for the bending? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted August 13, 2016 Report Share Posted August 13, 2016 No idea as of yet. The way I look at these things is, "how much value can I get out of this for a tutorial or article?". I mean, there's the old school methods such as boiling the wood in a water bath, a propane torch in a steel pipe or a commercial bender. Then there's a Fox bender. I don't know really, because finances are limited. Getting the most out of very little does help a lot of people in the same boat though, as long as it is safe and qualified with good information on how to make it work properly. I might simply use a bunch of incandescents in a Fox bender, and then consider upgrading it with a heat mat, etc. later in the game. That's a nice upgrade route bit by bit I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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