MKGBass

I actually laughed aloud when I read your post. I'm actually in the process of making a neck of the same woods (sorta). Its a 5 pc, birdseye maple/bubinga/soft curly maple/bubinga/birdsey maple. I used two 3/4" birdseye maple pieces for the outers, then the bubinga pieces are each 1/4" and the curly maple is also a 1/4". It has a pretty good balance on it so far, and it looks sharp. The total neck width would be 2.75" Big enough for a 5 string bass neck...i dunno if thats the right size for 7 string guitar? Heres a pic: The upper portion I haven't finished thicknessing yet, which is why it looks kind of crooked.

I got my neck in from Gallery Hardwoods and I've routed truss channels in it (thankfully its large enough for two necks.) Its too big for my bandsaw, so I have to take it somewhere, which kinda scares me. I'm going to make sure to meet the guy thats cutting it, and watch him whilst he does it (expensive woods). Its wenge/maple/wenge. EDIT: as my edge guide is the contraption you see diagramed above, its not PERFECT. The route is off by 1mm on the left side at one end, and 1mm on the right side at the other. Will this matter? The other side is fine.

Titebond makes a Polyurethane glue as well now. I got a bottle at the local hardware store for about $7 (16 oz). It is exactly the same as gorilla glue, foam and all. You need lots of clamps with this type of glue as the expansion tends to try to push the wood apart, this is why I like Titebond I much, much better.

Yeah, Litchfield, Warwick is what turned us onto Ovangkol (shedua?). I've played a couple of the Thumb series (the 6 neck thru) that has an ovangkol body, and it was gorgeously perfect. I'll check up on those woods stores tdog, thanks a bunch. Oh, and I'd be looking for anything between 6/4 and 8/4.

Thanks guito. I'll see if I can check them out. Yeah, Snork, theres a woods store about 2 blocks from where i work that has loads of bubinga for a really good price. I would be plenty willing to substitute ovangkol for bubinga, except kirk (hes the K in MKG) has his heart set on making his bass from ovangkol.

You should be able to do it fine. If the body blank is 2 pieces and it comes unglued, it would be largely more convienent. However, if its glued or one piece, you'll have to cut it (probably in half) and plane and joint the edges of both the body pieces and the neckthru portion of the neck. As long as the body blank is actually a BLANK and not a pre-cut body, it would probably be your easiest way of building a neckthru. Wes used the Carvin Neck through in his V. See this thread for some info on that. I'm sure Wes will probably post, as he is by default the most knowledgeable in the carvin neckthru.

Thanks for all the imput guys. I'd look for a new truss, maybe one thats more reliable, but for this first project i've already got a hot rod on the way, so I'm just going to go ahead and give her a shot.

Yes and no. It depends on how deep your neck is at the heel. You'd need to base the neck pocket depth off of how deep your neck is. Though, you wouldn't have to be EXACT because it is much easier to shallow up the heel than it is to reroute another few mm's off the neck pocket. What you'd be looking for is the height of the the fretboard above the body once the neck is placed. I don't know how much higher you would want it to be. I suppose if at the lowest setting your bridge is 15mm, you woulndt want the fretboard to be any higher than say 13 or 14 (thats just how I would do it, wait for mastermind opinions of guys like lex, wes, drak, blah blah, theres a thousand of em. DONT ACT UNTIL THERES MORE RESPONSE). You can always raise the bridge height to adjust your action a little. This only works to a certain extent, as raising it to much will change the angle of tension on the headstock, and it could potentially cause problems.

Prices on Stew Mac's website aren't too bad on much. More than what you would pay in a local store, though. Warmoth also has a lot of options, but they can be pricey as well. Some of the more "Advanced Members" on this site might have some better ideas for you as far as budget cutters, but thats what i got. You planning to make this instrument from scratch, if so, where are you getting your woods and what kind, and do you have the tools you'll need to make it work?

I figured that was probably the case, and yes of course, I test everything Thanks.

As I do not have an edge guide for my router (one doesnt exist) and I cannot afford to buy or build a good router table for my workbench, I've devised this guide plan for routing truss rods. The blocks inbetween the blank and the backwall will put the router collet directly in the middle of the neck. My problem is this: It is going to be difficult to keep the handles parallel to the backwall, considering the power of the router. Any suggestions on how i might remedy this? The backwall, would of course, be bolted to the table, and i would laterally clamp the blank to it, to avoid vibration movements. EDIT: In theory the router base should be a perfect cirlce, if this is so, the rotation of the router around the collet shouldn't matter, right?

haha, cool cool, one of the one i tried was some sort of translucent plastic, it weighed a tone and it felt like crap... it wasn't $99, but it wasn't expensive. Sorry for the confusion

The Stew Mac hot rod says it requires a channel 7/32" wide and 7/16" deep. Considering 1/4" is 1/32 difference, and 1/2" is 1/16" difference, would it hurt if the channel was 1/4" x 1/2"....i would probably be putting a little silicon sealer in the corners to avoid truss rattle either way...

As I do not have an edge guide for my router (one doesnt exist) and I cannot afford to buy or build a good router table for my workbench, I've devised this guide plan for routing truss rods. The blocks inbetween the blank and the backwall will put the router collet directly in the middle of the neck. My problem is this: It is going to be difficult to keep the handles parallel to the backwall, considering the power of the router. Any suggestions on how i might remedy this? The backwall, would of course, be bolted to the table, and i would laterally clamp the blank to it, to avoid vibration movements. EDIT: In theory the router base should be a perfect cirlce, if this is so, the rotation of the router around the collet shouldn't matter, right?

It's all said so matter of factly. It almost looks like it was as simple as eating pie...mmmm, pie... Like the burst you did there, you have a lot of experience painting? It seems like you did a pretty damn good job on the GOTM you entered as well...whats the story? p.s. It seem's lately everyone's kinda doing this warlock hitch. From my experiences with Warlocks, they're just trash, why the interest, besides the obvious aesthetic pleasers?

Snork, if you're looking for acoustic sets, look here. As I am looking for woods for a body (must be around 2" thick), that will simply not do. Im in the US Hotrock...any ideas?

Does anyone know where to find Ovangkol? None of the sites in the supply section list it. I've found a couple of places that sell back/side sets for ovangkol, but i need thick enough to make a body out of. Thanks and also, since im new here, could someone explain IMO/IMHO...haha Mitch

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Drak you never cease to impress. Looks great next to the future GOTM for March.

GO WES. Thats all I gotta say. Very perfect. I had to say that, too. And, yeah, ima vote. Can't forget that. What do you plan to do with your beautiful guitar? Yeah.

my apologies. Way to Go CURTIS.

Haha, also, Drak, where can we check out this guitar you've posted for March GOTM (im new, so don't hit me if im overlooking the obvious). Weezer i was talking about the Lacewood that Drak stripped off his Warlock, not your photoediting skills, i actuall quite admire them... Mitch

That poor, poor, lacewood. Let us all take a moment and mourn for the lost beauty.

the maple is all the way dry. I was questionable about that myself, so I asked the guys at the store. It's not a shop so they buy their woods precut and predried from another source.

Went over to the local woods shop today and picked me up some woods. Not a bad deal on them either. Large Sizes, sorry. EDIT: NOT ANYMORE The QMT ($20 ) And the neck woods from left Curly Maple, Bubinga, and Birdseye Maple. 'twill be a 5pc, i still gotta cut the bubinga down. Mahogany Body being glued I'll get the neck woods sized and glued tomorrow, and then probably start shaving layers off the mahogany this weekend. I've got some woods coming from Gallery Hardwoods tomorrow and then another shipment next week for another bass with Goncalo Alves top and wenge/maple/wenge neck. Peace EDIT: Sorry for the temporarily broken pics, we were having host problems. As the two basses mentioned will probably develop at the same time, i'll post pics of both in this thread.

Is grain filler necessary when finishing an instrument, and what exactly is its purpose? Thanks