Simo

Finally got the 1st coat of lacquer on today...

Very nice build! The body shape is simple and nice.

Can you share the opinion about Korina (=Limba?)? Nether worked with it and i'm interested about it sound properties and ease of machining.

I tend to use the Idigbo variety as it's easier to get over here, Limba and Idigbo do differ ever so slightly but are both sold under the USA wood importer trade name of Korina. It's great to work with, sands very easily, routes well, it's quite light and the tone is great. The only real problem I have with it, is that it's prone to woodworm, so look out for worm holes when you pick a piece out, or if you're buying rough sawn then expect some wastage.

Like the look of this one. Nice clean lines!

Did you use a spokeshave in the neck shaping at all, or just the chisels and rasps?

Nope I don't use a spokeshave, I mainly use the Shinto rasp along with a belt sander.

Fret's are in I'm on to the final sanding, all being well the first coats of lacquer will be applied early next week.

I've made a start on the neck shaping today, still loads more to do but it's starting to take shape.

alright, call me ignorant, but ive been silently following this build and i have a question....how my friend do you do seemless cavity covers like that?

I route the cover using a template cutter and mdf template.

alright, call me ignorant, but ive been silently following this build and i have a question....how my friend do you do seemless cavity covers like that?

That's classified as TOP SECRET...

Simo, your builds are getting better and better! That Korina looks clean, nice and even colored! Are you staining the top or will it be natural?

Thanks They'll be no staining, I've always preferred natural woods. I'll be using Rustin's Plastic Coating and beeswax for a nice satin finish.

How is stainless steel to work with?

It's not too bad to work with, it takes a while to cut and file but the end result was worth it.

What type of wood is the thin black veneer, and where can you get it?

It's dyed black veneer, from marquetry.co.uk

Will the fingerboard end be shaped in some way? (ie. not just cut straight across)

I'm assuming he'll use a roundnose router bit, if I could jump to conclusions

Yep

The end of the fretboard is due to be routed flush with the body, that's next on the list of things to do

Today I've made a control cavity cover out of an off-cut of Korina, I've also routed the neck pocket... I couldn't resist resting the parts in place to see how it will look when it's completed.

Haven't cut mine for about 4 or 5 years, it's down to the bottom of my shoulder blades.

The inlays are done and the fretboard has been radiused I suggested to Dan we use stainless steel for both the fret markers and side dots, 1.5mm for the side dots and 4mm for the fret markers, which Dan choose to have inlayed on the 7th, 12th, 19th & 24th frets. I'll be taking some neck measurements and profiles from one of Dan's basses later this week, then I'll make a start on shaping.

The neck will be bolt-on. The pickup choice was Dan's, maybe not something I would of choosen myself but I think it should work well for the tone he's looking for.

Wow! Who knew the mahogany would pop out like that? How does it sound unplugged? Is the neck holding up strong?

The neck still hasn't been lacquered, I'm waiting until my current build (5 string bass) is ready for finishing, so I can do them together. I did have it strung up for a test fit, and the unplugged tone was very nice.

Some of you might of already seen this over at the UKGB Forum or Talkbass but I thought I might as well post it up on here too. It's my first commission, for a friend (and former bandmate) of mine, Dan from Days of Ruin. The body design was created from Dan's rough sketches, the spec is as follows...

5 string, 35" scale, 24 frets

Korina body, with 1/2" Quilted Maple top

Plain Maple neck

Macassar Ebony fretboard

Black hardware: Hipshot bridge, Ultralite tuners

Nordstrand MM and Jazz pickups, 2 x vol, 1 x tone

Stainless steel dot inlays.

The pic below shows how it's looking at the moment, for progress pics go here.... http://www.flickr.com/photos/simnettguitar...57607478513105/

After a few thin coats of RPC and some rubbing down with some 0000 wire wool, I applied several coats of beeswax polish. The finish is very smooth & silky, I'd be lying if I said it was perfect but as my experience is lacking when it comes to finishing, I'm pleased with the final result. The neck will get the same treatment, I'm just waiting for the headstock logo.

I'll take some better pictures when it's complete...

I did use flash on that picture, so it's a little bright... but yes, it really does pop I'll take some better pictures when I do the next coat.

Btw anyone from around the birmingham area??

I'm not too far away from Brum... far enough though

I 2nd MexicanBreed's suggestion, Melvyn Hiscock's is a great place to start. You might also want to check out the UKGuitar Builders Forum, the link is in my signature.

Long time, no update!

I've decided to use Rustin's Plastic Coating for the body, which will be buffed to a satin finish. After over 2 years in the making it felt good to get the 1st coat on today! A friend of mine is working on a headstock logo for me (thanks Gaz!) so I'll have to wait until that's finished before the neck can be done. Here's some pics...

Final sanding:

http://usera.imagecave.com/banger/bodysand1.jpg

http://usera.imagecave.com/banger/bodysand2.jpg

Side dots:

http://usera.imagecave.com/banger/7.jpg

1st coat of RPC:

http://usera.ImageCave.com/Simnett/bassfin3.jpg

http://usera.ImageCave.com/Simnett/bassfin1.jpg

Relisted, at an even cheaper price...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...E:L:LCA:GB:1123

Having a bit of a clear out, pictures on request, payment by Paypal only. All prices include postage...

Wilkinson Tele pickup (6k), brand new, springs & screws included - £15

Chrome Wilkinson Tele Bridge, USA Tele sized 2 7/32 string spacing, brass saddles, test fitted but never used, comes complete with screws - £15

Chrome Tele control plate, new, no screws, £5

Left Handed Chrome Tuners, 6 inline, Schaller style, test fitted but never used, as new, includes screws - £12

Gold Warwick Strap Locks, brand new - £6

It's a tough one this month, in the end Msherman's 'Orion' got my vote.

My girlfriend has decided to sell her BC Rich to fund a new guitar, it's in great condition, starting price is just £99 with no reserve...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...E:L:LCA:GB:1123

Stunning work

Refund has been sent Joe.... now it's time for me to call Royal Mail

Just a suggestion... if you already have a PodXT then you could always try an Atomic (www.atomicamps.com). I sold mine when I left my band last year but it's the best amp I've ever owned, along with my PodXT Live it sounded amazing.

Stew Mac sells dyed Maple binding in red...

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bindings,_trim..._Purflings.html