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Norris

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Everything posted by Norris

  1. Norris
    It's not exactly rocket science, but I am acutely aware of my lack of woodworking experience before I started this build. There again, I'm a computer programmer by trade and I like to get things right first time, or at least minimise errors if there is any uncertainty
  2. Norris
    A quick way to ruin a nice piece of wood if you don't get it right first time. This build has taken me long enough already, without having to fix mistakes or even re-make the body! Plus I wasn't 100% certain I'd got the guide bush offset correct - I am now
  3. Norris
    Fabulous!
  4. Norris
    Not a huge amount of progress again, but I did find time to finally do a test routing of my neck pickups templates. So my pickup is currently mounted in a chunky off-cut of pine. I'm quite pleased with that - drops in nicely without any pressure required and no huge gaps.
  5. Norris
    Nice job and great to see another one getting some TLC! I'm not sure if mine is a very early bass or something, but my pickups are fitted with wood screws - not the threaded inserts. But yes, it's a complete rats nest of wiring, and the varitone switch is a work of art. Edit: (June 2022) I just happened upon this old post and hated seeing the PhotoBucket "photo not found" image, so I guess these couple of photos lingering on my phone may have originally been here...
  6. Norris
    Fantastic work. Gorgeous burst
  7. Norris
    I have been making some templates to use with my 30mm guide bush and a 10mm bit. That gives me a 10mm offset. Copying an idea I saw on here, I asked my father-in-law to make me a washer of the correct size on his lathe, to quickly trace round things. This is what he came up with... He's not defaced a picture of the queen - it's George VI on the back He said it should be accurate to within a few thousandths of an inch, which is a lot more accurate than the pencil I'll be using Hopefully I'll get a chance to test it soon
  8. Norris
    Progress has been slow, but there has been some. I had a load of gigs throughout June which left me a bit weary for doing much at the weekend, plus I've had a lot of stuff going on at work - I'm a computer programmer and we just rolled out a 6 month project, one of those very un-glamorous updates that would have a major impact if it went wrong (i.e. not much credit to be had if it works ok, but a good kicking if it goes wrong! ) Anyway I've been crowning and polishing... I checked them with a borrowed fret rocker and had just one small high spot - which I'm quite pleased with. The frets are finished! I still need to do the final finishing & drill holes for the hardware. I will also make a new wider Gibson-style nut. Apart from that the neck will be tucked away safely while I continue with the body routs & carving
  9. Norris
    You're a brave chap Andy - I'll give you that!
  10. Norris
    I suppose it depends how "serious" you are as to how much you want to invest in your tools. The Shinto is good price/performance for my level and the fact that I'm still building my first guitar . Once I finished the rough flat rasping I moved onto a concave cabinet scraper. I didn't have issues personally
  11. Norris
    My Shinto rasp was quite reasonably priced and is a joy to use. It made short work of the rough neck carving before I moved onto scrapers
  12. Norris
    Already started buying hardware It will be a walnut & maple 5-string, multi-scale, neck-through bass
  13. Norris
    Progress over the last week or two. Despite doing a test routing with the neck pocket template beforehand, the actual pocket turned out just slightly too sloppy. That was remedied by a strip of 0.6mm maple veneer either side. It probably won't be too noticeable being in the neck pocket and if that's the worst cock-up I do I'll be pretty happy (I've not had any major issues yet!). The body will be dyed a fairly dark blue, which should also help to disguise it a bit. So then onto levelling & crowning the frets. I worked as quickly (but carefully!) as I could, but ran out of time in last night's class with 3 frets to go! The last 3 frets shouldn't take too long. Once they are all polished up that should be the neck just about complete apart from the final finishing. I'm also making the templates for the rest of the body routes. There will be few weeks to go yet, but the end is in sight for this epic thread (started back in September!).
  14. Norris
    Such a shame that the buyer might back out - I hope a decent deposit was paid Fabulous guitar & excellent workmanship!
  15. Norris
    If you were to bind the top of the body that would cover it - a nice rosewood binding to match the fretboard would look great
  16. Norris
    Stick a zero fret in the existing slot, then have the nut sitting off the end of the board? But as Pros says, I'd question the suppliers first, as the warping needs sorting first
  17. Norris
    Wow. Inspirational stuff!
  18. Norris
    I'm not sure what clear lacquer you're using (or your location!). If nitro-cellulose, then this chap does a good range of coloured N-C rattle cans: Manchester Guitar Tech
  19. Norris
    Some handy tips here. I've been struggling to get the effect I'm after with the sandback layers & I think that diluting the stain is the way to go
  20. Norris
    It's spring & the garden has needed a bit of sorting (I banked a few "brownie" points with Mrs Norris!), so not a huge amount of progress on the guitar. This is partly due to having made the neck pocket template to match the instructor's router bit & guide bush... and then running out of time to cut it at the last session... and a public holiday this week so no classes. Anyway, the neck is coming on nicely. Down to 320 grit now and we're starting to get smooth. I'm quite pleased with the volute (is it called that on a Fender style neck?) transition - that's smoothed out nicely. The binding was a slight worry (next time I'll shape the neck AFTER fitting the bound board), but has turned out well - no gaps/glue lines, and I've not gone through it blending in the neck wood. Another hour or so at the 320 grit should have it silky smooth. Then I'd better start on some more router templates for bridge, pickups and rear control chamber.
  21. Norris
    There are specialist websites for that kind of thing so I'm led to believe
  22. Norris
    I'll be watching too - I'm gathering ideas for my next build Orgasmatron - Lemmy tribute?
  23. Norris
    I've been using both the concave and flat scrapers. But yes, you have to watch out for the pointy corners on the concave one
  24. Norris
    I've now moved on to my concave cabinet scraper - very nice to use
  25. Norris
    An hour or so with a fine half-round file and it's starting to take shape. I like carving necks
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