JayT

I've further tweaked this design to be more of an off-set body, smaller also -- basically copying the Wolfgang Special for most specs. Let's see how long it takes me to actually make the first cut .

@nakedzen I’m finding out that I’m not great at binding—but keeping at it 

Binding done mostly- that was a learning exercise for sure.

First binding attempt

Neck pocket nice and tight 

and using my cheap & jerry rigged tools managed to get the fret wire in and rough filed pretty quickly— at least compared to my first 3 full builds

it sure is satisfying when you can tell you’re getting better at something new you’ve been sending your valuable time on. 

Snail’s pace - but some progress on the neck 

I got a little sand happy on the headstock and it might be too thin. I’m afraid the string retainer screw might be a couple mm to long and punch through 

I worked the original thinning scrap — maybe I’ll stain it same color as the body and glue down as an interesting veneer for extra thickness…TBD

also the fingerboard grain is pretty deep.

Could/should I fill with wood dust & seal? Any help or advice is appreciated!!

anyway it’s comin’ along 

Some progress

If I see another “first build” crafted anywhere near this well and looking fantastic to boot I’m going to just walk into the ocean. 
@Dave Higham this is a GOTM contender for sure, great work!

7 hours ago, Bizman62 said:

I seem to be seeing a pattern there, are you sure you aren't an industrial builder?

I like to think of myself as “industrious” — but I’m not sure what you mean

@Bizman62 but the margin for error when making the inlay cavities is almost zero. 
If I make (carve? excavate?) these cavities after the fret board is radiused the cavity will have a radiused bottom. I mean using my dremel mount…

100% Done!

Finished up my first bass build and beginning work on the next! Here's the mockup:

Not 100% final on the pickguard shape yet -- but this is getting close. I'm using this Ricky clone as inspiration:

baby stepping my skills - so this'll be my first attempts at

1. translucent burst dye
2. mother of pearl inlays
3. binding on the body

So far I've got the blanks milled and body cut out.

Question - the inlay material I got is so thin!  How is this going to work on the radius? Won't the edges get sanded down to nothing leaving wood showing...even if I put them in after  is sanded?

I needed thicker material, right? This is only like 2mm thick!

Strung up, and I’m liking it so far. Just need the string tree to be delivered then can set up— still need to fret level too

@ADFinlayson believe it or not I used Rit all purpose dye - usually for tie-dye shirts and stuff. Golden Yellow finished over with poly

as always I look for most cost effective options since I still feel I’m learning the craft. I’ll use brand named hardware when I think I’m ready to do a serious build that I’d let a real player touch.

did electronics last night and assembled today also carved the nut.

Just got a string up and let neck get used to tension for a few days - then fret level and do final set up.

Dyed and 1st coat of poly

Made pick guard today

Looks badass! Pretty damn good for first build…I’d be happy if my 10th turns out this nice. Bravo

Routed the pu cavity and drilled some holes, attached neck …

but at 48mm thick the body was a bit too honking so I decided to route off 3mm from the back end

it didn’t work out as planned, -the body scraps and leaving “ rails” was a bad idea — the non-sled I rigged up kept leaving ruts, 3mm became 5mm then 7.5mm 

so after chiseling, planning, and sanding it went from a “chunky meaty body” to a “slim lightweight body” it is what it is

round the edges & carved belly cut but sine it’s on the thinner side now I’m not going to make a forearm contour, trying to avoid neck dive

but I’m happy with it I suppose- almost panicked and scrapped the whole thing- glad I took a breath

Progress report...made a template for the pick guard.

Found centerline using this laser level thing I received 17 years ago as a gift from mother-in-law to hang pictures or something. I've only ever used it for guitar making...and bonus I figured out the red googles it comes with is for seeing the beam better in bright rooms. I gotta start reading directions, I thought it was to proect my eyes from the blinding beam or something  so of course I never used them

routed the neck pocket...

...and got a nice tight pocket. 

Starting to look like something resembling a guitar!

Such good work, you’ve inspired me to add binding on my next build. 

Back from OBX vacation and did some work - frets in

I messed up my drill press trying to use as an arbor press, after 3 frets I went back to good ole hammer and worked so much better- I bet I can tighten something in that drill press to make it stop slipping

Sanding sucks…but got a nice radius with this janky guide 

Getting close to finished neck

now for question time— any advice on sealing/not sealing the finger board?

I’ve got some options but (as usual) a unsure the best route here. If any at all