basey

yeah, I've been really lucky with this one so far. (for a first attempt at a neck through)

I've learned so much at every step of the process, I wouldn't know where to begin.

I guess the main thing I'm doing different this time, Is pre-planning, and using the proper tools. (as proper as I can afford anyway)

I used the 24 inch allen hotrod on a 35 scale bass.

The headstock looks a little more compact and "chubby" looking than it did in your templates... did you cut it down and round it off a bit, or is it just an illusion?

Funny you mention it. I thought it looked a little different too.

It must be because I cut the angle of the headstock and then laminated a quarter inch of flamed maple on it. That must have changed the way the top template laid on the wood or something. If that makes any sense.

Hello again,

Thanks for all the kind comments

I've got some more progress pics of the headstock and I've finally got the right finish for the maple top and headstock.

I also picked up a brass bolt from the surplus store and milled a nut out of it. I laminated the bottom of it with purpleheart. hopefully, to tone down the brass sound a little.

The first pic is of the headstock with the holes drilled and the truss cover carved and ready to finish. The nut is just resting in place.

The next picture is of the neck and headstock with a swatch of the finished wood and a peice of the brass bolt.

The last pic is of the body with the same swatch wood resting on it.

Oh yeah, Thanks litch, for the info, it worked out great. The gap was where the upper wing meetes the fretboard. not anymore!

Now I'm just waiting for the bridge/pickup templates to come in the mail.

I'm really looking forward to finishing the wood.

nice I love that purpleheart fretboard.

Very sharp looking.

It goes good with the green too.

I usually play standard on the bass. Sometimes I tune differently on the acoustic to play jimmy page tunes.

I voted for maple. I think the whales would look good with a high gloss, figured background. kinda watery looking. ... I could be wrong though.

Nice design BTW

Ozzy- Bark at the Moon

Maiden-Phantom of the Opera- Duellists

Slayer- Raining blood

Metallica- Orion

Sabbath- War Pigs-Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

Prong-Right to Nothing ?

Tough choice this month.

Very pretty. I love that shade of blue.

I use a bass pod pro, and love it. I've heard alot of people don't like it though.

I think it's because they try to use it like an effects loop instead of a preamp.

My singer uses a pod pro in his studio though. He loves it for recording. (no mics)

on the contrary i think they look like they balance much better than usual basses....look playable to me

I hadn't thought of that.

They look so delicate though. I'd be afraid to let loose on it.

That fingerboard is definately easy access though.

Stainless milling tools are not a problem for me. I work with stainless at my job all the time.

I just want to know if the tone is going to be comparable to the steel frets. In retrospect, I should've used a zero fret for the effect I want. But I really don't want to redo the fretboard now. Besides, I don't like the way the zero fret looks.

Thanks for the advice anyway. maybe I'm getting a little too ambitious for my first neck-through. I can always change it later (the nut) if I don't like the tone.

I just thought someone here might have tried it before or something.

I was thinking about milling a stainless steel nut for my bass to try and match the tone of the steel frets on open notes. Has anyone ever tried this? or heard of using steel for a nut?

These Ritter basses don't look like they'd be very playable.

But I think they're drop dead gorgeous.

http://www.local81.com/bass/burl.JPG

http://www.local81.com/bass/quilt.JPG

nice work!

I'd like to see what the others look like.

No offense to you Drak, but you have already posted instructions on how to do a carri-burst. LINK

Whats the difference if someone else posts tips on how to do it.

I guess I just don't know where your coming from.

I'm not sure if this helps or not but you can seal the maple with shellac and spray on a transperant toner. I've done that with cabinets before. and it had the same effect.

BTW those guitars are cool, where did you find the pics?

I could definately use some tips!

before I ruin some really nice maple.

hello again, I finally got some decent pictures taken of the bass.

I've put in some of the side dots and profiled the neck. It is surprisingly light.

and well balanced.

here's the new pics.

Nice!!!! I love that fretboard.

Thanks for all the nice comments

I've made a little more progress today.

the top is on and I've shaped the back a little

The first pic a of the front edge of the bass.

this on is of the side profile of the body.

the last one is of the back edge of the bass

I've got a 1/16th inch seam next to the fretboard on the top.

I was wondering if anybody knows how to fill it and still be able to stain the wood?

All I can see is the x thing.

More progress

I found a sanding flapper disk for my grinder and it made quick work of the body.

The first pic is a picture of the bass before I put on the flame top.

the second is a picture of the end of the body, from the top.

I love how the laminated neck shows at the end.

And the third is of the end of the body back.

Hopefully I will get the templates for the bridge soon.