i need some help gang - Colby Bass

[drbassman]

Here ya go.  Once I get the frets on, I'll do some final measuring and I should be able to lower the bridge a little based on the amount of height travel in the individual saddle adjusting screws.

[sniper]

that looks amazing. do my eyes deceive me or is that riser somewhat tapered?

i even kind of like the partial grain dye on the sides, falls inline with the fungus marks, nail holes and worm holes in the top.

[jumbodbassman]

Here ya go Sniper.  Fret board on and sanded on top.  Gotta finish sanding the sides, install dots, top and side, and then frets.  Got hardware lined up and centered and all the holes drilled except for the bridge.  It's really looking like a bass now!!!

I discovered a couple things.  First, it's a real pain in the butt installing a fretboard on a neck when you're trying not to mess up the finish!  It's impossible to cut the fret board exactly before installation, so you have to do a little scraping/sanding after the glue dries.  Not so easy to do with the neck finished already!  Building a neck from scratch, and all unfinished, is much easier for sure.  But, I managed just fine.  I do have a couple little spots to touch up with some neck amber where the fret board meets the neck, nothing big.

Due to the 3 degree neck angle, I'll have to put an ebony slab/riser, less than 1/8", under the bridge for proper height adjustment.  You shouldn't even notice it.

Here's some eye candy for ya.................

sweet bass

[drbassman]

sweet bass

Thanks, it's coming together!

[drbassman]

that looks amazing. do my eyes deceive me or is that riser somewhat tapered?

i even kind of like the partial grain dye on the sides, falls inline with the fungus marks, nail holes and worm holes in the top.

It's an optical illusion from the camera angle, it's flat.  No actual dye on the riser, it's all natural ebony, 2 pieces.

[sniper]

i meant the dye on the Ash sides.

[drbassman]

i meant the dye on the Ash sides.

Wow, was I confused!!!  Duh!

I agree, the dye remaining in the ash is subtle and looks really nice/consistent with the maple.  

[birdie]

Cool bass!!

[drbassman]

Cool bass!!

Thanks Birdie, we're making progress.  Slow, but it's still progress!

[birdie]

Slow and steady is a good thing!

[drbassman]

Slow and steady is a good thing!

Sometimes it keeps me from making mistakes, but not always!!!

[sniper]

Sometimes it keeps me from making mistakes, but not always!!!

like having your contractor sending you the wrong bridge type or using hard Ash (just drill holes in the Ash, the dye will soak in then!) or insisting on a 37 degree neck angle!

i'll do better next time, i promise.

[drbassman]

like having your contractor sending you the wrong bridge type or using hard Ash (just drill holes in the Ash, the dye will soak in then!) or insisting on a 37 degree neck angle!

i'll do better next time, i promise.

No big deal, we'll both do better next time!!!  It's been a productive collaboration thus far.  In fact, time is the one thing I really need more of.  I think I'm 2 years away from retirement, so it's looking good!!!

[drbassman]

Just thought I'd double check on the fret size again.  Which frets, using Stew Mac's numbering system, do you want?  Just want to be absolutely sure before I go pressing them in!

[sniper]

wide medium 0149

or wide high 0154

i can't remember which. i think we decided that the 0149 was closest to the original Gibby size. what i don't know is what size you ordered but what ever it was, it will be fine.