Finally getting around to my bass build

[drbassman]

It's been months since I tore my shop up to do a redesign of it.  Now, it's almost all back together and I'm making some forms to build the sides on my basses.  I'm going with the one design for now and I'm going to try a acoustic version with bent wood sides and a solid body model.

Here's the design....


And the forms I made this week.......



I'm trying a new, bendable wood for guitar sides, I'll post more on that when it arrives.

[dadagoboi]

Nice, Bill!  Glad to see you're back in the saddle.  Semi hollow is  a great way to go.

[drbassman]

Nice, Bill!  Glad to see you're back in the saddle.  Semi hollow is  a great way to go.

Yeah, it's been a long time coming.  What with retirement in June and then going back to work on a part-time basis, I've been much busier than I expected!

I had experimented with hollowing out a solid piece of wood for the semi-hollow body and it's just a big pain, and mess, even with a good router table.  Doing the bent sides allows for a truer hollow effect with a thinner top and bottom.  I'll probably do a glue on neck as well, not a big fan of screws.

[Highlander]

Nice to see you back with a tool in your hands...

Hate to ask about that other build...?

[drbassman]

Nice to see you back with a tool in your hands...

Hate to ask about that other build...?

Egads, which other build?  I sold off a few without finishing them due to lack of interest ad time.

[Highlander]

I raised a Zombie thread...!

[Dave W]

I do like the shape. But Kenny's not going to let you rest until you finish the Billy Bo. 

[drbassman]

I do like the shape. But Kenny's not going to let you rest until you finish the Billy Bo. 

Ah, I see!  Fortunately, I didn't sell that one and intend to finish it this spring.   

[Highlander]

No rest for the wicked... er... 

[drbassman]

No rest for the wicked... er... 

For sure.  I'm gonna install a dust collection system in my shop today.  The wood for the sides of my basses will be ready in a week or two.  Meanwhile, I'm gonna glue up several tops and backs.

[Highlander]

 

[slinkp]

That's a nice body shape. Wonder what the rest of the design looks like!

[drbassman]

That's a nice body shape. Wonder what the rest of the design looks like!

Basically, like this:


This is not necessarily the hardware I'll use:

[jumbodbassman]

still like it.  IMHO needs a 2+2 style headstock..

[drbassman]

still like it.  IMHO needs a 2+2 style headstock..

The first few prototypes will be fender style necks, then we'll work on a 2+2 version.