(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn170/birdie-55/DSC03872.jpg)New neck join on #2. Got the template for this from Ed schafer for 25 bucks! A very helpful item.
???(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn170/birdie-55/DSC03873-1.jpg)the heel has a veneer because it was an afterthought. # 1 has no heel.
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn170/birdie-55/DSC03874.jpg)The rout is mostly experimenting w/ tonal variances. Also looking for a uniform rout that will serve whether I mount one pup or 2 or....
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn170/birdie-55/DSC03875.jpg)(http://[img]http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn170/birdie-55/DSC03876.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn170/birdie-55/DSC03876.jpg)The "new" headstock is angled back 4 degrees. That eliminates the need for string trees and improves string to nut contact. :-* Also after this one, the nut width will prob. be 11/2 in. instead of the 13/4 in. nut this cricket bat has!
Ok mate, i asked for it...but i only see pics. Nice, tell us something. Did you throw some weird electronic in that cavity or is it to make it lighter?
Gimme a minute!! Gotta go to the shop and see if the neck stayed straight.... :o
Will have more tommorra....
:popcorn:
Added some notes to the pics. Any comments observations are welcome.Yes I am asking for your opinions! Remember I am new and can use any insights from all you guys.
Going to PHX tommorrow w/ my wife. Going to see T. Petty and ZZ!! :mrgreen:
Being a fan of Thunderbirds, Jazz, and Precision 'A' necks, I like the direction you're going re nut width. Is this the same bass with one bird pickup you posted in the other thread? If so, I like it a lot.
I really like that headstock configuration you've come up with!
I like it so far. I see you have a mahogany back and maple top. I like that combination. Got a picture of the entire body?
Quote from: OldManC on September 24, 2010, 10:48:41 PM
Being a fan of Thunderbirds, Jazz, and Precision 'A' necks, I like the direction you're going re nut width. Is this the same bass with one bird pickup you posted in the other thread? If so, I like it a lot.
It's version #2 of the orangey-colored one in another thread. I think the narrower nut will appeal to more players.Not everyone came up playing a 58 p=bass..
Quote from: drbassman on September 27, 2010, 06:35:56 AM
I like it so far. I see you have a mahogany back and maple top. I like that combination. Got a picture of the entire body?
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn170/birdie-55/DSC03877.jpg) This is the 2nd. version of the design. Still in progress.
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn170/birdie-55/DSC03788-1.jpg) This was the first version. I've been using it for about 3 weeks or so. That's why #2 has so many changes to it ;)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn170/birdie-55/IMG_0888.jpg)
here's #1 with finish and ready to go!
Original... 8)
I like it. Kind of retro, kind of new... doesn't look quite like anything else.
Version 2 is now officially a fretless. Used maple strips to fill the slots. Came out well enough but would not use wood again I don't think. In filing and smoothing the ebony fingerboard, the strips pic up the dust and darken somewhat. If I do it again will find some non-porous substitute. Should be ready to shoot a sunburst on it next week!
I souldn't worry about any darkening of those strips - not being bright white can have it's own appeal...
Sho 'nuff. I'll look again at it this afternoon with "fresh" eyes. Also I imagine when it's all finished and dolled up I wont obsess on it!
Very nice, I like the first and second versions.
If you are planning to market, what prices...?
Quote from: Kenny's 51st State on October 03, 2010, 01:59:06 PM
If you are planning to market, what prices...?
That, my friend, is the question! I don't want it to be a "boutique bass".I want players like many of us here to be able to afford it, and not worry unduly about taking it to the Hole In The Wall for fear of dinging it.
As such, it must be;
A one design (KISS rule)
Be different yet totally familiar.
Built in runs of, let's say, four at a time.
Use the best materials I can afford,
And keep it as much under 2k as possible. I would prefer to be able to sell them for 1500. It takes me too much time at the moment to build them and have them be remotely affordable. Of course, it may be academic at this early stage of my conversion to Luthiery! if it all boils down to 5 bucks an hour when all is said and done, I think it would surprise the hell out of me. I ain't quitting though. I wish I had done this 10 years ago. Lovin' every minute of it!!
Quote from: drbassman on October 03, 2010, 01:12:41 PM
Very nice, I like the first and second versions.
Thank you Doctor. ;D
Sounds like a plan... even at $5 an hour, if you go to work with a smile on your face and never clock watch... ;)
Very true! However, IF I can move a few, get suppliers in line etc, it wouldn't hurt my feelings to make say, 7.50 an hr..... :rolleyes:
And maybe even get the price a bit lower. We shall see. Good challenge.
Easy there, you'll be goinng CNC on us next... :o ;)
Quote from: Kenny's 51st State on October 05, 2010, 10:08:52 AM
Easy there, you'll be goinng CNC on us next... :o ;)
Never! ....maybe a template or two.
Quote from: birdie on October 05, 2010, 10:51:21 AM
Never! ....maybe a template or two.
A good used pin router and a few templates will do wonders for your production time. Every step you can eliminate saves time and money. Look at Henry Ford - spec'd out a wooden crate that his suppliers had to ship parts in - that got knocked into four pieces that became the floor boards for four model Ts.
Quote from: Lightyear on October 06, 2010, 09:06:45 PM
A good used pin router and a few templates will do wonders for your production time. Every step you can eliminate saves time and money. Look at Henry Ford - spec'd out a wooden crate that his suppliers had to ship parts in - that got knocked into four pieces that became the floor boards for four model Ts.
A pin router is most definitely in my future. Never seen one in the flesh, but youtube has many vids of people using them. I have to sell some stuff, I think!
Beautiful basses ! I love the simplicity, one pup basses are for me !
Quote from: godofthunder on October 07, 2010, 05:56:59 AM
Beautiful basses ! I love the simplicity, one pup basses are for me !
Thanks, man! Baz has a cab for you, BTW. If I could,or had a gig like yours, I would be all over it!
Quote from: Lightyear on October 06, 2010, 09:06:45 PM
A good used pin router and a few templates will do wonders for your production time. Every step you can eliminate saves time and money. Look at Henry Ford - spec'd out a wooden crate that his suppliers had to ship parts in - that got knocked into four pieces that became the floor boards for four model Ts.
[/quote
Clever man, Hank was.....
I really like your #1 bass. Very fresh and original. You have a gift for design.
Thanks Cheyenne!
Hey all. It's been a while but I haven't been slacking tooo much. Proto #2 finnally getting sprayed, just a couple of more coats tomorrow and then will cure for a good 3 weeks. Should come out nice. I call it the banana bass, since the back of the neck came out a little too light relative to the front of the burst. My first unassisted finish job. I will live with it!
The little shop of horrors is starting to hum along. Been doing this for exactly one year as of this past Monday.......
Still a lifetime of work and learning to go-crammed into whatever I got left ;D
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn170/birdie-55/DSC03938.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn170/birdie-55/DSC03939.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn170/birdie-55/DSC03941.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn170/birdie-55/DSC03943.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn170/birdie-55/DSC03944.jpg)
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn170/birdie-55/DSC03945.jpg)
Nice looking 'Burst! Do you think you could build a 5 string with 18 or 19mm spacing? :)
Hey you're the second guy to ask me that! The first was a guy named Brad Houser.
Sure it can be done. Might need a longer horn to shift the c/g and compensate for the added neck weight. Or some lead under the bridge!! (some arch tops have that, also the banana bass.) Will see how that works . Trying out all kinds of stuff.
Wow, I really like that burst too! Well done!!!
Looking great, Leslie!
I see you're using Mohawk products. Would you explain your finishing process? Thanks!
oooooooooo nice!
Everythings looks great but the burst is simply awesome! Very well done!
Thanks! As far as product and process, I go with what Ed (whose shop I rent a space in) does. I simply know no other way and we can share haz-mat shipping fees etc. Keeps it simple.
The way he does it is;first a coat of shellac, wait 45 min or so. After mixing and shooting the color coat/coats, 12 coats of nitro 1/2 hour apart, let sit for three weeks. Followed by the joy of wet sanding and buffing on his ridiculously fast buffing wheel. Don't ask me how fast but I KNOW it will launch a solid piece of work and dang near put it through a wall. Ed got his shoulder impaled once :o!!
Love them both Birdie! I can't wait to start building my own. Gotta work on standardizing my processes first! You look like you've got it figured out.
That is looking soooo good...
:popcorn:
Y
Quote from: drbassman on December 04, 2010, 12:11:14 PM
Love them both Birdie! I can't wait to start building my own. Gotta work on standardizing my processes first! You look like you've got it figured out.
You're right, it only LOOKS that way! I seriously need to learn how to make jigs for the neck join for example.....
Thanks for the kind words!!
Very cool, Bro, Very cool!!!
Excellent. Keep on keepin' on :)
Hey gang! The "get in debt" season is blissfully over (yep,I be one of them bahhumbuggery types)
and thought you might like to see proto # 2 as it has progressed so far;
(http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn170/birdie-55/afd65c2b.png)
This is my first nitro finish attempt entirely on my own, and I am choosing to be happy with it.
Overall, the design and aesthetics of the bass are pretty much what I had in mind.The execution is where the Devil lies for me. In particular, the buffing was not a pleasant experience.The buffer I use spins at 1400 rpm.Can you guys tell me what your buffers spin at? Seems high to me. Had a particularly hard time with the sharp edges and burned through half a dozen times.
Am glad it's a prototype. As such it has served very well, in that there are features of this bass that are not making it into the final build plan,whenever THAT happens.Hopefully never! Ha!Also many things I really like a lot. Great learning experience.
This one is for me, to replace the Tony Franklin that none o' youze guys had the gumtion to make an offer on :mrgreen: Gonna be a great looking stage bass.
What do you think?
and I think it will be a great looking stage bass
Oops howthathappen?
That came out great Leslie!
My buffer is nowhere near as fast as yours - Hell it breaks down after an hour or so of work! The Doctors tell me that my shoulder is getting a little on the old/over used side of things - maybe I shouldn't push it so hard :P
Seriously though, on the buffing, you might check in over at ReRanch - I remember several threads on buffing nitro and that it burns through at too high of speed.
Wow, that's beautiful! Your buffer is probably spinning too fast and heating up the nitro unnecessarily. You need to change your pulley to slow her down. I've seen recommendations for an RPM of 700-800 to prevent burn through. There are some great discussions about it ReRanch forum.
Suggestions: Variable speed automotive type buffer from Harbor Freight, $39...stay off the edges, do them by hand. Improve your technique. Ask Dale, he's a pro. A lot of Reranch is amateur speculation IMO. Especially since you're not using rattlecans.
Love the bass, more pix!
Quote from: dadagoboi on January 10, 2011, 06:57:59 AM
Suggestions: Variable speed automotive type buffer from Harbor Freight, $39...stay off the edges, do them by hand. Improve your technique. Ask Dale, he's a pro. A lot of Reranch is amateur speculation IMO. Especially since you're not using rattlecans.
Love the bass, more pix!
Good suggestions regarding the hand buffer. LThere are lots of amatuers at ReRanch, however, some of the best (and better than here even) small scale builders hang out there. I've learned more from that site than I can even recount. The best free education one could get. It's not all speculation and I highly recommend it.
Quote from: drbassman on January 10, 2011, 07:18:58 AM
Good suggestions regarding the hand buffer. LThere are lots of amatuers at ReRanch, however, some of the best (and better than here even) small scale builders hang out there. I've learned more from that site than I can even recount. The best free education one could get. It's not all speculation and I highly recommend it.
Sorry, Bill. I guess I'm a glass half full kind of guy and when some of the discussion on paint forums gets into the realm of equating finishing with rocket science it drives me nuts. If we could bring Dale into the discussion that would be great. It's not so much the rpm as the pressure and time in one spot, but lower rpms do make it a little easier.
When I started painting my reference sources were a PPG auto painting manual and a HotRod magazine book on how to paint your car in your carport. My first 'project' was a dozen mirror finish black lacquer (catalyzed polyester isocyanate Deltron) coffee tables. Boy was that a learning curve! Woodworking education consists of Fine Woodworking magazine and books on DIY furniture making. No wood shop at my H.S.
No forum is perfect. I have several good guitar building and finishing books in my library (Stew-Mac, Bernadetto, etc.). I'm a self-taught kind of guy and I also like the give and take via forums. I like to try different things and learn from others. The internet has made that easier. Naturally, one has to use some modicum of common sense when reading the postings of unknown folks on a forum!
Quote from: drbassman on January 10, 2011, 08:49:31 AM
No forum is perfect. I have several good guitar building and finishing books in my library (Stew-Mac, Bernadetto, etc.). I'm a self-taught kind of guy and I also like the give and take via forums. I like to try different things and learn from others. The internet has made that easier. Naturally, one has to use some modicum of common sense when reading the postings of unknown folks on a forum!
Let's just say I have limited social skills...my best friends call me Snarlo ;D
For my project bass, I bought a buffing wheel about 8" in diameter that would chuck up in a 3/8" VSR drill, grabbed some 3-M Finesse-It II machine polish and had at it! Worked out very well (although messy, with the buffing wheel flinging polish around), possibly because a 3/8 VSR drill couldn't spin that buffer very fast. No burn-throughs.
The result:
(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j306/apowell1/Electric%20Basses/P-J_bass_controls.jpg)
You are all very kind, thanks! Snarlo ( gotta love that) all great advice, especially "improve your technique"... :rolleyes: so true, so true..
Will check out reranch and see how I can become even more dangerous!
Lightyear,good to hear your arm will soon work again!
Big PS:
Props to Carlo for the toppers.They are very cool, and mounting the ring on a spacer, you cannot even tell it,s a top cover without getting yer snot on it!
Quote from: dadagoboi on January 10, 2011, 09:57:14 AM
Let's just say I have limited social skills...my best friends call me Snarlo ;D
No snarls noted! There's lots of ways to do things and the more we explore, then better off we are IMHO. You method obviously has lots of merit based on your outcomes.
There was a regular on ReRanch that was using a small randon orbit air buffer that did awesome work. The buffer used probably 3" foam pads and for guitar work he could buff out even black nitro with nary a trace of swirl marks or scratches - the secret was the speed, low, and RO. I think the thing was about $150 bucks - If I had to do too many buff jobs I would hunt one of those down. It also helped that he was using bulk nitro with some decent guns. Plus, I think he was a hotrod/chopper type painter as well. ;)
What is a random orbit air buffer, please? :-\
Quote from: birdie on January 10, 2011, 11:47:43 PM
What is a random orbit air buffer, please? :-\
It's a random orbital sander powered by an air compressor.
"I see" said the blind man...
Quote from: dadagoboi on January 10, 2011, 09:57:14 AM
...my best friends call me Snarlo ;D
mind if we shorten it to "Fang?"
Quote from: birdie on January 11, 2011, 10:43:16 AM
"I see" said the blind man...
"and he picked up his hammer and saw"
Quote from: birdie on January 11, 2011, 10:43:16 AM
"I see" said the blind man...
Quote from: sniper dog on January 11, 2011, 10:59:07 AM
"and he picked up his hammer and saw"
Don't laugh. A friend of mine, blind since birth, has a fully equipped workshop (with power tools) and knows how to use them.
And he hosts The Blind Handyman on ACB radio.
And he's a bassist.
Quote from: drbassman on January 11, 2011, 04:16:26 AM
It's a random orbital sander powered by an air compressor.
The one he was using was the size of an angle grinder but a lot slower. It used auto detail type foam pads that were reusuable. You might try searching under auto detailing. He had the most amazing finishes.
EDIT: I think this was what he was using - not RO but still more control than a large wheel.
http://www.toolsource.com/minipolisher-cpt7201p-p-91454.html?osCsid=mpah026u4n43a2vbrghguud0o5
I forgot about the non-random tools. That looks like a nice set up. I prefer non-air driven tools myself, but I'll bet that works pretty good.
Quote from: drbassman on January 12, 2011, 05:48:48 AM
I forgot about the non-random tools. That looks like a nice set up. I prefer non-air driven tools myself, but I'll bet that works pretty good.
+1.
what might be the downside to an air driven tool ? Are they more unwieldly, or noisier ? I am liking that setup, just on paper anyway.
The compressed air connections and the persistant running of the compressor - when you turn off a power tool, it's off...
Desoutter is a name I remember with a certain degree of wistfulness...
There advantages to both systems but the small and flexible nature of a "power-flex" tops it by some distance - handy if spraying to have some tools though...
I don't care for the noise and the hose dragging you have to do with air tools. My only future air tool will be a sprayer. The rest I just prefer electric.
When I had my small furniture manufacturing shop I gave air sanders a try. Incredibly noisy and the compressor ran all the time due to the high cfm. Porter Cable 330 Speedblocks became the workhorse sander. I used some fixtured air drills and air powered hold down clamps but the compressor basically ran the spray guns.
I love my air tools! Mainly nailers and a blow gun but I will not live without them. As to running all of time that does indeed have to do with CFM usage of the tool and any rotatry tools uses a more air than, say, a nailer. The trick is to get the right compressor. Some are much quieter than others and if you get the right one it won't run constantly. As for the hoses I plan on running a some piping and installing maybe 4 or 5 connections points in my garage shop. The new polyurethane hoses are thin, durable, light and flexible. Couple that with an articulated connector at the tool and the hose isn't such a PIA!
All this comes from a guy that loves hand tools above all else - there's nothig like the hiss of a razor sharp plane on wood.
Yeah, I forgot about nailers and staplers. All 5000 sq feet of the shop was plumbed with properly pitched pipe and water coalescers. My brother's a steamfitter and did that for me. The older I get the more I appreciate hand tools and how efficient they can be.
Fella I know with a transmission repair shop in Denver plumbed the entire circumference of his large shop with about 6" pipe, connected to his large air compressor. There were connectors spaced around the perimeter of the shop.
The idea was to use the delivery piping to create a huge reservoir of air in addition to the compressor tank. It worked nicely. He said the first time he fired up the compressor it took about a day of running the compressor to fill and pressurize the whole system, but after that he never came close to losing pressure or air capacity.
I' sure I can find a minipolisher that will run of the wall.Once in NYC I will be in a 10x14 basement w/ very low ceiling, no windows, and as of the moment no ventilation either. Need to keep the clutter down most def. And cut a window or something ASAP!
Leslie the trick on the polisher will be one that's slow speed. The foam pads and compounds are easily found.
Are you setting up shop in NYC proper or in one of the burrows?
Quote from: Pilgrim on January 12, 2011, 08:53:52 PM
Fella I know with a transmission repair shop in Denver plumbed the entire circumference of his large shop with about 6" pipe, connected to his large air compressor. There were connectors spaced around the perimeter of the shop.
The idea was to use the delivery piping to create a huge reservoir of air in addition to the compressor tank. It worked nicely. He said the first time he fired up the compressor it took about a day of running the compressor to fill and pressurize the whole system, but after that he never came close to losing pressure or air capacity.
A coworker of mine retired and built nice shop to do auto restoration in - about 25X40. He bought a monster of a compressor and piped the entire shop. He ran 1" PVC! When I saw this I freaked on the safety apsect of it and he pointed out that the pipe was rated for almost three times the PSI he was running. I had to say it was impressive and a damn sight easier than running black iron.
Right in the thick of it. E. 78 st. Pretty nice hood, although it still smells in the summer. Everyday is garbage pickup day in Manhattan! It's my father- out- law's....
Nice indeed - I Google mapped it - street views look very nice.
Hey Lightyear, are you in/near NYC?
No sir! I'm on the south side of the Houston sprawl-o-plex! Native Texan here. I've traveled more than a fair bit and my wife had an aunt that lived in the Bronx, the weatlthy part, so I've been there a handful of times.
What's the motivation for the move? Miss the city? Job? Gigs?
Father in law is elederly and starting to need some, ehm...supervision. Previous tenant pretty much took advantage.All fam. Is there, and yes, we both very much miss being back east, with all the pluses and minuses.
My wife is born and bred Manhattanite, and I lived there for 12 years starting at 20 years of age.
i'm from new york and never heard of a 'wealthy' part of the bronx. where would that be. ???
Quote from: nofi on January 15, 2011, 12:04:43 PM
i'm from new york and never heard of a 'wealthy' part of the bronx. where would that be. ???
pelham or bronxville, both of which are not technically Da bronx.... :)
Quote from: nofi on January 15, 2011, 12:04:43 PM
i'm from new york and never heard of a 'wealthy' part of the bronx. where would that be. ???
Couldn't tell you ;D All I know is that they very well off - had a huge old house pretty much like all of the others around it. Half of a famous publishing company lived across the steet.
Too much "togetherness" for my taste in that part of the world ;)
Quote from: birdie on January 15, 2011, 11:45:35 AM
Father in law is elederly and starting to need some, ehm...supervision. Previous tenant pretty much took advantage.All fam. Is there, and yes, we both very much miss being back east, with all the pluses and minuses.
My wife is born and bred Manhattanite, and I lived there for 12 years starting at 20 years of age.
NYC has it's appeal - just not for me in the long term. Family is important and I totally understand looking after your wife's pop. Good luck with your move.
Quote from: Lightyear on January 15, 2011, 02:42:20 PM
NYC has it's appeal - just not for me in the long term. Family is important and I totally understand looking after your wife's pop. Good luck with your move.
Thank You, Sir!