When I started the JAEbird thing I kicked around doing an JAE NR at some time, but that didn't seem right. I guess if he wanted one he would have had PC make one.
I made a tracing of a NR and played around with it for a while. I use graph paper, 1" squares, it makes placing pups, etc easy. My starting point was combining the designs of a Reverse and Non Reverse and also making a more compact bass to make a more ergonomic design. RNR, the Reverse Non Reverse
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/DSC02661.jpg)
Here's the single pup version
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/DSC02675.jpg)
And the 2 pup
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/DSC02673.jpg)
Total length will be 46 1/2 " with 34" scale. Neck dive compared to a NR should be a bit less. The neck is shifted a lot closer to the bridge end of the body and the strap button is closer to the midpoint of the bass It will also work with 30 and 32 necks better, not all that real estate behind the tailpiece.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/DSC02668-1.jpg)
Lower horn looks a little too large / long if you ask me.
Quote from: Basvarken on October 28, 2010, 11:44:00 AM
Lower horn looks a little too large / long if you ask me.
Thanks, it's slightly shorter than the top horn, it's clearer in the top drawing. But that IS usually a problem with my first takes, the initial prototypes generally all get hornectomies. I need to see things full scale and in 3D.
I'm also kicking around the possibility of just shifting the control cavity position to make it a lefty. That would make it a RRNR or a RNRR ;D
Quote from: Basvarken on October 28, 2010, 11:44:00 AM
Lower horn looks a little too large / long if you ask me.
looks like a love child of a NR and a travis Bean
I like the horns, I didn't think about making the lower one longer. It gives it a different kind of look/balance.
Quote from: drbassman on October 28, 2010, 02:33:02 PM
I like the horns, I didn't think about making the lower one longer. It gives it a different kind of look/balance.
Thanks, it's a work in progress, sort of EB2 meets Thunderbird. I'm gonna try getting the mid body contours more similar, probably make the top more like the bottom to give a better defined waist. I have a few pine blanks to experiment with, the cool thing is all the templates except the actual body shape are done so it doesn't take long to see if it sucks. ;D
What's up... you've gone into overdrive... ;D
Quote from: Kenny's 51st State on October 28, 2010, 03:28:30 PM
What's up... you've gone into overdrive... ;D
I have more ideas than taste. They eventually all get out to be purged.
Mine end up in the shed... ;D
I'm liking the concept.
Too symetrical on the first stab for taste, but who said I had any to begin with? ;D
I'm sure you'll work it out.
Once you do can you quote one for me in Carpathian buttwort burl? 9 string, with 36volt preamp, LED markers and fossilized sabertooth ivory tuner keys ;D :P
have you been channeling jens ritter.
Quote from: nofi on October 29, 2010, 10:27:58 AM
have you been channeling jens ritter.
No. Aalto, Breuer, Eames, Jacobsen, Colombo, Panton, Bertoia and a lot of guys you never heard of are my influences. None of them was a musical instrument designer.
If i ever got around to building something to sell it would be a take off of the ampeg scroll bass. Always been my favorite.. Always loved the f holes and the headstock, though a pain to make just turns me on....
carlo, my ritter comment was directed at lightyears comment above me, sorry. but hey i've heard of colombo. little guy in rumpled cloths? ;D
btw i know who charles eames is.
Quote from: nofi on October 29, 2010, 04:09:20 PM
carlo, my ritter comment was directed at lightyears comment above me, sorry. but hey i've heard of colombo. little guy in rumpled cloths? ;D
I should have known that. Sorry, off my meds today. But yeah, that's the guy ;)
Quote from: dadagoboi on October 28, 2010, 11:32:37 AM
Here's the single pup version
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/DSC02675.jpg)
Not to offend: something about this shape really bothers me. I can't quite put my finger on it but I think it has something to do with the front horns looking like they are trying to over symmetrically overcompensate for the NR back half of the body
Quote from: dadagoboi on October 29, 2010, 04:12:53 PM
I should have known that. Sorry, off my meds today. But yeah, that's the guy ;)
I knew who Eames was as well :P Most of the furniture I like tends to be simple - no new fangled swoopy stuff for me ;D Though modern designer are more in line with the original Tbird.
I just can't see a Shaker or Stickley inspired bass :rolleyes:
It sort of reminds me of this, but not exactly.
http://www.wembleyguitarcentre.com/Catalogue/Guitar-Centre/Bass-Guitars/Fret-King/Fret-King-Europa-IV-Bass-Guitar-Green-Label-FGEB1VW
Quote from: Denis on October 29, 2010, 07:12:05 PM
Not to offend: something about this shape really bothers me. I can't quite put my finger on it but I think it has something to do with the front horns looking like they are trying to over symmetrically overcompensate for the NR back half of the body
That could be.
Quote from: Nokturnal on October 29, 2010, 10:21:56 PM
It sort of reminds me of this, but not exactly.
http://www.wembleyguitarcentre.com/Catalogue/Guitar-Centre/Bass-Guitars/Fret-King/Fret-King-Europa-IV-Bass-Guitar-Green-Label-FGEB1VW
That one's in the same universe, though a bit overwrought IMO. I'm a Les Ismore kind of guy.
Thanks everyone, all comments noted. I'm gonna put in a few hours on this one today before consigning it to the dust bin of bassdom. I'll think about that Craftsman Bass.
Tho bottom horn needs to resemble the top more in shape. P/G may too big but I like being able to rout a swimming pool to allow different pups to be easily used. Those are Ebay buckers, 12.7 ohms. Thru body strings, gives me something to do with all those bridge parts if I sell tailpieces.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/DSC02686.jpg)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/DSC02680-1.jpg)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/DSC02692-1.jpg)
Bring it on guys ;D...here's the first one, "Beam me up."
i like both of these and i am not a T-Bird man. that single pup job trips my trigger.
Better! IMO I think I would bump out the top horn maybe a 1/2" and then shrink the bottom a touch as well/ I really like the guard - I think its a done deal. However, I really don't like the angled pickups and the angled controls just don't work for me either - never liked them on any bass. Sorry, I guess I'm just Mr. Right Angle ;D
Still, I think this is a viable concept ;)
Oh, let me know when you are working on a Craftsman bass - nohting would be better than quatersawn white oak in a fumed finish :P
Also, where are finding the large graph paper? Artist supply store, fabric store?
If you shave any more off the lower horn, it will look like a Jaguar. Aesthetically, the pickup cant looks good, but I bet they would sound better and have a more even string-to-string response sloped in the other direction. Through-body stringing is a huge plus for me and I love the pickguard. If it's not too hard to do, you also might want to consider a raised centerblock like Epi does to fake the neck-through look on their T-Birds or even an arch-carved top. It needs a third dimension.
Quote from: Psycho Bass Guy on October 30, 2010, 04:10:27 PM
If you shave any more off the lower horn, it will look like a Jaguar. Aesthetically, the pickup cant looks good, but I bet they would sound better and have a more even string-to-string response sloped in the other direction. Through-body stringing is a huge plus for me and I love the pickguard. If it's not too hard to do, you also might want to consider a raised centerblock like Epi does to fake the neck-through look on their T-Birds or even an arch-carved top. It needs a third dimension.
I agree on the horn, size is OK, it does need some reshaping. On the cant, I'm not sure, a P Bass pup has the E and A closer to the neck than the D and G but you may be right. I have 4 Jazz type pups, I'm considering putting two each in series and epoxying them together and seeing what they sound like (2 pups total) . Re third dimension I'm thinking of some body contouring, the raised center section might cause difficulties with the P/G execution but I agree it does need something. I've dug string thrus since my '55 P, seems like it would work on this one. The knob placement and pup configuration have a good possibility of being changed.
I really like the changes. The second picture above with the one pup, oh yeah!
Quote from: dadagoboi on October 30, 2010, 08:32:43 PM
On the cant, I'm not sure, a P Bass pup has the E and A closer to the neck than the D and G but you may be right.
It does, but I have found reversed P pickup configurations to be much less overbearing on the lows and thin on the highs. Spectors do this to great effect on the NS2.
Quote from: Psycho Bass Guy on October 31, 2010, 06:59:42 AM
It does, but I have found reversed P pickup configurations to be much less overbearing on the lows and thin on the highs. Spectors do this to great effect on the NS2.
+1. Not a huge difference, but it is. I like the looks of reverse pee better too.
Looks good, I really like the pickguard shape. The single pup version gets my vote.
Started this AM just to get an idea of where to go next. The body is slightly oversize, hasn't been fine tuned Pine 2x4s, paper P/G. There's a BIG route behind the P/G to try different pups and placement. Have not done any soldering so don't know how it sounds yet. Believe it or not I used to sell coffee tables shaped like the pickguard in the late 80s to mid 90s. Decided to cant the pup as recommended by Psycho. It works for me visually. I'm liking the one pup concept. Thanks for all the comments!
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/DSC02702.jpg)
Standard Pbass case, tight fit. Probably need to reduce the bass length by 1/2"
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/DSC02705.jpg)
There's something wonderfully Jetsons - Warner Brothers cartoon - Formica boomerang pattern - 50's - about that body and pickguard. I REALLY like it!..
Maybe it reminds me of this hairdo:
(http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/bugs-and-monster--looney-tunes-268136_1024_768.jpg)
I love single PUP basses. Maybe you could creatively modify the headstocks into something more yours?
Quote from: birdie on October 31, 2010, 03:33:02 PM
I love single PUP basses. Maybe you could creatively modify the headstocks into something more yours?
A single pup bass will cost less and allow easy upgrading because of the large pup route and P/G. The.JAEbird headstock has the Fender shape because it's a replica but stuff that I consider mine will have a different headstock. They will probably be modified Fender headstocks, paddle headstocks cost about 10% more. The neck on the RNR proto was hanging in the shop and it fit the neck pocket that's why I used it. I have some Allparts necks coming this week.
Quote from: dadagoboi on October 30, 2010, 08:32:43 PM
I agree on the horn, size is OK, it does need some reshaping. On the cant, I'm not sure, a P Bass pup has the E and A closer to the neck than the D and G but you may be right. I have 4 Jazz type pups, I'm considering putting two each in series and epoxying them together and seeing what they sound like (2 pups total) . Re third dimension I'm thinking of some body contouring, the raised center section might cause difficulties with the P/G execution but I agree it does need something. I've dug string thrus since my '55 P, seems like it would work on this one. The knob placement and pup configuration have a good possibility of being changed.
Mmmm, in looking at the top horn it is above the rear bout somewhat in height - could this help the overall appearance if it was lower to match the height of the rear?
As for the lower horn I still think it can shaved a bit without compromising it's originality. I'm still not feeling the canted pickup(s) - to me it makes the overall bass look too busy.
Tweaking needs to be done. I've got more concerns about the back end of the body but lowering the front horn may help. I think the P/G execution and the positive/negative it creates with the body will improve the overall look, this is a very rough bandsaw cut on the body and quick guard cutout. The pup is too big, it's from a 5 and the cant is making the bass look overly cartoonish, which is a line I'm trying not to cross. 'Whatever stands out gets taken away' has served me well over the years.
I'm thinking of a Duncan MM pup which is to the specs of the original non EB Stingray, and using a clone of the early 2 band EQ which is very simple. I've been playing my '76 'Ray a bit lately and the sound is knocking me out, very big and airy. I don't much like the way the pup looks is the problem, might have to cut off those 'ears'.
Main problem today is getting cataldobasses.com up. I can't seem to figure out how to publish my homepage to Bluehost.
something to anchor a thumb on, like the pick up you mentioned trimming the ears off?
Quote from: Pilgrim on October 31, 2010, 01:48:07 PM
There's something wonderfully Jetsons - Warner Brothers cartoon - Formica boomerang pattern - 50's - about that body and pickguard. I REALLY like it!..
Here's the table I designed and sold for about 10 years through the Speigel catalog among other places. The shape came from the figures on RI Formica boomerang laminate, I blew one up and modded it...of course it was called 'Boom'. Got lots of Jetsons remarks at trade shows...also very unstable if something like a cat jumped on it in the wrong place, let alone a toddler. I don't know how I never got sued.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/BoomTable-1.jpg)
Quote from: nofi on November 01, 2010, 07:44:10 AM
something to anchor a thumb on, like the pick up you mentioned trimming the ears off?
Yeah, that canted pup is just right for thumb resting.
To me, there are few things more 50's then the Formica with the boomerang pattern. I remember it fondly. Glad you knew what I was referring to!
I missed this thread, but I really love the design!!!
Quote from: dadagoboi on October 31, 2010, 12:08:19 PM
Started this AM just to get an idea of where to go next. The body is slightly oversize, hasn't been fine tuned Pine 2x4s, paper P/G. There's a BIG route behind the P/G to try different pups and placement. Have not done any soldering so don't know how it sounds yet. Believe it or not I used to sell coffee tables shaped like the pickguard in the late 80s to mid 90s. Decided to cant the pup as recommended by Psycho. It works for me visually. I'm liking the one pup concept. Thanks for all the comments!
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/DSC02702.jpg)
Standard Pbass case, tight fit. Probably need to reduce the bass length by 1/2"
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/DSC02705.jpg)
i agree it may/should sound better i don't like the way it looks reversed. looks lik eit belongs on a fanned fret bass.
Quote from: jumbodbassman on November 01, 2010, 02:06:29 PM
i agree it may/should sound better i don't like the way it looks reversed. looks lik eit belongs on a fanned fret bass.
Well, I've got this wild hair that I want it to sound like a vintage Leo Stingray...that was my original intention back in the day with my first Fenderbird. I was going to use everything but the body of my '76 SR.
I've found the original preamp circuit and supposedly the Duncan MM pup is a true repro of the original design so here we go back to the future...
I'm also thinking that the rear would look better if it were more T-Bird or Explorer shaped. The sloped pickup would look more natural that way.
Coming along nicely...
to be honest with you i didn't think much of the design at first. however it has grown on me quicker than kudzu. i really like it now!
i wonder if the upper bout should be a bit smaller or the pickguard extend more into that area?
also i think color would could make or break this design. i love dark basses but this one should be rather 'festive'. seafoam green, candy apple red, turquoise etc.
or i could be totally wrong on every count.
I don't think the slant of the pickup works well with the body shape
Quote from: patman on November 02, 2010, 04:03:53 PM
I don't think the slant of the pickup works well with the body shape
I agree. The pickup should be perpendicular to the strings. Then it would look great.
The pup should be in line with the design - curvaceous, or at least rounded at the corners...?
Quote from: Kenny's 51st State on November 02, 2010, 05:22:14 PM
The pup should be in line with the design - curvaceous, or at least rounded at the corners...?
I was thinking along the same lines, oval shape.
what happened to this thread? it is very interesting and i would love to see the progression of the project.
how about a delano pup. expensive but supposedly very good.
http://www.bestbassgear.com/delano-4-string-pickups.htm#delanoxtender4he
Quote from: nofi on November 08, 2010, 09:12:58 AM
what happened to this thread? it is very interesting and i would love to see the progression of the project.
I'm not completely satisfied with the RNR body shape, letting it rest for a while so I can get a fresh perspective.
Quote from: jumbodbassman on November 08, 2010, 12:50:19 PM
how about a delano pup. expensive but supposedly very good.
http://www.bestbassgear.com/delano-4-string-pickups.htm#delanoxtender4he
Funny, I had been thinking about an ellipse cover for an SD MM to go with a clone '76 StingRay 2 band pre. It would also fit a lot of other pups. Haven't heard the Delanos, wasn't aware of they were using those covers..
Shape wise, that would work... very organic...
Quote from: jumbodbassman on November 08, 2010, 12:50:19 PM
how about a delano pup. expensive but supposedly very good.
http://www.bestbassgear.com/delano-4-string-pickups.htm#delanoxtender4he
Wow, cool design! That would work great with this bass design. Never heard of them before, but I like the idea. I might be able to use one sometime in the future.
Before Jumbo posted the Delano I was messing around with pup cover ideas and plopped a JAEbird control cavity cover on the RNR for grins. I'd completely forgotten about it until I was looking at some other pix this morning.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/DSC02725-1.jpg)
This is it! Seriously, it may be the worst shape to rest your thumb, but it looks extra cool. Go for it! ;)
Yep, I like it too.
Chromed for the Chrome-boys...? ;)
Whoa, been a while on this. Here's where I am after messing around with it on and off for a while. It's wandered off from the original concept and become fairly normal...I'm thinking of renaming it the MEH ;D
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/P1050325.jpg)
what does meh mean?
Quote from: nofi on March 01, 2012, 10:14:34 AM
what does meh mean?
It's a verbal shoulder shrug...
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=meh
I like it Carlo. A nice take off on the NR, just like my future take off on the 4005 platform. Good job!
Thanks, Bill. I'm starting to get used to it. Looking forward to your 4005 take!
4005. count me in
I'm in for everything Doc! :D
Quote from: exiledarchangel on March 02, 2012, 12:38:06 PM
I'm in for everything Doc! :D
OK guys, I hear ya! Give me a few months and we'll see what we can do!
Saw this this AM:
Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 120 days.
Unless you're sure you want to reply, please consider starting a new topic.
Well, it took that long to get a customer! So back to work, needs to ship in a few weeks.
Finished up the final drawing yesterday, working on the NR helped. Here's what I came up with.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/P1010424.jpg)
Here's the mockup
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/P1010418R.jpg)
And here's the Reverse
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/P1010420.jpg)
The scalloping serves a few purposes. Adds interest, allows better upper fret access, refers back to the original NR body on the butt end while retaining the original Reverse shape. Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. As always, pick guard needs help. The one thing I do know is it will be surf green, that was decided a while ago.
I need to consult with the customer, who has built quite a few basses himself, as to which one he wants.
Actually I like the pickguard. The scalloping not so much. I never play that far up the neck anyway.
I really like the first (NR) mockup. Very nice. I'm not much of an upper access player, but I like the scalloping too (and the guard). I think the whole thing will look awesome in 60's colors.
I like the look, although I never play that far up the neck.
Thanks, guys! Spoke to the customer yesterday, he prefers the 'NR' look. So that's settled. No big change planned for the P/G.
What? Noone does the bass solo thingie here? :P
Nice designs! Another vote for the NR.
I did one of each since all it involved was flipping over the template.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/P1010437.jpg)
NR it is, Reverse will some attention later. All the major carving is done as well as preliminary setup.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/P1010492.jpg)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/P1010491.jpg)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/P1010493.jpg)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/P1010497.jpg)
another vote on the NR. kind of thunderbird meets airline bass. seafoam green +1
Finish done, buff and assemble next week. Scalloping is fairly subtle after the paint goes on. Pickups will be Seymour Duncan SSBs.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/P1010616.jpg)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/P1010615.jpg)
Pickguard mockup and color comparison. Surf Green is to Seafoam as Frost Blue is to Daphne Blue, basically just lighter.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/P1010609.jpg)
Yep, and I like surf green better than seafoam.
Dang, that looks good enough to take a bite out of it! ;D
Very nice! Love that color.
Thanks, Guys. I like Surf Green a lot. It's on top of white primer and under clear so it takes only a few ounces of color to do both the body and headstock.
That looks sharp! Nice job.
Got some shots before mounting pick guard.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/P1010689.jpg)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/P1010687.jpg)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/P1010695.jpg)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/P1010699.jpg)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/P1010698-001.jpg)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/RNR/P1010703.jpg)
I like the guardless look. nice color, too. and thanks for not building fender clones! :thumbsup:
Quote from: ramone57 on August 09, 2012, 11:24:44 AM
I like the guardless look. nice color, too. and thanks for not building fender clones! :thumbsup:
Thanks, I like the naked look too, that's one of the reasons I tightened up the pickup routes and finish the body under the P/G to the same level as the rest of it. As far as Fender clones, looks like Gibson has that covered with their EBF ;D
Quote from: ramone57 on August 09, 2012, 11:24:44 AM
I like the guardless look. nice color, too. and thanks for not building fender clones! :thumbsup:
+1!
I think it looks good both ways, but I really like the no guard look.
Hawt!
Quote from: exiledarchangel on July 20, 2012, 05:58:29 AM
What? Noone does the bass solo thingie here? :P
Nice designs! Another vote for the NR.
I think anybody that buys a cataldo is morally obligated to attempt "The Real Me" at least once. :)
You gotta be able to hit the high Eb a couple times.
that overall look is cool and im sure it sounds fantastic as well.
The more I look the more I like... 10/10 8)
lovely
It did turn out great as usual! Say, after staring at it for a bit, the pickguard makes me think of a new name for the bass: the butterfly model! Or did someone think of that already? :P
you actually have me liking seafoam green ... jeeze!!! hell freezes over!!!
Quote from: sniper on February 13, 2014, 07:19:52 AM
you actually have me liking seafoam green ... jeeze!!! hell freezes over!!!
That's actually surf green, more pastel than seafoam green. It was for sale for a few go arounds on Ebay recently. the last non ThunderBucker equipped bass.
The RNR eventually turned into the G8R (Gator). It's a flipped over version of the surf green one. I built the 8 string first...
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/2013%20Eighter/P1020794_zpsed7668af.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/2013%20Eighter/P1020794_zpsed7668af.jpg.html)
... then #50 for Mike (Rex Diablo). Pickguard ( a midcentury modern 'boomerang") and edge scalloping is a little different on his.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/0050/P1040555_zps9ba51ecc.jpg) (http://s976.photobucket.com/user/cata1d0/media/0050/P1040555_zps9ba51ecc.jpg.html)
I have started another, 2 pickup, it will be done in "Cadillac green" by customer request. It will get a tort pickguard. I'm happy with how the concept has evolved and that I've sold a couple.