My Father in law and I have been slowly working on this project.
Actually, I've wanted to do it for years, but never got around to it until Carlo inadvertently gave me the nudge i needed.
We started with this gorgeous 2 piece blank of rare figured mahogany
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f383/h60tweet/bird%20build/308BC9A0-7FB2-411E-B48A-19837D183D2B-19205-00000B4BAD7F9B29_zps65c7158b.jpg)
the blank was 2 1/8" thick, so we cut about 1/2" inch off the top, planed it and sanded it before joining the halves together.
I tried to convey that it woud be easiest to rout the neck pocket before cutting the body shape, but when nextcame to the shop the body was cut. So I laid the neck area out and prayed for the best
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f383/h60tweet/bird%20build/9EDD3417-B447-4B27-B73B-CE0DFF1716F1-19205-00000B4B6A8EA7AE_zps27ede706.jpg)
Yes, That is one of GOT's Pickguards and I have one of his Bad Bird Bridges and Tail Pieces for it as well.
The Neck pocket rout went well!
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f383/h60tweet/bird%20build/37460F0F-4493-49B6-BC1A-FCFABBC48400-24506-00000E866E301BEB_zps1cb29972.jpg)
I don't have a good shot of it, but the control cavity and cover have been cut as well.
After we round the edges, and cut a shallow belly bevel, we will install the neck (it's a bolt on Warmoth neck) Bridge, Tail Piece and lay out the pickup rout for the ThunderBucker Ranch Max N.
Any tips on historically accurate edge radius?
That is going to be beautiful when it's done! They were all over the place my '68 has something like a 1/4" radius while my earlier nonreverse Thunderbirds are aprox. 3/8"
Roger that. I'll go with 1/4 because I have that bit. Followed by some sanding.
This isn't gonna be an exact copy anyway.
Heres one of my home built NRs, I used a 3/8" radius on this one.(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/JOHNNYSMOKEBuffaloNYwaterfront8-19-13144.jpg)
Nice looking plank!
Quote from: Dave W on July 05, 2013, 09:40:59 AM
Nice looking plank!
Agreed. Welcome to the Outpost Scars!!!
+2
Welcome and hopefully your work will be a bit prompter than mine... :rolleyes: ;D
:popcorn:
Looking Good!
Thanks All!
Carlo and Scott have helped with many questions so far.
Another thing I'm having a hard time finding consistent info on is proper wiring for
Both single and dual pickup thunderbirds.
Is it 500 for vol on both and 250 for tone?
What Cap ?
Thanks again
Pickup Rout added
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f383/h60tweet/bird%20build/8B19375B-F518-4307-BD2F-963999CF8082-27471-00001072CD10977C_zpsd6388a86.jpg)
Edges rounded off
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f383/h60tweet/bird%20build/4F121BF5-12C5-4B7A-9A36-CDBE5F3B46A2-27471-00001072D543D555_zpsaf6b1d25.jpg)
Just need some control and bridge mount holes, and a finish. Trying to decide what order to do it in.
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f383/h60tweet/bird%20build/AB55C41E-C8BB-4942-B754-F7D37382DCCE-27471-00001072DB5B5B8B_zps663d7c43.jpg)
with wood this beautiful I am almost tempted to find some thin plexi or clear lexan and make a transparent pick guard.
Then I can use the GOT one for my next bass ;D
Looks killer as is. Let it be.
The wood's got to show... criminal to hide it... if anything, a trans cherry...? something simple...
It will be a natural finish.
Gain filling / sealing using Rick Turners Epoxy method.
Followed by clear coats.
After some consideration, I've decided on an oil/wax finish mostly do to ease of application during these humid months.
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f383/h60tweet/bird%20build/5E1AA6FD-1688-4869-828F-9E8CF908D4BE-38632-000016EBED8466F9_zps8f239659.jpg)
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f383/h60tweet/bird%20build/30B037A5-51BB-4B61-AAD6-2CBD9D72826F-38632-000016EBFC308830_zps2f15e371.jpg)
Just have to cut the pickup hole in the pickguard and assemble.
(http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f383/h60tweet/bird%20build/360FCD41-508B-4545-9FCE-3818D25E2E7E-39191-00001745EDD08BF6_zps101f556c.jpg)
Nice...
Thanks.
If anyone is wondering about the bridge placement,
I assure you it is correct. This bass has a 30" scale length.
Why? Mostly because I loved the comfort of my Guild and DeArmond Starfires and my Gibson SG's fingerboard I thought why not.
Next up is a 5 string something.
That is one exceptionally gorgeous piece of wood!
Looks great :toast:
Quote from: TBird1958 on July 16, 2013, 06:41:52 PM
That is one exceptionally gorgeous piece of wood!
Looks great :toast:
Agreed!!