The Last Bass Outpost
Gear Discussion Forums => Bill's Shop: Projects, Mods & Repairs => Topic started by: dadagoboi on July 12, 2012, 09:04:16 AM
-
After working with 2 different CNC guys in the midwest I'm back to doing everything in house. Found a good supplier of genuine mahogany. This is a 5/4, 14 3/4" x 42" board.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010260.jpg)
Tuned up the bandsaw with 1/2" wide 3 TPI Olson blade.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010269.jpg)
Titebonded the edges of the drawing to 1/2" MDF and carefully cut to the line and sanded smooth
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010267.jpg)
I made a control cavity template last year with help from a tracing supplied by Scott, so I used it to route the template in the body. The notch at the other end of the template is for routing truss rod adjustment slots
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010271.jpg)
Cut a piece of 1/2" mdf to fit inside the cavity
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010273.jpg)
Cut out the center using the bandsaw by making an entry cut. Much easier than using the sabre saw, I finally realized that. The right tool is a jig saw but the band saw works OK for this.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010275.jpg)
Glued the cavity template to MDF and cut sanded it to fit in the template
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010276.jpg)
Electronics holes get drilled thru the interior template, it gets removed and the cavity is routed. Then the outside template is removed and the cover size route done.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010277.jpg)
Ready to be attached, perimeter roughed on the bandsaw and all routing done on the Onsrud overarm pin router
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010281.jpg)
Routing, sanding to 180 and wash coat of sealer. This one will be Frost Blue with ebony fretboard P width neck.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010339.jpg)
-
i'm glad everything is back in house Carlo. i have never had any problem with your quality from what i have seen and talking with you. this looks like its going to be a great build. if i could afford one i would want a 4 string NR ll raised center in BRG and Rosewood board with gold hardware. ;D ;D
-
That looks great Carlo!
-
i'm glad everything is back in house Carlo. i have never had any problem with your quality from what i have seen and talking with you. this looks like its going to be a great build. if i could afford one i would want a 4 string NR ll raised center in BRG and Rosewood board with gold hardware. ;D ;D
Gold thunder buckers....yummy
-
Thanks for sharing the pics, Carlo. Great stuff, as always.
-
Thanks guys! I don't know about the gold plating, I do have a standing order for an ExplorerBird with complete gold hardware so it may happen somewhere down the line.
This one gets an ebony fret board neck...actually a second ebony board since I bought a J neck instead of the P the customer ordered. The NR in the background of my previous post has the Ebony J one, probably will be finned in Pelham Blue. Any takers?
After a wash sealer coat the grain gets filled with drywall mud. Water based, applied using a credit card as a squeegee. Easy clean up and no possibly spontaneously combustible rags to dispose of.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010342.jpg)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010341.jpg)
-
Check your inbox Carlo ;D
-
After a wash sealer coat the grain gets filled with drywall mud. Water based, applied using a credit card as a squeegee. Easy clean up and no possibly spontaneously combustible rags to dispose of.
I think you have discovered the world's least expensive grain filler!
-
I think you have discovered the world's least expensive grain filler!
I have a lifetime supply that's for sure! I've done around 5 basses with it so far, the last one black on a very porous mahogany body and it came out great.
-
Nice work Carlo.
A good way to glue your templates to your wood is 77 Spray Adhesive. Just spray the back of your paper, I have a pile of tracing paper but bond works too, until it's lightly and evenly coated and let it dry until it's just dry - maybe four minutes. Blow the dust off of your wood and press the paper on - sticks well and peels off completely once your done - no residue. I've been using the same can for about 5 years now.
-
I am pretty stoked I just got off the phone with Carlo I will be taking delivery of the ebony J neck NR. It will be done in Pelham Blue with matching headstock and the back of the neck, equipped with a Thunderbucker Max. This is going to be a KILLER bass :)
-
...A good way to glue your templates to your wood is 77 Spray Adhesive. Just spray the back of your paper, I have a pile of tracing paper but bond works too, until it's lightly and evenly coated and let it dry until it's just dry - maybe four minutes. Blow the dust off of your wood and press the paper on - sticks well and peels off completely once your done - no residue. I've been using the same can for about 5 years now.
Definitely. Thanks!
Filler block sanded with 320. About 20 minutes work
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010345.jpg)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010346.jpg)
2 full wet coats sanding sealer 2 minutes booth time, 10 minutes for flash off, 2 minutes more booth time.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010356.jpg)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010357.jpg)
That's Scott's bass in the background. It's going to have Resolites if he approves, pretty close to original vintage reverses. D is the Reso.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010349.jpg)
Hoping to get first primer coat on this afternoon if the weather cooperates.
-
The Resos look fine :)
-
The Resos look fine :)
I've been saving them for a worthwhile project. Looking forward to reshaping the Cataldo headstock as necessary.
-
Awesome! I am super excited!!!!!!! Geeze I have been looking at Hofners and even Fender Antigua P, WTF was I thinking the answer was right in front of me.
-
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010349.jpg)
i hate it when i open my mouth and reveal how stupid i am but what kind of neck is that batwing laminated thngy you have the tuners on?
-
Now Scott, here's an instrument I think you will use... ;)
-
BINGO!
-
i hate it when i open my mouth and reveal how stupid i am but what kind of neck is that batwing laminated thngy you have the tuners on?
That's a Epi Newport.
-
Im a big fan of sheet rock mud!
-
The original plastic bodied Carter jacks used by Gibson tend to break. I've seen a number of Gibsons with replacement Switchcraft jacks when that happens. Since the Switchcrafts are longer, the butcher, er luthier, thins out the already thin top more to make it fit. It takes about 10 minutes to mod a Switchcraft to get the proper clearance and keep a thick enough mahogany top (1/4"). The thread length on a switchcraft long jack is 3/8".
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010376.jpg)
2 heavy coats of white as primer shot late Saturday afternoon after sanding for a half hour. Notice small dimple north of tone pot.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010365.jpg)
Sunday block sanded with 240 and 320 to level everything, dimple filled with spot putty first. About 2 hours work. No picture unfortunately of the bare spots etc that resulted.
In rapid succession Today:light white coat to cover bare spots left by sanding
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010387.jpg)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010388.jpg)
Frost blue color coat
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010390.jpg)
Heavy clear coat
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010391.jpg)
Total time 45 minutes. I try to shoot white, color and clear ASAP to make sure the layers bond to each other. Two more heavy clear coats later today if the weather permits and then paint cures for a week to 10 days.
Here's a comparison between Frost Blue and the Daphne Blue on my Stratobaster. Fluorescent light
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010398.jpg)
-
I like the frost blue better.
-
by mod do you mean reforming the tip contact to look like the carter jack?
-
by mod do you mean reforming the tip contact to look like the carter jack?
Yes. It reduces the depth needed for the jack by almost 1/8" You can buy cheap all metal jacks that look like that but they're not as springy as a Switchcraft and pretty soon lose their grip.
This is before trimming, quite a bit of metal gets removed.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010304.jpg)
-
That bass is shipping to me! It's going to sound great crankin' through a Sunn 2000s! This is my first post. Figured this was the place to be where there is a whole lot of info about Gibsons. Other than this bass my stable includes a 66' EB3, 69' EB1 and a 2007 Les Paul Money bass (blue). I'm interested to see if the Thunderbuckers might be a good swap for the Money bass. Cheers everyone.
-
Welcome! Hope you enjoy your new bass and let us know how it goes.
-
I like the frost blue better.
I do too Dave.
TD
-
That bass is shipping to me! It's going to sound great crankin' through a Sunn 2000s! This is my first post. Figured this was the place to be where there is a whole lot of info about Gibsons. Other than this bass my stable includes a 66' EB3, 69' EB1 and a 2007 Les Paul Money bass (blue). I'm interested to see if the Thunderbuckers might be a good swap for the Money bass. Cheers everyone.
Welcome and congratulations on the new bass.
-
Welcome aboard, 4stringer77, that's a beautiful bass you're adding to the collection!
I'm interested to see if the Thunderbuckers might be a good swap for the Money bass. Cheers everyone.
I don't own a Money bass but don't they have the standard LP bass pickups (at least in size)? One possible issue I foresee is the difference in shape and size between the LP's guitar sized pickups and the longer, rectangular shape of Thunderbucker/Thunderbird pickups. That said, I'm sure they would sound awesome.
-
Shipping today, equipped with LaBella Flats.
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010565.jpg)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010605.jpg)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010567.jpg)
(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/Non%20Reverse%20Reboot/P1010576.jpg)
-
Yes tb+ ceramic mag les Paul buckers. I'm not sure how big the routs are cause there are big plastic surrounds around the pickups. I'll leave it to my tech to figure out what's involved. Could have got a single pickup T bird from Lull I guess but the Cataldo seems like a huge bargain compared to basically the same type of bolt on neck bass. And having a raised center section that is a cosmetic feature which imitates what was a functional design seems silly to me. Bass should be on it's way. Will report back when it gets in. Is it cool to post transcriptions on this board?
-
looks great, Carlo! congrats, 4stringer77, and welcome to the Outpost!
-
That's gorgeous, Carlo! Congrats 4stringer!
-
The NR bird fits in nicely with the rest of the harem.
(http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/4stringer77/Group%20Bass%20Photo/IMG_0658.jpg)
-
Shweet!
-
Very cool collection!
-
Nice, it fits right in.
-
The NR bird fits in nicely with the rest of the harem.
(http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/o632/4stringer77/Group%20Bass%20Photo/IMG_0658.jpg)
Looks awesome I can't wait for mine :)