A new challenge

Basvarken · June 22, 2010, 03:48:48 PM

Did the binding yesterday. The first attempt - two weeks ago- had failed. A combination of the wrong glue (not strong enough) and sloppy shape bending of the binding was to blame.

So I scraped the whole thing clean again and started all over.
I bent the binding as good as I could, using hot water to make it more flexable.

This time we used two component clear epoxy glue.
And lots of tape and a few bicycle tyres knotted together!

So tonight -after 24 hrs to harden- I took off the tyre and the tape.
And I planed away the surplus of the binding above the edge of the body

The only place that still looks a little bit sloppy is at the lower cutaway. That was extremely hard to force into the right shape. Now there's a little gap in the curve towards where the neck meets the body.

Highlander · June 22, 2010, 04:03:12 PM

Difficult call, Rob... I have several flaws on the PC that I am willing to ignore as they will mean masses of re-working, but the overall fin will look fine, to me... it would not pass inspection...

Q. Do you want to peel and re-work, or tolerate a minor imperfection...? From the looks of the rest of the build, so far, you have little to worry about, unless you are an intollerant perfectionist with a massive inferiority complex...

Could be possible to use a white infill or filler...?

drbassman · June 22, 2010, 06:06:53 PM

I have binding gaps all the time. I hate working with binding! But, in this case, I'd take a piece of match scrap maple, glue it in and sand it back. Would that work?

Rob · June 22, 2010, 07:22:05 PM

I couldn't tell from the pic if you had scraped the bindings down yet. . . I'd try the Dr's prescription to save misery and it will be shadowed by the neck.

Dr. Aquafresh · June 22, 2010, 08:17:24 PM

Looking good with the new binding... is it wood, did I miss that?

I'll be a good boy now and go back and re-read.

I love watching this build, can't wait to see what's next.

Freuds_Cat · June 22, 2010, 10:12:03 PM

For my own mental notes:
Required equipment when glueing binding on to instrument body
1. Prepared body
2. Correct size Binding
3. Strong Glue
4. Tape
4. Two bicycle tyres?

You wacky Dutch, always with the bicycle theme.

Seriously though, brilliant job Rob. So far beyond what I'm capable of.

Basvarken · June 22, 2010, 11:46:13 PM

Thanx guys.
I am not going to worry too much. The gap really isn't that wide. I might try to fill it with dust and filler.
Plus I'm going to stain the top burgundy red. So I guess it'll be less visible because it's a darker color.

Oh and the binding is plastic. I used the very thick one (2.3 mm), which is why it was so hard to bend into shape.

Highlander · June 23, 2010, 01:28:04 PM

Quote from: Freuds_Cat on June 22, 2010, 10:12:03 PM
You wacky Dutch, always with the bicycle theme.

missed that...

Daniel_J · June 23, 2010, 06:55:45 PM

Looking really nice Rob

Don't sweat it, it looks just fine. Maple dust would be enough to fill it.
You just didn't get it perfect this time, the next one will be better for sure. And I know that YOU ARE going to build another one after this

Basvarken · July 11, 2010, 04:38:43 AM

Made some good progress this week.

drilled holes in the headstock. And made a slot for the (bone) topnut that I am going make later.

Drilled a hole in the side of the body for the jackinput.

And... glued in the neck. And sanded the binding. Binding looks good.
I still have to sand away some more till the glue remains of the first binding attempt are gone.

drbassman · July 11, 2010, 06:56:02 AM

Looking good!!!

Barklessdog · July 11, 2010, 07:47:14 AM

Looks great Rob. The pickup placement is going to be really interesting the sounds they yield.

The only thing I find uncomfortable about my Blueshawk is the binding. If I made another Blues hawk I would skip the binding and radius the edges for comfort. I love the look of binding though.

Highlander · July 11, 2010, 08:21:10 AM

Agreed and thirded...

How did that gap filling go...?

Dr. Aquafresh · July 11, 2010, 09:08:22 AM

Man, that is going to be so damn cool!

Basvarken · July 11, 2010, 11:50:07 AM

Quote from: Barklessdog on July 11, 2010, 07:47:14 AM
Looks great Rob. The pickup placement is going to be really interesting the sounds they yield.

The only thing I find uncomfortable about my Blueshawk is the binding. If I made another Blues hawk I would skip the binding and radius the edges for comfort. I love the look of binding though.

Yeah John, I tried the Stagg EB-0 bass with the mudbucker at the bridge. And it works just like I thought it would. The overbearing lows are tempered somewhat by the location at the bridge.
And the G3 pickups at the neck should give it some nice warmth in the tone. I may call in for help with the wiring when I get to that part.
I plan to use a 5 position rotary switch to create several interesting combinations

The binding doesn't bother me at all with the "template" for this bass, my Les Paul Bass. I have my basses slung quite low (see pic) and my forearm doesn't rest on the edge. So I have no issues there. And I'm not going to make a belly cut either, as I don't have a belly (yet)

@ Kenny: no gaps filled yet. What you see is the result of dust that got in the gaps when I sanded it. I'm not too worried about the gaps (anymore)