Glutton for punishment

[Dr. Aquafresh]

I don't know why I seek out these basket case projects, sink way to much money and time into them only to play them once or twice and start all over again.

Be that as it may, here I am again. Only thins time I've decided to document from the beginning on the off chance that it turns out as nice as the last one. My completely reworked 76 Kramer Aluminum neck.



My new project began life as a BC Rich Platinum Warlock. I bought it used from a G.C. and with shipping and everything it cost me a hundred bucks.

One look and you will see why, I guess that if you screw more metal into your bass it is better for playing metal...


I had secretly prayed for this to be damaged in shipping to make things even more challenging, Looks like I still have my work cut out for me. I wonder why the P.O. decided to drill holes in it?

[TBird1958]

So..............You're gonna make a bass outta that? 

[Dr. Aquafresh]

First step was to disassemble and chose what to keep and what to toss.

Here is the pile I'm keeping...


Here is the pile to toss (onto e-bay)


I thought that this would be a piece of actual wood that I could simply add to, no such luck! I was totally bummed to see plywood. The pickups were replaced with EMGs I'll bet I can sell them for a few bucks.

[Dr. Aquafresh]

Mark in a few months this will make you think twice about your T-birds.



hahahahahahahahahahahhaha



Maybe not, but I'd like to think that at one point in time this made some 13 year old very happy, for a little while anyway.

If I can Six Million Dollar man this bass it will be just like Christmas.

I'm all about recycling too, though to look at it I may be better off getting into composting

[Dr. Aquafresh]

Since it would be easier and much better to build a new body I decided to use donor as a template.

Today I picked up 8' of eight quarter mahogany, I'll start working it this weekend.

I have a pretty nice maple top that is just under 3/8" and it's just big enough for this.

The plan is to rework the headstock, really just to see if I can. It would be easier and better to simply make a new neck but like I said, I just want to see if I can.

Worse comes to worse and I can always cut the body in half and build a neck through blank for it.

I'll keep you posted.

[Denis]

You project reminds me of George Washington's hatched he used to cut down the cherry tree. The handle's been replaced 3 times but the head only twice!

[drbassman]

Not a bad way to go.  I once bought a Ric 3000 for the neck and sold the badly abused body on eBay.  It worked out fine!  Keep us posted!

[Pilgrim]

You project reminds me of George Washington's hatched he used to cut down the cherry tree. The handle's been replaced 3 times but the head only twice!

You stole the thoughts right outa my pointy little head!

[Dr. Aquafresh]

Of course, once you replace the handle three times and the head twice you still have a hatchet.

Even if this goes incredibly well it will still be handicapped by the fact that it is a BC Rich!

Actually, at the risk of sounding like Ed Roman, one of the nicest guitars I ever played was an old Mockingbird.

[OldManC]

At least your Mockingbird was most likely actually made by B.C. Rich... 

[TBird1958]

I think you should leave the headstock alone, just paint it up like a Flying Tiger P-40 

[Highlander]

[Dr. Aquafresh]

OK, moving right along here.

The headstock re-shape is, for the most part, finished. I wanted to change from the dorky. 4 on the top. pointy design and go back to the classic 2 on a side shape.

I filled the numerous holes and added new wood... cut, milled, added and subtracted. After a few days it looked a bit like this


The orbital drum sander was indispensable...


Next I added the rosewood cap on the face and rough shaped.


I know it looks goofy but don't worry here is the template


Now time to fit the maple on the back, got to bend it first


clamp the hell out of it...


Rough shape with the router, files and sand





Now we're talking!

[TBird1958]

Amazing!

Simply awesome work there, I'm sincerly impressed.

[saltymonkey]

Ditto. That's incredible.