i need some help gang - Colby Bass

[drbassman]

More clamps are not always better.  A slightly convex caul allows you to apply pressure more evenly using as few as three clamps.  It's a very old but effective technique.

I agree, a caul would be a good way to do it, but I've had good results thus far and you know how old habits are hard to break!   

[dadagoboi]

I agree, a caul would be a good way to do it, but I've had good results thus far and you know how old habits are hard to break!   

Understand, just wanted to point out there might be a different and less expensive option.

[drbassman]

Understand, just wanted to point out there might be a different and less expensive option.

Yeah, but then I'd have to make one and I can't even finish one bass after 4-5 months!

[dadagoboi]

Yeah, but then I'd have to make one and I can't even finish one bass after 4-5 months!

I meant for the clamp impaired who might not be aware there's another way to go;D

[drbassman]

I meant for the clamp impaired who might not be aware there's another way to go;D

Yeah, I forget someone might not know about cauls when they read stuff here.

[birdie]

Clamp impaired ha! Don't know why that made me laff?

[drbassman]

Clamp impaired ha! Don't know why that made me laff?

Me too.  Am I the opposite:  clamp obsessed?

[shadowcastaz]

I say more clamps  da better!

[Dave W]

As Carlo said, the key to using a caul is to make it slightly convex so it flattens out when clamped down. That's what makes it able to apply even pressure with fewer clamps.

Elsewhere I've seen a few people using cauls that were radiused to match the fretboard, i.e. concave across the underside. IMHO that's not the right way to do it. If I were to use one on a radiused fretboard, I'd make it convex (along the length) and use leather or cork strips along the length to account for the edges being lower than the center. You would want more pressure along the edges than over the truss rod channel anyway.

Hope that makes sense.

[drbassman]

As Carlo said, the key to using a caul is to make it slightly convex so it flattens out when clamped down. That's what makes it able to apply even pressure with fewer clamps.

Elsewhere I've seen a few people using cauls that were radiused to match the fretboard, i.e. concave across the underside. IMHO that's not the right way to do it. If I were to use one on a radiused fretboard, I'd make it convex (along the length) and use leather or cork strips along the length to account for the edges being lower than the center. You would want more pressure along the edges than over the truss rod channel anyway.

Hope that makes sense.

Precisely why I haven't built a caul.  It's much more complex than one would imagine to build a proper caul.  I get the pressure I need/want on the edges of the board and away from the truss rod channel with my over-clamped method.

[drbassman]

Here ya go Sniper.  Fret board on and sanded on top.  Gotta finish sanding the sides, install dots, top and side, and then frets.  Got hardware lined up and centered and all the holes drilled except for the bridge.  It's really looking like a bass now!!!

I discovered a couple things.  First, it's a real pain in the butt installing a fretboard on a neck when you're trying not to mess up the finish!  It's impossible to cut the fret board exactly before installation, so you have to do a little scraping/sanding after the glue dries.  Not so easy to do with the neck finished already!  Building a neck from scratch, and all unfinished, is much easier for sure.  But, I managed just fine.  I do have a couple little spots to touch up with some neck amber where the fret board meets the neck, nothing big.

Due to the 3 degree neck angle, I'll have to put an ebony slab/riser, less than 1/8", under the bridge for proper height adjustment.  You shouldn't even notice it.

Here's some eye candy for ya.................

[sniper]

Looking righteous especially with those Ebony knobs but there is a problem with the control panel.

I don't see the

1) Look 40 pounds lighter switch
2) Look 20 years younger switch
or
3) Make all the chicks really dig me except when my g/f's in the audience combo switch/warning light.

Fix it! (Just kidding!!!)

I have one of those brass handrest/bridge covers from Greatdealz and am thinking of having it black chromed here:

http://www.advancedplating.com/contact.htm

then mounting it instead of a bass side thumb rest. We will talk, might do both.

[ramone57]

simply beautiful, nice work!

[drbassman]

simply beautiful, nice work!

Thanks Ramone!

[drbassman]

I was looking for the lighter/younger switch but they run about $100k each.  Can you Paypal it?     I like the black hand rest better than the thumb rest, so let me know your pleasure.  Did some more measuring and the bridge will need closer to a 3/8" ebony riser.  Still looks good with it, I'll post some pics tomorrow.

Got to order some longer black screws for the bridge.