i need some help gang - Colby Bass

drbassman · June 05, 2011, 05:29:46 PM

Got the frets in finally! The 149s are pretty nice. I like the longer tang, I think it seats in a little better. I'll post some pics in a little bit.

drbassman · June 05, 2011, 05:47:23 PM

Here ya go sniper. Used my homemade fret press and got all the way to the 22nd. fret with it. Got the board level to check the board and started touching up the occasional high fret with hammer and diamond file. All's pretty smooth so far!!! I spent the day cooking chieckens with the Lions Club for the school district music fest. We did 1000 halves, so I'm pretty pooped tonight!!!

sniper · June 05, 2011, 06:06:08 PM

"i can smell what the Doc's cooking"

looks great!

i spent the afternoon at the neighbors, house setting and cooling off as he is staying in Odessa - basically losing his wife - (asking for good vibes again here gang).

bought some Gibby goodies this weekend - two mutes and an evertilt. i'll pair a mute with the bridge and recoup my investment then end up with a free mute.

thank you, thank you, thank you.

Dave W · June 06, 2011, 08:28:00 AM

Quote from: sniper on June 05, 2011, 06:06:08 PM
"i can smell what the Doc's cooking"

Doc needs to do his own short promotional video.

drbassman · June 06, 2011, 02:41:39 PM

Well, I still smell like BBQ chicken today!!!! But it was worth it.

Highlander · June 07, 2011, 03:22:32 PM

No chicken round here...

drbassman · June 08, 2011, 12:42:25 PM

Quote from: Kenny's 51st State on June 07, 2011, 03:22:32 PM
No chicken round here...

Too bad, it's great on the barbie.

Highlander · June 08, 2011, 05:34:43 PM

I'm not allowed near Barbie - we have history...

sniper · June 08, 2011, 06:43:33 PM

Quote from: BUFF on June 08, 2011, 05:34:43 PM
I'm not allowed near Barbie - we have history...

grandpa Ken? just because your older ... does not mean your dead!

Highlander · June 10, 2011, 03:11:20 PM

Just allowed to window-shop

drbassman · June 10, 2011, 06:25:59 PM

OK, we've got the frets leveled and the edges filed. You have to tape off the edges and file then sand each fret edge by hand. This is the tedious part of neck work that can try a man's patience. Next we'll do the nut, the next most tedious process as noted in Dave's post of the tutorial. So, we'll install the bridge and tuners, string her up and start with the nut work. The electronics will be the last install after finishing.

Did I say this was the tedious part???

dadagoboi · June 10, 2011, 06:35:26 PM

Looking good, Doc. Thanks for making me glad I don't build necks! For me it would be easier to just refinish the entire neck after filing the fret ends.

I have it pretty easy with nuts also since I only do P or J necks. I just superglue a properly cut one to a blank and duplicate it with the belt sander, Norman nut files and needle files for the slots and clean up with a flat file, etc. I've roughed out as many as 3 bone nuts at a time (superglue and a machinist vise).

drbassman · June 10, 2011, 08:30:56 PM

Quote from: dadagoboi on June 10, 2011, 06:35:26 PM
Looking good, Doc. Thanks for making me glad I don't build necks! For me it would be easier to just refinish the entire neck after filing the fret ends.

I have it pretty easy with nuts also since I only do P or J necks. I just superglue a properly cut one to a blank and duplicate it with the belt sander, Norman nut files and needle files for the slots and clean up with a flat file, etc. I've roughed out as many as 3 bone nuts at a time (superglue and a machinist vise).

Man I hear ya. When I start my mass builds, I'll probably use All Parts jazz necks. I'll probably set them in rather than use a neck plate and screws.

I like your nut making idea. I have the original one from this one, I might use it as a model.

dadagoboi · June 10, 2011, 08:41:56 PM

Quote from: drbassman on June 10, 2011, 08:30:56 PM
Man I hear ya. When I start my mass builds, I'll probably use All Parts jazz necks. I'll probably set them in rather than use a neck plate and screws.

I like your nut making idea. I have the original one from this one, I might use it as a model.

That sounds like a plan, you can use the paddle headstock neck and do them however you want. I have a Brice Thunderbird with a set neck, if you look very closely you can see where they added a 3/4" "heel" to the bottom of a bolt on neck and set it into the body. I'll post a picture if you'd like to see what it looks like.

It takes me about 10 minutes to rough cut a nut, I leave the slots shallow and do the final depth cuts and top contour as part of final setup with it on the bass. It does get easier with practice. I got a feeling that's not the case with filing fret ends!

Highlander · June 11, 2011, 02:39:50 AM

I've been on the lookout for a (budget) set of files for some time but have not had a lot of luck (over here) ...

Not enough to warrant a dedicated set...