Planning the new bass

drbassman · April 21, 2013, 12:42:25 PM

I'm starting to plan the new bass I'm gonna build in May. It's similar to the 4005, but not an exact copy. It will be this design:

The body will be a hollowed out mahogany, like the Midtown/RIC design. A flat top. I'm thinking spruce with a raised (about 1/8") mahogany strip down the middle (ala T-Bird), wide enough to accomodate a single Thunderbucker pup and ring. F-holes will probably be there as well. I am also toying with the idea of a string through design to eliminate the need for a tailpiece and use some sort of Tune-o-matic or Scott's TB style bridge. I think it might be cool to have the strings coming up through the mahogany stripe. Bolt on necks for the first few runs. Natural finish, clear coat.

What do you think? I'm thinking of calling it the Dr. ROCit model.

drbassman · April 21, 2013, 01:01:28 PM

Here's a quick look at the wood and hardware.............

I'll also play with some maple instead of spruce tops as well.

godofthunder · April 21, 2013, 01:01:48 PM

I like it! What pickup placement are you going to use ?

drbassman · April 21, 2013, 01:18:00 PM

Quote from: godofthunder on April 21, 2013, 01:01:48 PM
I like it! What pickup placement are you going to use ?

Placement would be same as my 60's NR. What do ya think?

Chris P. · April 21, 2013, 03:32:32 PM

Very cool!!!

drbassman · April 21, 2013, 05:02:22 PM

Quote from: Chris P. on April 21, 2013, 03:32:32 PM
Very cool!!!

Thanks Chris. I'll share more as things progress.

Rob · April 21, 2013, 06:06:48 PM

Looks great Doc.
I think the maple might blend better with the Maho

drbassman · April 21, 2013, 07:07:47 PM

Quote from: Rob on April 21, 2013, 06:06:48 PM
Looks great Doc.
I think the maple might blend better with the Maho

I'll keep that in mind. It would brighten up the sound a bit. I've always been a fan of spruce grain but mple,is a good choice too.

shadowcastaz · April 21, 2013, 07:57:49 PM

Looks cool Doc. Ive been absent for some time. I have some old growth redwood burl you could re-saw for a top.Hope UR well.M

Dave W · April 21, 2013, 08:04:04 PM

Whatever you decide on the wood, I like the idea of going string-through. And you know I like the shape.

godofthunder · April 22, 2013, 05:09:02 AM

Quote from: drbassman on April 21, 2013, 01:18:00 PM
Placement would be same as my 60's NR. What do ya think?

That's where I'd put one!

drbassman · April 22, 2013, 05:45:08 AM

Quote from: shadowcastaz on April 21, 2013, 07:57:49 PM
Looks cool Doc. Ive been absent for some time. I have some old growth redwood burl you could re-saw for a top.Hope UR well.M

Hey great to hear from you again! Thanks for the wood offer, I'll keep that in mind. I am doing great. All my tests are normal these days, so life is good and God's been great to me. Hope all is well in your corner of the world!

drbassman · April 22, 2013, 05:45:34 AM

Quote from: godofthunder on April 22, 2013, 05:09:02 AM
That's where I'd put one!

It's gotta be good there!

drbassman · April 22, 2013, 05:46:38 AM

Quote from: Dave W on April 21, 2013, 08:04:04 PM
Whatever you decide on the wood, I like the idea of going string-through. And you know I like the shape.

Yeah, I think a string through would be cool looking and sound good as well. Gonna work on that angle.

gearHed289 · April 22, 2013, 08:44:45 AM

That's a nice, original body style. You mentioned an f hole. I think a Ric-style cats eye cutout would look good on this.