Planning the new bass

[nofi]

the nike bass? as a kid i lived 12 miles from nyc. there was a nike missle site next to the local drive in. the city was surrounded by these things as the cold war went ape shit.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=nike+missile&qpvt=nike+missile&FORM=IGRE

[drbassman]

I think an upside-down Swoosh-hole would look nice. You could line the inside of the bass with some interesting wallpaper...

I like that!   Maybe a little narrower, so as to obviate the need for wallpaper!  I was thinking just one f hole and maybe a small pickguard.  Lots of ideas out there to work with, thanks!

[ilan]

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[drbassman]

.

Very nice, thanks Ilan.  I might just use your ideas.

[drbassman]

Hey Ilan.  How would it look if I mounted the two control knobs on the back of the pickguard rather than in the body?

[ilan]

Probably a better idea. MS Paint is a lot easier than real-life design considerations...

[Pilgrim]

How would it look if I mounted the two control knobs on the back of the pickguard rather than in the body?

It works nicely for P-basses.  And it lets you add or subtract knobs with a PG change.

[drbassman]

It works nicely for P-basses.  And it lets you add or subtract knobs with a PG change.

Yeah, it also means no screwing with an access plate in the back or fishing stuff through a bottom f-hole.  Easy to do mods or repairs too.  I think this is the way to go.

[Pilgrim]

Yeah, it also means no screwing with an access plate in the back or fishing stuff through a bottom f-hole.  Easy to do mods or repairs too.  I think this is the way to go.

There is considerable virtue to not needing that access hatch!

[drbassman]

There is considerable virtue to not needing that access hatch!

I agree!  Although I've not always been a fan of big pick guards covering nice looking wood either.  So I'm always conflicted here!  I still might drop back to no pickguard if I can't get it to grab me aesthetically.

[drbassman]

Here's the first template.



Now some mock ups.  The neck and pick up positions are only approximate right now.  Thanks to Ilan for the pg idea and Scott for the Klira f-hole pic I used to make this copy.

[godofthunder]

Very nice! Working hard to day Bill or getting a head start on retirement?

[Rob]

I like that look a lot.  My only concern might ne the top knob getting in the way.  If you were to swing the cut away part of your PG template toward the bottom a bit more you could set the pots more horizontally.

[drbassman]

I like that look a lot.  My only concern might ne the top knob getting in the way.  If you were to swing the cut away part of your PG template toward the bottom a bit more you could set the pots more horizontally.

I agree, but I don't want it getting any larger.  I am starting to lean toward an access panel in the back and a clean top.  I'd like the knobs even farther back.  And I'm thinking a second f-hole would be nice.  Hmmmm.........

[drbassman]

Very nice! Working hard to day Bill or getting a head start on retirement?

You bet your humbucker!  I worked 3 nights this week, so I'm playing hooky.  Come mid-May, I'm gonna be working on this bass a lot!