My 2nd Bass Build

HilditchGuitars · September 2023

Some of you may remember a while back I posted a couple threads asking for suggestions on hardware for a bass, as I don't know a huge amount about such a topic. But I settled on Hipshot Ultralites (the proper ones) and an A style bridge. So let's document the journey here

HilditchGuitars · September 2023

I'll recap on the body so far;
Spalted Beech Tbird style with an Elm top. I don't have any pre shaping photos so we'll have to skip that part for now.

HilditchGuitars · September 2023

I have however got pics of the neck glue up.
Beech, Walnut, Beech

Seemed like a good excuse to get the #7 plane out hehe.

HilditchGuitars · September 2023

Next the truss rod channel...
The way I do this has changed a few times but I've settled on simply using the guide fence on my palm router to set the bit in the centre of my squared up billet, and cut the channel in 3 passes of 3mm each. Then I'll check the rod for depth and take more if required. I'm settled on using truss rods from Allied Lutherie in America, more expensive than others but it's clear to see why when you get hold of one.

HilditchGuitars · September 2023

Then I machined the fretboard, cut the slots and glued it on. I wanted to go for 21 frets but unfortunately the Wenge I lined up to use wasn't quite long enough. A few more mm would have been ideal but I wasn't confident the tiny bit remaining would have held so I had to go for 20 frets.

And glued it on

HilditchGuitars · September 2023

Once that was glued and the heel was shaped i set about the neck pocket.
I used 3 bits of ply with straight edges for a quick and easy template. Line up the neck and hold in place with a clamp (this also allows a small amount of adjustment to get it perfect) and draw round the heel. Then simply line up my ply to create the pocket template, placing it slightly over the pencil line to make the pocket a fraction tight - the neck and pocket can be sanded to fit then.
I start off by taking the bulk out with a forstner bit in my drill press and then use a 1/2" router to get most of the way, swapping to 1/4" to get a tighter radius in the corners.
Again though, another process I neglected to take pictures of.

HilditchGuitars · September 2023

At this point I drilled the machine head holes in the headstock.
I tend to drill through with a 2mm pilot bit and use a forstner for the actual hole. This leaves a nice clean hole and I can drill from both sides the avoid any spelching.

Now this is where disaster struck and I'm still working on the fix, so watch this space...
Basically I decided to thin the heel a little by passing through my thicknesser, great idea.
The headstock is angled back slightly and instead of turning the machine off and waiting for it to stop before removing the neck... you can see where this is going... I didn't! and it took a nice chunk out of the back of the headstock, d'oh!
I didn't get any pics but I've thinned the head and plan to put an overlay on the back and see how it looks. Fingers crossed

PeteC · September 2023

Nice ! Is that a other neck for firebird style build in the background?

HilditchGuitars · September 2023

@PeteC that's actually for a Destroyer type custom order

HilditchGuitars · September 2023

Well, carrying on from this balls up I have now repaired the headstock and added some reinforcement too.
I'm not sure how I feel about it visually, but I'm planning a black burst on the body so I will match the repair in if needs be.

Here's the Walnut overlay, to pick up the center stripe on the neck.

The I inlayed some Elm from the body top to strengthen the joint

It will be interesting to see what it looks like when carved and how it'll hold up to strings. I've given it a good test today, but I know the strings will be a lot less nervous than me about how much force they use hehe.

HilditchGuitars · September 2023

Ok, so the neck is all carved now and the full extent of the repair is visible. Couple of little spots repairs to address.
I'm a little on the fence about it visually, but my wife really likes it, so let me know what you think... repaired or ruined?
I'll put it to a vote, click 'wow' for repaired or click 'lol' for ruined haha

abw1989 · September 2023

What were you thinking for a finish on this?

You could easily hide that repair underneath a headstock stinger of a solid colour. Even if the rest of the bass was natural a black stinger wouldn't look out of place.

WezV · September 2023

I would have doubts that the repair will add much strength, but there is only one way to find out

HilditchGuitars · September 2023

@abw1989 funnily enough it's having a black burst on the front and I'm considering the stinger idea anyway
@WezV I share your doubts tbh. I've leant on it a few times, though cautiously. The piece is set in 5/6mm but I might just add extra and go for a stinger.

WezV · September 2023

I think it will hold string tension, but I would expect the headstock to slowly pull forward over time. All the strength is concentrated in that small area of beech behind the nut.

I'm trying to think how to strengthen it... either the back plate needs to go further, and more gradually onto the shaft, or it needs some inserts or reinforcement. Perhaps short CF rods into the neck shaft, or a CF overlay that wraps onto it.

HilditchGuitars · September 2023

Actually, I'm kicking myself for not taking the walnut further down the neck. Hindsight eh

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

Become a Subscriber!

My 2nd Bass Build

Comments