Single Cut Bass

[Ball Peen]

I've decided to get with the program : build and start playing a bass guitar.
The 1st one will be a singlecut with Bartolini J cbd 3 pickups. Then a P and then a fretless with my eub piezo system only. These will be spaced over the next 12 mos.
I want to learn much more about mag. pickups and preamps. A pro worked out my piezo system,( for my electric uprights ) all I have to do now is solder 6 points on a circuit board. That's when my learning stopped. Building and timber are by far my area of strength. I make no claim to be a tonewood expert.
This bass will be primarily Aussie timber (Wandoo and figured Jarrah sourced from Djarilmari Timber Products in WA). The neck will be Maple with an angled headstock.
12 in radius
34 in scale
20 frets
fingerboard .... ...............Wandoo ,.....black fingerboard dots, white side markers
head veneer.....................Wandoo
drop top..........................figured Jarrah
body................................Qld Maple, chambered
neck.................................Rock Maple, Purpleheart
Hipshot hardware, chrome
If the bass looks a little Gibson retro that's because I used my archtop pattern to generate the shape. At this point I'm thinking of glueing in the neck because it will allow for an interesting carve at the body/neck area. I'm waiting on parts and my saw service, I hope to start in earnest Monday.
I hope you enjoy the build.
　
　










　
　
　
　
　
　
　

[ozziebluesman]

Looks damn good Bill.

I will enjoy watching this one grow.

Thanks for sharing

Alan

[Jef Long]

wow thats some beautiful wood sir
i like your neck lams, i can never get perfection with stringers that thin, guess you need a thickness sander huh

[Ball Peen]

wow thats some beautiful wood sir
i like your neck lams, i can never get perfection with stringers that thin, guess you need a thickness sander huh

The very thin ones are veneer, the others are thickness planed backed with 25 mm mdf. The timber can't have any runout and once you get to 4 -3.5 mm very small increments. Much depends on the timber and quality of the machine.

[Ball Peen]

I'm still waiting for parts, not critical yet but soon will be.
　





　

[Ball Peen]

Almost finished. My parts are 5 weeks away so I'm switching to black hardware and P pickups. I have the Hipshots and Phil Mailloux Basses gave me some single bridges. I have some no name P pups I got from one of my customers to use till I can swap later.
The same customer suggested moving the Ps slightly forward from the Fender position. Anyone tried this?













Next time I'll centre the match on top, I was worried about bending a glue line.

The back timber is PNG Rosewood. The Q. Maple was a little too bland

The weight as you see it is 2.8 kg

[ozziebluesman]

Beautiful work Bill! I love the purlpeheart feature...I don't think I have built one guitar without having to add a feature....keep up the excellent work..Cheers Alan

[Ball Peen]

Cheers Alan, I agree, where would we be without featured timber?

[Ball Peen]

Update pic, I'll have some S D quater pounders early this week to finish off.　
　
　

　
　

[ozziebluesman]

Real nice Bill...

The top has beautiful figure and character...

Keep it going!

Cheers

Alan

[roscoe-tt]

Hectic man!
That is one tough looking bass.

Roscoe

[Ball Peen]

Cheers fellas, I'm Keen To finish now. Free shipping to Aussie means US Postal Service. Extream low priority.

[Milo]

Bill

The bass looks awesome!! Can't wait to see it in the flesh.

Hope you are well

Bryan

[Ball Peen]

Thanks Bryan, see you then.