A step into the Unknown-P Bass Build

[martyb1]

Well I have been asked to build a bass.Never built one.Can't be much different than a tele right???
We will see.Got my templates and we are off.I was saving this wood for a tele
but decided to use it on this

Got it all cut out.The plan is this redwood front and back with a Honduras Mahogany core

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0280.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0376.jpg

This wood has some amazing things going on in it.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0381.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0382.jpg

[shoretyus]

Where's me sunglasses' wow You figure out a backing wood yet? Or it that the worlds' thinnest bass?

[martyb1]

The piece for the top is great but the piece for the back has a couple issues.I wasn't to worried about it because it was plenty big for a tele but we will have to deal with some issues for a bass

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0370.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0371.jpg

I am just curious,anybody ever used casting resin to fill things like this.Just an idea???

Well before I glue it up I decided to route the wire channel in the mahogany.I think it will be easier now than later since I am going to rear route this.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0067.jpg

Got the top glued up,clamps,I need more clamps

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0070.jpg

[martyb1]

Before I put the back cap on I decided to seal up some of the cracks.Better safe than sorry.Got to love medium CA glue

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0078.jpg

Once this has cured overnight I will sand it smooth and glue it on

Still thinking on that casting resin.I might do a test since I have some here.Do a light black tint(or maybe a red) and see if it will route when it is cured.Also check to see if lacquer will stick to it.

[martyb1]

Where's me sunglasses' wow You figure out a backing wood yet? Or it that the worlds' thinnest bass?

Hey,shouldn't old guys like you be in bed by now :tongue::wink::smilie_flagge17:

[shoretyus]

Hey,shouldn't old guys like you be in bed by now :tongue::wink::smilie_flagge17:

To bed???? Old guys get off the couch now .. then to bed :sport-smiley-002:

[rhh7]

Beautiful, Marty!...I love mahogany.

[martyb1]

Managed to get the clamps off,cleaned up a bit and rounded over.Not sure if I should go with a bigger roundover or not.Did a light contour on the top and tummy cut

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0097.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0104.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0103.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0099.jpg

Guess next up is the neck pocket,rear route and pickup cavity.

[Lowtones]

Great looking build Marty. Keep the pictures coming :rockon2:

[james on bass]

This is going to be purdy.

[rhh7]

Simply awesome!

[martyb1]

Did a little work on that horn problem
Went from this
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0371.jpg

To this

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0117.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0118.jpg

Still can see the line on the top.I'm hoping with some more sanding and some sealer it will look ok.Actually turned out better than I thought.Still looks better than filler,now there is that other spot :confused:

[Lincoln]

Beautiful work. :bow:

[martyb1]

Well I made a decent score on evil-bay tonight.A beauty of a neck from Jamerson Guitars(Musikraft)
Paddle head bass neck,Birdseye maple with Pau Ferro fretboard
Got it for a pretty decent price too

http://i22.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/fd/65/4a76_12.JPG

http://i4.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/fd/65/4d91_12.JPG

http://i4.ebayimg.com/07/i/000/fd/65/4cdb_12.JPG

http://i11.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/fd/65/4986_12.JPG

Going to look pretty good with that redwood and mahogany

[martyb1]

Well now that everything is kinda back to normal I can get back to work on some of these other projects.
To fill the "other" bad spot on the back,I decided to try some sawdust from a scrap of the redwood and gome glue.Mixed it up,filled it,let it dry and sanded it down.
Hmmm,looks ok.It's on the back and should blend better once I put on some sealer
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0143.jpg
I got the neck in the mail and it is nicer than in the pics.Lots of birdseye
It's going to look pretty cool
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0455.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0456.jpg

[martyb1]

I decided to do the neck pocket.Good thing I waited for the neck.This neck seems to be a bit smaller than a standard p-bass neck.I had to shim my router bit to get a nice snug fit.
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0457.jpg

That Pau Ferro looks pretty cool

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0462.jpg

[Edutainment]

Wow that looks great. I love the grain on that fretboard.

[james on bass]

That's looking nice.

[bleedingfingers]

Hi after seeing some of your Telecasters I was wondering if you would be building other instruments .

That bass is smoking Though at first glance I thought the neck was sitting to high in the neck pocket but I guess it just looks that way because there is no pickguard . I can't wait to see it strung up and ready to go.
Also how much does it weigh?

Just wanted to add one other thing my brother turns bowls on a lathe
and I know when he turns stumps and burled wood he uses epoxy
to fill the gaps in the wood . I'll have to ask him about casting resin.
but what you did on the back and horn looks amazing .

I also know that anytime you start working with highly figured wood
like burled hard wood you never know whats going to happen until you cut into it so I think thats a very nice piece of wood you used .



cheers B .

[Milkman]

Holy crap!

And I was proud of myself for making a decent road case, LOL.

That's fantastic work!

Looking forward to seeing more pics as this progresses.

:bow::bow:

[shoretyus]

I am going to move back to alberta and cut down all the trees but the aspen... na you'd find some board I missed and we know where that will go.

Nice looking neck perfect combo

carry on

[Spikezone]

Beautiful so far, Marty!
-Mikey

[soundhound6]

Beautiful woods Marty....Burls are unpredictable,but are worth the extra effort
in the end.

The body and board colors look to be an excellent match, by the photos.
Nice stuff and good job!:food-smiley-004:

Jan

[martyb1]

Thanks for the comments.I have kinda put this on the back burner for a bit.Time to get back at it.Almost ready to start the finish :smile:

[martyb1]

I have been doing some experimenting with TruOil on necks.It feels great
I wanted this neck to have a bit more of a tint to it so it was the guinea pig
I mixed up some TruOil and a couple drops of amber dye.
I did a nice even,pretty heavy coat on,let it sit for a few minutes and wiped off the excess.What you think
No flash
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0161.jpg

Flash
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0162.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0163.jpg

[martyb1]

After that had dreid over night,I hit it with some 0000 steel wood then applied another coat,un-tinted
I will let that cure for a day and do it all over again
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0180.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0183.jpg

[fraser]

that neck looks great marty-
awesome birdseye and flame.
i often thought of adding dye to tru oil, but never tried it.
interestingly there is a thread now on the reranch forum-
a guy asking about doing just this.
they all pretty much telling him that nope, it wont work. it has to be done seperate.
thanks for sharing that, good info to know.

[martyb1]

that neck looks great marty-
awesome birdseye and flame.
i often thought of adding dye to tru oil, but never tried it.
interestingly there is a thread now on the reranch forum-
a guy asking about doing just this.
they all pretty much telling him that nope, it wont work. it has to be done seperate.
thanks for sharing that, good info to know.

Hmmm,thats interesting.I had no issues at all.Mixed right up and went on great
:smile:

[soundhound6]

Hmmm,thats interesting.I had no issues at all.Mixed right up and went on great
:smile:

Hey Marty...Here's a few tidbits for you and everyone that may be interested.
There are 2 kinds of oils that I'm aware of: drying oils and nondrying oils...
Mineral,baby,and vegetable oils are called nondrying oils.Which is why they have to be replenished a couple of times a year or more.

Linseed (Flaxseed) and tung oils are drying oils. I think there are others,but I've only worked with these 2 oils personally.And wonder of wonders...they
are called "true oils"...sound familiar?Varnish is basically linseed oil with a resin
(alkyd or phenolic are commonly used)added to make them more durable than
plain oil in resistance to water,heat,solvents and chemicals.

Then there are the "other oils"which are blends of oil,varnish and mineral
spirits.We all know these as "Danish..Teak..Nordic oils".

As far as tinting the drying oils, there is no reason that I'm aware of to not tint. In fact, if you want to get a relatively even color laid down on pine,you can tint the oils,lay a generous coat down and wipe off after 5 mins. or so.
Repeat til you hit your mark. Similar to the gel type stains that give you better control over the color application and rate of absorption.

( My dad was an artist and a house painter.I learned a lot from him before he died...I'm glad I paid attention...and suprised I can still remember this stuff!)
LOL

Jan:food-smiley-004:

[fraser]

i figured it would work, and you proved it lol
dunno what these guys are on about
http://www.reranch.com/reranch/viewtopic.php?t=22212&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[martyb1]

i figured it would work, and you proved it lol
dunno what these guys are on about
http://www.reranch.com/reranch/viewtopic.php?t=22212&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Im not a member over at ReRanch.I was going to sigh up and show them my results but figured,by the tone of some of the posts,a lot of those guys are stuck on their ways and didn't want to cause any trouble.
I am a relatively "newbee" compared to some of them when it comes to guitar finishing.The only reason I tried it was because I could not see any reason why it wouldn't work and my test pieces worked fine and it saved a step.I am very happy with my results

[martyb1]

Finally have a few days off work so I decided to get some sealer on a few of my projects.As soundhound6 mentioned,working with these burls takes a lot of extra time.There are so many differences in the wood.Here is a pic of the body after the initial coat of sealer.I cut it 50% so it would penetrate better.You can see on the right corner just how different it penetrates in the wood

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0189.jpg

I let this cure for a few hours and then hit it with 320 grit and sanded it back.I then sprayed another coat of sealer.You can see the difference already as the wood is starting to seal up.Much more even.Hmmm,a bit foggy in here :tongue:
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0199.jpg

After I sand this back I will start to address the "bad" spots in the burl

[soundhound6]

Lookin good Marty...that lovely,gnarly grain is just a poppin',even I can hardly wait til its done.Of course all I get is a visual treat and also to see something positive/creative getting done in what can be a pretty nasty world.

As for joining more forums...I'm in 4 guitar forums now,and usually come here
and the Tele forum.These 2 forums suck up my time faster than your partcle board Tele sucked up that sealer!LOL

Its like all those card offers from every place you do a little buisness with.I really don't want to carry a card file on me for little or no gain.The older I get,
the more I want to simplify my life.There is more than enough "complexity" to keep me challanged in my life....

Jan :food-smiley-004: "Have a great day!"

[martyb1]

I went after it again with the 320 and then another coat.You can really see it leveling with each coat but there is still a ways to go :smile:

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0219.jpg

[martyb1]

Here it is after it has dried.Starting to really come around
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0229.jpg

Here is a shot just to show some of the wild figuring in this stuff
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0247.jpg

[RIFF WRATH]

beautiful...and getting better........re:pic/post#32......I think there is a satanic message appearing just below the pickup routes.....lol

[laristotle]

Yeah, I can see that. There's also a litter
of wolf cubs there too.

[martyb1]

JUst an update.Haven't had a lot of time to work on this.Between time and the little aphid like critters that have come out in this unusually warm fall,it has been a challenge.I have managed to get a some of the voids in the burl filled,and it is really starting to level out nice.Just a couple updated pics :smile:

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0129.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0131.jpg

They are calling for a killing frost tomorrow night so maybe I can say goodbye to them little "buggers" :wave:

[soundhound6]

beautiful...and getting better........re:pic/post#32......I think there is a satanic message appearing just below the pickup routes.....lol

You can see the very fires burnin' on the back of that body,Marty:eek:

I can see a neck and strings on this puppy too.Lookin' good,man!

Jan

[speckledmind]

Been following the build, very nice lofu

[martyb1]

Well this thing finally got a coat of lacquer tonight.Been a long time coming
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0162-1.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/prairiecustomguitars/Bloodcaster/PICT0163-1.jpg

[shoretyus]

No bugs when you spray in January huh? I will send you some snowfleas kkjuw

[Dr.StephanHeimer]

That bass looks simply amazing *Drools*