The symmetry and the scroll on it are very pleasing to the eye !


Where will the strap buttons go on this bass?

ty for the comments. Rear strap button goes on the upper rounded part, which is oriented as you hold it. Front button will probably go on the back where the neck joint would be.

Looks really good, best of luck with the progression. I cant wait to see the process to the end.

robo :)

ty ty :)

Since I lost my job, it may be a while before I can start building this bass in earnest. What I can do though is build some of the tools I will need. For example, I am making a fret-slot duplicating machine. I will send some pics soon. The whole thing will come in at about $25. It will be adjustable for depth of cut, and feature a sighting window that I will use to line up the carriage with the fret slot of the template neck. I found a place that will sell me slotted fretboards, 24 fret 34" scale, for $9. And I found a place where I can pick up fret-board sized wood for a couple of bucks...for quality Rosewood, ebony, hard maple, and others.

As promised, here are a few pics of the fret slot cutting machine I am working on. It is very simple, but requires a great deal of precision to make sure the saw guide remains absolutely at right angles to the new fretboard.


Here are some of the parts I have made so far. The pattern fretboard will mount in the back, aligned by pins, not yet installed.


This is the carriage. The slot rides over the rail. It is a snug fit, so that the blade guide will be at right angles to the fretboard.


Here is a partial assembly. The new fretboard will be raised close to the carriage. The pattern fretboard will be mounted under the carriage at the back. The oval window in the carriage is where I can see the fret slots on the patter. I mounted a thin piece of wire inside to get the carriage aligned perfectly over the groove.

Yo Gar...

You Sir are a genius...

That is all.

Leroy.

uh, gee, thanks! Now if only enough people would realize that maybe I would have a job lol.

YO Gar,
WOW!! This is High Tech stuff!! I never knew you had it in you! Awesome!!! :^D
Black Hawk

TY Clifton! It is actually really simple, but it will work. More to come soon...

Yo Gar,
Simple? To a Genius like Yourself! To a simple Layman like me! This is Outer Space stuff!! LOL!!!! :^D
Black Hawk

hahahaha

I love the little smilies from one of my all-time favorite movies, Little Shop of Horrors, the Frank Oz version!

LMAO!! Yeah, I recall that one!!
Black Hawk

love the make your own tools....i got a few i made for a project i started and never finished. maybe i will post a few here....

I would love to see them, so please do yayyyyyy

here ya go

body clamps

body clamps in use

tuner hole alignment jig.

bridge placement guide.

Great work on those guitar tools. I like that you use plexi as well as wood. One thought I have about the clamps, and this concerns all body clamps of this style...is, don't the clamps ever leave marks on the body? Might it not be a good idea to put some kind of sheathing over the long bolt? Something like shrink-wrap perhaps, that has not been shrunk? Anyway, nice work Greg!

so far they didn't leave any marks but i like the sheath idea. thanks.. the use of the plastic blocks was at the time i made them i was working as a diesetter and had full use of a tool and die shop.

Whoa there! You're not holding out on us, are ya? You got
these awesome tools but no projects?? I find that hard to
believe Mister!! Youre going down buddy! You're witholding
information and I'm calling Wikileaks!!!

X-D

Seriously...pics???

--Bo

yes i have a project that i built them for bo. it is not bass related really. it is a conversion of an acoustic guitar to an octave mandolin. i had the pics on fb til their security levels got to lax and left me no control. i will upload them to my photobucket and psst a link here..

here is the pictures....
it started life as a CHEAP 70'S Japanese acoustic guitar and when finished will be an octave mandolin basically tuned an octave below a normal mandolin with a much larger body)



for some reason the slideshow doesn't start with first pics...

the slide show started just fine on my end. That is gonna be a very cool instrument, can't waite to see the finished product1

BTW, how DO you post a slideshow here?

i put all the pics in a folder in my photobucket account then it has a button to view s slideshow.....click that then it gives you a button to share which gives you the link to post.

I am going to try that, right now hehe!



hope this works...

it didn't lol. What code do I enter on the AB side to get it to work?



maybe this?

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...thanks hehehehe

all i lack finishing it really is cutting the nut and bridge saddle and dong some sort of finish on it. due to lots of scratches and bindings and what not aged 30+ years i have thought about painting the body a solid color or maybe i do some kind of collage thing on it....

a greenburst would be really nice!

not sure if my painting skills are up to a burst but who knows...if it sucks i can always sand it down and paint it solid

I am considering converting an old cheap guitar to a dobro / resonator guitar... might just do it!!

Aw man...I can't see the image. Maybe when I get home.
Sounds like a cool project.

Hey it's Stew Mac Jr!

lol