Pics of my new bass

[GermanFafian]

Awesome job dude!!!
Really nice wood. I really like the look of Walnut.
I am itching so bad to do my yearly build but I will have to wait another year until I'm fully settled down ( If I ever!)
I was planning a Hot Rod Tele this year. At least I get another full year to decide what I am going to do

[nix808]

That's really cool you did get a badass bridge.
They are a beautiful make.
I made a bass years ago and found that one in a second hand instruments store.
Gotta have another crack at it coz the neck is screwed up,
and I don't really like the body shape.
I'll just grab the hardware and go again.
Hmm, I was thinking-
Do u want to restyle the shape of the head?
I think an original shape would go real well w/- the body.
Thanks for keeping us updated-
it's been well cool to check it coming up.

[obiwanjacobi]

Awesome!

That oil finish really came out well. Enjoy and thanks for keeping us posted. I enjoyed the series.

[Bronto Scorpio]

Looks awesome
Really well done

And thanks for sharing!

Cheers
Dennis

[Scoops]

Update,

Thanks for all the comps!!
It was a blast to be able to share!

I was up very late last nite setting this bad boy up.
I now have the action where I want it.
Also took me forever to tune the bridge. Without frets, it's a little more difficult.

The bass itself weights in at 9.25 pounds (4.2kg) It's got massive sustain!

The electronics I have in it make it sound very modern (My only basses in the past have been P-basses, which are somewhat limited in sonic texture) Slapping and popping are very consistent across the entire neck, and it doesn't suffer from the G string being a bit dead. In other words, very consistent output.

Now that I have the strings on to full tension, the crack through the body has become a little more apparent. I'll just have to be very careful. The wife suggested that I find another piece of wood to work on as a replacement, just in case.

I'll see what I can do to post sound files in the near future. I had it plugged into my DAW last night but I was getting some nasty static, and I don't know the source yet.

Stay tuned

[Scoops]

Update

Thought you might like to know....

I've been busy with the bass this last month and a half.

I went to 4 open mike blues sessions right after I finished it. Of those four, I'm now the "house" bassist for 2 of them. I've picked up a bunch of gigs with both these bands. Imagine, after 15 years of not playing live, I'm back in immediately. I'm freaked.

I've since purchased a MarkBass 800Whead and 2-10 bottom. The bass and this amp are magical together

Well let me get to the crux of this message.

For some reason, the Bass will not hold pitch, it will go off by a half step at times. Once, maybe twice a gig, and it definitely goes out after transport. When it goes out, all four go out differently, so it's really hard to compensate while playing.

I'm bummed cuz I'm pretty sure the body itself is unstable (remember the crack). I could be wrong.

Currently considering next steps. I can get by with the bass as is for now, but I'll probably be making a new body. I'd love to do another walnut, but not sure..Walnut is suppose to be stable. Maybe a Solid Flame/quilt Maple? or a Mahogany with Maple top? Korina? Koa! I'll know when I find the right piece.

As a side note....I know where the right piece is! There's a wood mill about 10 minutes from work. Problem is that the piece of wood I want is a part of a very large piece, and they are not willing to cut it off.

So as you might have guessed, I'm trying to talk the wife into a new kitchen table. I know where the perfect top is

[Laguna Rising]

I'm trying to talk the wife into a new kitchen table. I know where the perfect top is

[BjornChapman]

That's really awesome. I played bass as well and I've always had a dream to craft my own instrument. How satisfying it must be! How much does it cost to assemble something like that? Awesome job!

[Scoops]

That's really awesome. I played bass as well and I've always had a dream to craft my own instrument. How satisfying it must be! How much does it cost to assemble something like that? Awesome job!

Thanks for the kind words

I have about $1,200.00, and about 80 man/hours into this project.
This bass is about the 10th instrument I've built in this manner, so I've developed some good practices and have learned from past mistakes.

-Scoops

[xtp]

If you are thinking about building another body because this one is unstable, have you considered using a stable wood [like a maple or mahogony body], and then slice through your existing walnut body and use it as a top laminate.

It looks so cool it seems a shame to be unable to use it.

[Scoops]

If you are thinking about building another body because this one is unstable, have you considered using a stable wood [like a maple or mahogony body], and then slice through your existing walnut body and use it as a top laminate.

It looks so cool it seems a shame to be unable to use it.

Well, I've made partial decisions.
1) I'll make use of the bass as is.
2) I will not disassemble this bass to make another.
3) This bass has it's faults, but it still works.

I do have a piece of spalted maple that I bought about 7 years ago. I might start carving on this piece. I just need to come up with the cash to buy the rest of the components.

The next bass will be fretless. I am having such a blast with this. I don't know if I made note of this, but there is an alternative position for the bridge pickup, that Jaco made use of. (closer to the bride) I've replicated this on mine, and I getting some really great tones out of it.

-Scps

[Scoops]

What could I possibly be up to?!!!!!

[Hink]

What could I possibly be up to?!!!!!

PB&J?

[Scoops]

What could I possibly be up to?!!!!!

PB&J?

No.

Here's a clue

[Scoops]

What could I possibly be up to?!!!!!

PB&J?

No.

Here's a clue

Here's another