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Awesome work Doug!!! What are the lamination layers in your neck? I really like the look. You are underway now, it won't be long till you have the box closed up.

Thanks Zeke. Lamination is simply maple and walnut. I don't want a lot of fancy binding on this beast. I am hoping the visual appeal will be in the contrasting colours of maple/sitka along with walnut binding and headstock and ebony fingerboard and bridge. The soundhole will also be lined with a ring of thin walnut.

Here is a pic of the type of look I am going for and it comes from this website with some really cool, artistic guitars:
http://guitarrascustom.blogspot.ca/2011/05/5-string-acoustic-bass-italian-spruce.html

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

So I've decided to redo the neck. I'm considering this to be a normal luthier experience. Get it right. Minimize that which you compromise. It's only time and wood. Move on and get over it. I'll NEVER regret correcting minor mistakes that only I would have noticed. I'll always regret not fixing things that I will always think of when I look at the finished product for years to come. I should note that it took me a few days to arrive at this...also normal in the life of the luthier I presume.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

I'm totally stealing your radius dish-making idea!! That's awesome. I LOVE that kind of ingenuity.

Awesome build, BTW.

Notice the string anchors near tail block to accommodate classical bass strings.


Thinning the 0.065" walnut centre strip prior to glue up.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

Prepping the 0.1" walnut sound hole binding ... Drying after bending on iron.




Not shown: 1/8" Baltic birch ply patch surrounding sound hole.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

So up until now I have not managed but only measured the RH in my shop. The RH in the shop has ranged from 25% - 45%. Now that I have my top and back plates thinned to size I can so easily see the rapid impact humidity has on my tonewood. So prior to further assembly such as bracing, closing the box, etc., I am now the proud owner of a humidifier for the shop.
I am going to aim for 40%. My region in western Canada is naturally quite dry.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

Humidity is now stable and so is the wood. Here are some progress pics. I can't tell you how much fun all of this is!

You will notice the top bracing is highly unconventional. This is largely due to the strings terminating near the tail block and therefore eliminating much stress at the floating bridge.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

End flash done. Time to put the top on.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

You are moving right along. I got some catching up to do!

Looking good, mate.

So I was not totally pleased with that first end flash as it was slightly out of balance. The biggest thing I am learning in this new challenge is to step back and think before committing myself to a course of action. The first attempt on the maple inlay, I attempted to hold the inlay manually while I scribed around it but it moved and I didn't really notice until later on. On this attempt I first of all chose a piece of maple that continues the grain through from rib to rib. I also glued it down in place with liquid hide glue before scribing. After scribing I heated up the inlay to release it...worked much better and, obviously, held its desired position.
This is my second such "do-over." Definitely won't be my last. Neck #1 is coming in handy as a test cut object prior to running Neck #2 through a machine. Don't burn mistakes too quickly!

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

Glued the soundboard on. I suspect it is quite normal for the builder to begin to "pretend play" the guitar at this point?

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

Yup.....

At least on the first few

Productive day today: fingerboard cut, side dots, truss rod installed, string anchor cover plates inlayed, bridge rough shaped, headstock shaped with Claro walnut book matched veneer. The back plate is not on yet on as I am waiting for a pick up that is on order. It is installed under the bridge (not saddle) and I think it will be much easier to install prior to attaching the backplate. Unlike a standard guitar the soundhole on this oversized beast is a long ways from the bridge.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

Sadly, Doug, you have neglected to put in a belly cut and an armrest. I am deeply disappointed....

Just kidding. Looks great. I wnat ot know all about this one, as it's coming up on my list soon, soon, my pretty--- not you Doug, the bass build.......

What a beast, looking good, I'm interested in hearing this one with the classical strings.

I'm really looking forward to stringing it up as well. Obviously the hope is that it sounds much more like an upright bass than a steel string acoustic bass. Imagine my disappoint if it truly disappoints.... To win the challenge I could always "dub" in a maestro playing a double upright

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

Uh oh. Attn: fretless bass players! See the YouTube video here that contains a serious warning against pursuing the fretless bass. Am I making a mistake?

http://youtu.be/qJ0jE7_r3dg

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

Hilarious Doug! I will be sharing that with my bass playing friends.

Aargh!!! So I have had to make two necks, two headstock veneers and now, out of necessity, my second bridge. The journey continues. This is known as the learning curve. All I can say regarding cutting saddle slots is...use a straight bit, not a up-cutting spiral bit. DUH!

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

Since we are making fun, a bass player told me this one at a bluegrass jam:

While a band was on stage, the guitarist was thinking, "Gee, I think that cute girl on the front row likes me." The drummer was thinking, "Gee, I hope we make enough money to get my van fixed." The bass player was thinking, "Gee..... G... G... G..."

Looking good, Doug. Keep it up!

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Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from poor judgement.

Very good Casey. When I play bass I don't think at all....known as the "chronic bass player staring into space" thing.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

Lol, sounds like cellist's have the same problem as bass players!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdxkVQy7QLM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV5_xj_yuhs

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"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it."
Pablo Picasso

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