Esoterics of building quality musical instruments

[Hodgo]

Scary thought that I might have to build X number of instruments before I get it right, especially as it's more involved than hanging a door haha.

I gotta say that watching a bunch of Aaron's videos have boosted my confidence that I just might be able to do a decent build. Vids like what to do while waiting for your parts to arrive, drilling holes, soldering, etc.. Each successive video has been amping up my confidence. That's 14 weeks of lead time that I can put to use in preparation. Thanks Aaron!

Per these SSB's, I watched videos of a guy who built one but flipped the headstock so as to expand his choices of strings. I guess that the little bit of extra length for the low E string can make a difference? What do y'all think? Necessary or no? I plan to slap on some decent flatwound strings and forget about it.

I used the short scale, medium tension La Bella Deep Talkin Flats on my SSB and called it a day too. Here’s where the wrapped parts line up on a 30” scale.

 

[stollie]

Below are some of the selections I've made at Warmoth's site that are in my wishlist. Both body and neck are to come fully finished.
Please confirm if these are solid choices. Thanks!

Because of the lead time, I'm debating whether to put in the order for the body & neck asap. Then I could go after the rest of the materials in a more leisurely way.

SSB, J-style body, alder
Control Cavity Rear Rout (I want as little as possible on the face of the bass)
Neck Pickup Rout J Bass® Neck 4-String (3-5/8")
Bridge Pickup Rout J Bass® Bridge 4-String (3-3/4")
Controls Volume 1, Volume 2, Tone 1. I did NOT select the the 4th controls check box, Input
Jack Rout 7/8" (22mm) Side Jack Hole
Bridge Rout Gotoh 201
SSB Neck Pocket (there were 2 other choices in the drop down, both concerning no mounting holes)

Short Scale Warhead Bass Neck: Maple with Rosewood fretboard

 

[rockandroller]

Looking good!

 

[stratamania]

Below are some of the selections I've made at Warmoth's site that are in my wishlist. Both body and neck are to come fully finished.
Please confirm if these are solid choices. Thanks!

Because of the lead time, I'm debating whether to put in the order for the body & neck asap. Then I could go after the rest of the materials in a more leisurely way.

SSB, J-style body, alder
Control Cavity Rear Rout (I want as little as possible on the face of the bass)
Neck Pickup Rout J Bass® Neck 4-String (3-5/8")
Bridge Pickup Rout J Bass® Bridge 4-String (3-3/4")
Controls Volume 1, Volume 2, Tone 1. I did NOT select the the 4th controls check box, Input
Jack Rout 7/8" (22mm) Side Jack Hole
Bridge Rout Gotoh 201
SSB Neck Pocket (there were 2 other choices in the drop down, both concerning no mounting holes)

Short Scale Warhead Bass Neck: Maple with Rosewood fretboard

It looks okay to me what is visible, though you might want to order a neck plate, neck screws and neck plate pad and other basic hardware in the same order.

One other thing to consider is if you were to go with EMG Active J pickups, which have solderless cable connections, you would then benefit from a battery box rout. The EMGs would mean you have no soldering to be concerned with, and they will have a good dynamic range with them over and above passives.

Which frets etc for the neck are you thinking of. Also, it is worth considering neck wood such as roasted maple or one of the other exotic woods which do not require a finish for smoother playability.

Summary: refine the final overall requirements and parts list to make sure all the choices are aligned with the intended parts for the overall design. Waiting a little longer to finalise the design and parts choices before placing the order will avoid a possible oversight.