Quilted maple neck through G5 project

[greywolf]

Saw a nice Alder G5 body in the screamin deals for $148 , as it is only $10 more than a blank I snagged it.  it will be my first 5 string , and it will be for sale  ( I like 4's better )

I've had 2 local players bug me to build a 5 string PJ , guess it is a sign that it's time.


Other details:  34 " scale  24 fret  14" radius hard rock maple neck through  with ebony fretboard , .48 x.103 frets  8.25 degree headstock

Bartolini PJ pickups with Bart 3 band EQ with 2 range mid , vol and blend , amber nitro finish  Picked the Barts  on sale from Best Bass place for 35% off


There are 2 options for the top , Quited or Burl maple 

 

[Pelagaard]

Will you keep the bevelled/carved look on the top?

 

[greywolf]

I will be doing some rounding of the body edges ( similar to one in the gallery on the W site) and likely a bit more beveled scoop on the cutaway , but the basic lines will remain the same.  I have a G4 already and like the silhouette.

 

[greywolf]

The body arrived today , now I can start the work to put the top on while I wait for the neck ..

 

[greywolf]

woohoo the neck arrived , man it's BIG .

Looks like I'll be busy this weekend getting it fitted .  The diamond abalone markers are way nice.

the top is already planed down to accept the quilted cap

 

[ramonet]

Nice!!! Keep going and keep us posted

 

[greywolf]

I finished gluing the body together ( J&B wood weld epoxy )  , re contoured the heel for a very smooth transistion , it is asymetrical so it really fits your hand well .

The lower half of the body was reduced by 1/4-1/2""  ( as were the upper bouts and waist)  for improved access , one of the reasons I  like neck throughs .



I hope to get the quilted top fitted this weekend, one on I'll do some beveling and perhaps a mild amber to deep amber sunburst to accentuate the lines

 

[greywolf]

The top is all on and shaped , did a soft route for the pickups , I'll finish that up tommorow when I route the center for the Koa.

 

[rapfohl09]

Not to be a downer, but it looks like there is a serious seam down that top. Did you join the sides of the top before you glued it up?

Edit: Jeez, stupid me, just saw the line about the koa stripe. Looking good!

 

[greywolf]

There was a slight shift during glue up on the upper bout , hence the seam . the epoxy sets quick , so it was time to get creative.

I typically put a center accent on anyway, and in this case due to the asymetry of the body , the center strip which will be about 3/4" will balance the maple sides out .

 

[dmraco]

looking killer.  Very ambitious project.  The only thing I am not liking is the forearm contour.  May have looked better if it was not there.
Just my 2 cents....keep up the good work...you must really like those Carvin necks.

 

[greywolf]

The forearm contour is a challenge ,   
I got the center channel routed at lunch , will inlay the Koa tonight .  Then do a bit of general smoothing of lines . 

Not sure how I'm going to finish it at this  point

 

[greywolf]

Got the Curly Koa center strip in . I had to get a bit creative with the ground wire . I routed a small channel tucked on the bottom edge of one side of where the insert was , then drilled a 90" hole and taped the ground wired in place with painters tape while I fit the koa block.   

Thanks for the  comment on the forearm bevel , I spent some time this morning  extending the bevel area and smoothing out the line so it is more rounded  , I think it's an improvement.

Now it's time for a week in the Mountains of North Carolina with just me and my Lady in our little cabin next to a stream .. no cell phones, no computers .. just an acoustic guitar and lots of R&R .


A very Happy Thanksgiving to all

 

[Cagey]

Now it's time for a week in the Mountains of North Carolina with just me and my Lady in our little cabin next to a stream .. no cell phones, no computers .. just an acoustic guitar and lots of R&R .

Mmmm... remote outdoor locations and sex. What could possibly be better than that?

Oh, yeah. It takes longer than a week to make beer, so don't forget to bring some along. Gotta stay hydrated. Maybe some Schnapps to get her hammered, just in case.

 

[Pelagaard]

Got the Curly Koa center strip in . I had to get a bit creative with the ground wire . I routed a small channel tucked on the bottom edge of one side of where the insert was , then drilled a 90" hole and taped the ground wired in place with painters tape while I fit the koa block.   

Thanks for the  comment on the forearm bevel , I spent some time this morning  extending the bevel area and smoothing out the line so it is more rounded  , I think it's an improvement.

Now it's time for a week in the Mountains of North Carolina with just me and my Lady in our little cabin next to a stream .. no cell phones, no computers .. just an acoustic guitar and lots of R&R .


A very Happy Thanksgiving to all

I love everything about this except for the one aspect of the G basses that I can't stand: the long, thin upper horn.  That's purely my personal opinion, and I'd love to get my hands on this bass regardless.

 

[greywolf]

The upper horn on this one is only about 75% as wide  as the regular G5 .
The whole body has had about 1" trimmed from the perimeter , a client request on the last 2 basses.  Oddly both clients are 6' 4" .  They seem to like the feel and look of them so it works for me.

I build them any way the want , one of the joys of a small time builder.     

One of the side benefits is they rarely get mistaken for anything else .. and the "What the heck is that ? "  generates  more business . 

I actually turned 2 guys  away because they wanted a clones , and it just didn't make economic sense .. you can get a real Fender for less than I can build one. Then they get the grief of it not being "real" .
I enjoy the challenge of building a bit outside the box , and working with the clients to give them exactly what they want.  ( or at least as close as I can get)  so far so good.

 

[Cagey]

I actually turned 2 guys  away because they wanted a clones , and it just didn't make economic sense .. you can get a real Fender for less than I can build one. Then they get the grief of it not being "real" .

I recently turned away some business for the same reason. Just didn't make sense. Told him "buy the Strat and bring me the neck, and I'll make that right. It'll cost less and you'll end up in pretty much the same place."

The neck is the thing. You can forgive a lot with a fiddle that feels good to play.

 

[Great Ape]

Very beautiful work--love the abalone, wow! Enjoy the woods!!

 

[dmraco]

what happened to the one inlay?  did it break??

 

[greywolf]

no ,  it's intentional .. for the  ground wire . that section will be covered by a copper strip before I put the bridge on