Scratch Bass Build

[dmraco]

No rest for the wicked.  I will be using some of the purple heart I have and building a bass for my son.  This will incorporate spare parts we have. 

It will be closely based on Gib$on double cut Jr with slightly slimmer sides.  I have a vintage Kahler he wants to use.  We also will be using a old Warwick for the electronics.

Neck is ordered...as 32 inch scale roasted maple with Warmoth headstock and SS  frets

 

[DangerousR6]

Should be pretty cool project... :headbang:

 

[rgand]

I like what you have in mind. Loooks like you slimmed it down some.  :icon_thumright:

 

[dmraco]

I like what you have in mind. Loooks like you slimmed it down some.  :icon_thumright:

I took a little bulk off the butt.  It still retains the classic shape.

 

[Logrinn]

This is going to be awesome. Will definitely be following this!
Is that a Kahler trem bridge? Or is it fixed, ie a basic hardtail?

 

[dmraco]

This is going to be awesome. Will definitely be following this!
Is that a Kahler trem bridge? Or is it fixed, ie a basic hardtail?

vintage Kahler bass whammy.

 

[Logrinn]

This is going to be awesome. Will definitely be following this!
Is that a Kahler trem bridge? Or is it fixed, ie a basic hardtail?

vintage Kahler bass whammy.

:headbang1:

 

[dmraco]

Some Flamed Basswood goodness

 

[bagman67]

Nice score!  I have never seen figured basswood before.  Lots of mineral streaks, but never actual grain figuring.

 

[dmraco]

Figured basswood centerblock, Purple Heart racing stripes.  The wings will be African Mahogany

 

[BigSteve22]

Cool project. I've never seen figured basswood either, definitely a good looking piece of lumber! Keep those pix a-coming.....  :icon_thumright:

 

[dmraco]

Neck has arrived.
Roasted Maple with 32 inch scale and SS frets.

So disappointed that the neck pocket is slightly smaller than a stock fender bass...and slightly larger than a guitar pocket.  I hate making routing jigs.

 

[DangerousR6]

Nice looking neck... :headbanging:

 

[mayfly]

  I hate making routing jigs.

Just use a pickguard!  :evil4:

 

[Cagey]

Or, buy a neck pocket template from StewMac.

A couple clamps and maybe some double-sided tape, and you're there. Might have to run a layer or two of tape around the inside perimeter of the thing to reduce its dimensions a few thou, but otherwise it's pretty handy. Gives you a platform for the router to ride on as well. Word to the wise - put a block at the far end of the template to space it to the work surface so it doesn't sag under the weight of the router, otherwise you'll be digging into the pocket floor with the mortise bit and inventing new cuss words.

 

[Fat Pete]

When DMR says the pocket is slightly smaller, he's talking 0.125", not a few thou. The short scale necks don't have a Fender size heel.

 

[mayfly]

Word to the wise - put a block at the far end of the template to space it to the work surface so it doesn't sag under the weight of the router, otherwise you'll be digging into the pocket floor with the mortise bit and inventing new cuss words.

Or put the router in the routing table and flip the body over.  That's how I did the 'pickguard as a routing template' on the cheap thrills tele. 

...and although I might have invented some new cuss words, it wasn't this operation that caused it.  :headbang:

 

[Cagey]

Yours is the better way, assuming a router table is available.

 

[dmraco]

I do not have a routing table.  I have the strew mac jig but is is WAY to big.  Stew Mac even states it is slightly oversized from a STOCK fender.
"The template is slightly oversize to allow for variations in neck width and finish thickness. To rout a smaller neck pocket, reduce the template size by adding a few layers of binding tape. To learn more see instructions. "


There was more than an 1/8 inch gap.  I will post a photo when home.  And the short scale neck does have a curved heel.

I ended up tracing a pattern of the heel on paper, then transferred that onto a 3/4 piece of wood.  I did cut that free hand to is was not perfect.  After some sanding it fits really nice.  I will line the template with a few layers of masking to shrink it down a bit.  After I route I will sand a bit for the perfect size.  I would rather route smaller than larger.

 

[dmraco]

Here is a photo of the template gap I promised.  It was significant.  Like I stated, the combination of the smaller heel on the Warmoth Short scale necks and the large template from Stew Mac rendered it useless for this build.

I did get the pocket routed.  It was not without issue.  I had a router failure causing my bit to plunge a bit too deep in one area (epoxy for the rescue).  I also have to use about a 1/16 in shim.  Even though I made the template what seemed to be a bit small, the route was still a bit too large.  I have a great deal of poplar laminate in various thickness that I was able to use.  By the time it is sanded and finished it will be invisible.