WARNING: wordy post.
Hello folks, I’ve been gassing for a semi hollow bass for a while. I’ve tried a few production models, and while they’re cool they’re also pretty pricey, and since I’m in the process of moving, money is a little tight. What I do have, however, is a pretty abused Squier Bronco that seems to me to perfectly fit the bill of being a parts donor. The easiest route to make this is to use all straight cuts and make a box bass, not necessarily an actual cigar box. I’ve made a guitar in this style before and much to my surprise it turned out ok, despite not knowing anything about woodworking at the time. I’ve since learned a thing or two, and have access to a woodshop, so I’m feeling pretty good about it. The plan is to take the body to a band saw, cut out the center so as to keep the neck pocket and bridge block, and cut out most of the wood from the center so everything but those two areas are as deep as the pickup cavity. Then I’m going to build a box, around this main center block, for the body out of 1/8” plywood. I have an old teisco “black foil” top mount pickup that I plan to use, still haven’t decided where to place it though.
While it may or may not scratch the itch for a semi hollow, I think it’ll be a cool quirky conversation piece that will sound pretty unique!
Here’s the bronco:
And here’s the box guitar I made,
the the bass will be similar in aesthetic
Hello folks, I’ve been gassing for a semi hollow bass for a while. I’ve tried a few production models, and while they’re cool they’re also pretty pricey, and since I’m in the process of moving, money is a little tight. What I do have, however, is a pretty abused Squier Bronco that seems to me to perfectly fit the bill of being a parts donor. The easiest route to make this is to use all straight cuts and make a box bass, not necessarily an actual cigar box. I’ve made a guitar in this style before and much to my surprise it turned out ok, despite not knowing anything about woodworking at the time. I’ve since learned a thing or two, and have access to a woodshop, so I’m feeling pretty good about it. The plan is to take the body to a band saw, cut out the center so as to keep the neck pocket and bridge block, and cut out most of the wood from the center so everything but those two areas are as deep as the pickup cavity. Then I’m going to build a box, around this main center block, for the body out of 1/8” plywood. I have an old teisco “black foil” top mount pickup that I plan to use, still haven’t decided where to place it though.
While it may or may not scratch the itch for a semi hollow, I think it’ll be a cool quirky conversation piece that will sound pretty unique!
Here’s the bronco:
