Building short scale fretless bass with mahogany neck and walnut frett board

[honeydorick]

Hi Guys,a few months ago I talked about building my dream bass ,because there was nothing like it out there.I promised to send pictures of my progress.Bruce Johnson encouraged me to give this a try .I love this building stuff as much as I enjoy playing.I'm an amature at luthiery,but I am learning alot from everyone here at TB.Thank You all so much for your expertise.I have health issues that limit me to a short scale bass.Carpel tunnel in left hand and a bumb right shoulder.That being said I am working on a short scale lined frettles mahogany neck and walnut frett board to swap onto my Mini Precision Squire Bass for starters.Mainly because they dont exist out there.I finally aquired enough tools to do the job and a place to do it.I was allready good with wood working skills,so that helps alot.The neck is my first attempt.here are some pics of my progress.Had to put my shop together first.LOL.This is a first attempt on cheap wood to get familliar with the prossess and develop my assembly pattern.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Looks like woodworking skills are translating nicely! Good drawings too, that’s key in my experience. No surprises because it’s all figured out before cutting the wood.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Hi Guys,a few months ago I talked about building my dream bass ,because there was nothing like it out there.I promised to send pictures of my progress.Bruce Johnson encouraged me to give this a try .I love this building stuff as much as I enjoy playing.I'm an amature at luthiery,but I am learning alot from everyone here at TB.Thank You all so much for your expertise.I have health issues that limit me to a short scale bass.Carpel tunnel in left hand and a bumb right shoulder.That being said I am working on a short scale lined frettles mahogany neck and walnut frett board to swap onto my Mini Precision Squire Bass for starters.Mainly because they dont exist out there.I finally aquired enough tools to do the job and a place to do it.I was allready good with wood working skills,so that helps alot.The neck is my first attempt.here are some pics of my progress.Had to put my shop together first.LOL.This is a first attempt on cheap wood to get familliar with the prossess and develop my assembly pattern.

Okay! It looks like you've got all the things you need. And you're started off in the right direction. Don't be afraid to make up one or more test blanks or mockup necks from scrap wood as you go. As you move to each operation, try it first on the test blank. Make sure you have it dialed in before cutting the good one. That's all part of Craftsmanship: Finding your mistakes before they happen....on the good part.

 

[honeydorick]

Okay! It looks like you've got all the things you need. And you're started off in the right direction. Don't be afraid to make up one or more test blanks or mockup necks from scrap wood as you go. As you move to each operation, try it first on the test blank. Make sure you have it dialed in before cutting the good one. That's all part of Craftsmanship: Finding your mistakes before they happen....on the good part.

Thanks Bruce, Im having fun making jigs for this stuff.I've failed and laughed at some of my screwy attempts ending up in the sh.t can.I'll keep you posted.

 

[honeydorick]

Looks like woodworking skills are translating nicely! Good drawings too, that’s key in my experience. No surprises because it’s all figured out before cutting the wood.

Thanks bro, I'll keep you all posted on my progress.Measure twice -Cut once LOL

 

[honeydorick]

Hi Guy's,I have some more pics of my progress on my first attempt to build a mahogany neck with a walnut lined fretless fretboard to fit my Fender Squire Mini Precision Bass.This was getting ready to rout my trusrod channel and slot and glue my fretboard.

 

[honeydorick]

This is the jig I use to cut fret slots

 

[honeydorick]

This is the mini table saw I use to cut the slots

 

[honeydorick]

This is the jig I use to rout the truss rod channel

 

[honeydorick]

This is a better picture of the jig

 

[honeydorick]

Here is the fret board glued to the neck with the truss rod installed

 

[honeydorick]

Practicing on fret slot cuts

 

[honeydorick]

Fret board glued to the neck ready for templates install and Band saw cut out of shape

 

[honeydorick]

I did glue the scarff joint first,here is the jig I used.I cant tell you how much fun this is.Love it!I plan on building these for people,who mite be interested for a fair price,just shoot me an email.Ill keep you posted Thanks Guy's

 

[honeydorick]

Hi Guys,more progress on my fretless mahog neck.Here is the router table I made to trace out and flush cut the neck and headstock.It's 1/2 inch MDF,and braceing.I bought an extra Bocsh router sleve,to keep attached to my table.that way I only need 1 router for 2 jigs,and the top is portable.

 

[honeydorick]

This is the flush cut traced neck

 

[honeydorick]

This is drilling for tuners,and side dots.I did make sure everything was level and true.Not pictured that way.

 

[honeydorick]

So now I will use my original jig to carve out the neck with a mortising bit to get my neck profile and a 7/8 roundover bit to shape it.Wish me luck ,ive practiced on scrape already,but this is the real mc'coy.I will keep you all posted.Thanks