Took a little break from the Diva build, and started looking at this one. Did a little cutting on the body slabs, and started looking at the top. This is new for me - aligning the grain of the tops for optimal orientation.
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You, young lady, are going to be the death of me!....Took a little break from the Diva build, and started looking at this one. Did a little cutting on the body slabs, and started looking at the top. This is new for me - aligning the grain of the tops for optimal orientation.
"What did 'ole Freddy die of?".....
"Bass lust".....
Rough cut the body wings this morning.
I left a couple of "tabs" for registration holes so the tops can be positioned correctly. I'm taking this slowly as this is the first Devil bass with a top. I want to rout a pretty large cavity around the "F" holes, per the original design. I also want to rout a space for the aluminum strap button support on the top wing, and then the control cavity on the lower wing. So it's back to the computer for some cavity design.
I left a couple of "tabs" for registration holes so the tops can be positioned correctly. I'm taking this slowly as this is the first Devil bass with a top. I want to rout a pretty large cavity around the "F" holes, per the original design. I also want to rout a space for the aluminum strap button support on the top wing, and then the control cavity on the lower wing. So it's back to the computer for some cavity design.
Started a chambering template and hogged out some wood. I still need to make the strap button support template.
- Apr 18, 2008
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I like the chambering....Now you are getting into tuning the sound of the bass. Those chambers aren't going to do a whole lot, because the central spine will still be quite stiff. But, if you were to start softening the central spine by routing some long slots in it, then it will start having an effect. Cutting away wood and making the body softer (weaker, more flexible) will bring out overtones and richness in the midrange.
The original Ampeg Devil Bass body is surprisingly soft and flexible. They may be scary looking, but their voice is warm and rich. And it's not all because of the pickup.
Speaking of pickups, are you using the same oval housing and location on this one?
The original Ampeg Devil Bass body is surprisingly soft and flexible. They may be scary looking, but their voice is warm and rich. And it's not all because of the pickup.
Speaking of pickups, are you using the same oval housing and location on this one?
The current plan is the same pickup in the oval housing. I've been using that configuration on my last several basses and it seems I hit a sweet spot with it. However, because it's a single coil, I'm a bit concerned with noise. If I sell this one, I may buy the actual Delano on which this pickup shape is based, which is a humbucker. They make a 4 string version, which may fit this 5 string due to the narrow string spacing. I've been told it's a bar magnet. I may buy one just to see if it'll work.
I'm doing the chambering to get a similar aesthetic vibe compared to the original - sort of like an open cavern over which the front and back are laid. Though because this is virtually all walnut, it may be more flexible than the previous maple versions I've been building. Since I'll be routing a slot for the pickup wire channel, maybe I'll do that on both sides, and make it wider. That should soften it up a bit as well.
Rôckhewer
Commercial User
- Feb 28, 2015
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- Owner/Builder- RockHewer Custom Guitars LLC
Nexy, ... your speed & efficiency is becoming downright annoying.... (read .."jealousy") 
Gotta blame your apparent deal with the devil...
Idle hands on the devil's walnuts?? oh I get it.
The spooky pickups were one thing....
But now we are seeing evil demons & demigods in your wood selections!
Tell me you don't see the face of CTHULU here!:
Gotta blame your apparent deal with the devil...
Idle hands on the devil's walnuts??
oh I get it.The spooky pickups were one thing....
But now we are seeing evil demons & demigods in your wood selections!
Tell me you don't see the face of CTHULU here!:
....
Worked a little more on the template. Not much to show. I spent most of my time working on my shop. I bought these two carts, and bolted my table saw to one, and the sander to the other. I can move them around for enough room, and the wheels lock.
And while perusing the bay, I saw this guitar, and couldn't resist. I'll need to make a matching bass one day...
And while perusing the bay, I saw this guitar, and couldn't resist. I'll need to make a matching bass one day...
- Apr 18, 2008
- 14,661
- 28,698
- 6,221
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
A bit more work on the upper body wing.
Routed the chamber and worked more on the strap button support rout. I ordered a 1/8" shaft pattern bit from StewMac which should make completing the strap button support rout easier. I also finally broke down and signed up for the free shipping deal over at StewMac. I order from them several times a year, and it looks like it'll more than pay for itself.
Routed the chamber and worked more on the strap button support rout. I ordered a 1/8" shaft pattern bit from StewMac which should make completing the strap button support rout easier. I also finally broke down and signed up for the free shipping deal over at StewMac. I order from them several times a year, and it looks like it'll more than pay for itself.
So I bought one of the 4 string size Delano Xtender pickups, which arrived this morning.
I was hoping it contained bar magnets so I could use it for this 5 string build. According to my tuning fork test, it appears it is using poles. As I move the tuning fork from side to side across the top of the pickup, the volume varies. I'll try to rig it up above the strings on an existing 5 string bass I have for further testing, but I am doubtful it'll work as I had hoped.
I was hoping it contained bar magnets so I could use it for this 5 string build. According to my tuning fork test, it appears it is using poles. As I move the tuning fork from side to side across the top of the pickup, the volume varies. I'll try to rig it up above the strings on an existing 5 string bass I have for further testing, but I am doubtful it'll work as I had hoped.
I'm confused....Don't they do a five string version?....So I bought one of the 4 string size Delano Xtender pickups, which arrived this morning.
I was hoping it contained bar magnets so I could use it for this 5 string build. According to my tuning fork test, it appears it is using poles. As I move the tuning fork from side to side across the top of the pickup, the volume varies. I'll try to rig it up above the strings on an existing 5 string bass I have for further testing, but I am doubtful it'll work as I had hoped.
They do, but the string spacing is too wide. I have it on the first Devil bass I built, which has 19mm spacing at the bridge. My standard string spacing is like 15 mm.
Thanks, I thought I was going nuts.
Keeping with my complete laziness, including not checking for site bugs, I also am too lazy fix my fret miter box, and just broke down and bought the StewMac version.
The mini Dremel pattern bit also came. I guess I have my work cut out for me today.