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robin
05-07-2013, 10:48 PM
My next project, “Bec’s Bass”

Back story.
Bec is a young lady who used to go to our church. Ever since she started playing bass I always let her borrow one of my basses. Now recently married, moved out of Brisbane, different church, money tight, etc, etc, so I thought it was about time she had her own bass. So Bec’s Bass was born.

IB-5 Kit.
The most expensive kit I’ve bought so far, and seeing I was not so lucky with the last kit, I was a bit apprehensive about this one.

I needn’t have worried. Adam has sourced me the most exquisite Ash body, with striking grain feature. Thanks Adam. Now the pressure will be on not to stuff it up.

As with all my guitars, I will try and feature the natural beauty of the wood and will use a dark stain, probably Walnut, and finish it with Tru-Oil. The neck will be left natural Maple.

rob

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/y62bj-002-2.JPG

WeirdBits
05-07-2013, 11:02 PM
Wow, Rob, that is some nice looking grain, it's going to look amazing. Bec is a lucky girl.

Brendan
05-07-2013, 11:08 PM
Beautiful Rob. Very excited for Bec and to see how it turns out.

glenno3228
05-07-2013, 11:55 PM
Couldnt agree more Rob, love the grain. Lucky Bec. Looking forward to watching this one evolve as I've got an IB5 on back order. :)

Bass Guy
06-07-2013, 12:53 AM
Wow, that is a stunner!

robin
06-07-2013, 01:49 AM
Wow, thanks Guy! As if I wasn't under enough pressure already, I now have you lot looking over my shoulder. I hope I don't live to regret posting the before pics. ;)

I usually take my time with these builds but as it is a belated Birthday present progress should be a bit quicker than my previous, tedious builds. I've already done a trial fit, leveled the frets and spent hours sanding down to 400 grit.

The scary bit will be tomorrow when I apply the stain. I hope the dark Walnut won't hide that gorgeous grain.

rob

robin
10-07-2013, 11:36 PM
Well the stain is on, a dozen coats of Tru-Oil, 2 hours of burnishing, and this is the result.

I'm quite happy how it has turned out. Not the mirror finish of my Tele, but I went for an open pore finish to highlight the texture of that gorgeous wood. Plus Bec has already said she did not want it too glossy.

rob

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2874t-002-3.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/mwzar-006-2.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/voj0a-004-3.JPG

pablopepper
11-07-2013, 12:02 AM
Wow, that's come up lovely Rob. Great work, makes me want to get an IB-5 even more.

Bass Guy
11-07-2013, 12:59 AM
Just gorgeous! That stain has come up a treat! Bec is one lucky lady.

Fretworn
11-07-2013, 01:46 AM
Very nice.

wokkaboy
11-07-2013, 03:00 AM
Sensational Rob. Pretty sure my IB5 has been delivered. Hope my grain looks as good as yours. The walnut and tru oil look fantastic!

Brendan
11-07-2013, 04:05 AM
Robin - great job - love the outcome!

keloooe
11-07-2013, 05:28 AM
awesome work Rob!

robin
11-07-2013, 05:31 AM
Thanks Guys, but I think that most the credit should go to Adam, for picking such a lovely piece of wood. I don't know much about wood so don't know if this is typical of Ash, but I hope so.

rob

glenno3228
11-07-2013, 10:12 AM
Looks fantastic Rob. I think my IB5 is also on its wy to sunny Victoria. Looking like the bass of choice this month. If mine has anything like your grain I'll be chuffed.

robin
11-07-2013, 12:19 PM
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from glenno3228 on July 10, 2013, 19:12
Looks fantastic Rob. I think my IB5 is also on its wy to sunny Victoria. Looking like the bass of choice this month. If mine has anything like your grain I'll be chuffed.

Thanks Glen, Yeah I'm hoping that all the IB-5's have similar grain. I remember DB's in Wudtone Dark Tease looked absolutely awesome, so there's a good chance that the Ash body's will be very special. Finger's crossed.

rob

Brendan
11-07-2013, 12:29 PM
Have seen the IB-5 in the flesh - looks better than in the piccie....

robin
11-07-2013, 12:49 PM
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from Brendan on July 10, 2013, 21:29
Have seen the IB-5 in the flesh - looks better than in the piccie....

Haha must be pretty sweet then Brendan. It was seeing the photo of it that swayed me to get get it for Bec.

cheers
rob

dvous
12-07-2013, 11:21 PM
That's gorgeous Rob! If Bec ever gives up playing, she cold hang it on her way as a piece of art...

robin
14-07-2013, 01:04 AM
Well "Bec's Bass" is finally finished.

It took me three builds but I finally learnt the lesson of the benefits of a pre-build. Protects the final finish and the assembly went ahead without a hitch.

I think she looks and plays OK, but this time I was a bit worried about how she would sound. My bass amp is permanently on loan to our church so I had to wait until today to finally try it out.

Just standard parts, but this thing sounds awesome. I know its purely subjective, but I have 2 basses of my own, which admittedly need new strings, but this beast sounds better than both of them. And at only a fraction of the price. Through my 2x15 amp the twin humbuckers give a lovely warm smoooooth bottom end, just what I was looking for. I just love it.

Thanks again Adam, this is the best kit so far, for looks and sound.

Cheers
rob


http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/8nfd4-004-4.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/yz6s8-007-4.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/8055x-009-2.JPG

robin
14-07-2013, 01:06 AM
A couple more
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/9n10q-002-5.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/8763g-001-6.JPG

robin
14-07-2013, 01:32 AM
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from dvous on July 12, 2013, 08:21
That's gorgeous Rob! If Bec ever gives up playing, she cold hang it on her way as a piece of art...

Thanks Dvous, but with grain feature as good as this, it' would be hard to mess it up.

And if Bec ever decides to stop playing, I'm getting this beauty back lol.

rob

wokkaboy
14-07-2013, 01:40 AM
What can I saw Rob. Sensational finish. Hope mine looks half as good. I decided colours of mine last night doing a golden rod edge and clear Centre burst.

robin
14-07-2013, 01:56 AM
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from wokkaboy on July 13, 2013, 10:40
What can I saw Rob. Sensational finish. Hope mine looks half as good. I decided colours of mine last night doing a golden rod edge and clear Centre burst.

Thanks Warren, I know I've said it before, but with grain feature like that, anything that doesn't hide it will look good.

I'm looking forward to seeing how yours turns out. Wudtone burst should look stunning.

Cheers
rob

WeirdBits
14-07-2013, 03:21 AM
Rob, that is just a thing of beauty. Great job.

robin
14-07-2013, 03:58 AM
Thanks a lot Scott.

rob

Brendan
14-07-2013, 05:17 AM
Rob,
That does look amazing! Can't wait till when I can order my own IB-5... Hoffner and Jazz basses are next on the list though...

AJ
14-07-2013, 05:47 AM
simply beautiful looking base there , well done!

robin
14-07-2013, 05:56 AM
Thanks Brendan, coming from an old 4 stringer, any bass is a good bass. Even these new fangled 5 string things.

I hope these Ash bodies stay consistently good, as I intend to make an IB-5 of my own one day when I have finished my current builds and can afford one. They really are THAT good.

cheers
rob

glenno3228
14-07-2013, 11:41 PM
Looks fantastic Rob. This is like being a kid on Christmas Eve waiting to hit the tree. I'm hoping my IB5 lands tomorrow and that it has grain like this piece of art.

robin
15-07-2013, 02:04 AM
Thanks AJ and Glenn,

@ Glenn, I hope that your bass features grain like I had. It made my job sooo easy. Good luck with your build mate.

Cheers
rob

maxaxe
15-07-2013, 03:24 AM
SUPERLATIVE

robin
15-07-2013, 10:00 PM
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from maxaxe on July 14, 2013, 12:24

SUPERLATIVE


APPRECIATIVE ;)

Seriously, thanks Max.

rob

Bass Guy
15-07-2013, 10:27 PM
That is a phenominal result, Rob! Be justly proud.

robin
15-07-2013, 10:40 PM
Wow, thanks Eliot. I must admit I'm pretty chuffed. Going to be pretty hard to give it away.

cheers
rob

dingobass
15-07-2013, 10:51 PM
Expect a visit from the Bass Aquisition Squad :)

robin
16-07-2013, 03:07 AM
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from dingobass on July 15, 2013, 07:51
Expect a visit from the Bass Aquisition Squad :)

They'll have to be quick Phil, by Sunday it will be gawn! :(

rob

gavinturner
28-07-2013, 10:28 AM
Really great work Rob. Makes me want to start my own bass project.
Cool to see another Tru-oil enthusiast.

Cheers,
Gavin.

robin
29-07-2013, 03:47 AM
Thanks Gavin, I don't think you could go wrong with the IB-5 kit. From what I've seen all these Ash bodies are just amazing.

Yeah, I like Tru-Oil, I've been pretty happy with the results so far. My first guitar was in Wudtone, and I really liked it a lot, but it has come down to simple economics unfortunately.

Cheers
rob

Tim
29-07-2013, 04:25 AM
Awesome really nice .. Plan on an IB for my next project

robin
29-07-2013, 10:35 AM
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from Tim on July 28, 2013, 13:25
Awesome really nice .. Plan on an IB for my next project

Thanks Tim. Yeah mate, go for it. It is an awesome kit, I can't say enough good things about that
Ash body.

I'm glad I built mine when I did. There is going to be an avalanche of IB-5's soon, and I bet they are all going to look gorgeous.

rob