IB-5 CTHULU

[Tim]

:D Due to the post apocalyptic sale over the weekend the IB-5 has come early. ...
Today it arrived , happy dance.
Again very impressive kit ,thank you PBG
Unlike my YB-4 MIDNIGHT( which I will finish first), the hardware will stay pretty much stock.
I will rid the fretboard of any speed humps for that sexy smooth neck and that will be about the only major change.
The name of my 5 string beasty from the deep is CTHULU, taken from my love of H.P Lovecraft and Metallica.
Any way its back into the box and under the bed until MIDNIGHT is completed.

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[wokkaboy]

Wow Tim each IB5 has unique grain. I think the white strip will grow on you. What stain you got in mind? These Ash bodies are so amazing. Wait till she is Sanded. And Go freo Dockers Saturday I'll be watching from the G with no voice left end of the day!

[Brendan]

Sounds great Tim - scored an IB-5 myself in the sale - that has to wait till November though :(.

Woks - you've scored if you're at the G tomorrow - enjoy and I hope the Dockers have a win!

[gavinturner]

Love the grain Tim. Should be a great build.

cheers,
Gavin.

[Tim]

Yer loving the grain,
I was/still may do the wudtone to what I had in mind
But just hoping its not going to detract from the grain.
Still have time to ponder while I finish MIDNIGHT.
And to have a chat with DB about my idea and colours.

[robin]

Wow Tim, that certainly has a one off grain that will make a great unique feature. I love the IB-5's. If you do as good a job on it as you have done on " Midnight” this will be a build worth watching.

Cheers
rob

[Tim]

:D ok let the build begin
Got my new bridge today a 5 string quick release bridge looks like a nice set up. Did the old mockup with no problems . Really happy with the fit .
Got the machine heads on a warick slant..just cos it looks cool
Will be going fretless again and adding a bone nut.
Other than that staying stock
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[stan]

another epic bass in the making, I think...

[pablopepper]

Love the slant on the tuners, it really suits this model. I got the same style bridge for my PBH-4, looks the business.

[Scott J.]

love your style, Tim ... you certainly have an eye for the details that make it that something else!

Can't wait to see the build progress and finished product!

[Bass Guy]

Loving it already, and will be watching this one carefully....

I do however insist on it being spelled "Cthulhu". Big HP Lovecraft fan, y'see... ;)

[Tim]

yes bass guy I did notice that I put it down to artistic Licence.
:?

[Tim]

Ok spent some lonely hours sanding down the cthulu bod. The end result was sexy as.
Started with 80 grit to round off and shape some of the edges to give a smoother flow.
Then 120 g then 240g, gave a wipe down with a wet cloth and then another sand with 240g.
Oh so sexy.
Tomorrow I shall give its first coat of wudtone. Lets see if I made the right decision :D
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[gavinturner]

Looking great Tim. What colour are you going with? Something in keeping with the sea theme perhaps?

Cheers,
Gavin.

[Tim]

:D Having a brain strain over work gave me the perfect excuse to go wudtoning.
First deep coat down
Go the emerald isle

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[wokkaboy]

holy cow that looks amazing Tim, that colour really suits the grain.
A good tip I found out and forgot to mention to Adam on this model is the control cavity cover needs to be routed to sit flush, I'd probably do this before you apply any more wudtone coats.
I found out this when I assembled the bass even after polishing at Gav's man cave.

[Tim]

Yer I noticed the rear plate, not to worried about it.

[wokkaboy]

so Tim you're not going to route the rear plate flush with the body ? it would look much better than sitting proud but your decision

[gavinturner]

Great colour choice Tim. Looking forward too seeing a I couple more coats on!

Cheers,
Gavin.

[Tim]

Still in two minds about it Wokka . Got to the weekend to ponder my move

[lawry]

Looks like it's got a built in racing stripe Tim. Also like the colour a lot. I'm after something like that but darker for a Jagmaster that's on its way. So I'm really keen to see how it comes out.

[robin]

Tim, these basses turn out so nice, they definitely warrant the extra touches like a recessed rear panel. I did mine and thought it worth the effort. No pressure, just saying. ;)

cheers
rob.

[Cananzi]

looks sick..love the colour.

[Tim]

Ok CTHULHU has had its rear cavity has been routed for a flush clean smooth look
I ordered some new plain black scratch material as the one supplied was a little small and half the screws didnt have anything under them
The body has now had 3 deep coats of the Emerald and is looking sexy
Will start base coats over the weekend and hopefully I will get more goodies in the mail tomorrow so I can start the neck
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[pablopepper]

Really digging the green.

[gavinturner]

Wow Tim, it looks awesome! The grain is really popping and the emerald is just fantastic. This is just the base coats?? Man, I can't wait to see how the base coats change/deepen the colour. Great stuff.

cheers,
Gavin.

[Tim]

Yer just 3 deep coats and I am loving how this grain is popping already

[stan]

nice Tim, not enough green guitars

[Tim]

:? Ok it only took me half a day. Due to things taking twice as long these days.
But I have managed to remove the fretboard

As you can see I have a strip of ebony ready to replace the rose wood.
I always had in mind of making this a fretless but was after a cleaner look than MIDNIGHT.
To start the process I scored along the join of the neck and fretboard to prevent any chipping. (It worked to:) )
I then remove all the fret wire
At this stage I steamed the fretboardto help soften the glue
This seemed to work for the most part, there is a bit of stubborn fretboard hanging on which will sand off when I go in to clean up the neck for new fretboard
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[lawry]

OK. Now you've got me really interested. Firstly, the colour is gorgeous. Secondly, it's going to be fretless. That is brilliant. My current weapon of choice when gigging is a Schecter Studio 5 fretless and it is a killer bass. After I do a couple more builds and improve my skills I am seriously contemplating doing a 6 string fretless. I've seen a kit on the web but may ask DB to make me a neck through and I will add the "wings" to it. Meanwhile, I'm really keen to see this build of yours progress Tim.

[Tim]

Is that the Stilletto Studio 5

[lawry]

Hey Tim. That's the beastie. It's a lined fretless with neck through, 18V active EMG Hz pups and sustain that lasts a week. I can't really hope to build something as cool as this but I'd like to try!

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[Tim]

Now that is one awesum bass Lawry.
and I think you would be surprised with the skills picked up from building the kits
I think you could build a bass like this.
But yes very cool I like

[Tim]

Ok been laid up for abit but have managed to get a couple of base coats of emerald on
Really happy how the grain is popping on the ash.


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[adam]

That is fricken amazing Tim. More Hulk than Cthulu I have to say.

[maxaxe]

Good gravy . . .
The grain on that ash is fantastic & that strong emerald makes me green with envy.
Should be amazing when it gets finished.

[johnnychronic]

Great Choice Tim! That's an amazing colour.

[Bass Guy]

Marvellous! Worthy of the Elder Watcher itself!

[robin]

Hey Tim, glad you're feeling well enough to get back to the IB-5.

That Emerald has popped the grain amazingly. Can't wait to see this build progress.

rob

[gavinturner]

Looks amazing Tim! The grain in the lower half around the pot holes looks like sand on the bottom of a green sea.

cheers,
Gavin.

[stan]

wow Tim, Emerald really suits it

[Tim]

UPDATE TIME
Things have been abit slow here recently so not alot has been happening.
This morning due to lack of sleep I got in and glubbed the new fret board on. :)
Now I think I might need to lay down for the remainder of the day :(
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[Tim]

And without clamps bit of work to do now
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[robin]

Wow Tim, what an ambitious project. Way beyond my skills, but I have always wanted a fretless bass without ANY fret markings. I'll be watching this build with great interest.

rob

[jase]

That fretboard is going to make the body look even better.Awesome Tim. Ive never been a huge fan of green guitars/basses but there a few on the forum now and Im fully converted. Look forward to see this build unfold.

[gavinturner]

Inspiring work as always Tim. This bass may even outdo your last effort, and that's saying a lot.

cheers,
Gavin.

[Tim]

Well the builds have been abit slow of late with the time spent layed up and now everyone has decided that thay want gardens built before christmas. So build time is rare.
Anyways early this morning I snuck away from the design desk and got a final coat of aged xtra gloss on CTHULHU.
Really happy with the result hoping I can find some time to do some neck work.

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[gavinturner]

Superb Tim - just fantastic. Yu have really inspired me to attempt a green guitar in the future. So nice..

cheers,
Gavin.

[lawry]

That's looking pretty hot Tim! You're really not that far from finished. Do you reckon you'll be done before Xmas?

[WeirdBits]

That gloss has really added some depth to the green, looks fantastic.

[Tim]

Lol Lawry I dont think I have much chance of getting it done before xmas with my ever increasing work load

[lawry]

Hey Tim. How's the build going? This is becoming a bit of a reference for me now because I succumbed to the call of the IB-6S that Adam put up on on Facebook. I'm very apprehensive about de-fretting it but as you know I'm keen on a 6 string fretless. I'm thinking of maybe just ripping out the frets and filling the gaps. When I'm ready to build I will start a thread and be asking for sh*t loads of advice. Meanwhile, this build of yours is the main one I keep looking at for updates.
Cheers.

[Brendan]

Lawry - an alternative to MOP is those plastic lables they have for plants - DB swears by them.

[lawry]

Swears by them or swears at them? ;-)

[Brendan]

DB used them on the Beatle Bass - vid here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTEmgaCW5dk

[Bass Guy]

I used the potplant labels on the JB-4 Nate Bass. They worked a treat!

[lawry]

So where did DB get the pot plant labels? Bunnings? Hehehe.
Sorry, which way to the naughty corner?

[Brendan]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from lawry on December 17, 2013, 18:51
So where did DB get the pot plant labels? Bunnings? Hehehe.
Sorry, which way to the naughty corner?

Over here with all the noise... Given there's a few IT types here, we've got the Wifi up and running again (sshhhh don't tell DB)... But the beer's cold and there's a couple more days before we get another crack at the poms, so heaps of time to do some damage to a guitar.

[Tim]

I,AM BACK :D
After nearly 8 months of playing with plants pavers and all the other stuff,
I found an afternoon to do some more work on Cthulhu. may only be a small step BUT IT FELT GOOD.
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[lawry]

Hurrah, I say. I'm glad to see this again Tim! The fingerboard is looking very black in that pic. Have you got a sharper image? Definitely going to be following this closely. Fantastic.

[Tim]

More shots of the neck, still got some work to go but its a start
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[gavinturner]

Great to see you back Tim! Will be great to see some progress on the green beastie!!

cheers,
Gav.

[pablopepper]

Hooray! Glad to see this one back in action.

[stan]

awesome, bring on Tim's bass goodness

[Fretworn]

\\m/

[Tim]

And after a long absence and getting stuck back into cthulhu. My excitement turned to disaster when I took not one but THREE large chunks out of the neck. BEYOND REPAIR. so yet again this has been put on hold While I await a new neck....:(

[stan]

that sucks, hopefully not too big a setback

[Tim]

was my own fault, was rushing it . so a new neck has been ordered . I will start again when it arrives

[wokkaboy]

bugger Tim, well I hope the 2nd neck looks even better !

[Tim]

did a little work on the rear control panel cover today.
went for a clear green Perspex cover.
bit of sanding wet and dry
pretty happy with the results

Waiting on a neck :(
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[Tim]

bit better pic of cover
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[wokkaboy]

nice one Tim, that looks cool transparent green cover, so you would have had to route the recess for the plate ? All the other IB5 kits I've seen have had no recess

[gavinturner]

Nice cover Tim! Love it.

Cheers,
Gav.

[stan]

Nice detail!

[Brendan]

Great idea Tim - certainly added incentive to get the wiring nice and clean!

[jarrod]

MMmmm see through cover plate Tim , I likey

[pablopepper]

Cool! I really dig the translucent cover. Never seen that colour perspex before, where did you come across that?

[Tim]

cheers everyone
was wrapt how it come out.
Pabs I got the Perspex of ebay..

[bargeloobs]

I've never really seen the clear covers done before, I think you might of started something Tim. Looks awesome!

[Tim]

Ok Dragged from the depths we are back in action again.
In the last shipment was Cthulhus new Neck ( as I stuffed the last one)
Cheers Adam for getting this in for me
Anyways the only thing to do was clean it up

[Brendan]

Nice bit of grain in the rosewood - seems that PBG are getting a couple of nice rosewood fretboards through at the moment.

[Tim]

Found some quiet time in my life so got stuck in and did some neck work.
After the disaster of the last neck I have kept this one simple .
Stuck with the stone inlays and will dye the fretboard. No frills neck

[Nickosaurus]

Stone inlays look really nice mate

[maxaxe]

Hey Tim, great to see this axe with the creepy title re-emerging.
The new neck looks very swift. What kinda stone did you use?

[stan]

nice to see this moving again Tim

[wokkaboy]

neck looks great Tim, is that fretless ? hard to see in the pic. I'm taking my IB5 to DB's Friday for him to rip the speed humps out. I should video the smile on his face haha

[Tim]

Cheers Nick, I am liking the stone inlays at the moment
Max I am using Malachite stone, sexy green.
Me to Stan Its been a long project
Of course its fretless Wokka :). I have inlayed the slots with the stone as well. And I to enjoy the de-fretting process best thing I purchased was the de-fretting pliers..

[vh2580]

Looking Good Tim, do you have many dramas sanding the stone back?

[Tim]

No dramas Tony just had to start with a rough grit . I started with a 40 grit on this to get it down. then I will sand up to a 800 grit.

[Tim]

2 Christmases
2 hernia operations
2 necks
2 other bass kits
CTHULHU LIVES
cheers DB for knocking up the bone nut.
it was finished of with some DAddario XL Flatwounds

[dave.king1]

2 Christmases
2 hernia operations
2 necks
2 other bass kits
CTHULHU LIVES
cheers DB for knocking up the bone nut.
it was finished of with some DAddario XL Flatwounds

Slight correction Tim, men get hisnias :D

Fun aren't they :(

[WeirdBits]

Two here as well too, fun... not.

[wokkaboy]

good stuff Tim if the bass is finished can we please see some photos ?

[Tim]

would love to download some pics. but I have some Ubuntu hating on my downloads.
Never had any issues in the past so unsure wot the go is.
Just visualize a sexy green fretless 5 string bass with flatwounds

[wokkaboy]

nice one Tim, I can visualise it. Sure your file sizes are below 1MB and no bigger than 1500 x 1500 resolution ?