Arzi's Hybrid Bass "HEMI"

Hi

First of all - if this should be on another thread feel free to transfer this.

Okay...

I've been slightly obsessed to build a Telecaster Bass - as in P51 or later model with a mudbucker type of pup. Then I saw Billy Sheehan's "Wife" and decided to try combining these. I tried to find a way to get started and threw an idea out there about a kit with no pup routing - this just might happen in the near future but I was too anxious to wait so I did the following....

I ordered a body blank made of alder from a Finnish luthier shop in Oulu. Received this one planed and sanded to 43mm. I have never tried a blank before so here goes...

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I then ordered 1:1 scale blueprints of p51 bass to work with. Then one by one scouted the parts I wanted for the build. Got a Dimarzio DP120 or "Model One" and a Seymour Duncan SCPB Quarter Pounder. I have no idea how these will interact but I figured they both are close to same output 12-13 kOhms and that way would propably not "drown" one another too easily. Got some p51 ashtray, Wilkinson bridge and tuners etc. Decided to combine these with a 4-way Grigsby suggested by Weirdbits so that I could get these to work by themselves and in series/parallel. Went with one tone and two volume switches. Here is some planning with parts and a copy of the blueprint.

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First time I had a space where I could route and sand I went for it after I had drawn the template with a pencil... YES! I measured the placements and did not have a template for routing. I did however buy a router and some flush trim bits with ball bearings.... decided to rely on my trusted Dremel for the finishing of the edges.

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To be continued...

The second day I had to make the neck pocket and neck pup cavity deeper and routing I did...

I also attached the neck with flush ferrules for a change, then placed the bridge.

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Lookin good Arzi, where did you get the neck from?

After this I went on to making the comfortings with a rasp and I think I did ok for a first timer. As you can see from my previous pics - I have to shape the heel of the neck because I had the router slip on me on the neck pocket... This is one reason I went with attaching the neck with ferrules. Shitty way to change plans on the way...

Anyway - Routed the cavities for the electronics also and drilled holes for the wires. Next it's sanding and more sanding until the body is ready for the color.

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Speaking of color... the name "HEMI" comes from the color theme of orange with a black burst. First it's black sanded down to highlight the grain and then orange with black burst. I thought the name would also be appropriate for an old template of p51 pimped with high powered pups and a Grigsby. And by the way - the neck is a jazz neck I picked up on the way so this is one more odd mod for a p51. Still figuring out if I wanna sand the headstock to put some color on it. It has a satin laquer finish and I'm not sure if it will come off properly for the stain so don't know if that's a good idea.

I thought this will be a good example to show what you can do if you have the option of a kit without pup routing - a blank canvas as to say to make it your own. Would be a heck of a lot easier than to work the body blank...

Will be back when I have something to show again.

Hi Andy

I got the neck from a 11.11 sale on an asian online shop.. I don't know if it's appropriate to advertise other shops here so you do the math. Got it for 32 euros delivered so it was a steal. Used some of my coupons on it though... It's near perfect by the way - can't get any better for the money spent.

Although I love the neck on my last build the "Medic Man". It's a bit wider at the nut and shaped just perfect for me. Have to practice my technique more to be able to use different kind of necks for I'm squeezing too hard with my thumb and now I'm having trouble with slimmer necks although I started my playing with a jazz.

Looking good Arzi - great routing and shaping job!

cheers,
Gav.

Loving this so far. Nice one, Arzi!

looking hot, done a great job shaping the body

wow Arzi this looks awesome. Can't believe you built (was it) 2 or 3 kits and onto a scratch body. I'm really impressed with the shape and routing. Did you really route all cavities and body shape with a dremel ? I burnt out a dremel motor trying to route a strat cavity. That's when I bought a proper router !
Can't wait to see the colour on, will it be stain or solid paint ?
In Australia we had a Valiant Charger Hemi car had an orange and black theme, 2 door as pictured, what a beast, was a 6 cylinder with similar quarter mile time of the V8's of the era

Hi Woks

This time I bought a cheap router to do most of the work and then just did the tidying with a Dremel. And thanks for the kind words.

That' a fine piece of motor there. My wet dream would be a 1970's Cuda 426 Hemi. Saw an original one for the first time back in 1993 and that's when I fell in love with it. Never in my dreams can afford one though... Still nice to have dreams. :)