Telecaster Bass scratch build by Dingobass..

DB, the masking tape idea to prevent the glue from gluing the truss road to the body might be improved on by this tip from my friends at Australian Luthiers. I'm wondering how with squeeze out you would prevent the glue from spilling into the routed slot? They recommend using cellophane tape, trimming the edges close to the routed slot, then spreading glue onto the neck with the cellophane in place. Then wipe the TOP of the fretboard with a slightly damp cloth and apply the fretboard to the neck. You don't remove the cellophane. Dampening the top of the fretboard apparently counteracts any stress put on the underside of the fretboard by the wet glue - otherwise the fretboard being wood will do what wood does and will try and 'curl'. Well that's the theory anyway!

Hmmm, I will try the cellotape method next time. :D

On the rare occasions that I use Rosewood finger boards I do give them a wipe with a damp cloth.
With Ebony I don't bother as it is so hard that by the time the moisture from the glue has penetrated, the glue has pretty much set.
One of the many reasons I love Titebond so much, 30 minutes clamp time and she goes no where!

30 mins??? Wow.....
1) Apply glue
2) Clamp it down
3) Have lunch
4) Have a coffee
5) Come back and it is ready to go!!!

You are pretty well on the money there Pest.
Of course you still need to leave it for at least 24 hours before applying any stress, but you can at least carry on with shaping and sanding.

Yeah! The 30 minute glue time has its advantages and then disadvantages.....ever tried gluing the fretboard to an acoustic neck....getting it perfectly lined up and clamped without it moving about can be trying! Then of course there is the SM method of clamping the back and the soundboard to the sides.....usually arounf 18-22 clamps are needed and unless you have prepared the clamps ahead of the gluing process you tend to run out of time!!! But in truth, i'd never use anything else! Certainly not the cr@p that the other shop sells!

Day 5.

Now that the body is done and sanded, time to finish the neck.

First up, cut the nut slot.
I clamp my trusty 16foot radius sanding block as a square edge to guide the saw.
After setting the depth stop i carefully cut the slot depth.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...q-IMG_1588.JPG
Next up is to chisel the cut out.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...a-IMG_1589.JPG
Then I file the cut out flat and make sure the nut is sitting flush and square.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...z-IMG_1590.JPG

Now for the side dots.
With my fretless builds I put the dots on the actual note, or where the fret would normally be.
First thing to do is to mark out the scale. To do this I clamp my long rule and mark the positions with a white chinagraph pencil. The rule is placed against the inside edge (fingerboard side) of the nut
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...k-IMG_1591.JPG
Then I drill using a brad point drill, this gives a flat bottomed hole.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...4-IMG_1593.JPG
Then I press the Paua shell and White Mother of Pearl-(for the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 12th "fret")- in and apply a drop of thin superglue to each. The thin superglue "wicks" around each dot and they are there forever.

After filing the dots down and sanding up to 800 grit and buffing with steel wool, job finished!
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...1-IMG_1596.JPG

Gorgeous neck n this bass, DB! I am wowed by this thread!

Thanx Bassguy :D

I just want folk to see what I do, and to try and de mystify the art.
Honestly, any one with a few tools, a bucket load of determination and very basic wood working skills can build from scratch.

My very first scratch build was created with just a drill, a coping saw and a few manky old chisels as my tool kit.

The most important things are patience, more patience and then PATIENCE!.....

I am a Boilermaker by trade, a Stone Mason by profession and a Luthier by choice.

I guess what I am saying is, if you set your heart to it, anything is possible!
By sharing what I know with all on the forum helps all of you to achieve your dream axe, then it is well worth it and I will continue to do so.

I have learned so much through helping members sort out their problems and challenges and I am so grateful of this as it enhances and develops my knowledge and skill base :D

Well said DB, and great idea with the side dots!!!
Going to look awesome at the end, I'm not a bass player or a Tele player and im loving it!!!

Day 6. Nut and control cavity plate and other bitz...

First of all, I cut the bone blank down to the approximate size needed and I mark out the position of the E and G strings.
I usually mark the E string in 4mm from the edge of the fingerboard and the G string 3mm.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...0-IMG_1602.JPG
Now I break out my trusty 16 Foot radius gauge and mark the curve onto the blank. At this stage I am not concerned about the overall height of the nut as this will be adjusted later.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...9-IMG_1605.JPG
Once I have filed the curve, I check it against the gauge to make sure it is correct
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...f-IMG_1606.JPG

Once I am happy with the result, I mark out the string spacing with my Stewmac compensated nut markingouterer rule.
The idea of this rule is it has spacings that are staggered, so you end up with even string placings at the nut. Ie, it compensates for the differing thickness of each string.
This does make for a more comfortable set up for the player.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...i-IMG_1610.JPG
Now i can file the string slots with my gauged nut files.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...1-IMG_1614.JPG
Next job is to rough in the profile of the nut.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...1-IMG_1616.JPG

Fascinating stuff, DB. I'm enjoying this one, and anticipating a big finish!

Now it is time to mark out and drill the holes into the copper control plate.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...5-IMG_1598.JPG
Holes drilled, slot filed out with jewellers file and cleaned up ready to go!
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...1-IMG_1599.JPG
whilst all this was going on, I have applied a colourless coat and a base coat of Carmine Gypsy as a very subtle burst. This has dried so I can do a mock up build and get every thing fine tuned before I finish the Wudtone finish.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...5-IMG_1618.JPG
So that is it. The next few days will be spent fine tuning the neck, nut and finishing my super secret wiring-(for now that is) and completing the Wudtone finish.
There will also be some shell inlay, which shall be revealed in the final photo shoot!

I know this has been a brief over view on how DB builds his Basses, but if I had posted the minutiae this would be the longest thread in history and most probably put you all into a coma :D

This build is dedicated to you, the forum members. Thank you all, you have all taught me more than I have taught you!

Oh, DB that is awesome! I'd love to play it when it's finished!

Wow DB, that looks beautiful!!!
I really wanna play that now!

The day draws near when I will unveil the Tele Bass...

Wudtone finish is now at the top coat stage, and the black hardware is on it's way.....

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Quote from dingobass on April 22, 2013, 18:19
The day draws near when I will unveil the Tele Bass...

Wudtone finish is now at the top coat stage, and the black hardware is on it's way.....

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So DB you going to make the community family wait till it's finished?
How about a progress pic? I got some lessons from the pest

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Quote from wokkaboy on April 23, 2013, 19:06

Quote:

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Quote from dingobass on April 22, 2013, 18:19
The day draws near when I will unveil the Tele Bass...

Wudtone finish is now at the top coat stage, and the black hardware is on it's way.....

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So DB you going to make the community family wait till it's finished?
How about a progress pic? I got some lessons from the pest

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Yep. No spoilers :D

Actually, I would have posted a progress pic today but I ran out of day... Been busy working on a few commissions and a Beatle Bass or two.. Yes Gavin, I have started sanding your Bass :P

Yeah! So kind and thoughful of me knowing how much you love to sand!

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Quote from Gavin1393 on April 23, 2013, 20:07
Yeah! So kind and thoughful of me knowing how much you love to sand!

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Yes What's the deal Gav why is DB building you a bass? I'm still
Convinced DB Sands axe bodies in his sleep he puts sanding on par with bunnings sandpaper haha

Because he's such a cool dude! 8-)

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Quote from Gavin1393 on April 23, 2013, 21:27
Because he's such a cool dude! 8-)

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You just scored 10 DB browny points Gav! You probably have too many 6 string projects Gav. What's DB charge to build a bass? Would 2 or 3 cartons of coopers cut it? Haha

OK Guys, I know the suspense has been killing you all....

You will just have to hang in there for a few more days 8-)

The Wudtone finish is complete, all that remains is for the new bridge to show up.. it would have been here last Tuesday if not for a minor stuff up with packing my last order from Stewmac... but I forgive them as this is the very first time they have ever got my order wrong and they were so apologetic it was almost embarrassing 8O

So stay tuned, the great unveiling will happen early next week :D

If only SM got the order correct... Now we have to wait longer, THE SUSPENSE IS KILLING ME DB!!!

Also, are routers easy to use and control???? And is there a different alternative to using one???

No, no and No......

Damn, damn, and guess what??? $#!T!!! :D :P

Well Pest, Routers are not to difficult to use... the most important thing is to have a very healthy respect for them as they can be a dangerous tool if mishandled.

To tell you the truth, my router scares the crap outta me, and I have got a really good one with all the safety gadgets you could imagine...

The thing is to make sure the work piece is securely fastened down and the router bit is properly seated and the collet is TIGHT.
Nothing is quite as scary as having a router bit fly out at several thousand revs per minute.

I had one do this to me once, lucky for me it went away from me and the Man Cave window was open 8O .

The bit in question still resides on my neighbours roof.... Lesson learned.

What a shitty neighbour for not fetching it off his roof and returning it to you!

I almost had a scroll saw blade fly at me once last year... Almost sliced my left hand (my dominant had) clean off!!! Lucky the blade stayed in the saw!!!

Haha, routers can be terrifying! I use them almost daily at work and I still have a healthy fear of them (and all of my fingers to prove it). Nothing like a couple of tungsten blades spinning at 30,000 rpm to put a little scare in you. :D

At least I recognise the warning signs now "that I need to just do this one 'almost perfect' part ever so slightly and it will be just perfect....". It's usually after hearing this voice in my head that I put the Router away knowing full well that it has a mind of it's own and is preparing to make a run for the exit but only after ripping a hole in the guitar body, spewing wood and sawdust everywhere (it usually aims for your eyes so that you cannot figure out which direction it ran off in).
I know DB has mentioned the Drill Bit that sits plotting his demise while observing his every movement from the vantage point of his neighbors roof...
Routers just cannot be trusted to remain faithful!

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Quote from Gavin1393 on April 29, 2013, 13:34

Routers just cannot be trusted to remain faithful!

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yer routers are scary machines I'm with you DB my heart rate doubles when I use one of these. I'm terrified of ruining the wood and myself !

We had a close call with a bit in a dremel came loose and flew across the workbench through a glass of champagne and ended up about 6-7m away. Luckily we were both wearing safety glasses as glass went everywhere, so now we keep the bent bit in view of the workbench as a reminder to keep work safe !

Allrighty then.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the Telecaster Bass from the Man Cave of Lutherie!
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...u-IMG_1619.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...d-IMG_1622.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...o-IMG_1623.JPG

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...j-IMG_1624.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...9-IMG_1625.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...5-IMG_1629.JPG

WOW WOW WOW!!!! that is just so awesome!!! i couldn't type my reply here, too many colourful words, when I get to perth someday i gotta play that!!!
Love the copper plate, has a bit of camouflage with the mahogany!

I'm taking points off for not putting your name on the headstock! :)

Awesome work mate! Looking forward to hearing it - love the Howling Dingo on the fretboard!

I like a nice clean headstock, hence no name....

The Dingo on the fingerboard is all I need to put on my builds! 8-)

Well, you could have at least put your name somewhere, like maybe signing the body, placing a blank decal over it, then the Wudtone???

Beautiful DB! Love the grain on the neck, love the howling dingo inlay, and the copper control plate gives it a really unique look.

If I played bass guitar i would be lusting after this hard :P