Scratch bass build- "The Folly"

Hey BG what are you using to shape your neck? I can recommend a Shinto rasp, if you can get hold of one, also Carbatec do some really good curved and straight razor files for some of the finer shaping.
The templates look Schmick, are you going to seal the edges with superglue? I’ve found that this really helps both preserve the template integrity and gives the router bit bearing something smooth and hard to run on.
Really keen to see how this goes!

A Shinto rasp is on the wishlist- I'm using standard rasps and an electric disc thing which frightens me... good idea about the superglue, I'll get onto that!

EEE, the electric disk sounds intimidating, is it something like a Saburrtooth? http://www.saburr-tooth.com/c-5-carving-wheels.aspx

I wanted to get one for the body carving on the silent build and a couple of PRS inspired scratch builds i have in mind, but..well..they look brutal to be honest. I'll stick with the shinto, Stewmac scrapers and the razor files for now.

I've found that standard rasps require a lot more sanding remediation post carving, while the shinto you simply flip from coarse cut to the finer cut side and you can effectively start your sanding at 120 grit (or 80 if you've left some deep marks).
If you get the thin ZAP CA glue it goes on really easily and leaves minimal clean up if you've prep sanded beforehand (120/180 grit). You can start a bead at one point and let it run down the surface, filling in as you go.

Neck shaping continues unabated. Still a way to go but we struggle onward...

I cut out the stripes for the soundholes. Would have been easier with a more cooperative bandsaw but I will tidy with a jigsaw shortly.

The sound holes look very interesting!

Yep, I'm seeing Thylacine.

Some great ideas coming through here BG, if you hear a “YOINK!” It’s just Igor stealing ideas.

Did some more finessing of the neck. It's feeling good- kinda like a Jazz bass from nut to 7th fret then flattening out to an Ibanez "cheese slice" profile at the 12th and beyond.

Not convinced about the headstock- well, I am really: a redesign is definitely on the cards...

As I'd ruined the obese top I'd made, I had to start afresh. A much better result with something half the girth. It's now glued in place so the final shaping can start on Wednesday.

This is the spalted sassafras top for the real project. I think I'm in love.