TLA-1Q Bass VI build

Hey all,
Received my TLA-1Q Kit with 30" scale neck yesterday. Looking at putting together a "Bass VI" type thing.
I'm looking at staining the top with Color Tone Vintage Amber and doing the back a solid black.

http://i.imgur.com/bYGU5VKh.jpg

There's a few rough spots on it. The veneer has already been sanded through on two spots.......


http://i.imgur.com/wDFZoP0h.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/4mUHgOCh.jpg


Little bit of a gap on the neck. Not too bad, though, Should be easy to fix.


http://i.imgur.com/KI0BjUEh.jpg


Need to fix the neck where the rose wood meets the maple.

http://i.imgur.com/jVursMDh.jpg


There's a crazy amount of glue around the binding and a few small dents and scratches in the veneer..

http://i.imgur.com/e1jQzZNh.jpg

I'll grab some Goo Off from bunnings and see how i go.

Nice kit, shame about the glue issues. Look forward to seeing how this goes!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FrankenWashie

Nice kit, shame about the glue issues. Look forward to seeing how this goes!

---

Thanks mate. I hope I can get it to turn out half decent.

Anyway, while I wait on some parts to come in I sketched out my idea for the headstock shape. Feel free to share any thoughts or ideas on it.

http://i.imgur.com/x08ncdbh.jpg

I also worked out the bridge position.

http://i.imgur.com/b1kw59jh.jpg

The scale length worked out to 800mm which is about 31.5 inches. This should be fine for my needs as i was going for a more bass style build, you know considering I'm a bass player and all.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MrSixxxty6

The scale length worked out to 800mm which is about 31.5 inches. This should be fine for my needs as i was going for a more bass style build, you know considering I'm a bass player and all.

---

Lucky I measured about half a dozen times. The scale length is 760mm which is 29.9 inches.....

Looking forward to seeing how this turns out. I love my Bass VI with a passion... such a fun instrument!

Headstock shape will look great ... it's reminiscent of a schecter PT.. not dissimilar to my revelation bass VI either

Oh I'm loving this thread. The Bass VI has become my primary instrument now so anyone else taking up the challenge always piques my interest.

Make sure you use white cloth for the Goo Off ( no need to ask )

Cool, nice to see some people interested.

Got some parts.
http://i.imgur.com/sK8c9ySh.jpg

Annoyingly I'm going to have to make a custom pick guard.
http://i.imgur.com/rIc8yLth.jpg

Drilled the pilot holes for the bridge, no going back now...
http://i.imgur.com/gZYRkEJh.jpg

Drilled the holes for the string through bridge.
http://i.imgur.com/IMmbccih.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/DLx9Sloh.jpg
I drilled them by hand, which I know isn't ideal. But, I don't have access to a drill press. They're OKish...

Rough cut the head stock with a coping saw.
http://i.imgur.com/G1CyXeFh.jpg

Chucked the Bridge on and strung 'er up. Wanted to make sure everything was good before I went any further.
http://i.imgur.com/RjFVteth.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/NtrzjQnh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/lqxXAR6h.jpg

As far as I can tell everything looks great. Still oh so much to do.....

What strings are you using for the Bass VI tuning, out of curiosity?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bass Guy

What strings are you using for the Bass VI tuning, out of curiosity?

---

They're these guys
http://www.ernieball.com.au/guitar-s...2013-72#P02837

They aren't long enough for a Jag style Bass VI with their Bigsby/Trem style bridge. The high E was only just long enough to fit on mine.

I've heard good things about
http://www.labella.com/strings/category/bass-vi/
https://newtonestrings.com/shop/axio...fender-vi-set/
https://store.kaliummusic.com/index....ring-sets.html

I can definitely recommend the Newtone Axion set. They're all I use now as the value for money is unbeatable. I'm keen to try the Kalium sets but the postage was more than the product. Unjustifiably so.

After taking the tuners off I notice that there's a hair line crack all the way along the tuning holes. Not sure how it happened as I pre drilled all the screw holes and didn't have the tuners tightened up too much....

Anyway, I cut a channel along the crack and filled it with wood glue.
http://i.imgur.com/E5fkZd7l.jpg

It doesn't look pretty, But it should hold and the tuner should cover most of it.
(The lines coming off of the low E tuner hole aren't cracks)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MrSixxxty6

After taking the tuners off I notice that there's a hair line crack all the way along the tuning holes

---

Uh Oh...this could end in trouble unless its tuned down...way down.

Do you think the string tension is too much for 6 in line?

Is it too late to dowel up the two end holes, drill two on the other side of the headstock and veneer it to cover up the doweling?

Just an idea

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Andy40

Uh Oh...this could end in trouble unless its tuned down...way down.

Do you think the string tension is too much for 6 in line?

Is it too late to dowel up the two end holes, drill two on the other side of the headstock and veneer it to cover up the doweling?

Just an idea

---

It's going to be tuned to the same octave as a bass. That's a good suggestion.. wish I had thought of that earlier as I've already put a veneer on it and cut the tuner holes.. Worst case It doesn't hold and I have to get a new neck...

As mentioned above, stuck a quilted maple veneer to the headstock. Got the 'ol dremel out and tidied up my rough saw job.
Hand sanded the whole neck up to 120 grit, probably going to finish up to 240 or 320. But, I only lightly sanded the headstock veneer with a 180 grit as it's only .05 mm thick.

http://i.imgur.com/0B26RPSh.jpg

Rounded the "headstock heel thing" or whatever you call it.

http://i.imgur.com/I38VVcsh.jpg

Might try and pack some more glue into those channels i cut.

That is very cool, but the head cracking is very EEEEEEK!

Slathering glue into the channels wont hurt, but unless you are getting it right into the crack to bind it all up, it's possibly not as effective as using thin CA glue and wicking it into the cracks.

Chances are it may settle or be a big problem, only stringing it up to tension and leaving it will tell.

There are some interesting things that you could do with dowelling etc from the edge through the cracks to try and reinforce it but you'd really want access to a drill press to be precise in placing your dowel holes. It would also then leave you with a number of little circular highlights on a very visible surface of the headstock.

I'm quite surprised that the headstock has behaved like this unless there was already a flaw in the timber itself?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FrankenWashie

I'm quite surprised that the headstock has behaved like this unless there was already a flaw in the timber itself?

---

I'm not sure. I didn't notice anything before I put the tuners on. I've changed the tuners and have had to redrill holes on most of my guitars and bass'. I've never come across this before.
I'll keep push forward with the build and see what happens.

That quilted veneer looks mint;)

Whoa, It's been an absolutely insane few weeks. Band broke up, auditioned and joined a new one, working seven days a week......
Anyway, amongst all that I managed to get a few thing done on my build.

I extended to bridge pick up route to fit a humbucker in the right postion, used a hammer and chisel..
http://i.imgur.com/gebjDZzl.jpg

Cut a pickguard, used a dremel with a sanding dics to shape my rough cut. It's about 25mm longer then a standard Tele pick guard because my bridge had to be moved back a bit to allow for my longer scale length. Still have to drill a few screw holes for the pickguard.
http://i.imgur.com/1e3UlQfl.jpg
That's the reflection of my dog Cassius.

Here's a shot of it all together.
http://i.imgur.com/2UcCQ0nl.jpg

Oooo.... yummy!

Very noice

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MrSixxxty6

Whoa, It's been an absolutely insane few weeks. Band broke up, auditioned and joined a new one, working seven days a week......
Anyway, amongst all that I managed to get a few thing done on my build.

I extended to bridge pick up route to fit a humbucker in the right postion, used a hammer and chisel..
http://i.imgur.com/gebjDZzl.jpg

Cut a pickguard, used a dremel with a sanding dics to shape my rough cut. It's about 25mm longer then a standard Tele pick guard because my bridge had to be moved back a bit to allow for my longer scale length. Still have to drill a few screw holes for the pickguard.
http://i.imgur.com/1e3UlQfl.jpg
That's the reflection of my dog Cassius.

Here's a shot of it all together.
http://i.imgur.com/2UcCQ0nl.jpg

---

That is looking the business mate, great mods!

Be interested to see what you think of the Alumitones.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sonic Mountain

Be interested to see what you think of the Alumitones.

---

From what I read they should suite my needs. I'l find out soon enough.....

Ok, this is going to be a pic heavy one...
Got the 'ol brush out and gave all the glue spots a massive scrub with some Goo Off, then gave it a coat of Color Tone Vintage amber. There was even more glue spots then I thought.
http://i.imgur.com/7BR54a0l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/jfRmNujl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Hg7AkDal.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/5wbse1Bl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/c9ajrMhl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/o3xRJB7l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/tsTncldl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/O23qRtol.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/1fSe1f7l.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/yMaK3iTl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/77cLpBPl.jpg


Gave it another scrub with the Goo Off and an extremely light sand.
http://i.imgur.com/crQapXtl.jpg

I'd been toying with this idea when I first saw the veneer had already been sanded through.
I used some pinstripping tape around the edges,
http://i.imgur.com/dAqzyfel.jpg

And colored black. I'm going to sand or scrape the edge so the binding shows.
http://i.imgur.com/mXlOyWMl.jpg

Originally I was going to clear coat it with clear spray on lacquer. But, I didn't really want to spend $200 on getting some and I have a massive can of Tung Oil sitting here. So, here it is, after a few thin coats just to seal it while i Work on the back.
http://i.imgur.com/DxoEDWUl.jpg

And the head stock to match.
http://i.imgur.com/tsrfakZl.jpg

And a shot with some hardware.
http://i.imgur.com/QNg1vBAl.jpg

This is looking so good! Really like the black around the edge 👍🏻

Fantastic! Very keen to hear it when it's done!

This is going to be a beast.

Thanks guys!

I filled the rear and sides with ebony Timermate, sanded it down then stained it with colortone black. It's ok. It didn't want to take the stain evenly...
Here it is after a coat of tung oil.
http://i.imgur.com/BibetCrl.jpg

Note to self; Wear gloves while staining.
http://i.imgur.com/9H1QeJml.jpg

Scraped the binding.
http://i.imgur.com/YxuvioXl.jpg

It turned out pretty good considering i've never scraped binding before.
http://i.imgur.com/PsBWqNml.jpg

Just got build up the coats of tung oil and finish off the neck.

That’s turned out really well. Good job on hiding a floor with a feature that has enhanced its appearance.
By the way, how did you scrape the binding? It looks like a good clean job.

Looks great.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DarkMark

That’s turned out really well. Good job on hiding a floor with a feature that has enhanced its appearance.
By the way, how did you scrape the binding? It looks like a good clean job.

---

Thanks, man. I used a little 15cm metal ruler i have, seemed to do the job.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MrSixxxty6

Thanks, man. I used a little 15cm metal ruler i have, seemed to do the job.

---

A 15cm ruler and a steady hand by the looks of it.

It's fret job time!
http://i.imgur.com/HbAWzJll.jpg

I leveled the frets, crowned them, polished them and then gave the rose wood a coat of lemon oil.
http://i.imgur.com/Jk0YJ8wl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/5qrdSW7l.jpg

The maple on that headstock is outstanding.

Alright, the back and sides are tung oiled and polished.
http://i.imgur.com/DIOfFGGm.jpg

I sanded the back of the neck up to 1200 with tung oil.
http://i.imgur.com/qz7fBBGm.jpg
It feels gorgeous. I should add, the neck was a thick C shape and I sanded it down to more of a D shape. that's just what I prefer.

Unfortunately the head stock came out quite a lot darker then the body... Don't think there's much I can do about it..
http://i.imgur.com/dDkgsrNl.jpg

Anyway, it's electronics time!
I drilled two hole on the control plate for a couple of On-On switches so I can split the Alumnitones.
http://i.imgur.com/sMmDn6Vl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/45G5ThEl.jpg

It's going to be a tight fit back there. I'm going to have to be careful where i solder my wires.
Just waiting on my 3-way switch and copper tape from Pitbull.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MrSixxxty6

Alright, the back and sides are tung oiled and polished.
http://i.imgur.com/DIOfFGGm.jpg

I sanded the back of the neck up to 1200 with tung oil.
http://i.imgur.com/qz7fBBGm.jpg
It feels gorgeous. I should add, the neck was a thick C shape and I sanded it down to more of a D shape. that's just what I prefer.

Unfortunately the head stock came out quite a lot darker then the body... Don't think there's much I can do about it..
http://i.imgur.com/dDkgsrNl.jpg

Anyway, it's electronics time! If
I drilled two hole on the control plate for a couple of On-On switches so I can split the Alumnitones.
http://i.imgur.com/sMmDn6Vl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/45G5ThEl.jpg

It's going to be a tight fit back there. I'm going to have to be careful where i solder my wires.
Just waiting on my 3-way switch and copper tape from Pitbull.

---

That is going to get awful tight in the control cavity, beware stray earths!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FrankenWashie

That is going to get awful tight in the control cavity, beware stray earths!

---

Yeah, I know....

Here It is all wired up and working
http://i.imgur.com/NchVJRrl.jpg

I forgot to take photos of the copper shielding. I was just short on finishing the control cavity. I'll have to get some more.

And here she is!

http://i.imgur.com/rdE2ARCl.jpg

It turned out pretty great, especially considering it's my first ever build.
I'll throw up some "glamour" shots once I put 'er through the paces.

Damn pretty guitar.

Well done! And completed within about one month. How’s it sounding?