Chuck’s JB-4 “ Bass IV” build

[wazkelly]

Super Cheap has small kits for doing headlights as I needed to do that on an old Mitsubishi Lancer I sold on Gumtree earlier this year. This is what I used and it comes with micro mesh pads too... http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/Pro...rer-Kit/283622

[Chuck]

I had a crack with some different products to fix the pickguard but decided to go with a new one - and it has worked out really well. I also had the lightbulb moment when I realised the only key points on the new one are the neck pocket and the place where the control plate joins - the rest can be whatever I want! I know that's obvious but it didn't hit me initially. What I've done is close to a jazz bass shape but not an exact replica. Still need to do the bevelling around the edge and the pickup holes but getting close. On another positive note I've finished polishing up the body so not far off the interesting bits with the electricals!

[FrankenWashie]

Cheers Waz, I'll give that a crack. I tried some ScratchX but it's probably not harsh enough. Even if I do need to another one I have certainly learnt a great deal about how to get the next one right!

..and that's the ticket really isn't it with most of these things. The amount you learn from your mistakes is immense, and sometimes a "Screw Up" can lead you to an unexpected beneficial outcome.

[FrankenWashie]

In lieu of making anything myself, I just ordered the Dremel routing table. Looks like its the right size for pickguards. Hopefully it will be robust enough to do the job.

Dremel Router Table??? I must investigate!

[WeirdBits]

They have a bit of flex in them and can be awkward to adjust quickly, but work ok for small jobs:


I use mine to bevel the edge of pickguards/plastics etc.

[Chuck]

..and that's the ticket really isn't it with most of these things. The amount you learn from your mistakes is immense, and sometimes a "Screw Up" can lead you to an unexpected beneficial outcome.

Absolutely! Although that doesn't make it any less frustrating at the time!

[FrankenWashie]

They have a bit of flex in them and can be awkward to adjust quickly, but work ok for small jobs:


I use mine to bevel the edge of pickguards/plastics etc.

I see. Very handy. The ply is a template, or just to prevent the Plastic riding up over the bit?

[WeirdBits]

The ply is a template with the pickguard/plastic face down on its underside using double-sided tape. The Dremel bits don't have a guide bearing just a 'pilot' shaft and due to their speed will melt the plastic if you try to run directly on its edge. I normally cut the pickguard using my full sized router and table then switch to the Dremel table to bevel the edge.

[FrankenWashie]

The ply is a template with the pickguard/plastic face down on its underside using double-sided tape. The Dremel bits don't have a guide bearing just a 'pilot' shaft and due to their speed will melt the plastic if you try to run directly on its edge. I normally cut the pickguard using my full sized router and table then switch to the Dremel table to bevel the edge.

Good to know, I have yet to build anything that required a pickguard, but its always handy to have these little tips tucked away.

[Chuck]

After a couple of painfully slow evening sessions I'm almost there - and the process has ensured that next time around I'll spend the $50 to get the routing table like WeirdBits! Everything seems to have lined up okay and while it's not as perfect as the perfectionist in me would like, I'm ready to move on to doing the wiring!



Although now looking at the picture again I think I might to do a little more bevelling on the edge of the pickguard, although it looks okayish in person...