Sonics 4th Build - YB-4 - The Steampunker Bass

[DJP]

Cheers guys. We will see.

I definitely considered carving it. Part of the aesthetic is the mechanical features and metalwork though.

This is turning out to be a lot more work conceptually than I had bargained for.

You may also have noticed that this design will interfere with the bridge. I really like this idea:



So I just need to come up with a two post bridge design I can manufacture. I think it's fairly achievable.

Wow .. what a great idea ... inspiring. I've been thinking about a cigar box type attempt .. this could be awesome.

[Dedman]

Had to post these gals. The guitarist was one of the members of Destrose who were one of the first in the all girl metal bands thing.
I hope you realise you need at least one pair of non functional goggles to play a steampunk instrument

[Dedman]

And other. I've seen a live concert of this band, the singer goes off stage and the band absolutely shred without her squeaky vocals, they kick arse. They have been around for a while so they must be doing something right even without non functional goggles

[Sonic Mountain]

Oh wow.. totally missed those posts Deddy, will check out shortly!

*blows dust off build*

Yeah so I've been a bit stuck on this one. A combination of not being totally happy with the design and the challenge involved actually making it happen has stalled me a bit, hence the progress on the Sonicaster. The bridge situation was causing me some concern as well so I decided to go back to using the kit bridge - I'm hoping to fabricate some kind of cover to hide it a bit, I will see how everything else goes.



I've had a rethink and decided to try making just the tentacles in a Victorian(ish) pattern to try and get some symmetry going. It's turned out harder than I thought to really nail a Nautical/Steampunk theme, but I've thrown caution to the wind and started to cut up the brass. After finally getting some payment for freelance stuff I shouted myself the most powerful Dremel I could lay my hands on and an engraving/sculpting bit kit. So far I've just hacked out one set of tentacles and had a play with some of the other tools.







It's going to be a lot of work- but I think it is achievable and hopefully worth it for the end result. Depending on how long this set takes I'm hoping to make up some other flourishes for the TRC, bridge and the bottom of the neck.

I've got some stain for the body, but I need to have a bit of sanding bee first. I also had a crack at reshaping the headstock, wasn't a fan of the original, and I'm not sure about this either, I may have taken to much meat off the top. I'll see how it goes once I chop the shaded part out and improved the shape a bit.



In hindsight this kit probably didn't lend itself to the project very well. I only chose it because it was the cheapest

Oh well! I'll keep chipping away.

[Sonic Mountain]

[QUOTE]=Dedman;162484]And other. I've seen a live concert of this band, the singer goes off stage and the band absolutely shred without her squeaky vocals, they kick arse. They have been around for a while so they must be doing something right even without non functional goggles
[video=youtube;_EeYxtAeaX4[/QUOTE]

Heh, both of those were cool. You'll be please to know I am set for non-functional goggles.



More viking-biker-punk than steam but whatevs.

[Wayne.Mumford]

Hey Sonic, I found a couple of pics of an air brushed steampunk by “Holdfast custom paint and guitars” thought you might want a look. Might help you out a bit.

[Sonic Mountain]

Cheers, Yep any reference stuff is good.

[Sonic Mountain]

First batch of tentacles is coming along. I've worn out all my cutting discs so on hold now until tomorrow. Still getting the hang of the dermal freehand and it did get away from me a couple of times, but nothing too serious. I think its actually going to work pretty well. The thick brass is a blessing and a curse. It dissipates heat well and is rigid enough to do the tentacles, but its a lot of material to cut through for the basic shape. I think once I really get into the details I will be happy to have the extra thickness though.

Did a rough engraving pass





Then drilled holes



then hacked out the negative space

[FrankenWashie]

Too freaking cool!!

[Sonic Mountain]

I really think its going to work now. I wasn't sure there for a bit - that bit of brass of yours is a bit daunting But its' coming along for sure.

Whether I want to make two of them is another story! We will see