2nd Build SHB-4

[McCreed]

I'm assuming Aussie mineral turps = UK white spirit or turpentine substitute.

Yes, turpentine.
It's get confusing crossing oceans and continents with some of these fluids.
Here, White Spirit is something else again, not turpentine.

[blinddrew]

It has cleared customs. Another £50 and it will be mine...

[blinddrew]

A box has arrived:

[Simon Barden]

One appears to have a 12th fret marker missing.

[blinddrew]

Fell out when unpacking. Found it now.

[Fretworn]

Are you going to look at upgrading the bridge and “headstock”. Haven’t built on of these myself, but those who have seem to find better result with better hardware.

[blinddrew]

I did have a look at some after market options but the prices were such that it'd be cheaper buying a new Steinberger and stripping the bits off.
Which seems counter productive...
Besides, the upright will remain my main bass instrument, this will really just be for studio work where an electric is a better fix for the mix.
So i'll start with stock (apart from pots and cap) and see how it goes from there.

[blinddrew]

The pictures on the website show a very slab sided body, so part of my plan was to cut away at the shoulder and to make a belly cut.
However, on opening the box it seems the kit has been upgraded slightly.
Shoulder cut (I think I'll go a bit heavier on this though):


Belly cut (I shall probably roll over the edges):


Fitting it for a mock build shows lots of play in the pocket so some shimming* will be required here:


Lining things up looks pretty good, neck pocket shimming notwithstanding.


Typically, instead of thinking 'yay, less cutting and shaping' I have instead had an idea about how I could make it more complicated.


* It also occurs to me that I have no idea how long the scale should be and therefore whether any additional shimming or cutting will be required at the end of the neck pocket.

[Simon Barden]

Belly cut (I shall probably roll over the edges):

So, have you thought about either enlarging the belly cut or else going on a diet?

[blinddrew]

I am genuinely thinking about the latter! 2 weeks of self-isolation and another of recovery have not been kind to my waistline!