TJD #2 scratch Axe bass

[Trevor Davies]

Looking great! Any neck dive issues with the paulownia?

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Yes,
a common problem with me and basses! No worse than the FVB-4 or TB-4 though.

[Simon Barden]

Superb work.

I’ve just been looking at the TB-4 kit on another thread and noticed that the original has the neck join at the 15th fret and the kit between the 17th/18th fret. That’s pushing the headstock out by an extra 4-5cm, so that must be adding to the neck dive on that model. As the bridge position looks roughly similar compared to the rear edge of the body, it probably means that the kit body is a bit shorter than the original, meaning it would be lighter than it should be (subject to the body wood selection), again adding to any neck dive tendency.

[fender3x]

I’ve just been looking at the TB-4 kit on another thread and noticed that the original has the neck join at the 15th fret and the kit between the 17th/18th fret. That’s pushing the headstock out by an extra 4-5cm, so that must be adding to the neck dive on that model.

That's not a good trade IMHO. Most bass players don't spend much time above the 15th fret, so the extra access is rarely going to get used.

That said, the build looks spectacular, or terrifying or gruesome...not sure what the best compliment would be, just sure it deserves one.

[Trevor Davies]

Thanks Dozy, Simon and Fender3x.

I'm really happy with the final appearance. More of an inspired by tribute rather than a true copy of the real axes.

Learnt lots about routing pickup cavities, spray painting and clear coating. Also, I probably would not use paulownia again - but , live and learn. Overall it has been fun and now I have my Axe.

[dozymuppet]

Bravo. Now for the make-up...

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[fender3x]

///I probably would not use paulownia again...

I have not found the magic formula for making it hard enough to resist dents, but I can tell you that my back is a real fan of paulownia. My go-to bass is made of the stuff, largely because I don't get that old familiar spike in the back after a 30 min of playing.

Anyway, a battle axe ought to have some nicks and dents don't you think?

In any case it's a killer bass ;-)

[McCreed]

Nice work Trevor!

[Rabbit]

It's come out well. Given how soft the paulownia is you musta been holding your breath till you got finish on it!

[Trevor Davies]

Thanks for the nice words.

@Fender3x - "Anyway, a battle axe ought to have some nicks and dents don't you think?" Yes - and some blood.

@Rabbit - "Given how soft the paulownia is you musta been holding your breath till you got finish on it!" Yes and still holding my breathe each time I pick it up. But each time I look at it, it makes me smile.

[fender3x]

Given the popularity of GS Axe basses as scratch builds, it's a wonder there's no kit ;-)