IB-6S -- Zhenya

[wokkaboy]

your build is coming along nicely Michael. I was playing my IB6S at a jam lastnight and was heaps of fun and have a punchy sound

[stan]

some nice progress there, starting to look really cool

[michael]

The marine epoxy I bought was white, so that isn't going to work. I did a small test of the StewMac slow-cure epoxy on the fretboard, and that looks like it might work.

However, with my test guitar neck practically ruined from all of the testing, I decided to order another test neck. This one is a bass neck, and I'll test the veneers on it, as well as the epoxy coating. Those are the two factors I haven't had a chance to successfully test, and spending US$35 on a spare neck, which I might actually use in the future as it's a bass neck, was a wise decision.

I tried yesterday, with my wife's assistance, figuring out how to position and clamp the Hipshot bridge to mark the 10 drill holes I'll need to do for it (four mounting screws, plus six string-through ferrules). However, confusion and frustration ruled the day, so we agreed to put it aside for a bit and try again. Part of the problem is that the clamps I bought to hold the bridge steady aren't making a good grip on the bridge, so it's sliding around on me.

[wokkaboy]

good move Michael, take your time positioning the bridge. Don't forget the earth wire when you do the final assembly

[gavinturner]

Michael, I'm loving reading your detailed build diary! You are really going the extra mile to ensure a top quality result from what is a great looking kit. I'm looking forward to seeing more progress!!

cheers,
Gav.

[michael]

Thanks, guys! I'm building Zhenya for a few reasons, one of which is practice building a kit before my kid (he's 11) and I build a guitar kit together when he visits next summer (for the northern hemisphere!). I've always wanted a premium "custom" six-string bass, and I get to do it myself. There's no 6-12 month wait, either, unless I go slower than anticipated. And, since I'm spreading the costs around, it isn't that bad a financial hit.

I bought the Michael Pope Flexcore pre-amp yesterday. That was the last major purchase for this project. I'll hopefully get it before we take our New Years trip after Christmas.

Assuming I don't screw anything up, I'll have close to my perfect bass built early next year for little or no financial duress. I skipped adding a piezo bridge/pre-amp option, but I can always add that later, or on one of my other basses!

I've also decided my next build, maybe after I finish Zhenya, and before my son and I build his guitar, is going to be a RC-4 kit from PBG. That's going to be mostly stock, as it's more about the style than the parts.

[Brendan]

Michael - check out DB's how to on bass bridge placement here http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=3048 - while it's for a P bass, the technique should work for an IB-6 as well.

[michael]

Michael - check out DB's how to on bass bridge placement here http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=3048 - while it's for a P bass, the technique should work for an IB-6 as well.

Thanks for the link. I'll check it out this weekend when we try to place the bridge again. I think patience is going to be the most important factor; we were in a bit of a rush last time we tried to do this.

I've received the Pope Flexcore pre-amp today; fortunately, it was pre-wired. I also got the knobs and ferrules from Carvin the other day, however, they only sent me 5 ferrules. They quickly sent out the sixth one, I'll get it on Monday.

We're taking a trip to Europe (belated honeymoon) after Christmas, so I only have this weekend left this year to work on it. I started with the coping saw on my replacement test neck, and, working backwards, go to the 12th fret before the blade broke. I have spare blades, but they're a pain to install. Hopefully I'll do the fretslot veneer and inlay filling testing before we fly on the 26th.

[michael]

Since my last update, I've discovered a couple of things:

1. The plan to use rosewood dust and epoxy in the position marker holes was a non-starter. My tests were not successful.
2. My plan to mix blue and rosewood veneers in the fretlines was also killed. The blue didn't stand out enough to be accent marks due to the darker shade of blue.
3. So, now my plan for the fretboard is:
   
   1. Paua abalone dots for the position markers. I ordered a set of 20 last night for US$10.
   2. Instead of mixing blue/rosewood in the fret slots, I'm going to do all frets with the blue veneer, except for the 12th and 24th frets, which will get green veneers. I ordered a sheet of green veneers last night, nearly a full meter long, for US$18. Of course, I'm just going to use a cm or two of it! Maybe I'll find a use for the rest in the future, along with the unused rosewood, and leftover blue veneers.
   3. I'm still testing using CA glue or epoxy for sealing the board for fretless use. I'm not sure which I'll use, but both are promising.
   
   
4. I need to enlarge the holes for the preamp's knobs, as well as make a little more space in the control cavity for the preamp. I bought a Forstner bit set for my drill the other day and have been having fun testing that.
5. I've also tested the drilling for the bridge and string-through ferrules. I'm happy with that.
6. The stacked knob for the hi/low mids control was the wrong size, so I need to order a new one of that.
7. I'm also going to order a new 18V battery box, because I'm pretty sure I can't fit two 9V batteries with the preamp in the control cavity.

So, things are still moving along, but slowly. I was rather discouraged by the unsuccessful fretboard tests when I returned from my weeklong trip for New Years, but my wife helped me get focused again. That's one reason why I'm naming the bass after her. :)

[Scott J.]

Don't worry, Michael, you'll "nail it" ... it's often the set-backs that enable us to come up with something even better than what we'd planned in the first place.

... and as they say, "behind every great man is a woman who's not giving him any other choice!"