Telecaster Bass scratch build by Dingobass..

[Gavin1393]

DB, the masking tape idea to prevent the glue from gluing the truss road to the body might be improved on by this tip from my friends at Australian Luthiers. I'm wondering how with squeeze out you would prevent the glue from spilling into the routed slot? They recommend using cellophane tape, trimming the edges close to the routed slot, then spreading glue onto the neck with the cellophane in place. Then wipe the TOP of the fretboard with a slightly damp cloth and apply the fretboard to the neck. You don't remove the cellophane. Dampening the top of the fretboard apparently counteracts any stress put on the underside of the fretboard by the wet glue - otherwise the fretboard being wood will do what wood does and will try and 'curl'. Well that's the theory anyway!

[dingobass]

Hmmm, I will try the cellotape method next time.

On the rare occasions that I use Rosewood finger boards I do give them a wipe with a damp cloth.
With Ebony I don't bother as it is so hard that by the time the moisture from the glue has penetrated, the glue has pretty much set.
One of the many reasons I love Titebond so much, 30 minutes clamp time and she goes no where!

[keloooe]

30 mins??? Wow.....
1) Apply glue
2) Clamp it down
3) Have lunch
4) Have a coffee
5) Come back and it is ready to go!!!

[dingobass]

You are pretty well on the money there Pest.
Of course you still need to leave it for at least 24 hours before applying any stress, but you can at least carry on with shaping and sanding.

[Gavin1393]

Yeah! The 30 minute glue time has its advantages and then disadvantages.....ever tried gluing the fretboard to an acoustic neck....getting it perfectly lined up and clamped without it moving about can be trying! Then of course there is the SM method of clamping the back and the soundboard to the sides.....usually arounf 18-22 clamps are needed and unless you have prepared the clamps ahead of the gluing process you tend to run out of time!!! But in truth, i'd never use anything else! Certainly not the cr@p that the other shop sells!

[dingobass]

Day 5.

Now that the body is done and sanded, time to finish the neck.

First up, cut the nut slot.
I clamp my trusty 16foot radius sanding block as a square edge to guide the saw.
After setting the depth stop i carefully cut the slot depth.

Next up is to chisel the cut out.

Then I file the cut out flat and make sure the nut is sitting flush and square.

[dingobass]

Now for the side dots.
With my fretless builds I put the dots on the actual note, or where the fret would normally be.
First thing to do is to mark out the scale. To do this I clamp my long rule and mark the positions with a white chinagraph pencil. The rule is placed against the inside edge (fingerboard side) of the nut

Then I drill using a brad point drill, this gives a flat bottomed hole.

Then I press the Paua shell and White Mother of Pearl-(for the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th and 12th "fret")- in and apply a drop of thin superglue to each. The thin superglue "wicks" around each dot and they are there forever.

After filing the dots down and sanding up to 800 grit and buffing with steel wool, job finished!

[Bass Guy]

Gorgeous neck n this bass, DB! I am wowed by this thread!

[dingobass]

Thanx Bassguy

I just want folk to see what I do, and to try and de mystify the art.
Honestly, any one with a few tools, a bucket load of determination and very basic wood working skills can build from scratch.

My very first scratch build was created with just a drill, a coping saw and a few manky old chisels as my tool kit.

The most important things are patience, more patience and then PATIENCE!.....

I am a Boilermaker by trade, a Stone Mason by profession and a Luthier by choice.

I guess what I am saying is, if you set your heart to it, anything is possible!
By sharing what I know with all on the forum helps all of you to achieve your dream axe, then it is well worth it and I will continue to do so.

I have learned so much through helping members sort out their problems and challenges and I am so grateful of this as it enhances and develops my knowledge and skill base

[keloooe]

Well said DB, and great idea with the side dots!!!
Going to look awesome at the end, I'm not a bass player or a Tele player and im loving it!!!