DHB-5 Semi-Hollow Electric Bass CUSTOM

[DarkMatterResist]

Howdy folks!! I make jewellery and play music. So I thought I would combine the two and am making an art piece which also plays music. So for someone who doesn’t appreciate music, but does appreciate art, will enjoy it on their wall. But for someone who has no appreciation for art, but loves to play music, can use it as an instrument. Multi-faceted and nimble. Strong, yet soft. I am loving the process and will share my progress here. Hoping to win GOTM!!! Rock on \m/

[DarkMatterResist]

Ok, so I got super excited when I saw a video of this guy testing these guitars on a YouTube thread. He claimed "it took 20 minutes to set it up", which was a surprise because it took me about 20 minutes to open the box and check the contents! Either he is a B/S artist, or he is super skilled! Sure the soldering was done (thanks!) and the woodwork complete - even holes drilled in all the right places, but for a first-timer, this is going to take a while. My birthday is coming up and my aim is to have it ready by then. I have another week or so and am running on time.

[DarkMatterResist]

After checking the contents, I started with the body. while I was preparing this part, I watched loads of videos to help me with the next steps.

I wanted a stain finish so went to the local hardware trying to find something nice. Turns out all the colours were timber colours and I wanted a green/blue. I didnt have anything in the house apart from food dye, so I thought I would give that a go. Turns out food dye does not hold and I would not recommend it if you want a nice even dark stain. Saying that, I am super happy with the results. It has a rustic/washiness to it and helps with the 'vintage' feel I am going for. Reminiscent of rosewood. Note, this faded over time.

[DarkMatterResist]

I love using shellac in my jewellery so I thought I would be romantic and french polish it.

[DarkMatterResist]

I gave it about 60 coats over a two day period. Came out perfect. I intentionally didn't tape the trimming in an attempt to add to the 'vintage' feel.

[dozymuppet]

Nice. That looks really (ahem) polished.

[DarkMatterResist]

Next stage - wiring! To be honest, this process was initially intimidating as I didn't think I had an electrical mind. Saying that, I watched a load of videos, spoke to some people at the local music shop, and finally worked it all out.

First things first: How to get the 3-way switch into the hole when there is no back cavity??? This worked a charm! Tied a bolt onto a bit of string, fed it through the hole, tied it to the switch, and pulled it back. There was a little bit of mucking around, but it worked well.


I watched these great videos and decided that the old cardboard trick works a charm - thanks maaate!
https://youtu.be/XCpawqfHnL0 (part 1 of 3)



After feeding through all the wires, soldering the 3-way switch, breaking the input jack, upgrading to a better input jack, and securing the pots in place, it was time to solder.


Did my first test and it worked perfectly! Rookie error ... when I first tried, there was no signal. I had a closer look and realised the volume was turned to 0. Turned it to 10 and woolah!

[DarkMatterResist]

Next step: Installing the Double Bass Humbuckers. Super easy to do as the cavities were already there and the fit was snug. The only tricky thing was getting the screws in the holes without the springs falling off. I taped the screws in place, turned the body at an angle, chucked the springs on (upside down), then pushed them together. That way, I was certain that the springs were in place.


Note: make sure you tape the other pickup when you are doing your first one - so it doesn't fall out.

[DarkMatterResist]

It was around about this time when i got really inspired. Sure, the knobs are nice, but I want something unique and different. Coming from a jewellery background, I thought I would incorporate these skills into the making of this special project. I am loving this bass more and more each day and am not rushing the build. What I have planned will add loads of time, but the end result will make the effort all worth it.
First step: Making molds. I used a silicon-based molding system to cast the buttons that came in the pack.


Results once dry


Next step: Filling molds with resin! I decided to go with the emerald green and it appears this bass is going down the old steampunk path .... I have loads of old clock parts and have a love for this genre


Here are the unfinished pieces. They include: knobs, tuner pegs, back-plate, and scratch plate, and the triangular piece (unsure what this is?). They will need to be filed, sanded, and polished.

[DarkMatterResist]

Talking old clock parts, I found this beauty in my collection. Not sure how old it is, but it is the internal body of an old swiss pocket watch. I gave it a clean, then prepared a petina, and soaked it for a little bit. Look how black it came out!!


Gave it a once over with my dremel, making sure not to polish it up too well for the 'vintage' feel.


Drilled some holes, attached it and am getting more and more stoked!!!!