Hi all, new here.
Received the RC-4 bass kit for my birthday from my brother which was a very nice surprise and really looking forward to getting stuck into it. I've been playing bass for over 35 years but haven't made one before. I'm sure I'll be back along the way if I can't fathom something out. Now to decide on the finish...
Last edited by Booooooom; 16-04-2018 at 01:36 AM.
Hi and welcome. There are a few tricky bits associated with the RCA-4 kit, especially if you plan to upgrade the bridge for a Ric style one. But we're here to help, so post pics as you go, and ask away. Hope you enjoy the build, it is rather addictive.
Welcome aboard!
#001 (LP-1S) [finished - co-runner up Nov 2018 GOTM]
#002 (WL-1)
#003 (MPL Megacaster - semi scratch build) [finished]
#004 (ST-1 JR - Arachnoid Superhero build) [finished]
#005 (LP jr)
#006 (TL-1A)
Junk shop acoustic refurbs (various)
'The TGS Special'
Welcome to the forum mate!
FrankenLab
Hand crafting guitars, because Death Rays are expensive.
Welcome Booooooom
Current:
GTH-1
Completed:
AST-1FB
First Act ME276 (resurrected curb-side find)
ES-5V
Scratchie lapsteel
Custom ST-1 12 String
JBA-4
TL-1TB
Scratch Lapsteel
Meinl DIY Cajon
Cigar Box lap steel
Wishing:
Baritone
Open D/Standard Double 6 twin neck
The standard MM style kit supplied bridge wouldn't help either as they have quite thick & high string saddles.Originally Posted by Andyxlh
# 1 - EX-5 https://goo.gl/fQJMqh
# 2 - EX-1 https://goo.gl/KSY9W9
# 3 - Non PBG Tele https://goo.gl/W14G5g
# 4 - Non PBG J Bass https://goo.gl/FbBaFy
# 5 - TL-1AR GOTM Aug 2017 https://goo.gl/sUh14s
# 6 - MMB-4 Runner-up GOTM Oct 2018https://goo.gl/gvrPkp
# 7 - ES-1 Runner-up GOTM Aug 2018https://goo.gl/T9BEY8
So I've made a start...
Been sanding a lot, 4-5 hours on the body and most scratches are out... end grain concave edges are a sheer delight! Ordered some stain tho!
(more pics to follow)
Last edited by Booooooom; 15-04-2018 at 08:40 PM.
more sanding...
Done a dry fit - neck pocket is nice and tight although the end of the neck doesn't sit square with the end of the pocket.
Laying a rule down the centre of the neck and another lining up the centre of the pickup cavities shows that they are not perfectly aligned.
Is this an issue as I presume all hardware will be aligned to the neck/strings? With the bridge positioned 34" from the nut and using a straight edge, the bridge/nut/pole pieces on the J pup seem to align ok.
Also, from the top of the guitar how do I know that the neck is at the correct angle? I'm considering upgrading to a ric style bridge rather than the supplied musicman style... obviously both have string height adjustment. Is there a measurement/way of making sure the neck is the correct place? With the neck clamped in place and the bridge saddles positioned 34" from the nut, a straight edge resting on the bridge and nut gives a gap at the neck of about 3mm from the fingerboard and about 10mm the body. Is this about right?
Only other question I have so far: should the truss rod be fixed in place at the body end or is it a friction fit that secures itself once tightened? I ask now as I can slide the truss rod in and out at the moment...
Thanks in advance for any comments and advice
Dave
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