A Bass VI for $200?

Talk about modding or building your own guitar from scratch.
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Fiddy
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Re: A Bass VI for $200?

Post by Fiddy » Wed Sep 15, 2021 11:03 pm

Plot twist, its getting rerouted through Canada. :w00t: :D

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Re: A Bass VI for $200?

Post by MattK » Wed Sep 15, 2021 11:07 pm

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

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Re: A Bass VI for $200?

Post by MattK » Fri Sep 17, 2021 3:40 pm

I know this thread contains some of my all-time worst Photoshop work (I used to do it professionally, but that was with properly shot and lit images!) but I had to make a mockup to fill the waiting time.
Image

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Re: A Bass VI for $200?

Post by MattK » Thu Oct 07, 2021 2:30 am

Well, the body's here, not quite as blue as I thought (altho it's seafoam, duh). I think this is gonna work pretty well, sitting the neck in the pocket at the point where the heel transitions to the rounded part puts the bridge at just the right spot on the body. Mustang trem and control plate, Jag switches, thinking maybe 2 pickups if this is a "student" model compared to the VI. Scale length is 30".
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Re: A Bass VI for $200?

Post by MattK » Tue Oct 25, 2022 9:07 pm

Oh my god I've had the body for a year, that's insane. Well I got the bits out the other day and tried dry fitting it to work out the exact bridge placement, then figured I would need to drill neck holes so I'd better finish up the woodwork on the neck, then smoothed the headstock transition, remembered I wanted to put some veneers on the headstock, ordered some off eBay, discovered they were really thick, figured I would need a belt sander someday, waited for a cheap used one, then waited for belts to arrive etc. Anyway, today I got it going and I've sanded the headstock down, will smooth it out and glue the veneers, trim the veneers, shape the transition etc. Then I will try to get it up and running with just the bridge in place to see how it is as an instrument, then figure out where I want the pickups, what shape for the guard etc.
I mean, it's only been 13 years, I don't want to rush it.

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Re: A Bass VI for $200?

Post by mackerelmint » Tue Oct 25, 2022 9:33 pm

Dude, how have I not seen this thread before now? This is awesome. :-*

I love that this is a 13 year project, I feel so much better about all my project procrastination now. :ph34r:
This is an excellent rectangle

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Re: A Bass VI for $200?

Post by MattK » Tue Oct 25, 2022 9:47 pm

I estimate another 3-5 years before I get it mocked up, there's hope for us all.
(and thanks!)

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Re: A Bass VI for $200?

Post by MattK » Tue Oct 25, 2022 11:49 pm

OK, it's time to do something. Realised I wouldn't be able to shape it accurately if I glued the front and back veneers at the same time. So I sanded the back smoother, applied Titebond Red and clamped, clamped, clamped until I was satisfied. It'll set up overnight and I'll evaluate tomorrow ...
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Re: A Bass VI for $200?

Post by MattK » Thu Oct 27, 2022 2:25 am

Glue had set, so time to trim it, drill the tuner holes and do the front. Trimmed it with a multitool which worked pretty well but occasionally tried to burn thru rather than cut. I'll shape the edges when both veneers are sorted out. Also realised a rebate was needed near the truss rod hole so the veneer glues flat.
And so, back to the clamps.
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Re: A Bass VI for $200?

Post by mackerelmint » Thu Oct 27, 2022 2:37 am

Yes, yes!

/waggling fingers
This is an excellent rectangle

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Re: A Bass VI for $200?

Post by MattK » Thu Oct 27, 2022 2:41 am

Really, the all-time stupidest project. I even own a bloody VI now, I bought one in Shibuya about 7 years ago. Also it's so wet in Tasmania at the moment that I spend more time mopping water out of the workshop than doing project stuff.

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Re: A Bass VI for $200?

Post by MattK » Sun Oct 30, 2022 4:14 pm

progress (slow but steady)
ImageImageImageImageImageImageImage
(tailpiece plate is just taped on in the right location, but the neck is drilled and attached now!)

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Re: A Bass VI for $200?

Post by MattK » Mon Oct 31, 2022 11:59 pm

It's been a big day, I am SO EXCITED.
Tuner screws:
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Marking out the tailpiece:
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A few shallow holes for the hardtail screws and spring anchor points (no springs for now):
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Tailpiece is ON and it's time for thimbles:
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Thimble holes (freehand, YIKES):
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Good thimble:
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Very slightly tilted thimble:
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WE HAVE BRIDGE:
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(mounted backwards for more setback to intonate the lower strings)
MORE TO COME ...

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Re: A Bass VI for $200?

Post by MattK » Tue Nov 01, 2022 12:07 am

Then it was time to break out the d'Addario Bass VI strings I bought 12 years ago (yes March 2010). Some minor issues stringing up, and that neck has not had strings on in 12 years, so it's all settling in. BUT THE MUSTANG VI EXISTS NOW. I got a chill when I had it set up and tried playing it. It's just plain great - the neck is narrow and round, the strings are tightly spaced like the original VIs, and it plays SO WELL. Still some buzzes and the bridge is cranked pretty high, so there's work to do, but it's everything I hoped for!
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(Mustang Bass ferrules on the back! I guess a badge of honour.)

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Re: A Bass VI for $200?

Post by sal paradise » Tue Nov 01, 2022 12:26 am

I can’t describe how awesome this is.

It makes me want to invent a whole new genre of music playing in a weird tuning with loads of modulation & that new Boss slicer 8)
I have nothing to offer anybody, except my own confusion?

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