The Luthier Community

I have two projects going on right now, I started to build a semi hollow body guitar for me, and a friend saw it and asked If I would try building him a bass in the same style.

First these are both experimental guitars, I have no idea how they are going to turn out.

Started with a spruce beam that came from a Amish barn that was said to be 150ys old..it was very dry and light...nice tight grain to it also.





I made the "center" lighter by drilling as many holes as I dared to drill into it. Made channels for wiring and the f holes.









Getting started on the bass.

Fantastic! Is the chocolate-colored wood Wenge?

Steve

Good eye Steve,
The back and sides are Wenge.... the neck is TM (thermally modified) curly maple with a non modified curly maple skunk strip.

If you want to try some I picked up a bunch when I was back in Minnesota...word of warning...when glueing up laminations allow at least 24 hours for the glue to set up...had a few separate on me when I took the clamps off too soon...also this stuff hates router bits...I've thrown away one neck and rebuilt another because of the tear out and chipping...I find when making a neck...cut as close as you can with your band saw..and sand to the line after that...It carves and sands like a dream.

Let me know if you want to try some, I still have your contact info...

Looks really beautiful so far, Stu!

Hey, how are you feeling these days?

Dang, Stu - The top of that thing is drool worthy - Digging these builds!

E

Thanks guys,
These are fun to build...but experimenting all the way.....
The bass is going to be mahogany back and sides...with TM Engelman spruce top...TM maple neck with ebony fingerboard.
Two pickups with 3 control knobs.
If it sounds to "thuddy" I"ll make another out of Indian Rosewood that the sides don't match the top very well...with a TM maple top.

Dennis, thanks for asking...Heart is doing great...just got a clean bill of health on that...had a scare with liver issues or so they thought...turns out to be old age... spine and hips are what they are..degenerative arthritis doesn't go away...I'll keep getting the steroid shots when I need them for as long as they'll give them to me...then as my ortho guy said...it's "grin and bear it time"...the surgery only makes it worse..not an option...

Pickups have arrived,



Body is coming together.

Closing up the bass.