Building the uber-J. Part Four.

Unveiling a few little secrets ;)


This is the body at its final stage of contouring. I have shaped the lower horn to a point where it really leaves a lot of room for my left hand. I am so very happy with it! When you look at the body from the front view it doesn't look any different from a J. But when you look behind.... ;) Gosh I love it!!

Now, contrary to what is usually done I have deeply contoured the lower part of the body as well. I like the visual harmony of this solution. I mean, how cool is that?

What?...The drawings? What about them?....Oh, OK. So it's gonna be a long neck joint.
Actually, it's gonna go all the way down to the neck PU, almost half the body. Indeed!

As I said at the beginning, some of my efforts wil focus on improving the neck/body joint. This is it. It will take eight screws with ferrules and the heel will be shaped to make the transition neck/body as smooth as possible. Once it's done it'll take a bomb to separate these two fellows. I think this is worth trying. I can't wait to finish this!!

And yes, there will be an on-board EQ. The size and position of the recess is not final. In fact I am still waiting for the electronics. It will be as far away from the strings and bridge PU as I can go. I hate it when knobs are placed so far up that my right arm keeps on bumping into them.

Initially I was convinced I would stay true to the J's simplicity of V/V/T. I changed my mind. One reason is that a separate mids control is essential to me. Then, the second most important knob to me is the PU balance. Once I start changing that, little is left of the J layout. Might as well have some serious EqMF!

Now, I do understand that that deep body contour will challenge the position of a full 3 bands EQ. But I think I have a solution for that. Besides, I love challenges ;)

Prototyping and waiting for parts.

These days I'm working with the 'metal guys' on some hardware prototype for the headstock, so the wood work will have to wait until that is done. I have decided to take a rather radical approach to the tuning issue.

Basically I am trying to do without machine heads. (Yo bro! are you crazy? a J without headstock??) Of course my uber-Fender Jazz will have a headstock. No way I could do without it, no. But I have over time come to question the whole headstock tuners thing. I should probably post separately on this rather controversial issue.

For now lets just say that my intention for this bass and for the next one is to try something different. I will elaborate on that later, when the prototype is ready and I have something to show.

Next.

Right. So, I am waiting for a number of parts - Bridge, Pick-Ups, on-board EQ.
They should arrive by mid next week. In the meantime, I think I'll go swimming. Or write another review ;)

>=)O