The Bass that started it all off, over 100 hours of work put into making,polishing and painting this working show piece. stamped 001 it now sits proudly in it`s well deserved new rockabilly home. I couldn`t wish it in a better home, Thanks Guys!
Cutting out the alloy with $12 Jig saw
shaping the 10mm round wired edge
The Scroll is Next !!! almost finished..
took nearly as long as making the bass itself.
The finger board should be here this week, so I can make the neck to join the bass to the scroll...
29th July THE WELDING FLASH IN MY EYES, FROM HELL!!!
Tapered the back from 8 inches to 7 inches
Welded up sides,top and bottom complete, the curved shap of the front and back is pain stakingly created
Ground and linished all the welds ready for the wired edge to be welded on
Totally different design to the Dolphin double bass, which was the inspiration for the design
Front wired edge fully welded on
August 3rd (20 hours clocked so far)
Carefully blending the welds into the wired edge
some more shaping of the body, and some very fancy linishing and surface conditioning , I actually like this look !!! Hmmmm !!!
Shaping and welding the back wired edge
Inserting a designed snug fitting conical reducer to lock the Tail Pin into place
Linished the back wired edge, when mad with a surface conditioning pad, removed all scratches and digs, and created this holographic look, (which would look also left and a clear transparent coloured laquer over the top)
Thats about it for the body for now, I have the Bridge, the beautiful germand polished brass, tuning key assembly, from Bass works at Belair, I have an ebony finger board on the way, I will be designing some kinda awesome tail peice, and of course , the scroll and neck is the next thing..
I have Decided to make my own Tail Peice... to Die for...
Back when I was an Apprentice, we never had luxuries like laser cutters, so I have drawn out a flame design on the Ali,
Next after cutting out this design with my $12 Jig saw (same blade) I am using a technique know as draw filing, running the file and small needle files over the cut edge to smooth in the sharp edge created by the saw.
Next I want to make this beauty stand out, so I grab a peice of Titanium , which is probably the only titanium in Oz, seeing as I brought it from the UK with me.. I mark out the profile on the titanium after polishing it
Now, using a technique I perfected with making my Motorcycle exhausts, and as I dont have a Big ass propane torch, Into the kitchen and on with the gas hob,
One of my sidekick performance mufflers
A bit more fancy welding and shaping and here it is, An Aluminium tailpeice with a flame design Titanium flame burnt inset... the only one in the world.. haaa
A sneak Preview of what it should look like !!!
yes the Ebony neck has arrived, I have made the stainless steel wire for the tail peice, and will be adding some more fancy work to the scroll.
I have made provisions for the German made solid brass key adjusters.
including the Scroll and shaping the finger board, upto 13th August 49 hours labour
Auguat 21st
That is basically it... the finger board is just taped on, and the turning keys are not fitted, It plays, it looks stunning, I am stripping it down now to go for a complete Polish, then clear laquered, so the next time you see it , it will be complete,
it has took me a total; of 80 hours (excluding polishing and painting)
14th September
Off to Sam Harrison for some wicked pin striping
2nd September, and here is the Body Neck and Scroll fully mirror polished, thanks to Alan at Southside Metal Polishers , Meadows, great to meet him and his family,
