6 Steel Grinder / Skully's Bass VI Build

[skullservant]

Yeah I'm not quite sure what exactly I'll be using it for. I know the bassist in my band wanted me to build him a bass, and I wasn't going to do it for free, so I'd rather build myself something, and if he would like to use it he can.
I know I'll probably use it on my recording projects, and seeeee if I can get away with using it live, as we got a second electric guitar. Might be interesting to have electric/acoustic/bass/bass vi all at once, or a big huge mess haha

[skullservant]

EVAN. You're a flipping maniac.

[neonblack]

Yeah I'm not quite sure what exactly I'll be using it for. I know the bassist in my band wanted me to build him a bass, and I wasn't going to do it for free, so I'd rather build myself something, and if he would like to use it he can.
I know I'll probably use it on my recording projects, and seeeee if I can get away with using it live, as we got a second electric guitar. Might be interesting to have electric/acoustic/bass/bass vi all at once, or a big huge mess haha

Electric mandolin, guitar, baritone, bass vi, bass. And drums, I guess.

[skullservant]

hahaha that would rule

[braaandooon]

It'll be alder, which I've used previously but I've only ever stained once, it was an ebony stain. That's a question I was thinking of, how to stain the Alder a mild Mahogany before wiping and then putting the transparent finish on.

Want to try to go for something like this:

The biggest advantage to alcohol based stains is that they can be applied at any time, even after the guitar is finished, you can keep applying until desired color depth is reached.

For what your trying to accomplish I would first prep the body. Then apply a coat of dewaxed shellac.

Apply your mahogany aniline dye, I like a good ole fashioned hand rubbing here.

The magic happens on this coat when I would seal the mahogany stain in with another coat of dewaxed shellac, this is when wetsanding should start, and this step could be repeated a few times, this is usually the step that makes the grain pop in your finished product.

At this point you start hitting your guitar with color, aniline dyes come in plenty of shades. I use J.E. Mosers powder mixes, and mix with denatured alcohol.

You can finish with whatever youd like, but im a waterlox fanboy as its compatible with all types of stains, durable, and looks great gloss or satin, it is a tad pricey though.

Great examples of aniline dyes would be any gibson or prs transparent finish.

[skullservant]

Awesome! Thanks for the tips man. I'll definitely have to look into those when this gets rolling!!

[braaandooon]

No prob, that EGC body also has quite a bit of sapwood, thats what gives it that sort of blotchy lighter here, darker there effect. Depending on how much say so you have over the plank that is used, I'd try to request a body with quite a bit of sapwood.

[skullservant]

Definitely!!! I've learned so much today haha

[dub]

I'm pretty ignorant of the science (or the musical theory) But there's probably an optimal place to put the pickup for the most string travel, or harmonics? like 1/2, 1/4 of the scale length?

[ryan summit]

dude that reverse jag is the shit

[skullservant]

As far as a timeline goes, I'm not sure that I'll even be able to consider this until at least January or February of next year at this point

[neonblack]

Honestly, dude, after the first week or two of "holy shit I made a person and now I must keep this person alive" madness, it all settles into a routine. You'll probably have plenty of time to build for the first few months, since the baby will likely sleep all the time, and your wife will want to sleep any time the baby does. So, there's that to look forward to, at least.

[skullservant]

Yeah, we will see! We will be living with my wife's parents for about a year in a half starting about 2 weeks after the baby is born. So it'll be baby being born into us immediately moving, so it's like a 1-2 punch.

I honestly don't see having any sort of disposable income in that timeframe either haha. Still have about $250 to go on the EGC, then I need to pick up a few small things like a speaker for my 2x12 and some stuff I told my wife I would buy her

[neonblack]

Yeah, we will see! We will be living with my wife's parents for about a year in a half starting about 2 weeks after the baby is born. So it'll be baby being born into us immediately moving, so it's like a 1-2 punch.

I honestly don't see having any sort of disposable income in that timeframe either haha. Still have about $250 to go on the EGC, then I need to pick up a few small things like a speaker for my 2x12 and some stuff I told my wife I would buy her

Wow, that's pretty much exactly what happened to us. Moved in with my grandpa, and 3 days later, baby time. We weren't even done unpacking.

It can suck living with parents (or in-laws) but it will be nice to have the help, I'm sure.

My grandpa is too old to really take care of our kid very long. Little guy wears him out.

Anyways, good luck with everything.

And remember, don't feel bad about spending a little money on yourself here and there. Consider it sanity insurance.

[KaosCill8r]

Yeah, we will see! We will be living with my wife's parents for about a year in a half starting about 2 weeks after the baby is born. So it'll be baby being born into us immediately moving, so it's like a 1-2 punch.

I honestly don't see having any sort of disposable income in that timeframe either haha. Still have about $250 to go on the EGC, then I need to pick up a few small things like a speaker for my 2x12 and some stuff I told my wife I would buy her

Ouch! Moving house is one of the most stressful events on the planet. Add the arrival of a baby in the mix and it has the potential to burn you out big time. Then living with the in-laws can be taxing also. I know I've been there. Just take it as easy as possible doing it. Plan it out as thorough as you can and get as much help as you can. Don't be to proud to accept help. I'm sure there are some fellow fuzz lovers in your area willing to give you a hand.