12000 grit shine

Thought you may like seeing how this looks
sanded to 12,000 grit.
The pads in the photo range from1,500 - 12,000 and
every part of the bass is sanded with each one.

Start the oil sealing and finish tomorrow - takes a few days
depending on what it looks like and then it cures for two weeks.
Then it gets scary again....fret work, painting the control cavity which
takes 3 days...and that stuff is nasty...then installing the controls, pups-jack
bridge and machines and then make the nut - string it up- set it up and
all of that without harming the finish!
Please...if you have any extra luck..send it my way!




Sneak preview of the gold...gold frets too. Goes good with Am.



Bapu may notice a little plate....it's a license to operate it.
( hope you like the name plate Bapu.  if it doesn't play
it'll make a great clock)

I'm tired of sanding.

Spacey that looks amazing. I wish I had 1/4 of your talent! I'd love to pay you to build a strat for me some day, but I play left handed and that would be cruel and unusual punishment. :)

philz


Michael, that is exquisite!

+1

 
Awesome

Bub, even though I was born left handed (my mom changed that, kinda)
thinking of building a guitar is....weird. And note not saying I won't attempt it.
I will say if that ever happens...you'll pay for materials only.

Wookiee....I think it worked- I feel lucky today and will be oiling. Thank you!

Craig...it's a standard size tag...he could have it changed...

This is what luthiers and me are competing with...but not only that.

When one looks at something like Framus using this along with
having some of the best tone-woods in the world at their doorsteps
in the foothills of the alps...makes it tuff. ( they a subsidiary of Warwick)

They're not the only ones using the Plek machine.

Mike it is fantastic hearing you.
I too share your thoughts.

"Precision" for accuracy - where and how for the best results?
I've only just started and could write a book. Of course it would
be my opinion and one of a specific point in time - and really at this stage I'd rather let the instrument
I build do the talking.
As the guitar told me, the bass will tell Bapu if my "opinions" are of worth.
His feedback will be, ( win, lose or draw)  the real story.

That's gorgeous, Michael! 

chefmike8888


WOW!  

That's all I have to say about that.


Mike

+1 again, that is sexy [insert]catcalls[/insert]

That is one gorgeous work of art, spacey. 

spacey




Sneak preview of the gold...gold frets too. Goes good with Am.



Bapu may notice a little plate....it's a license to operate it.

Bapu?  What do you think about having a bass with a dongle?

Well then... since this is an exposed dongle, remember that one must keep one's dongle well-polished.

Thank you Russell and Alex!

I have before and I'm still looking at basses.
I can't believe the prices and I'm just considering
the wood- nothing about quality.
I've seen 3 hundred dollar basses with Babinga
bodies! That's insane when one factors in what
it costs somebody like me to get the wood with shipping costs. (if I can find it)

I couldn't purchase the wood to build the basses for what
they are selling for. 

My personal opinion is-if I were Bapu I'd be really looking things over
when this thing is finished.
I can see the build cost being worth it to me ONLY because I'm
building it.
Now I know that one built by a name like Pedulla is going to cost
3x up of what materials cost me. Even though I've never played his
(nor mine for that matter) I'm certain there is a big, big difference.
There is a cost difference in material too. He will use select Curly Maple
and other "select" woods that my skills currently don't warrant that
added expense. IMO. (it's only my second instrument)
A 5A curly maple top can easily be more than some of the basses I'm
looking at.

Not trying or wanting to be pessimist...it's just honestly the way
I see it. May seem strange to suggest that getting one built from
me at material cost is a, not so good deal...but
I have to call it as I see it.

Well it will be interesting to see if you see it that way too Bapu and
it does add interest to our ride.
We also picked out a very cool bass for comparison,
and that includes all aspects of the instruments.

Marius thank you.
I too am very excited and interested for Bapu to let us know.
I've hoped by sharing the process that others would enjoy and maybe
pickup on some info that may help them on their road. It was great to hear
you mention that.

After studying for so long I made the decision to reach for a certain quality
in wood so if things went south it wouldn't hurt so bad.
The cool thing is the wood that I'm using is perfect to get good sounds and
strong, stable necks- especially when combined with graphite rods as this is.

And after all there is another factor....only one person built this and it was built for one person...
Ibanez can't say that....but me and Bapu can. I guess that's worth something...just not
sure that I could put a dollar amount on something like that. But you're right...hearing
how it sounds when Bapu jams and what he thinks.....now that's gonna be cool for us.

Thanks again Marius and glad you're doing the trip with us.
Michael