My First Build

[thumbslam]

Hello lefty brethren, I have been sort of quietly working up to building basses. This is not in any way intended to be an advertisement to sell to you guys although that’s something down the road as I get a few builds under my belt I might entertain eventually. I’m just pretty excited and wanted to share with you guys. The first few are for me as I sold over ten of my most favorite basses to help fund my shop I put together for repairs and building. I don’t even want to say how much I have invested in equipment, tools, and everything that goes into a pretty well-equipped shop.

This is just the body and the neck I bought from G&L so it’s not a true full build but I wanted to start slowly and build up my skills and crawl then walk then run. But I have every intention of doing fanned fret, single cut, neck through just about everything I have ever wanted.

I’m not ruling out Fendery type builds but it’s not something I really want to go after as there are already sooo many great builders doing it. Good thing this is not for income hell it would take years to pay off what I have invested it’s for the sheer love of basses and the joy of building. I’ll post a few pics as its progresses I should have it together in the next week or so.

Thanks for everyone who has been supportive personally and on Facebook it really helps keeping the excitement and commitment going. Andrew if I should have posted somewhere else I apologies.

[Matt R.]

I dig the body shape. Very exciting, and looking forward to checking out your journey. Good luck

[thumbslam]

Thanks Matt the wood is greenheart and it's a heavy as lead. I needed to make a small footprint for the body shape and wanted to have a little fun. It's not something I'm going to cover a Tool song with I wanted to make a funky jam band sort of bass and it's a 21 fret so I can pretend I know how to slap on it.

[superheavydeathmetal]

When you do start to make basses commercially, don't forget to add on your website:

($200 upcharge for right-handed models)

[pjmuck]

Thanks Matt the wood is greenheart and it's a heavy as lead. I needed to make a small footprint for the body shape and wanted to have a little fun. It's not something I'm going to cover a Tool song with I wanted to make a funky jam band sort of bass and it's a 21 fret so I can pretend I know how to slap on it.

Looking really great. Horns remind me a little of a Pedulla on roids. Q: Did you intend for it to be "heavy as lead" though?

[thumbslam]

Thanks guys .... no it's not heavy with the body size I designed. The body weight is right over 5.5 Lb I think it will be about 9 when fully assembled or less. I did as much body carving and routing as possible. I like basses about 8.5 to 9.5 generally but balance is as important if not more for how it will feel standing up with it for an hour or two. If it was the same shape as and as big as a Fender 5 string body it would be 13 - 15 Lb no way!

[gravesbass]

Nice job Joe.... I am sure they will just get better and better with your attention to detail.

[paulo]

Wow it's looking awesome, congrats!

[fivebass52]

I see various influences in there, and all combined tastefully! i like the large, easy-carry handle too!