Ep 5 - Finishing and demo - How to Build a P-style Bass Guitar

[@natsterjam]

WOW! That is one delicious bass! Love it, favourite build video so far. I think the pic guard looks right and in fact sexy with that unique scoring. Can not wait for the next bass build or indeed any build. Thanks for sharing Ben.

[@wolfstars20]

I’m about to get a Fender Affinity Precision Bass, It’s White and Black

[@tyronehewitt4986]

I like it its a strong bass

[@MrAZed209]

I liked the spalting too, and the carving of grooves was interesting. The pickguard treatment was something that I never would have thought of either. But the weirdest thing is the name Ben gave it. Must be Gaelic or something. He said “I’m calling it Dunphornow.”

[@typerexc]

A legend is born...

[@cfreeman5631]

Like the pickguard, has a brushed stainless look. Nice build. That's almost exactly the bass I have thought of building , except the fretboard, that was unexpected. Thanks. Ben.

[@GreyManFaustus]

I've been watching these videos for 4 or so years now and I must say, this is the first time I actually like the finished instrument. Super sleek!

[@wilhelmtheconquerer6214]

First time!? Wow dude, I much admit that Ben's super fancy woodworker-style of building artguitars rather than player's instruments is far from what I would play personally, but given the opportunity I'd absolutely love to own one of them because, again, they're pieces of art more than tools for making music

[@GreyManFaustus]

@@wilhelmtheconquerer6214 Fancy and ornamental is just not my thing, I rather love elegant simplicity. But that doesn't lessen the enjoyment of experiencing the building process, so here we are.

[@wilhelmtheconquerer6214]

@@GreyManFaustus that's fair I guess. Let's agree to disagree

[@owenbooth4403]

I'll admit... I was prepared to bemoan the scratchplate. I changed my mind; It looks fantastic!

[@mikester99]

I'm just getting back into playing the Bass again , after 15 or so years. It's an absolute pleasure playing and watching a build like this, really makes me wonder , why I ever stopped playing... I'm a lefty, SO I think it would Be alot of fun, to watch you do a lefty build. Beautiful instruments,,.. now do that lefty! ;)

[@LRBerry]

Very nice indeed. Will admit I like the scratchplate. Next, we need a production Crimson bass. The closeups of the body really showed the beauty of the spalting.

[@stevehamilton1972]

It's been a joy to watch this series on the bass building project. What a beauty.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

thank you. I really enjoyed this build too, and really really want to build more basses soon!

[@tho2ea]

Loved the bit you left in with the stuck cap @ 1:28 with the bass line to "The walk" playing over it. Just made me laugh.

[@emptyMan0]

I expected not to like the sanded pickguard, but the way you did it, it almost looks like wood. I love it.

[@poppy3215]

The smile on the bass player's face says how great the instrument is. Beautiful.

[@DaxterZA]

Ive never wanted a P style bass as much as this one! Amazing work man!

[@BenjaminSteber]

I have no problem with the scratch plate. I made a custom telecaster for a friend and I took the base scratch plate, scuffed it to hell, layered on epoxy and put a leather surface sheet on it. The telecaster itself was also not painted but covered in paisley. That leather scratch plate was a perfect look. Very proud of it for my first custom guitar build because it looks exactly like I wanted it to look while also having an adorable amateur scuffed feel.

[@echoes675]

Just re-watched this series again. We need more BASS!!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

good point, we really do!

[@MuttleyGameTube]

Stunning build, the pic guard it's just phenomenal 👏

[@alexandergriboedov4319]

The scratched plate was very good idea! Bass looks better than it would be with new looking pickguard

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you,:)

[@aipsong]

Nice work - you never let us down! I bought a second hand Fender Jazz Bass (from about 1976) many years ago with the intention of selling it here in Paris to pay for my flight to the states where I bought it. But it's still here and as they say, … to tear it from my cold dying hands ...

[@charlesdavall4474]

As basses go, that it is one fine creation. Bravo.

[@CanyonWanderer]

Oh man, the birdseye works really great on the fretboard and indeed the structured striping on the pick guard is really spot on, now all is in place it really shows! As a (hobby) bass player this would easily go to No 1. spot

[@jamesh5460]

Wow! the fret board and the body are a perfect match. This bass looks amazing!

[@carlosmacmartin4205]

Beautiful bass and wood selection. An alternative fretboard I would have considered, black Bog Oak. 😁 Thanks for sharing, mate. Greetings from San Francisco, California, USA 🇺🇸Cheers!

[@Emily_M81]

I love the fretboard. I love the pickguard/scratchplate and how it sets off/contrasts the rest.

[@stf_skp]

10/10 scratchplate. Elegant, discrete and timeless. Great build overall

[@oscarestrada72oe]

Thank you for doing this series of videos... thank you for building a bass guitar... now please make more bass guitars for sale...

[@spanishdragon5063]

Greetings and Salutations from The U.S.A. O...M....Gosh !!!!! Absolutely Gorgeous piece of craftsmanship. STUNNING !!! Carry on young man.

[@chrissycolemancc]

More spalted wood please Mr Crowe!! Also, love the scratch plate......caffeinated genius ☕️

[@DavidGuyton]

It's glorious

[@pakov1]

Was not sure about the body, but real wow! And the neck, just a beautiful piece of art!

[@danandratis]

Scratch plate is very nice, the spaulting and fret board are beautiful - loved the series

[@madmaskbass]

Thankyou for building a bass. I love your channel for a long time and the last few builds especially!! The paduak pointy, the bog oak and this one are the best I have seen (all of them). Basses have always pushed innovation a bit more than guitar electronically and in design aswell. Modern guitar is finally catching on mainly pushed by people like you! The biggest thing that you have taught me is the line between respecting and showing off beautiful woods but also pushing away from the norm and this build is a perfect example of that. Thanks again and look forward to the next bass!!

[@seanmcgeeney4570]

Absolutely wonderful Ben!! I thoroughly enjoyed the videos of the birth of this beautiful bass. Now I know who I would love to have build my next bass. You're an absolute legend!! Warmest wishes, and blessings from Ireland.

[@UBRLND-X]

Love the scratch plate technique and the spaulding. very nice looking bass!

[@Kraven7Metal]

Very nice and beautiful bass! Classic sound 👏👏👏 ...Remember the Jazz bass with dark woods. 😎

[@jakeallama22]

You my friend are living my dream! Beautiful build!

[@dalgguitars]

I'm always amazed by your sustained creativity. Your video builds are a cannon of work that is envious at best and jealousy inducing at worse. Even this simple “P” bass is creative and gorgeous. Thank you so much for these videos!

[@robinmorris5416]

Kudos sir, you are a true English Artisan, you have skills and tools that would make you be at home just as equally in the middle ages as well as today. I'll also say that my meager chances aside, ever who gets to own this bass will indeed have a one of a kind instrument. There's a lot of magic in that alone.

[@Jester-Riddle]

Is saying that Ben will 'be at home just as equally in the middle ages as well as today' brown-nosing to say that Ben is 'young', or insulting by meaning that he is 'old' … ? LoL

[@robinmorris5416]

@@Jester-Riddle neither. Just saying that he has the skills, to pay the bills. So to speak.

[@JustPlayingBass]

Just stunning. Great choice with the scratchplate. I can't wait to hear it when it has settled in. Stay safe.

[@nadiapaiva8170]

My favourite build so far just because it is a bass hahaha I love the pickguard, although I thought I wouldn't, but I would like it better without the carving of the body

[@steveharding5807]

Loved watching the entire process of the build. You sir are a true craftsman. I don't usually like the spalted look but really like what you've done with it. And when you sanded the scratplate I thought NOOOO !!! but it looks fantastic. Whoever gets the bass , they are getting a quality instrument. Looking forward to another bass build. Maybe a jazz with super funky block and bound neck. Thanks for keeping me entertained during lockdown .

[@kjemradio]

Three things I would change. 1. using Hipshots bass bridge because it is as close to the Leo Quan Badass II Bridge used on bases in the 80s. 2. I would have selected Crimson Guitars Stunning Stains and concocted a beautiful teal or ocean blue for the body and clear it with a satin finish. Finally I would have mixed up some vintage amber stain for the neck and headstock to give it that old school vibe of the 70s. :-) Awesome bass Ben! Hope you'll do another!

[@dtcoas]

The scratch plate is a great accent against the spalting and that beautiful oak fretboard.

[@5.56Chronicles]

Makes me want to start my build soon. Bog Oak and Macassar Ebony.

[@Robil63]

You read my mind at least re: black plastic pickguard.. but you made it work! 👏

[@paulpocock5888]

Just watched this last night. I'm a bass player, which is how i got to here. Then I discover you run bass build courses..... Oh dear, gonna be a long trip to Dorset from the North East. Also, I thought it looked great with the pick guard. See you soon...

[@nzsteve]

Beautiful look, beautiful sound. Great to see a bass being built at last :-)

[@davemeggison4283]

Very nice!! As a guitarist its lovely to see you doing something for our simple cousins in the bass community ;)

[@SquashDaBeef]

Watching this series made me think about my life choices :)

[@jeremydavies1813]

Brilliant - loved the build. Now, have I got the where-with-all to try to build one myself . . . sure!

[@carstenh530]

Dear Ben, I am absolutely thrilled with the new bass guitar you have built. For many months I have been waiting for exactly that. The bass looks really great and also the pick guard with the strips fits perfectly to the grain of the wood. Should you ever consider selling the bass, raffle it off or get rid of it in any other way, I hope to watch the video in time and have a chance to get the bass. Anyway, thanks for the great instructions, keep up the good work. My favorite luthier :o)

[@jakethebard]

That is a great looking bass! I personally love what you did with the scratch plate.

[@colmwatulikededazio973]

Wow , what a delightfull looking instrument . That fret board is such a thing of beauty . Inspired scratch plate was a great fresh option. Overall its a keeper mate . Id never be letting that un go either . Great build and not to much gab .Overall a success mate . keeep em comming , yeah.

[@GRIBBO-77]

Just watched this whole series. Impressed is an understatement. Nice work

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you

[@wrap-itsolutions2387]

Great video (again!) Ben. I learn so much every time. The fact that you are willing to share all these little trade secrets/tricks is awesome. We really appreciate it!!

[@smiffy5467]

That's a real beautiful bass... With a quite literal scratch plate..

[@jomamma1750]

Sweet woodwork!! The reason that soldering is not your forte is that you are soldering improperly. Use a 30 watt iron, solid core Lead(60/40) solder and flux, and before you touch your iron to the joint dip the iron in tinning flux. Your joints will be flawless and you will be happy!! Hope this helps, and thank you immensely for the detailed video. Peace

[@mikehoward587]

I prefer 6 strings to 4, I am not a bass player, but that bass might take me there. Awesome look. Love the scratch plate.

[@FaceBassFieldy]

What a lovely looking bass guitar. Fine work Ben.

[@monrominee]

As much as I simply can't bring myself to be excited about another p bass clone, I gotta say this is a very clean build.

[@eldie3d]

It turned out beautiful!!! Simply gorgeous!!! The scratched pickguard was a great idea!!! Not many people would think of doing something like that!! Great job!!!

[@jerzycapala8426]

One of the cutiest p- basses I have seen in my entire life. Looking forward to see more builds like this. And I'm steeling the pickguard sanding trick ;) Thanks so much for being there and sharing all that magic with us.

[@eliotmccann2589]

This was certainly worth the wait. Beautiful bass.

[@daveflood1555]

Great. Love the woods used. I especially like the spalding and where you chose to have it. That is to say oriented on the upper horn, Scratched scratch plate looks good.

[@maakatipa4613]

Wow! Love the acoustics unplugged. Beautiful instrument. Nice to watch an artist at work.

[@ianthomson9363]

It's a lovely instrument- understated but with closer inspection the details make it special, much like bass players in general! Great finish on the scratchplate- another inspired idea from the maestro. The video's only been up for three hours and the bass is already sold. I'm not at all surprised.

[@ralphy3393]

I watched all 5 videos; one right after the other. This was so interesting, and has encouraged me to want to learn luthier skills! Thanks so much friend! I loved watching this bass build!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you too. That is exactly what Ben is all about! DC

[@AndyMartin401]

Looks and sounds great Ben. The new owner will be a very lucky person.

[@audiotechlabs4650]

Bravo! Ben you are fantastic! Some time in the future.....how about a short scale bass with electric-acoustic pickups? I KNOW you can do it and it would be another masterpiece! Thanxz, oh stay safe and healthy!

[@PaulWilliamsheiowge]

Love it. Nice to see a bass build for a change. Building my first bass atm. Building the bass I always wanted but couldn't afford - 6 string fretless, so vids like this give me ideas and inspiration. Would love to see more bass builds in the future.

[@jeffcampanale3540]

Kick ass! And the black pickguard goes great with the woodgrain.

[@williamcummings6562]

That was a great series. Nice to see you make a bass this time. Great work!

[@chkoumoun7056]

This bass is incredible the wood on the body and on the neck , its a piece of art and i realy like the body guard use by sandpaper make it so unique . Awsome bass ^^

[@fredfunf3456]

One of the best I've seen you build. Fantastic.

[@sgsax]

Really beautiful job on this one. If it was me, I would have left it au naturale with no pick guard at all, but I know I'm different that way. However, the way you lightly scratched the guard did give it a unique look that ultimately went well with the contrasting spalting on the rest of the body. I enjoyed this series thoroughly, and while my own J-bass build will not be nearly this dramatic, I'm still taking a bunch of tips from watching this series. Thanks for sharing!

[@pwhite102]

It looks awesome! I love the classic fender shapes as a template to work around and have fun with

[@aleksandarmijajlovic9870]

Bass is excellent, the choice of wood is ideal! It looks powerful!!!

[@davidhill5684]

I had serious doubts about the treatment on the guard, but on second viewing I'm sold on it! I can see it goes well against the grain. Good build!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you David, I was going for subtlety there and it was almost too subtle imo, but I am very happy with the end result. Thank you for watching! B

[@mikeenos4040]

Oh my she is beautiful.... As a bass player there is nothing like a good old P bass can't beat it .... Great build looks good ...so ok on my phone , but would really have to hear lt in person to really tell. Great job from start to finish ... Wondering what a build like that would cost... lot of time and work ... Thanks for sharing that build with us..

[@jameslewis2635]

One of these days Ben's going to spill his coffee and then use that as a stain for the wood.

[@Metalbass10000]

Yes. I've thought the same thing for a couple years. Hopefully soon, and hopefully a very, very rich, dark roast, plenty of tannins, and maybe just seconds after a thick bit of dark chocolate, black cherry creme has been added, but NOT YET stirred in... I suddenly know what to prepare for dessert tonight for my wife and I... And I also have a fireworks display of ideas for finishes I need to begin experimenting with for very near future guitar and bass builds... I've some pieces of figured Claro Walnut, Ziricote, Cocobolo, intensely figured Wisconsin (Rock) Sugar Maple, a few reclaimed pieces of figured, spalted Rock Maple that I've already cut into book matched pairs, and even a figured Mahogany, that may need to experiment with. Thank you for the spark of imagination! I haven't used coffee as even a component of a wood coloring since I did some living room tables and shelves, and that was probably 16 or 17 years ago.

[@greenmile9496]

I used to work in a prison back in the 1980’s where the inmates made hobbycraft projects out of wooden match & popsicle sticks. Being that chemicals were not allowed, they used instant coffee to stain the wood & controlled the shade by varying the concentration.

[@jameslewis2635]

@@greenmile9496 Okay, I think we have Ben's next series planned out. A high quality guitar made out of match and popsicle sticks with the wood being stained by coffee.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

James Lewis Match sticks??? Can I burn it??? 😁

[@greenmile9496]

Crimson Custom Guitars 🤣 I think Hendrix beat you to that one!! 🎸🔥

[@RetroPlus]

I wasn't a fan of the pickguard until you sanded it, that was a good choice!

[@JCFNor]

Beautiful bass! I liked that you kept its natural colour!

[@sharpie0089]

Wicked thought for the pickguard... Carve down to the white layer and make it look like the inverse of the spalting in the Ash body. Make the spalt lines meet up from the body to the pickguard and carry through. Just a thought for a future build, or a secondary pickguard.

[@vince8081]

Great work again ! This looks very nice, woods are beautiful, and i love natural woods on bass. I'm guitarist but also bassist and waited a long time to see a bass building from you, so thanks for that.

[@kennethcostello5987]

No doubt about it best looking bass of the year so far can we get more bass builds Ben?? Plz

[@ted13]

I love the idea of sanding the scratch plate. I may even do it on one of mine. The bass looks fantastic, great work as always 👍

[@timcarter1164]

Quite simply a beautiful build. Great sounding Bass, whoever ends up with it is a very lucky individual. For your next Bass you should build a completely original design.

[@blueangel333333]

Greetings from France ! Very loved your build (would see a little more massive bridge, this on is very simple)

[@AdrienJCrozet]

Amazing as always! I thought "Nooooo" when you brought out the scratch plate, but it's actually great and ties it all together. Spalting texture is a fantastic touch as well!

[@delauve]

Very very nice job Ben!! 👌🏼👏🏼👏🏼😊🙌🏼congrats man!!🤘🏼💪🏼💪🏼

[@drampadreg1386]

Something you might want to invent, well adapt or whatever is guitar wrapping, like with cars these days. People bring in the guitar so you can disassemble it and do the wrap, some have t texture to them too and put it back together and for a while, it's like a different guitar that feels like the last one. Hemp, burlap, vinyl and on and on. Plus a way to waterproof fabrics for tons of stuff is just put Mylar over your fabric, (natural fabric!) and brush acetone over it to fuse the Mylar with your fabric, could be nice for some finishes. Anyway just some abstract thoughts, great video and gret job as well so thanks for posting the video.

[@DaylightRaider]

Very helpful series Discovered in the middle of building my own bass

[@fearpocalypse8062]

Not gonna lie I was kinda disappointed you were doing a pick guard with it but when it all came together it looked freaking awesome!

[@solidsneakie]

That spalted body with the contouring is really lovely.

[@mikeivey8471]

Another smashingly beautiful instrument !! Well done , Sir !! Well Done !!

[@9thdeltaconcepts652]

nice artistic touch with the pick guard treatment

[@The1979spike]

Loved this series. Initially wondered wtf with the scratchplate but turned out nice. It's a great looking bass now. Look forward to the through neck bass :)

[@christophermacier]

I just bought a bunch of luthier tools from Crimson today. Super excited to get them.

[@BLBlackDragon]

As always, absolutely gorgeous. Love what you did with the scratch plate. You were right. Shiny black would have ruined the look.

[@Clairvoyant81]

I like the subtlety of the carves following the spalting. Nice detail that doesn't ruin the look of the instrument from a bit farther away. Same goes for the regular scratches on the scratchplate. Looks pretty much "matte black" from farther away, but is a really awesome detail from up close. Great look overall, I really like it.

[@fks299]

I'm thinking the world needs its first five string fretless bass with sustainer, synth pickups and locking trem. Let me check.......yep need that!

[@psnaith1]

Very cool! Would have loved to see the colors of the stains that you were originally considering. Nice work as always Ben!