Ep 1 - Shaping the Body - How to Build a P-style Bass Guitar

[@natsterjam]

YES, YES and YESSS! My 3 favourite things: 1. It's a bass. 2. It's a P bass. 3. It has some amazing woods. Please for the love of god don't hide those amazing woods when finishing this bass! Thank you Ben so much for this build! I can't wait to see the finished instrument. Edit: How about a nice dark wood for the knob plate? How about pearl fretboard inlays but different planets?

[@robertsparkman8516]

Ovation did a planet fretboard years ago. Saturn at the 12th.

[@natsterjam]

@@robertsparkman8516 Ah, didn't know that and that is exactly what I would have suggested, shucks!

[@Bassalicious]

That's some great ideas, very tasteful. I gotta research that ovation, sounds very pretty but it could be too bling for my taste too.

[@robertsparkman8516]

@@Bassalicious I remember it being light blue deep bowl. Local music store owner showed it to me about the time I got a 1984 collector series. So long ago.

[@MrFuzzwuzzle]

“I’m going to build a very standard bass” Episode 35, fitting the led touch screen

[@worsethanhitlerpt.2539]

Why build a standard bass you could just buy at a store? I build them with either a crazy shape or a classic shape w/ weird pickups.

[@MrFuzzwuzzle]

@@worsethanhitlerpt.2539 its the joke that he starts what should be a 3 or 4 episode standard build that turns into these wild elaborate projects that run for 20 episodes AND WE LOVE IT

[@flynnwatson5971]

Next he’s going to be building a bass for Chris Wolstenholme of Muse 😂

[@craigsummerville8823]

Ben: “This will be a very simple and straightforward P-bass.” Me: “Bwahahahaha! No, it won’t! It’s Ben, he won’t be able to restrain himself!”

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

I fear you are correct.. you know me so well! B

[@marcospereira8405]

More bass Ben please. I am a bassplayer from Uruguay. I started watching your chanel since you did the relic on a PRS guitar

[@amydpnw]

MORE BASSES!! Also, don’t hide that gorgeous wood!! Would like to see more carving tho.

[@dso2525]

I quite enjoyed this editing style and didn't feel like I missed any important information thanks to the short explanations texts added, it also helps that it's a simple build and you used common tools. I'm really enjoying this so far! That's some pretty wood too, can't wait to see the neck!

[@johngrant5749]

dso2525 common tools in your garage like a router table, bandsaw, router, belt sander, disk sander, electric drill as opposed to a few simple hand tools 😳🤔

[@chaffinpoole5409]

As a bass player who just started building instruments, this is an amazing guide to watch

[@yetanotherbassdude]

"Bass players are getting very vocal about me building a bass" You know you're in trouble if you've made the bass players start talking!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

This! Every damn video 'but it isn't a BASS is it??' well it is this time guys! It bloody is this time!!! ;) B

[@mykhough6614]

@@CrimsonCustomGuitars But it's only got 4 strings!

[@SidViscious]

I started fixing wreckage off of Goodwill. I am just starting to scratch build. This makes where I am real to me. Thank You for this.

[@ethanpech9914]

I never thought the Thor Ragnarok guy would teach me how to build a bass, Nice video! 👌🏼

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

lol.. I gotta have a hobby to while away the weeks between red carpets and movie shoots :)

[@ethanpech9914]

@@CrimsonCustomGuitars Don't worry Luthier Karl Urban, your secret Is safe with me ;)

[@albertoplasencia1735]

BEAUTIFUL mister Crimson... I did my own job and brewed my own piece in order to have some spalted wood. (horseshit, beer, wild leafs from trees and 6 months of curing)... I have to admit that I love your videos, as a noobie luthier, I just love the way you work... regards!!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you Alberto, sounds like an excellent brew! B

[@hannahpumpkins4359]

OMG, finally - FINALLY - a bass! It's about time!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

I agree! B

[@kevinandreoli3176]

Really enjoying this style of video. Enough info in the text. People can always watch the earlier full tutorials.

[@jackkuberski4971]

Love the bass, looks great so far! But did anyone else think he looked like bane with the mask on?

[@beardofben1718]

Woohoo about time Mr Crowe 👍

[@jimbecker5675]

The simplicity of design with the P-Bass combined with that material is going to make a very striking instrument!

[@timdeeter8197]

I've been watching your videos for years. Because of this, I built my first bass from a kit. I've modded all of my basses, and now I'm building from scratch. All from watching you from across the pond. Thank you.

[@pullmanator89]

FINALLY A BASS!!!! SO HAPPY FOR THIS. BEN I WANT YOU TO BUILD A BASS LIKE THE LAST FEW GUITARS YOU DID. SOMETHING OUT OF THIS WORLD! YOU MADE THIS BASS PLAYER VERY HAPPY

[@johnharrisjr.351]

Even before you said it, I started to believe I need to find a beautiful slab of something in the garage and get out my tools.

[@robertbaker5445]

clear stain finish, to protect the spalted areas, and be low gloss, to allow the grain to shine through!

[@roberthurless4615]

I am very glad to see that you use proper eye and ear protection. And that you keep a clean shop.

[@funkyfender1]

Very straight, very standard P Bass .... oh no you won’t! Ben! It’ll be ‘spaltingly’ bonkers, because it you building it... loving the fun...!

[@BritProgJazz]

Yay!!! My 12yr old daughter has been waiting forever for you to build a bass! Keep up the fantastic work, and stay safe and well!!!

[@jeroen914]

yes! that was about friggin' time! looking forward to the next episodes...

[@ApexWoodworks]

Ben, I love your use of spalted wood for the body; it's the perfect canvas for what will undoubtedly become a lovely guitar. One thing I'd like to emphasize though, is the need for you to wear a dust mask to protect your lungs whenever you're sanding any wood. Spalted or otherwise, because studies have now concluded that spalted wood is no more hazardous to your health than non-spalted woods. But the dust of all woods - and some species moreso than others - pose a serious health hazard. Let's all wear dust masks when sanding, folks! On a more positive note, I admire the practice of putting your tools away and cleaning up after each step has been completed. Efficient shop practice.

[@scottreeves1226]

A bass build is welcome! As for special things: chrome on a Cadillac. If it doesn't improve tone, comfort, and playability I don't care about it. That said, that spalted ash is a treat!

[@aipsong]

Another fantastic educational video!! And in the bonus tracks, I learned new protection against that nasty virus - lightning speed action. Thanks, and stay well, we need you!!!

[@g.s.9393]

FINALY!!! I was watching your videos all this time and I was hoping for a bass series! Start filming more basses and maybe a bass diy kit would be great too.

[@BrynBardsley]

Would love to see a spalted cap on the headstock, front and back. Is there enough from the body off cuts?

[@avielkharrat5788]

That pièce of wood if f***in' amazing, Ben! The way you put it make it seem that the bass has tatoos on its arm. Lovely. I hope all of you guys are safe and healthy. Keep it up.

[@joshuasenic8870]

YES! Finally! I knew you had it in you Ben. :) Awesome spalted body.

[@lnkd70]

Ha! I knew it wasn’t that simple to built a bass! 😎 Just love everything that’s made with bare hands.

[@Hateweek1984]

This video has become my go to....for my fathers Jazz bass build....just waiting on my router bits...

[@user-bo8yt4uc8b]

That’s very considerate of you to keep it simple, and have those text explanations for bass people. The part where you had deep troughs, may have gone over their heads though.

[@hakancarlsson2881]

Fuck you Glenn! 😁

[@johnvanrems]

Ben, we all (most of us) see you working on some projects. With all respect for the work of your students. The craftsmanship and the creativity was the reason, I guess, that most of us watch you working on some awesome guitars.

[@curtschmidt918]

I can't wait to see the finished product!

[@xSupermanstightsx]

Finally! I knew this day would come as angels descend from heaven carrying one beautiful note lol. Ben has something up his sleeve, I've been subscribed for years! He's a pioneer, and one of the most creative I've ever seen! Keep whoopin ass Ben!

[@jamesh5460]

Yes! Yes! Yes! I am very excited for this build! Awesome.

[@skarsoul5362]

FINALLY A BASS! I can't wait to see what you do to "Ben-ify" a classic like Leo's venerable P-bass design.

[@micahreinhart5738]

You're videos are amazing to learn from, I jsut turned 17 and I've sold a handmade bass, electric uku, and a guitar, and made.many more. I also sell hand carved sculptures I learned to make from watching you with a chisel and carving the exoskeleton on the complication, thanks so so much

[@mashbrown8622]

Ooo that intro placement. I'm gonna imagine it happening around 1:31

[@decomputerleraarable]

A super piece of wood. Lovely. Rob

[@gaming4sanity243]

In isolation, haven't played bass before. Might as well build one and play it I guess!

[@davethepius]

They're like guitars, but more useful for shaking things off walls. I once destroyed a tray of glasses at a bar gig this way. Twas entertaining.

[@squirlmy]

@@davethepius playing rock, I presume? It's not rock n' roll unless things get f'd up!

[@squirlmy]

Even without much for tools, one can make a one-string boom stick or an electrified washtub bass. Oddly satisfying to plug one into an amp and make things shake!

[@rafaelluizeu]

Oh man, I just spent almost the entire night watching your videos! I wanna learn that and do it myself! Amazing work of yours!

[@BungaEBiker]

FINALLY!!! Us low end thumpers were starting to feel left out. The only thing I would change, and this is just my thing, would be the orientation of the arm contour. I would move it forward so it's on top of the hip and into the waist. That's where my forearm generally falls and on almost every P Bass I play the contour is in the wrong place.

[@davedupuis2069]

It's about time! I suspect that one of your surprises may be LED fret markers, otherwise there would be no reason a P bass would need a wiring hole drilled from the neck pocket to the pickup cavity. I guess we'll wait and see 😀

[@arturpietrek100]

"But I'm gonna do something...one or two things maybe that are a little bit...interesting". Ben, crazy, the word is crazy 🤣

[@christophervaca7116]

The grain looks sweet. I love this format, very easy for me to follow along. Great job.

[@tahoemike5828]

This looks like it will be a very cool and beautiful project. I wanted to say that first... This video is SO over edited!!! I am at a bit of a loss as to how to be polite and constructive - vs - being honest. While in doubt, I'm going with honest. I'm half way through this video and I am beside myself how much I hate this editing style. Please, just film it and post it in real time. Watching you talk as you go, get distracted, drink coffee, geek out over hand tools, take two steps forward and one back is half the fun. This was over so fast, we didn't even have time to share a cup of coffee. I waited all week for this video, and honestly, it's a let down. A three hour live stream of this would have been awesome. None of us has anything better to do on lockdown day whatever this is, than to spend all Saturday afternoon watching you build this bass in extreme detail. It's not like I have to get it watched before the game starts. I understand wanting to appeal to the short attention span theater types, but people with short attention spans don't learn to play instruments, and they sure don't make them by hand. Ben, you built an awesome online brand putting out the best guitar building videos on KZbin, bar none. Lately you seem hellbent on making them faster, flashier, and more efficiently at the expense of detail, feel, and the viewer experience. There is a name for that way of doing things: Gibson. I am a fan of yours brother. If I didn't care, I wouldn't have taken the time to speak up. I hope you and yours, and all the team at Crimson are healthy, safe, and getting through. This too shall pass. ~Mike

[@freeelectron8261]

Yes - a King Crimson Bass!!!

[@jlinnseagle7555]

I love this guy. Great guitar builder.

[@NelsonGago]

Liking the new Ben... so much tidier. 👌

[@waynenunn5290]

I'm digging that swamp wood.

[@seeteasea5497]

Oh my fucking hell yes Ben! I’ve been waiting for this for years and you were waiting for a world wide crisis before being the absolute hero you are and releasing a bass build just win the world needed it most! Ben Crowe for PM!!!!

[@adamsdrivingschool2072]

What an amazing beautiful piece of Ash! Love how the grain popped during the carving!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Me too, that is one of the best parts of a build. B

[@NoPlaceForTheDead]

I like where this is going. Keep it simple and straight forward. Bodies are the easy fun parts. I look forward to see what stupid simple straight up techniques you use for the neck build and fret cutting.

[@josephlevacher995]

Yeah!!! it's a bass! Can't wait to see if you're going to make some other designs. Thank you from a low end lover. Joe

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

I am looking forward to working on more basses in the near future. Got a few custom order guitars to build first but then we are there! B

[@elbobbygato4190]

Yes yes. Please start doing more Basses

[@chogumchonsa]

The wood is stunning.

[@bryonjohnson4391]

I just finished my first bass guitar. Your tutorial was absolutely essential. It plays great and I couldn’t be happier.

[@Ponabarte]

Hey Bryon, did you use a template like Ben did in the video and if yes, where did you get it from? Cheers

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Hey Fabian, drop us an email through crimsonguitars and we'll sort you out with a set of them.. we're expanding our range of templates massively right now. B

[@Ponabarte]

@@CrimsonCustomGuitars nice, thanks lads!

[@alanwalker1698]

Glad t see another new build!!!!!

[@skawa80]

Ben, in your performance it is art, as always👍🤘🍻

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thanks a ton! B

[@rockpilerising]

I don't play Bass but who cares? Watching Ben build and create is always a pleasure :) Stain and clear coat would look great with that wood.

[@jrbass62]

I would have rear routed the control cavity on the rear. Beautiful bass!!

[@paullawson300]

Yeh !!!! Thanks for giving us Bass players some love Ben. My 2nd PJ bass build using stunning stains is almost complete and already have a 3rd on the bench (a jazz bass) Love the videos

[@Bassalicious]

Yes! Finally a proper sized neck again :D

[@PatTheDude999]

Great piece of wood. I'd like to see it in a combination of white - black - red... But what ever it will look like, I'm sure it'll be just amazing.

[@applebutter4036]

Dude makes it look so easy.

[@JansenX12]

I think someday when i got the Money, Time and Idea i order a lefty Guitar from you Ben :D That would make a cool video too i think.

[@angusmackay7281]

Next on Crimson guitars: Ben carves a body with a chainsaw and it still only needs fine sanding when he's done. Also, the positioning of the template on the blank is perfect. These judgements are such a big part of this.

[@thomasmiles7325]

You’re still kicking butt Ben.

[@Jaythebass]

This is going to be amazing once it’s finished! So glad you’ve done a bass. Although it could Do with a J bridge pickup! ;)

[@watahyahknow]

yup yup

[@AndyFriedl]

These are the style of videos that inspired me, a non guitar player, to make a guitar. So much inspiration watching someone do it. One thing I notice more is how you route the body shape to avoid tear out. I didn't pick up on this when I first watched these kind of vids. You were talking to me when you said someone building in their garage with limited tools. I did this! Web search for "andyfriedl supersonic" if you want to see how I did it. Thanks for the motivation!

[@kev8227]

Yes! finally! as a long time suscriber and bass player on lockdown this made me very very happy to see you doing this. Thank you for lifting my spirit during these mad times.

[@F4Phantom5657]

Great video I love the close UPS and the call outs. Great job

[@pmjd42]

Just watching you keep your workspace tidy and clean is art in itself.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you! I have wasted what feels like YEARS looking for tools I just put down and am trying to beat myself into good habits.. B

[@pmjd42]

@@CrimsonCustomGuitars i am more used to working with metal...+/- 2 microns...but the same applies. am watching the bass build vids, thanks.

[@richdonahue2664]

Ben! We need more videos. Locked down on quarantine and it feels like an eternity waiting for more stuff!

[@alexhodges211]

All about the Bass ... wow! Excellent! (Kinda cornered into it but look how much fun you’re having) Liking this format lots ... editing works well with speeding up and not missing anything, with instructive voice overs. Giving what is otherwise impossible when doing the ‘Bane’ impression with the face mask ... having the mic inside the face mask could make for an awesome take sonically ... Appreciate the use of tools which mere mortals can utilise. Task list easy to create from this. Loving the spalted ash (well I would, wouldn’t I). Looking forward to the next three episodes ...

[@ProtobluesDG]

I just started planning out how to build my first bass guitar build. This is perfect timing.. Thank you!

[@outdooryooper]

Love the Spalting. Looking forward to a better view of the wood for the neck and fingerboard and, as always, can't wait to see how you make it your own - you're always providing inspiration!

[@kilpikonnatortugas]

Excellent finally a bass! most glorious

[@JustPlayingBass]

Yey a bass at last. Really looking forward to seeing the process. Light honey stain. High gloss finish. Maple fingerboard...maybe some bling with led fret markers? Lovely bit off wood to start out with. And as always, thanks for a great show.

[@njp2k914]

As somebody who cannot build, make anything, do anything productive with my hands, I wish I could do this!!

[@CraigH999]

I really enjoyed this format! Nice to see bass guitars getting some Crimson love! 😘😊

[@blueangel333333]

I m impressed by the accuracy of the drilling, by hand !!

[@clayhopkins7230]

Power or hand, I just love watching.

[@timothycormier3494]

I just went back into some of your older videos trying to figure out just how long I’ve been watching this channel. I know it’s at least five years or more. But anyway I came across a video from 8 years ago. Titled “are 3d printed guitars the future of guitar building” or something like that. It made me laugh. Given all the beautiful lumber you’ve used for your guitars. Even resin! But it might be safe to say that thankfully 😅. 3D printing has not made its cold and ugly way into taking over the world of amazing beautiful woods in instrument building. Thanks again for sharing your craft Ben and company!

[@ivhanserviento8346]

Woah!!!! a P-Bass 😍😍😍 I wish I could have one of your work 😭 I'm your #1 fan here in Philippines ❤️❤️

[@Fozzy2780]

I was just saying to myself the other day, "I wonder if he will ever do a bass guitar." ..... and here you are!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

It is long long overdue! Sorry. B

[@MuttleyGameTube]

Spelt headstock it's a must, maybe just a veneer of the leftover from the body. For the neck would be great a 5/7 piece maybe two layers of black veneers too.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

I agree..! B

[@justinlarson275]

That "swamp Ash" get you Everytime!! Lmao! That's a fine piece of "Ash"!!

[@JeffGillis1]

That is a beautiful instrument. Wow, just wow! Ben you’re a seriously gifted luthier.

[@leedoss6905]

I used to work in a cabinet shop years ago making raised panel doors. I ran that section and we tossed any swamp ash we found and used it for BBQ wood or home projects.

[@smizznoe]

FINALLY! Thank you, Ben. And it’s a P. I’m so happy right now

[@danieldordal9148]

Yesssss! At last you're showing some love to us bass players! Thanks a lot Ben. Take care. Daniel From Lyon, France.

[@electroKrunch]

Texas Toast needling on ya?? Make a great guitar Ben!! Love ya bro!!

[@northland..]

I love watching every single video that Ben makes. the builds are fantastic as well as Ben's personality. :) brownie points

[@standingbear39]

Beautiful wood body.

[@unitwoodworking5403]

It's beautiful pattern and color of wood and artistic bass guitar.

[@LivingtheHumanExperience]

The Shop looks great!