The Ply Bass Build

Built mid 2020 during lockdown.
Body - Reclaimed aged Ply (old scaffolding offcut?)
Neck - from an old fender style P-Bass

[@DoctorV_]

nice, so great to see some guitar builds with minimal fancy tools. Youve inspired me to build a Tele with my workmate and hand tools!

[@MikeHawkey]

Nice one, hope it goes well! I think things could be made well with less than I use - just takes longer in the finishing if you have to rough cut more.

[@jeffwolinski2659]

Damn, that wood had some character, I was hoping for a translucent finish! Nice job!

[@MikeHawkey]

So often i do a clear/oil. Been changing it up with colour a bit in recent builds… wood finish will return however!

[@The-Real-Blissful-Ignorance]

I really like the sled attachment you have for your router. I'm stealing that idea! Oh, and nice bass too.

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks! I have used that sled so many times over the years. I should really upgrade from the masking tape glue technique to something permanent, but it works!

[@CircuitsAndStrings]

Another fantastic project. That’s a cool chunk of wood that you found.

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks!

[@DarrellSMoore]

Another sweet build, Mike!

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks!

[@BrencoGuitars]

Great build, very cool

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks!

[@TheChef470]

Very impressive work Sir !

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks!

[@stevepethel6843]

Sounds great . sustains like a piano too

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks! - could do with a more heavy wood for body to help with neck weight.

[@jakoblindekilde5832]

Impressive! Tip: Put the end of the string in the hole in the mechanic - that's was its for. Use approx 4 windings with thinnest string and 2 windings with the thickest string.

[@MikeHawkey]

Nice one. Not sure why I didnt!

[@gabrieltahangabo1953]

Felicitaciones. Sencillo el bajo pero muy bien 👌 le quedó

[@MikeHawkey]

Muchas gracias

[@bobjohnston4325]

That is awesome! I have all the parts and wanting to build a solid body bass. I love your body design. I don't want to build it any bigger than necessary. I couldn't figure out how you drilled the holes for the wiring. Also, I wanted to build my own neck but now I'm leaning toward buying one online that has a truss rod. Thanks for posting this!

[@MikeHawkey]

Good luck with your build. A premise neck certainly takes some work out, but if you have a router and the right bit can make your own and fit a truss. Cable holes are long drill bits and careful angles via neck and pickup pockets.

[@bobjohnston4325]

@@MikeHawkey Thanks. I have some long bits. I've built 45 cigar box guitars and reinforced several necks with steel bar but it would be a big jump for me to radius a neck and install a truss rod. I don't sell any of my builds so I guess I should go ahead and try it.

[@MikeHawkey]

@@bobjohnston4325 sounds like you have plenty of practice behind you. Though the norm, I don’t see a radiused neck as compulsory depending on playing style. The one thing of note for my one is it’s a bit head heavy- a smaller headstock would help, or a strap on neck, a bit like how some do on their CBG’s

[@bobjohnston4325]

​@@MikeHawkey I have enough tuners so I decided to make a three string bass first. I made the scarf joint today. I still need more practice so I'll do this one without the truss rod and see if it works out.

[@MikeHawkey]

@@bobjohnston4325 nice one!

[@benjaminkuama8983]

This build is perfect. One of my favourite bass builds on KZbin Can provide a list with steps and tools? I'm a begginer looking to start building my own guitars and bass and would really appreciate it if there was a way to know every detail

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks. I generally build my own necks, but in this case I had a bass neck. As with all things, design your shape. As I had an existing neck I photocopied it to align the bolt holes and make a routing template from MDF. Cut out shape, route pickup/neck holes and drill earth holes. Sand sand and more sand before finishing. Tools wise, minimum would be router, some cutting tool (even hand cutting possible), selection of drills. Files and sandpaper to finish. Can make the pickup/neck holes with a drill and chisel - just a bit more work than a router (but less scary perhaps). Good luck with build!

[@matiasechazu785]

nice

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks!

[@howes1960]

Heck make another and tell me how much you want. If not too much... sweet looking rig.

[@MikeHawkey]

Biggest thing I would change on a future one is somehow get the weight balance more equal (neck dive) or make a strap mount of some kind (maybe detachable) for the same reasons for stand up playing

[@howes1960]

@@MikeHawkey I have a Hofner shorty and Musoo headless bass. I just started playing in June, but my friend has been playing for 17years. With the similarities between your build and my Hofner, yep, nose heavy regardless of strap. Again, nice job.

[@francescomanfredi]

Great idea! Do you plan building a small body guitar possibly with only the first 5 strings? Strangely there are 7 and more strigs guitars for sale but not 5 strings guitars. The body and the neck could be much shorter, like a 3/4 guitar but without intonation problems

[@MikeHawkey]

I had been playing with a plan for a 5 string Tele style - slightly scaled down 5/6th size. A few plans in the pipeline, time allowing. Cheers

[@tiagoamado6330]

Top

[@MirlitronOne]

Ah, the Indonesian Plywood Tree - finest tonewood known to man!

[@MikeHawkey]

Close, but its New Zealand aged ply. Ill refrain from entering the tonewood in electrics debate though!

[@leonardobatistarocha7956]

Brasil Caboclo Lourenço & Lourival Composição: Tonico / Walter Amaral No amanhecer da minha roça Vem surgindo um clarão Caboclo deixa a paioça Pra cuidá da plantação Um carro de boi gemendo Lá no alto do chapadão Os passarinhos cantando Começando um barulhão Esse é o Brasil caboclo Esse é meu sertão Casinha de palha lá no ribeirão Uma linda cabocla e um cavalo bão Som de uma viola alegra a solidão Esse é o Brasil caboclo, este é o meu sertão Choro da cascata cai lá do grotão A Lua de prata ouvindo a canção Voz da serenata, gemer do violão Esse é o Brasil caboclo, este é o meu sertão Sino da capela dobra em oração Cigarra cantando, tarde de verão Cabocla sambando, noite de São João Esse é o Brasil caboclo, este é o meu sertão

[@MikeHawkey]

Parece bom!

[@jerpratt]

Did you get the body template or drawing some place? Or did you make it yourself? I've been looking for a body template like this for a while w/out luck. Even just having a scaled drawing would be helpful.

[@MikeHawkey]

I almost always have a semi detailed 2D plan of my builds. I don't in this case, but do have my body outline. Will keep this link alive for a few months: www.dropbox.com/s/bizvc0kxbjzo92v/Hoffner%20Fender%20Shorty%201.1.pdf?dl=0

[@allannoah9675]

Hillman Imp?

[@MikeHawkey]

Accurate spotting. One day it will roll again!

[@chassetterfield9559]

You don't play bass - and unless you ground the bridge, & therefore strings, you may never live long enough to learn. It's a small risk, obviously, but people have DIED on stage being electrocuted, typically if something goes wrong in the amp. [ qv Les Harvey, younger brother of Alex Harvey was electrocuted through a microphone that became live ]. It's simple enough to achieve, with just a wire through the body from underneath the bridge to the ground plane of the pots.

[@MikeHawkey]

Agree. Strings are grounded from bridge to earth on jack on this for example. (Edit- at 4:06 one can see cable in place)

[@chassetterfield9559]

@@MikeHawkey I saw the pickup go in, with no prior placement markings for the bridge, & then I saw the last part of the bridge being screwed in. I'll try & go back, to take another look.

[@MikeHawkey]

@@chassetterfield9559 its just a short flash in a sequence. No worries - just agreeing with your statement and assuring its there. Safety aside, also prone to more hum if not earthed!

[@CircuitsAndStrings]

Another fantastic project. That’s a cool chunk of wood that you found.

[@CircuitsAndStrings]

Not sure why I commented the same thing twice. I’ll blame KZbin. 😆

[@walter6999]

@@CircuitsAndStrings actually u commented three times 😅

[@CircuitsAndStrings]

Another fantastic project. That’s a cool chunk of wood that you found.

[@MikeHawkey]

Cheers!