One Pallet, One Bass Guitar (Nails & All!)

Every couple years I challenge myself to build something using only one pallet and push myself a little further each time.
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be good,
Tim

[@adamkolendorski9953]

As a kid I tried to make my own guitar at a scrap wood many different times and was told I couldn't and it was wrong this guy pulls it off and then some breaking down the lines of what's possible and what we're told by the industry, and it's great recycling

[@timsway]

I've been told "You can't..." more times than I can remember. I stopped listening to those voices decades ago. You CAN. It's harder and takes more time to get there but how do YOU want to spend your life? Following others' paths or forging your own?

[@JerryLeeHowell2]

Who the hell said you cant make a guitar out of....wood?

[@wr3ncher]

As an adult I suggest you go cut up some wood as see what you Can make.

[@existentialopal721]

Yth would they say that?

[@lazzie7495]

@tallwill38 technically this could be achieved with hand tools. It would just take a lot longer. The only thing that prevents you from being able to make something out of wood is either rot or severe cracks running through the entirety of wood that make it unusable.

[@aceyriot]

theres something about building an entire instrument from pallet wood that's just so punk rock and also so modern and contemporary and forward thinking it's hard to express. here you are making this high quality item with the lowest quality materials and it just makes sense. It's amazing because inarguable to anyone who has used pallet wood in a project know this stuff is straight outta satans bunghole. so it has to piss off the tone wood snobs but it's environmentally conscious and aesthetically pleasing and i don't know...it's just awesome, i love it.

[@MillerCustomGuitars]

See, Tim. This is why I love your channel. You consistently break every rule of guitar building and end up with solid instruments. You ALWAYS force me to challenge what I think I know. We all know that old pallets are useful by now, but we also know that the nails are garbage…. Right… Apparently not.

[@timsway]

you ever see this one? :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGa0oWysnNVpkLc

[@forton615]

@@timsway Wow, that looks more like torture device, I suggest you call that one "the punisher".

[@derkbergman]

Even more Tragically Hip in the background this time: - Gift Shop (8:43) - Yawining or Snarling (10:00) - Nautical Disaster (10:08) - Courage (for Hugh MacLennan) (10:50) - Pigeon Camera (11:06) - Locked in the Trunck of a Car (11:18) - Fifty Mission Cap (11:32) - 700 ft. Ceiling (12:04) - Don't Wake Daddy (12:45) Did I miss anything? Awesome build!

[@timsway]

LOL! I've been on an alt country kick, which I include TH in. The other thing getting over played in my shop right now is Son Volt, one of my favs. Jay Farrar's new stuff is just as good as the older stuff.

[@malcolmhodgson7540]

I have two pallets down the side of the house. I have procrastinated about making an electric guitar for ages. Seeing this build has given me the impetus to go ahead and just give it a go. I don’t know why I have been dragging my feet though…….I built an acoustic out of pine and plywood when I was 20 and that worked just fine!

[@BadgerRobot]

I dig the sound on this one.

[@stereowired]

I got to play it myself at a music festival, it’s plays well too.

[@sethgray7372]

those paf’s are a good idea. especially since you made a bass version of them.

[@timsway]

Either next week or a week later I'll have a vid demoing some of the guitar pickups. stay tuned!

[@RisingSunGuitarMods]

Man! Most people see firewood, Tim see's artwork that will be around for generations. Such a creative tallent man, thank you for sharing.

[@christopherlewis1847]

There's no such thing as scrap wood. Just wood we haven't used yet! Great bass, Tim.

[@audiotechlabs4650]

Tim has “Swayed” me to repurpose materials! Pallets, doors, etc! Fantastic bass Tim, No s**t! Love you and your effort to get people to repurpose and make and play good music! Tim, you are no slouch on that bass! Would be fun to jam with you! Love from NW Colorado. Thanxz

[@timsway]

Cheers. I paid the bills on the 4-string for about 15-20 years, but I rarely play more than to try out instruments nowadays. I'm rusty.

[@kaptainkmann7808]

Well I'm gonna have to say it, you really nailed it with this build and the pickups have a great tone. I do hope you keep that chimney cleared yearly burning all that pallet scrap , it's notorious for build up and the last thing ya need it a fire were you don't want it.

[@DevinJuularValentine]

It looked like he was using the pallet wood as fuel to melt the wax for the pickups

[@negotiableaffections]

@@DevinJuularValentine well he definietly got the warmth into the tone!

[@timsway]

I clean the flue every season. I burn cord wood as well as my scraps (which can be harder on the flue)

[@kaptainkmann7808]

👍👍@@timsway

[@crunchysteve]

Amazing! Music, art, recycling, not harvesting rainforests for "tonewoods," FABULOUS! (I personally don't really believe tonewoods are significantly any better than simply plain old top notch craftsmanship.) And the icing on the cake for me, the handmade pickups! I love this build! I've been watching some amazing artisinal builds this cold, Australian afternoon, and this one beats them all!

[@timsway]

thanks man!

[@blackmoofou6385]

You Sir are very clever, highly skilled, super patient and hard working. That bass is a work of art and that body really gives it some grunt. Thanks I'm blown away. 😅

[@pacree]

Not simply a fine bass, but an ethical one as well. Kudos, sir!

[@thomasburnett4712]

Love your bizarre, but inspired creations Tim! Keep ‘em coming please!

[@JR-dd4ec]

Can even begin to tell you how much I love this video, what you make, and your skill

[@shawnmlynch]

That distorted tone had some serious Cliff Burton going on, very cool..!

[@jralanmorgan]

This is really exciting. You have seemingly outdone yourself, Tim. Talk about boutique. I've always wanted to know what your instruments feel like to play.

[@timsway]

come try them out! Like most builders, I started basically mimicking measurements and profiles from the major makers, but as the years go on I stray further from "standard" into something a little different. Making my own pickups and hardware, too (which I plan to do more of) also gives me the ability to stray even further from "off the shelf" designs.

[@jralanmorgan]

@@timsway A customer at my workplace totalled my vehicle and I'm doing my best to get into a vehicle. Once I'm mobile again I'll have to make a trip!

[@mccypr]

I love the making your own pickups thing! Thanks! ✌️😎🌞🎻🪕🎸🙂

[@planpirat]

Take something discarded and make something beautiful out of it. Very nice work, I love it!

[@nelsonpainco1368]

damn... i got some goosebumps at 2:20 when the saw catches 2 or 3 nails.....

[@luisvaldes4248]

Respect! Just sitting here remembering how a young me back in late 90s to early 00s with plenty of time on my hands wanted to learn to build guitars and didn't do so because all info I could find back then pretty much just shuned any effort I could do because everything supposedly required very specific tools and materials that I obviously did not have nor the means to acquire them, as well as the fact that I also lived in a place where no such materials could be found or be shipped to, and fast forward to the present, an older me with no time for out of work related stuff watches how somebody makes instruments out off all things a pallet .... I hope these newer generations actually take advantage of all this great deal of information out there now. Keep on the wood work and inspire others to do great things! I certainly wish I had seen this video back in my teenage years...

[@timsway]

I have similar memories from the same era. Me of 1998 would be soooo thankful if KZbin and the me of today were available back then.

[@luisvaldes4248]

@@timsway definitely. One can only wonder how many geniuses and virtuosos may have been lost to time due to the lack of access to information, eye opening experiences and awe inspiring projects, and what things they may have accomplished.

[@CammiesGarage]

Brilliant, Tim. Love it. Great concept and execution.

[@ecalzo]

WOOWOWOW.. Very rustic .. it seems to be my ideal Bass guitar.. !! i cannot play anything .. i never learned it .. but i love Guitars Bass and Cigar Box Guitars .. (i built over 50 of them for real musician and enthusist in italy) .. so maybe i shall build one from pallet wood too ... it seems you like a lot the bridge system you encountered in the Russian Guitar you bought over ebay Tim ... because you did used it in this build... love your approach ... the melody and sound setup (amps and effect) you're playing reminds me of Cliff Burton Thou ... Hi from Italy my friend

[@danielsgrunge]

I was just thinking "I wonder what it would look like if he used nails for the bridge/tailpiece" lol Awesome man!!!

[@rubenfernandezcampos8648]

Good job man. You are an artist and almost a true ecologist!👍🏻

[@stevepethel6843]

Burn up that scrap warm up the place put a smile on your face. Smart recycle... You took junk and made art and beautiful music ... Hats off to you it sounds and looks great.

[@fox_4740]

you never cease to amaze me with your creativity and resourcefulness. thank you tim sway.

[@MrStickman666]

Whats not to love about your channel and your work hopefully your show will be online for all us you tubers to see Peace and guitars.

[@legopnuematic]

Great build, and caught a little bit of Rebetika and The Globe from Son Volt around 8:40

[@timsway]

deep cut!

[@billkaroly]

This looks cool. I've torn apart pallets and those nails are no joke. I recently picked up a 78 Harmony Guitars P Bass and I'm fixing it up. The body is furniture grade birch plywood and it's separating left and right of the neck pocket. I embedded some screws from the front and back to give it strength. Still have a lot more to do. Thanks for sharing.

[@captdramamine]

I loved the green body filler. Great job on the build!

[@that_thing_I_do]

Love that nail extractor!

[@sgsax]

This is my kind of Bass Masters show. Those pickups are sounding great! And while the body may be slightly more conventional compared to what you've been doing, it clearly is working nicely here. 😁 Another fine addition to the collection. Thanks for sharing!

[@pwman]

Newer channel watcher. Great work Tim. I have this six sense meme in my head now. Tim, looking at a nail, “I see fret markers.” 🤦‍♂️☺️😂

[@bluecurlygirl]

That was an awesome build. Love how you used nails and all. Great sound out of it. She's a beauty. Thanks Tim.

[@jonny555ive]

Unbelievable craftsmanship sir, I was NOT expecting this to turn out SO GOOD.... fantastic job Brother. And I dig that you played throughout the whole video. I very VERY much enjoyed this build. I'm blown away !!!!! You have a very happy subscriber bro.

[@timsway]

Thank you very much!

[@davereichert]

Pretty awesome to hear The Hip playing in the background of a neighbor to the south's channel my friend. Sweet bass, too!

[@timsway]

watch out for them little bones!

[@adamdavenport1004]

wow Tim the way that you are playing your new bass guitar it really reminds me of the classic cliff burton of mettalica keep up the great work

[@ZCJKF13GDG4]

Nail removing gun looks so satisfying

[@cradd00]

Very cool build Tim! I’m glad you sorted out your pickup issue. The “nail” dot inlays are genius!

[@brianpite0893]

Outstanding! Very creative

[@garagemonkeysan]

Awesome bass and video. Lots of details to love. Mahalo for sharing! 🙂🐒

[@NoUploadJustComment]

Great shape on the body too. Really cool.

[@lukastorstensson8219]

Love the front grill from a Volvo on your amp! 😁

[@jamesh5460]

This is so cool. Love watching the builds on this channel, very creative and resourceful.

[@timsway]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@dw7704]

I know someone who’s made many things from old pallets, but not instruments I will have to show him this channel Cool stuff

[@Thepuffingyank]

you really NAILED it!

[@franshansson115]

This bass is one of the coolest bass I seen and heard! We’ll done! Your the best!

[@timsway]

thank you

[@Rsmmt1009]

Dude you're right in Meriden!? That is freaking awesome! I feel a custom commission order comin' on LOL. Awesome work Tim. Keep it up!

[@timsway]

Yes I am! I love keeping it local :)

[@taurbaby]

So very very impressively cool!!

[@drmkiwi]

You are a beast. Those knobs look like you got inspiration from the Flintstones! Good work and good luck with the art show. Cheers, David.

[@timsway]

I was too lazy to set up my lathe, lol :)

[@dougptankerengr759]

Great looking and sounding bass and loved how the video spoke for itself. My OCD brain wishes the knobs matched each other a little more, but that's a minor point. awesome project, and definitely turned trash to treasure

[@timsway]

lol. my fav part of this build is that the knobs DON'T match :) to each their own

[@christophervaca7116]

This is my favorite series

[@lawrencetalbot55]

That is insane!!! Fantastic job!!! Incredible.

[@russiangoose7053]

Your videos always amaze me and it's been so cool to watch your designs evolve over the years into something unlike any guitars out there. From the hand wound nail pickups, the fret wire bridges, it reminds me of all the import guitars from the 60's, The Soviet guitars you've featured, combined with your own taste and reclaimed materials. It all gets distilled down into something one of a kind, you're an inspiration man, keep doing what you do and thanks for sharing your journey with us all

[@robinleebraun7739]

This is the bass that the soon to manifest post apocalyptic world needs. I love the asymmetrical knobs and the bent-nail strap knobs.

[@timsway]

Yea, I like the knobs, too. I was too lazy to set up the lathe so I tried that and I think I'm on to something. I'll be making more this way.

[@johnisch88]

Another great one! Thanks for sharing

[@michaelb.42112]

So, every time I drive past the rear of Grocery Outlet there are potentially 10 basses just sitting there waiting to be built. 😏🎸 My gosh you have a full service shop with everything ! I like that nothing went to waste, even the scraps were used to heat the shop. I CAN'T STAND those home shows in L.A. where they gut and destroy "old" cupboards.

[@timsway]

you and me both

[@merkinmusic9670]

Man, you arrived! You continue to do so! So many conventions challenged, overcome and left quaking in the wake of all that is, Tim F-ing Sway!! I need a damn CNC like yours. Stuck in a bit of a loop where I can't afford one without the income generated through the very thing I speak of...ha, life is funny.

[@timsway]

I hear you. OK, I LOVE my cnc and yes it pays for itself, no doubt. But if I had to chose between my cnc and laser, I'd keep the laser and make mdf templates to hand-rout the guitars. Why? Because the laser is even more of a money maker if you have a few ideas to keep it running all day. Like just my cardboard guinea pig tanks (guineapigtanks.com, if you're unfamiliar) has more than paid for the laser. I do other things while the laser is printing rent money! Cut your templates and start batching parts while the laser makes products to pay to keep the lights on. A lot of guys invest in the 3d lather attachment and just custom etch tumblers and whatnot for local businesses. Look in to it,.

[@lemlem35]

Absolutely awesome. With you making your own pickups now I feel like there's nothing you can't do

[@frederickwood9116]

Really glad it’s all coming together for you on this project. You have further democratised the art of instrument making. It’s still a beautiful art and it’s also, conceptually, more accessible now. Keep smiling.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

This is absolutely sik Tim!! Killer build!! I’d give my left nut to be able to build my own basses!! Lol nothing holds you back!!

[@forresthouser5807]

Love this one....Great tone....

[@DanDjurdjevicplus]

Your channel has rapidly become one of my favourite. Your recycling of material is inspirational. But it’s your artistic vision and willingness to experiment that I enjoy the most. Bravo sir!

[@timsway]

thank you very much! I'm not afraid to fail, that's all :)

[@mtking2196]

Very nice! It took me a bit to figure out that it was glow in the dark. I must have missed that until the end. I've seen a couple of your videos. I'm thinking I need to see more of them. I'm also one to not listen to others & learn for myself. I love to see how cheap I can get & have fun doing it. Keep up the entertaining videos. It earned a Like & Share.

[@fortj3]

P Bass now stands for Pallet Bass. Nice work. Again. And, I like your fuzz pedal.

[@timsway]

lol. punny. The lighter pallet fuzz is made by Shoneswoods and the heavy phone fuzz is by Sehat Effectors. Two friends.

[@fortj3]

@@timsway I’m a punny guy

[@DanGentry]

Fun build, and sounds good too!

[@mnoland3376]

Absolutely amazing

[@jonnydregz3677]

Amazing just amazing Tim.

[@TotallyFictional]

Looks and sounds fantastic

[@zachrucker6717]

Man, incredible build! Great work!

[@deeliriyum]

Those pickups are absolutely sick!

[@timsway]

they sound WAY better than I expected :) Stay tuned to hear the guitars. In a week or two.

[@DetroitFettyghost]

Beautiful. Sounds great. I'd play the living tar out of it daily and never yearn for a "big box" logo on the head- much love brother!

[@DetroitFettyghost]

Man really enjoyed your wicked jamming throughout it too- when you got distorted it got super funky and angry- loved it.

[@tednjessdamman7089]

You are an inspiration, thank you.

[@negotiableaffections]

If nothing else, this base is all about fast string changes. And I just realised, [as a pallet] this instrument has toured 'before' it was built! Sound wise?...needs more HCD 😜 Actually sounds very warm and pleasant, great work Tim.

[@timsway]

Fastest string change in the west.

[@eerbrev]

straight up, tim, those pickups sound *fantastic*. I'm super impressed. Killer, killer stuff. Maybe I should try making some.

[@doubledarefan]

In another words: Nailed it!

[@renko2849]

Totally awesome!!!

[@grayjack5021]

Yes! I love it! If I played this would be my Number 1 bass! I love the Nail Biter Pickups! NBP!

[@Samuraiox]

Gorgeous. I was totally hoping you were gonna save the yellow painter board as an accent piece

[@timsway]

Unfortunately I had to process the wood too much to save the paint on it. I like to do stuff like that on tables, etc.

[@TheOldgeezah]

Love the gnarly sound-track

[@adamtwelve]

Very cool! Love the aesthetics on this.

[@briansimpson8116]

Well done

[@jimbecker5675]

THat really has a nice tone. Looks great, too.

[@agilbull]

very impressive and inspiring

[@josephzummo9685]

Pickups sound great tim! Keep it up!

[@fortj3]

What do you think about the idea of impregnating the fret board with CA resin to harden it? It would allow the use of much cheaper and more sustainable woods while making them hard enough to resist wear.

[@timsway]

yes, or resin. The downside is you're using all that CA glue and resin, which has environmental implications, too. You're better off Finding good, fast growing, locally sourced hard wood. Maple grows just about everywhere!

[@fortj3]

What about black locust wood for fretboards? Perhaps that would be hard enough to hold up.

[@fortj3]

@@timsway How about black locust for fretboards? Hard enough to stand up to years of playing?

[@timsway]

@@fortj3 I use that a lot - it's local to me and it glows under blacklight! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHzTlWWQaJl2d6c

[@rafaelcoli4797]

Great project! Congrats!

[@patbiss7742]

Awesome build! The Bridge reminds me a little of one of your soviet guitars.

[@timsway]

that's where the inspiration came from for sure

[@Colin-iu3jv]

I love the design of the body on this one. Looks fun to play.

[@sapelesteve]

Now that was an awesome Bass build Tim! I am officially dubbing you the "MOPB" (Master Of Pallet Builds). Keep up the great & innovative work! 👍👍😉😉🎸🎸

[@miguev_makes]

Whatever price tag you put on it, I rather hope it sells and you get to do even more of this! Also, I really hope those rusty nails holding the strings never give up.

[@timsway]

Me too. lol. There's a good chance that will fail! lol. It's been several weeks up to tension and played by several people. So far so good.

[@guitfidle]

I was waiting for a "How does it sound? You've been listening to it the whole video" 😁 Seriously digging this beast, I might have to try making my own pickups like this too!! I already have the wire, plenty of wood, I even have a coffee tin full of nails that came out of pallets! I had actually already thought to use the nails for inlays like this, so I'm a bit disappointed I didn't do it first....

[@alexandrelunelli7402]

Congrats, Tim. This bass is a piece of art both as an object and as a concept. Love your work

[@ZENRIOT117]

Thanks for doing what you do Tim. You are an amazing inspiration when it comes to making instruments. I love your philosophy and your methods so much that it inspired me to begin building my first custom guitar out of an old black walnut coffee table that I found on the side of the road. The body is coming along great, and I'd love to show it to you when it is finished. Much love and respect - Zack

[@timsway]

I'd love to see it. Old tables make great guitars!

[@lutheriedbill9910]

Wow this one is incredible,

[@sunn_bass]

Awesome build, I love the vibe is has. So earthy. I love the reclaimed materials. I have an old pecan wood table top that will be one of my summer builds, with plenty wood left over for other projects. Keep inspiring us!

[@timsway]

old tables make great guitars :)

[@ashjefferson5808]

I find it really easy to get in my own head about instrument making ove stalled on it for years because I felt like I needed all the right materials and tools and as a broke young adult that stopped me in my tracks this kinda slapped me in the face to just do the thing

[@timsway]

It is exactly that thinking that I also suffered from and I am fighting - on two levels! One is the brainwashing by the industry that we need to deforest Africa and South America to make quality, nice sounding instruments and the other is that if we can't make it perfect we shouldn't bother. We should absolutely bother! Even if you make an instrument for yourself that is a total piece of garbage, by industry standards, the sense of pride and inspiration it will stir in you is unmatched. And it is only through challenging status quo and standard practices that gives innovation a chance to exist. Certainly, I've tried "reinventing the wheel" many times only to find the wheel is indeed better, but I always learn more than I would by just "following instructions and sometimes I discover something just a little different, a little new, or I create something like this instrument that,m to date, is still my favorite bass to look at and play.

[@Bitwise1024]

This is so friggin' awesome, inspiring and downright responsible. This is the head space that more of us need to be in. I've recently been questioning my assumptions regarding quality and value, and this video speaks to that in a very profound and meaningful way. Would I purchase an instrument made from a pallet? If care and expertise is brought to bear on those materials, you bet I would. Your hand-made creations are wonderful, but I think it would be great if someone applied some processing to this idea and turned out more affordable, landfill-shrinking instruments. Utterly inspiring, man. Very happy to have stumbled upon your channel.

[@timsway]

The bottom line is large corporations will never do that, in any meaningful way at least, unless it becomes more profitable for them. However there are all sorts of smaller businesses like mine that will. My instruments don't cost any more than the American made, big-name guitars at the box store. The best (and only) way to make change is to stop supporting the businesses that aren't forward thinking in every way. Only then will they either evolve to meet the new consumer needs, or they'll fail.

[@tooljunkie555]

Nice work Tim! And from 1 pallet too!?! Awesome bro!

[@timsway]

Yea, that's the fun part. No cherry picking from a stack of pallets. Work with what you got!