So Far, So Good ~ Luthiery Laboratories

March 1, 2020

So Far, So Good

March 1, 2020

I started assembling the Mosrite, finally. The routs are all so precise that I had to spend quite a while filing polyurethane out of them to make the neck and pickups fit again. Then I had to chisel out the pit for the output jack. You can see my solution for grounding the four individual bridges - a strip of aluminum tape, the same stuff as on the back of the dry-erase pickguard.

And it all fits together, and I'm going to bed. I'll assemble the neck tomorrow.

Uncategorized, 03/1/20

« KMise "Crunch" Distortion Pedal « » All Together Now »

Mosrite Bass

This one went through a long and torturous build process over almost two years. All I can say is don't believe the "advice" you find on talk_ass. However, in the end, it turned out to be a pretty nice instrument.

More: Mosrite Bass ...

Skunk Stripes

The skunk stripe is the walnut strip down the back of many 'classic' guitar necks. It is an indication of the type of truss rod within: A single steel bar in a curved channel. To create a perpendicular force, a truss rod needs two members: one in tension and one in compression. The skunk stripe rod uses the neck itself as the compression member. This was originated on a guitar neck and then extended to the bass. The problem is, a bass neck is much longer and less stiff than a guitar neck and is under much greater compression. The last thing you want to do is add more compression. Also, using two dissimilar materials for the two members inserts a host of issues, and using steel against wood, that's just hideous. The wonder of the skunk stripe is that most of the time you get away with it, despite how awful the design is. Of course, it is very cheap and easy to manufacture, in a factory setting.

More: Skunk Stripes ...