Jesse Brown
Custom Bass Guitar
A one of a kind bass with a gadget to set it apart even more from the rest
Skills
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Woodwork & Finishing
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3D Design & Printing
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Electronics
Independent Project
Inspiration
In the Fall of 2018 my band, Foster Revival, held our first concert and started to gain popularity on campus. I decided it was time for me to upgrade from the cheap starter bass that I had been playing. I began searching for a bass with a very specific look: smooth brown body with all black hardware. After days of finding nothing that I liked, I realized the only way to get the bass I wanted was to make it myself.
Process
I started this project using a DIY bass guitar kit from an online retailer. None of the components in the kit were assembled or finished.
First step was to color the body and neck. I wanted the natural wood grain to serve as an accent to the color. Instead of using a dark caramel paint, I decided to use a medium sweet toned wood stain. This way, I get the color I want with the strong wood grain.
To seal and enrich the wood, I used multiple layers of Tung Oil finish for a glossy sheen. In order to get an even coating, I fabricated a custom support for the body with scrap wood and a vice. The support aided in an easier application and better drying for each coat.
Wiring the electronics was initially a challenge. The main challenge was retrofitting a special push-pull potentiometer in with the other control knobs. This potentiometer features a setting to bypass the signal to an on-board tuner. The tuner then gives LED feedback on the guitar for each string. This eliminates the need for external equipment typically necessary to tune a guitar.
Next, I installed the special black hardware on the body and the head of the neck: 4 tuning machines on the head and the bridge on the body. Two 3D printed parts cover the truss rod in the neck and the electronics compartment on the backside of the guitar.
Result
This bass guitar turned out great. It has the exact look and feel that I was aiming for during this build. I was able to showcase it in my band's largest concert in front of 400+ people.
