True handmade craftsmanship
Jones Basses has it’s routes in master carpentry and cabinet making practice and theory. Constructing the perfect bass guitar requires careful attention to detail, precision, and a deep understanding of both the materials and the techniques involved. Here are key principles and practices we follow:
Wood Selection and Preparation
- Wood Choice: Select high-quality, stable hardwoods for the neck and body. Common choices include maple for the neck due to its strength and stability, and mahogany or alder for the body for their tonal qualities.
- Neck Wood: Maple, mahogany, walnut, or a combination (e.g., laminates of maple and walnut).
- Body Wings: Mahogany, alder, swamp ash, or other tonewoods.
- Fingerboard: Rosewood, ebony, or maple, depending on the desired tonal characteristics and feel.
- Moisture Content: Ensure that the wood is properly dried and has a consistent moisture content (typically around 6-8%). This helps prevent warping and movement over time.
- Wood Grain: Select pieces with straight grain for the neck to maximize strength and stability. For aesthetic purposes, consider the grain pattern for the body wings.
Neck Construction
- Laminated Neck: Consider a multi-piece laminated neck to enhance strength and reduce the likelihood of warping. Alternating grain directions can further improve stability.
- Truss Rod: Install a truss rod to allow for adjustment of neck curvature. Double-action truss rods provide more flexibility.
- Reinforcements: Integrate carbon fiber rods or other reinforcement materials for added stability, especially in longer necks.
Shaping the Neck
- Rough Cutting: Begin by cutting the neck blank to the rough shape using a bandsaw. Ensure you leave extra material for final shaping.
- Planing and Jointing: Plane and joint the neck blank to ensure it is flat and square. This is crucial for a stable and true neck.
- Neck Profile: Shape the neck profile (e.g., C-shape, D-shape) using rasps, files, and sandpaper. The profile should be comfortable for the player’s hand.
Fretboard Preparation
- Slotting: Cut fret slots accurately using a fret slotting saw or a specialized fret slotting jig. The slots must be perpendicular to the centreline of the neck and evenly spaced.
- Radiusing: Sand the fretboard to the desired radius, typically 20″ in our case, but it can depending on the player’s preference.
- Fret Installation: Carefully install frets, ensuring they are properly seated and level. This involves pressing or hammering in the frets, followed by levelling and crowning.
Body Construction
- Wing Attachment: Glue the body wings to the neck-through blank using strong clamps and proper alignment. Ensure a seamless and strong joint.
- Routing: Route cavities for pickups, electronics, and control knobs. Use templates and jigs to ensure precision.
- Contour Shaping: Shape the body contours for comfort and aesthetics using rasps, files, and sanders.
Finishing
- Sanding: Sand the entire instrument progressively through finer grits to achieve a smooth surface.
- Sealing: Apply a grain filler, if necessary, followed by a sealer coat to prepare the wood for finishing.
- Finish Application: Choose a finish type (e.g., polyurethane, nitrocellulose lacquer, oil finish) and apply multiple coats, sanding between coats for a smooth finish.
- Buffing: After the final coat, buff the finish to a high gloss or desired sheen.
Assembly and Setup
- Hardware Installation: Install tuners, bridge, pickups, and other hardware components. Ensure proper alignment and secure attachment.
- Wiring: Complete the electronics wiring, ensuring all connections are solid and free of noise.
- Setup: Perform a comprehensive setup, including adjusting the truss rod, setting the action, intonation, and ensuring optimal playability.
Mastery Through Practice
- Attention to Detail: Pay meticulous attention to every step, ensuring precision and quality.
- Continuous Learning: Study and learn from experienced luthiers, attend workshops, and stay updated with new techniques and tools.
- Feedback and Improvement: Seek feedback from players and continuously refine your techniques based on their input and your observations.
By following these principles and continually honing your skills, you can achieve mastery in constructing through neck bass guitars, creating instruments that are both beautiful and exceptional in performance.