This Hipper was a custom order but the previous owner did not have the time to finish it. The bass was ordered with out lacquer and hardware. This bass is spalted curly maple with a maple and walnut three piece neck. The fingerboard is Ipe.
I’m still deciding on what the final layout of this one will be, but I’ve decided to go with a lined fretless and add a MM style pick-up to bass. The next decision is in terms of the the bridge! The through holes are a little uneven so for starters I’ll drill and plug these before making any final decision.
Work to do:
FIne sand fingerboard
Seal wood
Tru-oil
Sand-back and polish
Shield cavities with copper tape
Redo wiring harness
Refit hardware
Fabricate Ebony nut and bridge
Final set-up
Completed Work:
Shape/sand neck to 220 grit
Shape/sand/carve body to 220 grit
Sand body to 400 grit
Sand neck to 400 grit
Powder coat cavity cover
Rout for MM pick-up
Fill holes/gaps as required.
Sand body to 400 grit
Sand neck to 400 grit
Measure and cut slots for position lines
Drill and plug existing string through holes
Install position markers
Cut rout for purpleheart inlay over rear string thro’ plugs
Make inlay and fit
Notes:
I’ve spent a lot of time re-carving the body of this one, both the top and the back, trying to give it complimentary lines to the overall shape. I’ve carved the back to be almost ‘Thumb’ like with quite a deep belly curve across the back. I’ve also re-done the edges to have a flat edge with a regular round-over.
It’s hardly a Wishbass without some purpleheart! I decided to tidying things up on the rear where the string through plugs are and I have routed and inlayed a piece of purpleheart to cover these up. it’s come up quite nicely!