It’s for making fish, really.
4 Likes
Low hanging fruit I guess. I could string together more bad jokes, but I decided to just pick one. Feel free to tune me out. I don’t want to stomp on the build thread.
5 Likes
It’s all right. I should be the last one to complain about derailing threads 
Although I try to be better.
Also after the thing got so stretched out I plan on making a summary in the end with all the useful information for potential new builders and link that in the first post so one doesn’t have to go through the whole thread anyway. But that has still to wait as I am at the first coat of oil for the headstock.
7 Likes
The thread has no character without misinformation, TMI and bad jokes. Leave it as for future readers. Helps em feel like they were here following along in real time.
2 Likes
I can’t believe no one picked up on your puns there yet 
2 Likes
It’s done!
I am sooo happy with the result.
Summary for new builders
What do you need?`
- sanding paper 120 and higher up to at least 300
- oil to seal the wood
- finish for the wood (optional although recommended by most here)
- Tools everyone should own (Screwdriver and stuff like that, normal tools)
Do you want to shape your headstock? Better have tools that are good to cut/shape solid wood. There are numerous options and it’s probably best if you use the tool you are most comfortable with. People might disagree but as someone who isn’t used to woodworking and a new builder that’s my judgement on that.
You can leave the headstock as it is. But it’s not very aesthetic as it is just a rectangle with rounded corners and way bigger than it needs to be.
That’s it. Everything else comes with the Kit!
The instructions say the first step is to sand and oil the body but I disagree because they ignore shaping the headstock and the needed follow-up.
Step 0: Check if the neck fits into the body - if not carefully adjust body with files/sandpaper (for me it fit perfectly as delivered - but it’s wood so they can’t guarantee it)
Step 1: Shape the Headstock
Step 2: Sand the Headstock and Body
Step 3: Clean and Oil the Headstock and Body
Step 4: Wait
Step 5: Wait some more
Step 6: Do another coat of oil. The strategies are numerous and I don’t feel experienced enough to recommend one. Only on this everyone agrees: Patience is key.
Step 7: Wait. For Real. Plan off-days or even off-weeks for the oil to get drawn into the wood.
Step 8: Did I say wait and that you should be patient? Yes? Oh. Okay. Just wanted to make sure.
Step 9: Build the thing together as they tell you in the instructions. I won’t repeat them because I realized apart from how to take care/seal and finish the wood the instructions are very clear and I would just repeat them. I will show pictures of the process though:
Screw in Pickups:
Make sure grounding wire goes to the bridge:
Attach bridge and fixate plate:
(Optional) Clean & Oil Neck with Lemon Oil
I won’t go into putting strings onto it and the setup. By the time I was done with the setup (30mins I guess) the strings have set and the bass didn’t go out of tune after a minute.
Be so friggin proud of what you build that you could burst. This step is important:
This step is not as important: Clean up after yourself as you surely will have created chaos for at least the last week while dragging out tools and machines you haven’t used for years.
In fact I think one would even manage without any help from the forum here as the instructions are pretty detailed but It was still good for me to get feedback. One huge point of criticism towards the instructions: It would have been helpful which screws are mentioned in the instructions. It never specifies, except that it should be those delivered with the kit. But as you have way more small screws than you need to complete the build you only have to make sure to not use the larger screws in the wrong place and I gotta give it them: the large screws are pretty obvious. I still was sorting 2 different kinds of small screws and was counting them because I wasn’t sure. Overall it probably doesn’t even matter as I noticed now as you got more than double the amount of small screws.
The sound of the finished product:
Billy Jean: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_CcTWoRyIYJD51gnFs-aEjcldvjRYYW4/view?usp=sharing
Module 5 - Lesson 2: Stream M5 - L2 by Stedd Lautenfein | Listen online for free on SoundCloud
Just playing around: Stream Monking Around by Stedd Lautenfein | Listen online for free on SoundCloud
My opinion of the finished product:
I am very proud I build together a working instrument. I like the feel of the neck although I would prefer it to be a bit smaller.
Overall this kit is well worth the 100€ I spend.
Things I don’t like (now I judge this bass as if I would want to buy it and not as if I built it):
The range in tone options is limited up to non-existent. I had a passive bass before but you can hear for yourself in the DAI recording Billy Jean is Tone Knob on 0 and M5L2 is Tone Knob on 100. That’s the full range and it’s honestly almost the same tone. I mean I can hear the difference but it’s rather subtle.
It feels much lighter than both my other basses and that’s probably a sign for cheaper wood but I like the fact that it’s not so heavy on my shoulders.
Fretboard feels nice, Setup incl. Intonation was easy - I almost did not have to do anything for intonation to be honest.
Would not complain if this would be a retail bass for 100€. I’d probably spend more money to get more tone options but I can wholeheartedly recommend the harley benton kit to anyone interested in starting builds.
Sorry. I couldn’t be bothered with a caped bassist video because then I would have to clean up first and it would have taken way longer. I wanted to get this post out first.
14 Likes
Awesome. Great job.
For someone who was fine to have only one bass…
MBD claims yet another one.
3 Likes
But I am fine with only one 
This was because I was interested in the build process.
Either this one will be in the practice room of my future band or pretty much will be unused. While I am proud of my creation and glad I started the process I don’t think I will prefer it to the ESP 
3 Likes
Terrific lookin’ bass!! And great work documenting all of it in this thread
5 Likes
What about this recent GAS and some 50 euro bass.
Just messin with ya. That one you built will always be special, and prob not the last one you build.
3 Likes
More of a distraction during work
Wasn’t looking good enough and was too unknown to pursue further.
I’m still fine with just one bass but in the case of a Herr Schwarz… Well, you know 
4 Likes
Great job @juli0r! It sounds awesome. Makes you feel good knowing you built it yourself, right?
5 Likes
Still can’t believe it when I hear it through my amp/recordings. So yes 
3 Likes
I know the feeling.
I used to build all my own electronic equipment back in the '70’s and '80’s. There’s nothing like the satisfaction you get when you first hear something from a labor of love that a short time ago was just a bunch of seemingly unrelated parts.
5 Likes
@juli0r well done, you took it on with no experience and produced a fully working instrument, I’m sure that it will morph into something else over time. This is where you can try ideas out on a great test bench without damaging a good bass. Carving, modelling or painting 
different pup positions, have fun.
Jamie
2 Likes
Thank you. I enjoyed the whole process and to be honest once I started I didn’t have any doubt I will create a playable instrument. On the one hand I didn’t have doubt and on the other hand I still can’t believe it now that it’s done. I am so glad I did it.
Shoutout to anyone playing bass who has an itch to try start building: This build kit is an excellent starting point! As @Jamietashi said I had no prior experience at all regarding instruments and almost none regarding woodworking in general.
Since I mentioned the missing tonal options - I’m thinking of changing the pickups and/or electronics already.
I would say your guess is spot on
Edit:
Hey wait! Did you say my creation isn’t a good bass? 
4 Likes
It is pretty much a P-bass – passive, one pickup, knows few tricks, but the tricks it does know, it knows very, very well.
And you did make it look like the dog’s whatsits!
4 Likes
Very nice job @juli0r! Thank you for the detailed and enthusiastic documentary!
It’s a shame you didn’t get to solder anything. It’s my favourite part
4 Likes
No it’s not.
Although I theoretically have the equipment that is something I never learned or had a big interest in learning. Now I will though as it is part of building to a dregree.
5 Likes