Here are two of mine in the hands of the competition...  

 

  Lately Sarah has had full possesion of the Lakland (which is a very nice instrument) and I've been using the 12-string on about a dozen songs a night.  John

Rami, yes the heavy one has incredible sustain. So much so that I was completely surprised after I first played it!
 
I have been a greasemonkey all my life, so if I can build a bass, then you can too Rami. I already have the wood for my next bass, which I am starting on this weekend after the humidity calms down. It is a maple body with a bookmatched redwood top with some fantastic patterns in it  
 
Paul TGO

Paul:  Your basses look fantastic.  I recall when you posted pix of the first one.  It sounded like it was a cool project for you and a great accomplishment.  
 
I admire that and would like to try it myself sometime.  Did you have any tutors or other resources to help you?  
 
One of these days, I'll probably take it on, but don't feel confident enough yet.  I've learned to put a good finish on or laminate a headstock, but never to craft a whole body.  BTW:  Did you build the necks on your basses, too?
 
Bill

Thanks Bill!
 
No tutors, but I have been a mechanic my whole life so I know my way around tools which made it easier. The biggest thing was taking my time on the first one. I cut no corners (no pun intended) as I didn't want to make a mistake, but looking back, it was good that I did make a few mistakes because after I fixed them I could breathe easier knowing it's not that tough.
 
I used a lot of templates too. Started by making a mock body and neck with poster board then transfered to luan (sp?) then to the actual body wood.  
 
Rami, they are bolt on necks. Neck through style is something I will atempt in a while.
 
Bill, I will send you an e-mail tomorrow and give you more info and a link or two.
 
There is nothing like the pride and affection of playing something you built yourself, knowing there is none other like it and having it sound and play exactly how you like it......

Thanks, Paul.  I'm not a mechanic, but over the years, I've worked on stuff, painted stuff and occasionally built stuff.  You know, enough to be dangerous.  I started last fall with a simple refin, finished another 6 or so bodies.  When I was rehabbing the EBO - I went a bit further with a 3/16 ebony headstock lam.  Now I think I'm game to try laminating a body (I've finally accumulated enough clamps - I think).
 
Any info and encouragement is very much appreciated.
Bill

For anyone building or thinking about building, you should sign up at mimf.com and read the first-time builders section of the library.  Then visit the forums.  Lots of help and information available about all kinds of instrument making.

I'll absolutely second Karl's suggestion about joining the mimf.com forum.  It's a fantastic resource for builders.

I peeked around mimf yesterday and wound up registering.  It looks like a lot of really useful stuff.  Thanks, guys.

You'll know you're in the right place when you find yourself answering a flamewar in a thread named Probond vs. GorillaGlue, and discover you have _strong_ opinions as to which bandsaw manufacturer makes the best riser block.
 

I think I'll recognize it...I've already experienced something like that on the Reranch site.  I watched as epoxy glue was greeted as God's gift to grainfilling and oil-based filler was relegated to analog cell status.  Unbelievable the how seriously we can take mundain things that we find exciting, isn't it?
 
I anxiously await the chance to join the debate over the worth/worthlessness of

LOL@Bill
 
I used a 9 bandsaw and let me tell you, bigger is better (and we'll leave it at that)
 
 
Paul TGO

Yeah, I've heard that...

OK, I'm not much for vintage pieces but I will admit one day I want a Hagstrom Swede bass (clear mahogany, not the see through SG red) and a 4005 Ric, the 320-style f-hole body, 'R' tailpiece, the 4000 style headstock, but without the checkerboard binding please.  They both have that lumpy 60s tone that I'm sure will make me crazy, but I lust for their looks.
 
I feel better now.
 
J o e y

. . . . but if I EVER post that I want a stock, vintage SG-style EBO/EB3 (not like the wonderfully hot-rodded EB from BASSMAN shown above), please take a collection and hire someone with a long barrel and a short temper to save me from myself ! ! ! !  
 
J o e y

Done.  
 
Bill