The Job Ahead

Most guys love a project. One of the things I enjoy about a project is mapping out the steps to completion. No assembly instructions come from Warmoth, probably because it would be impossible to be specific for each order. Disappointing at first, but reasonable, when you think of the huge range of end product achievable. This was the safety net I was searching for, but in the end, you just have to think it through as best you can.

While waiting the several months for my parts to arrive, the homework continued on how to go about the build. I looked up info on everything I could think of, and found some very helpful hints, tips and resources. The anticipation was also the final motivation needed to clean up the garage and create my "luthier's studio"!

Once the components had arrived, and some trial fitting (playing around, mucking about, call it what you will) had taken place, a plan starts to come together (I love it when a plan comes together!) and the sequence of events begins to take shape.

So, the following is my way forward.  The plan is not generic. It is for my specific project.

Sequence	Task
1.00	Body
1.01	Drill mounting holes for strap lock
1.02	Drill holes for control pots & switch
1.03	Fit bridge pickup to cavity
1.04	Sand and seal control cavity
1.05	Sand and seal pickup cavities
1.06	Sand body to 2000 grit
1.07	25% Tung oil finish to body (mask cavities)
1.08	50% Tung oil finish to body
1.09	100% Tung oil finish to body x 10
1.10	Rubbing oil finish to body x 5
1.11	Install string ferrules
1.12	Copper shield to control cavity
1.13	Copper shield pickup cavities
1.14	Copper shield cavity cover
1.15	Solder ground wire to bridge
1.16	Install bridge (soap screws)
2.00	Neck
2.01	Sand neck to 2000 grit (mask fretboard)
2.02	25% Tung oil finish to neck
2.03	50% Tung oil finish to neck
2.04	100% Tung oil finish to neck x 10
2.05	Fit and align tuners-ensure angle and rotation
2.06	Drill locking screw holes
2.07	Rubbing oil finish to peg head x 5
2.08	Fit tuners to peg head (soap screws)
2.09	Make truss rod cover
2.10	Engrave truss rod cover
2.11	Fit truss rod cover
3.00	Electronics
3.01	Install jack socket
3.02	Install pickups
3.03	Install preamp & controls
3.04	Install switch
3.05	Install battery holder
3.06	Connect Battery
4.00	Assembly & Set-Up
4.01	Install neck mounting washers
4.02	Install neck (soap screws)
4.03	Fit strap locks
4.04	Fit strings & tune
4.05	Set-up guitar

There will probably be key steps not thought of. There may be some steps listed that become unnecessary.
Let me say again, "Long-time planner, first-time bass builder".