John Gaudesi and the Yamaha Custom Shop:
 Doug's 12-String is Born
 Part 3

The fingerboard is routed to receive the X inlay

It appears to have a very deep recessed bolt-on neck with six screws. Why did you decide on making it a bolt-on rather than a set neck? Was this decision like a little piece of insurance just in case the neck had problems?
I really like the way a bolt-on sounds compared to a neck through on an instrument of this type. I have found that by the neck being separate from the body wood it allows the body to speak as a whole rather than to act just as a counter balance to a solid neck core. I adjusted for the sustain by using a deep neck pocket with the six screw to maintain a very seamless coupling.

Preparing to cut out the inlay

Will you continue with the bolt-on neck design in future 12s or do you think you might try other neck / body joint designs?
Unless Doug personally wants to try a different construction I would prefer to stay with bolt-on or set neck construction in order to keep the integrity of the body wood.

Getting close to being finished

What did you think of the 12 when it was finished? How do you feel about 12s now that you have built one? Any temptation to build one for yourself?
I was very pleased with the outcome of this instrument. It has a great growl.

Doug also said that you were building him a drop B guitar? Is it the AES body-style too?
I am currently working on a six string guitar for Doug right now for him to write and record with for Poundhound.

The fruits of all this labor!

Excellent! Thanks John for such a thorough walk-through of the design and construction of Doug's Yamaha 12-string bass! You did a beautiful job! We'll look forward to seeing what the next 12 you build will be like!
Hey Philip, I hope this helps out and I am very honored that you have taken the time to include me on this. Take care,
John

John Gaudesi with master bassist Lee Sklar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 Published July 13, 2003