Hi and welcome to my very temporary and ROUGH photo-build diary. What you are looking at is my signature 7 string bass built by Jon Shuker of "Shuker Bass" (shukerguitars.co.uk), "The Doodle".

Here is my design specification which is also on my website.

34" Scale
Tuned F# to C (Low to high) on standard gauge strings.
2 EMG DC active pickups
EMG 18v 2 band preamp
Individual quick release monorail bridge pieces.
White Ash body with deep scoops and extended lower horn for comfort and steady playing position.
7 piece laminate Maple/Wenge neck (with strengthening inserts and dual truss rods designed to have very little bow/relief to allow for tapping and 'Chapman Stick' style playing.)
Top grade Birdseye Maple fingerboard with a high gloss lacquer finish.
High gloss Mystic 'Violet Dreams' flip paint (main colours are violet to green flip)
My custom heel cut away strengthened with neck inserts to allow full access all the way up to the 24th Fret
My design 'ramp' placed between the pickups and is height/angle adjustable.
The bass also features a personalised fretboard inlay and signed, engraved covers / headstock to finish off the 'signature' build.

OK, so here we go! ...........................................

The rough templates for my design

Body shaping... Note my redesign of the usual Shuker lower horn. I wanted the bass to sit still on my knee!

Also of interest is the VERY deep scoop for the disappearing heel. It isn't carved in these pictures, but can be seen later on.

I really cant stand heels on basses. They just get in the way!

The 7 piece lam neck.....

This picture was taken before the 4 strips of carbon inserts were added to keep the neck dead flat.

My lovely pieces of birdseye!

The rough body and neck sat together. The neck is not carved at this point.

Dual truss rods.

A selection of bits for Dood to play with! What colour dots shall I have??

Ah Black and clear blue!

In goes my 'signature' design...

Now to chop some holes for the pickups and my custom adjustable ramp A Shuker first! well.. my design anyway!.

The Body is wrapped up to spray the neck. With the paper removed afterwards, the ramp and pickup cuts outs are in 'close up'.

Lovely Green tape to protect the birdseye, whilst the body is sealed.

Holes for the 7 tuning keys... obviously!

Now, my fave bit! This is what one coat of unfinished "violet dreams" 'flip paint' looks like. Notice it is a little shiny, but not really that great. You can however see the different colurs in the paint. This *is* the bass colour, not a reflection from lights etc.

Note the deep scooped heel. Lovely unhindered access!

Green, Blue, Grey, Purple, Red.. is there any colour this guitar doesn't turn?

And finally after the bass has had it's full coats of paint, she is coated with several layers of 'wet look' glassy lacquer. Here's some HUGE bass porn for ya!

I took these pictures myself.... to be honest, they don't really do justice.. I'm no camera expert!

My 'Doodle' is a kind of magic!

Oh dear.. how did this one get in? Can you say camp?

On the day I went to pick up my lovely bass, I had to withold crying with tears of joy like a great big baby from these chaps!

Rich (who was in the process of ordering his Shuker), Simon's mate (Sorry I'm dreadful with names!), Simon with his WICKED Shuker P5 that he picked up the same day, me and finally the master himself, Jon Shuker. I have a lot of time for this guy and am thrilled to be endorsed by Shuker Guitars. Why would I go elsewhere?

Thank you Jon! You're a star!