Dr. Jeffrey Kavanaugh 🇨🇦
@jlkavanaugh.bsky.social
Glaciologist and Earth system scientist at the University of Alberta. Luthier, photographer, baker, and coffee maker. Two-wheeled travel enthusiast and dog companion. He/him.
Glow check!
I’m thinking back to my gigging days, when we’d occasionally start our shows on a blacked-out stage - hitting that opening note was always terrifying.
With these dots? NBD.
I’m thinking back to my gigging days, when we’d occasionally start our shows on a blacked-out stage - hitting that opening note was always terrifying.
With these dots? NBD.
September 19, 2026 at 8:12 PM
Glow check!
I’m thinking back to my gigging days, when we’d occasionally start our shows on a blacked-out stage - hitting that opening note was always terrifying.
With these dots? NBD.
I’m thinking back to my gigging days, when we’d occasionally start our shows on a blacked-out stage - hitting that opening note was always terrifying.
With these dots? NBD.
Glue is dry and dots have been sanded flush. All remaining visible traces of the glue will be removed when the neck is shaped and finish-sanded.
September 19, 2026 at 8:09 PM
Glue is dry and dots have been sanded flush. All remaining visible traces of the glue will be removed when the neck is shaped and finish-sanded.
A drop of CA glue goes into each drilled hole, followed by a length of luminescent material. Once the glue dries, I’ll sand the dots flush.
September 19, 2026 at 7:43 PM
A drop of CA glue goes into each drilled hole, followed by a length of luminescent material. Once the glue dries, I’ll sand the dots flush.
Luminescent side dot material cut to length (just shy of 1/4”) and ready for installation.
An uncut rod of the material is in the clear tube to the right.
An uncut rod of the material is in the clear tube to the right.
September 19, 2026 at 7:29 PM
Luminescent side dot material cut to length (just shy of 1/4”) and ready for installation.
An uncut rod of the material is in the clear tube to the right.
An uncut rod of the material is in the clear tube to the right.
Here’s the right-angle jig I use for this step (in conjunction with the adjustable fence). The neck is affixed to the jig with double-sided tape so that its top edge is flush with the jig’s top edge.
September 19, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Here’s the right-angle jig I use for this step (in conjunction with the adjustable fence). The neck is affixed to the jig with double-sided tape so that its top edge is flush with the jig’s top edge.
Here’s an example of the accuracy brad-point drill bits allow. Note the tiny indentation at the intersection of the marked lines - that was made by the bit’s centre point.
September 19, 2026 at 7:14 PM
Here’s an example of the accuracy brad-point drill bits allow. Note the tiny indentation at the intersection of the marked lines - that was made by the bit’s centre point.
Back to work. Here I’m laying out the side marker dot locations, taking into account the fretboard’s thickness and eventual radius (10”).
September 19, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Back to work. Here I’m laying out the side marker dot locations, taking into account the fretboard’s thickness and eventual radius (10”).
And check out this sourdough magic.
September 19, 2026 at 6:13 PM
And check out this sourdough magic.
Not a great ear day, but a good day for singing boules.
September 19, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Not a great ear day, but a good day for singing boules.
A somewhat disappointing lack of “ear” on this one, but I do love listening to it sing (sound up for subtle crackling noises).
September 19, 2026 at 4:56 PM
A somewhat disappointing lack of “ear” on this one, but I do love listening to it sing (sound up for subtle crackling noises).
It’s too beautiful of a day not to go for a ride.
September 18, 2026 at 10:30 PM
It’s too beautiful of a day not to go for a ride.
Thanks for this thread - and that multiple-exposure eclipse shot is iconic. Here's my (unintentional) semi-recreation, taken in the mid-late '90s from the Vancouver waterfront:
September 16, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Thanks for this thread - and that multiple-exposure eclipse shot is iconic. Here's my (unintentional) semi-recreation, taken in the mid-late '90s from the Vancouver waterfront:
Speaking of “dope,” @behindthebluemotel.com, check out this WWII photographer’s two-Leica setup:
September 16, 2026 at 1:48 AM
Speaking of “dope,” @behindthebluemotel.com, check out this WWII photographer’s two-Leica setup:
@nardwuarserviette.bsky.social would have gotten video.
September 15, 2026 at 3:17 AM
@nardwuarserviette.bsky.social would have gotten video.
The blue glow is visible even in a darker corner of my workshop.
September 13, 2026 at 10:51 PM
The blue glow is visible even in a darker corner of my workshop.
Here’s what the rod of material looked like before cutting to ~1/4” lengths; the photo on the right was taken in my basement darkroom after exposing the material to sunlight.
September 13, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Here’s what the rod of material looked like before cutting to ~1/4” lengths; the photo on the right was taken in my basement darkroom after exposing the material to sunlight.
I’m a big fan of Mother-of-Pearl fret markers, and have used that material for all of the fret markers (both front and side) for the baker’s dozen of instruments I’ve built to date.
This bass (and the guitar I’m currently building) will use luminous side marker dots. Here I’m trimming them flush.
This bass (and the guitar I’m currently building) will use luminous side marker dots. Here I’m trimming them flush.
September 13, 2026 at 10:19 PM
I’m a big fan of Mother-of-Pearl fret markers, and have used that material for all of the fret markers (both front and side) for the baker’s dozen of instruments I’ve built to date.
This bass (and the guitar I’m currently building) will use luminous side marker dots. Here I’m trimming them flush.
This bass (and the guitar I’m currently building) will use luminous side marker dots. Here I’m trimming them flush.
Holes for the side dots have been drilled. Here it’s important to take into account the fretboard thickness and radius in addition to the dot diameter (here 2.5mm or ~3/32”) when determining how far up from the neck/fretboard (here maple/ebony) boundary to place them.
September 13, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Holes for the side dots have been drilled. Here it’s important to take into account the fretboard thickness and radius in addition to the dot diameter (here 2.5mm or ~3/32”) when determining how far up from the neck/fretboard (here maple/ebony) boundary to place them.
Excellent photo!
(I’m a big fan of bicycle shadowplay.)
(I’m a big fan of bicycle shadowplay.)
September 13, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Excellent photo!
(I’m a big fan of bicycle shadowplay.)
(I’m a big fan of bicycle shadowplay.)
Tangentiality check: ☑️
September 13, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Tangentiality check: ☑️
Mother-of-pearl fret marker dots glued in place.
September 13, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Mother-of-pearl fret marker dots glued in place.
All front fret marker dots holes have been drilled. This is an extremely satisfying step.
September 13, 2026 at 6:16 PM
All front fret marker dots holes have been drilled. This is an extremely satisfying step.
With the front fret marker dots drilled and installed for the Jazz-style bass done, next I’ll do the same for the Telecaster-style guitar build.
A key detail here is to use brad-point drill bits, which have a narrow central point and edge cutters. Normal bits aren’t accurate enough, and can wander.
A key detail here is to use brad-point drill bits, which have a narrow central point and edge cutters. Normal bits aren’t accurate enough, and can wander.
September 13, 2026 at 6:16 PM
With the front fret marker dots drilled and installed for the Jazz-style bass done, next I’ll do the same for the Telecaster-style guitar build.
A key detail here is to use brad-point drill bits, which have a narrow central point and edge cutters. Normal bits aren’t accurate enough, and can wander.
A key detail here is to use brad-point drill bits, which have a narrow central point and edge cutters. Normal bits aren’t accurate enough, and can wander.
That’s what I’m talking about - the ruler is tangential to all of the centreline dots.
September 13, 2026 at 5:40 PM
That’s what I’m talking about - the ruler is tangential to all of the centreline dots.
After putting a couple of drops of CA glue in each hole, the dots pop nicely into place.
September 13, 2026 at 5:29 PM
After putting a couple of drops of CA glue in each hole, the dots pop nicely into place.