Bass Building - a few hypothetical questions

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Permalink Reply by Artist Formerly Known as Matt on July 1, 2010 at 5:05pm

1-Bass tuners ... the bass strings are bigger, need bigger holes. Yes you can drill out the holes, but then you compromise strength. ( But I'm sure it's been done)

2-I wouldn't use teak unless I was laminating it with something else. That said .....
I built a bass with an oak/poplar/oak laminated neck,no fretboard, left it thick ( 1" at the smallest ) and bow isn't a problem.
Shoot, built it. Worst case scenario, it don't work. Good news! You gt to build some more.

Teak neck, kinda thick, add a fretboard, 3 strings, bass tuners, and light gauge strings.
You be in bidniz.


Matt

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Permalink Reply by Andy White on July 1, 2010 at 6:16pm

Thanks Matt - appreciate your help buddy

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Permalink Reply by Don Thompson on July 2, 2010 at 6:49am

Andy, the size of guitar tuner buttons will make it difficult to bring up to pitch, being smaller. The gearing is also meant for guitat strings. You will also have to drill out the string holes to accomadate bass string diameters. Spring for the bigger tuners even if it is a short scale bass. The teak should be fine. I suggest going with an upright style to get away from neck heaviness. You can do alot with two strings.
Don

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Permalink Reply by Don Thompson on July 2, 2010 at 7:02am

Matt, The original Steve Klein electrics used a one piece teak neck and people who own them swear by the substain. Don

Matt Towe said:

1-Bass tuners ... the bass strings are bigger, need bigger holes. Yes you can drill out the holes, but then you compromise strength. ( But I'm sure it's been done)

2-I wouldn't use teak unless I was laminating it with something else. That said .....
I built a bass with an oak/poplar/oak laminated neck,no fretboard, left it thick ( 1" at the smallest ) and bow isn't a problem.
Shoot, built it. Worst case scenario, it don't work. Good news! You gt to build some more.

Teak neck, kinda thick, add a fretboard, 3 strings, bass tuners, and light gauge strings.
You be in bidniz.


Matt

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Permalink Reply by Artist Formerly Known as Matt on July 2, 2010 at 7:15am

I don't have a problem with the tonal qualities of teak ........ I just don't think it would be strong enuff w/out a trussrod.


Matt

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Permalink Reply by Don Thompson on July 2, 2010 at 7:54am

Teak is one of the world's strongest and most stable woods. isn't that good for a neck? It can dull tools.
Don

Matt Towe said:

I don't have a problem with the tonal qualities of teak ........ I just don't think it would be strong enuff w/out a trussrod.


Matt

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Permalink Reply by Artist Formerly Known as Matt on July 2, 2010 at 8:41am

Don Thompson said:

Teak is one of the world's strongest and most stable woods. isn't that good for a neck? It can dull tools.
Don

Matt Towe said:

I don't have a problem with the tonal qualities of teak ........ I just don't think it would be strong enuff w/out a trussrod.


Matt

Really? I knew it had good lasting and waterproof (?) properties because of the marine use, but looking at the Janka wood hardness scale it comes in way belom oak, ash, etc.

btw- never worked with it ( not a wood worker), just using the almighty internet resouces.

Matt

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Permalink Reply by Andy White on July 2, 2010 at 12:10pm

Thanks guys -

I will purchase some Bass tuners - seems to be the way to go - although I am really cheap and writing this with gritted teeth at the thought of parting with the cash

Yeah have a go with teak if you get the chance - I'm not a woodworker either but I actually think it's easy to work with and the tone on the couple of CBG's I have made with it is really warm and mellow - even a bit Bassy

Don - I wa thinking up-right but wan't sure - think you have helped convince me. I will defo post some pics on how i get on (uless it goes completely wrong)

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Permalink Reply by Ben on July 2, 2010 at 12:38pm

The Bass tuners are obviously more expensive but very easy to work with. I'd like to put in my vote for a 2-stringer. Bass strings are quite a beast to deal with and have a good deal of "pull" to bow your neck. 2 strings = less tension. Plus, you can play just about everything you need to with 2 strings. Finally, if you buy a set of 4 tuners, then you have enough for 2 basses (or 3 if the other two are just 1-stringers). Good luck!

BigAndy said:

Thanks guys -

I will purchase some Bass tuners - seems to be the way to go - although I am really cheap and writing this with gritted teeth at the thought of parting with the cash

Yeah have a go with teak if you get the chance - I'm not a woodworker either but I actually think it's easy to work with and the tone on the couple of CBG's I have made with it is really warm and mellow - even a bit Bassy

Don - I wa thinking up-right but wan't sure - think you have helped convince me. I will defo post some pics on how i get on (uless it goes completely wrong)

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Permalink Reply by BenBob on July 2, 2010 at 7:42pm

If this helps, I compared guitar/bass tension while planning a bass, but I haven't actually buit it yet:

25" Acoustic light ADG tuned AEA: 106.4 lbs (473 N)
34" Bass light EAD tuned EAD: 115.3 lbs (513 N)
34" Bass light EAD tuned DGC: 91.6 lbs (408 N)

The longer neck really has more to bend though.

http://www.daddario.com/Resources/JDCDAD/images/tension_chart.pdf

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Permalink Reply by Don Thompson on July 2, 2010 at 9:21pm

Matt, You are spot on, there are many wood species that spank teak in a number of areas, ability to resit bending being one of them. It's a member of the birch family I think which is not known for it's inherint strength, but very stable. Should have been more exact in my praise.
Don

Matt Towe said:

Don Thompson said:

Teak is one of the world's strongest and most stable woods. isn't that good for a neck? It can dull tools.
Don

Matt Towe said:

I don't have a problem with the tonal qualities of teak ........ I just don't think it would be strong enuff w/out a trussrod.


Matt

Really? I knew it had good lasting and waterproof (?) properties because of the marine use, but looking at the Janka wood hardness scale it comes in way belom oak, ash, etc.

btw- never worked with it ( not a wood worker), just using the almighty internet resouces.

Matt

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Permalink Reply by Wade on July 5, 2010 at 11:06pm

You may have heard this before but the grain direction to me makes a big difference. Quartersawn wood is the way to go(grain perpendicular to fretboard) best of luck on your project. I'm currently looking into building a "gutbucket" type bass

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