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Want To build upright bass from box

Hi, I aint been on in a while. Ive made tackhead banjos etc. But now I got my sights on building myself a small version upright bass.

I bought a old foot locker to use for the box,, but realized its gonna be a booger to carry around.

So Im to the idea of building something like the one Charles Atkinson built, but a 4 stringer.

I got a idea how to do it, but got questions. If any of yall would be kind enough to help me out it would be appreciated.

1. I really want to make it so I can sit on a stool and play, Im old and lazy and don't want to stand up all the time.

2. Its gonna be fretless, do you think 35-37 scale would be good? I guess Im going to use weed eater strings. I ordered some of the "Weed Whacker" string in light . But the E is too big to fit in a regular bass tuner,, and the upright tuners are very expensive.

3. Could I make the box out of decent plywood, and use tone wood for top, and expect a decent sound? Im guessing yes, and I have the A spruce I bought for a guitar I never built. Its about 3/16.

4. Im sure I have more questions ,, these are just the first to come to mind.

5. I figure Ill build the neck similar as I did my gourd and tackhead banjos , only longer.

thank you if you have read this far. I know its lots of questions, I m just trying to get a good handle on this, and Im sure there are things Im not even thinking of,, inspite of the fact this is almost all I been thinking about for maybe 2 weeks :)

thanks

Steve Jeter

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Permalink Reply by Steve Jeter on April 27, 2016 at 5:27am

https://youtu.be/PgGHgO4myEkthis is the bass Im referring to that I want to "copy"

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Permalink Reply by Barrie Collins on April 27, 2016 at 6:00am

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/attachment/download?id=2592684%...
Heeres one i did ist a Two Stringer based on a Jazz Bass scale
It's about the size of a cello my gf plays it sitting down the box is an old needlework box that's why the nut is an old kilt pin the foot is a sink plunger so it don't slide around

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Permalink Reply by Steve Jeter on April 27, 2016 at 6:25am

cool build, I m thinking right along those lines. thanks

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Permalink Reply by Steve Jeter on April 27, 2016 at 6:26am

yessir, I guess cello would be more the size Im after,, but aren't they tuned different?

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Permalink Reply by Steve Jeter on April 27, 2016 at 7:16am

I just realized that I may be able to whittle down the weed whackers where they go thru the slot some to make it fit in,, then all the windings will hold in place.

These strings are big, but Im betting they will give a big sound.

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Permalink Reply by Bluesheart on April 28, 2016 at 4:33am

I have done a couple of upright basses. One for my wife uses the polyurethane strings and is really a bass uke, but is tuned EADG and sounds just like a full sized bass through her bass amp. Another uses weed wacker strings and is 3 string, has decent acoustic volume but really comes to life through the bass amp. If I can be of any help, please let me know. Both are are cigar box body with removable upright leg, so convertibles!

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Permalink Reply by Alan P. on April 28, 2016 at 6:35am

Any pics? Would love to see them.

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Permalink Reply by Bluesheart on April 29, 2016 at 10:43am

Yep, posted some below V

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Permalink Reply by Bluesheart on April 29, 2016 at 10:45am

But they are very small, maue have to look on my page if you are interested, sorry.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Jeter on April 28, 2016 at 7:37am

thanks, I may take you up on that. Im going to get the wood for the box today, hopefully , already have neck wood tuners and strings , Ill fab the rest

Steve