Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Johnny Debit on June 24, 2010 at 6:06am

Micah

I'm currently working on one myself. I used a 41" scale, with a 33" fingerboard (1.5" wide at the nut and 3.5" wide at the base and a 4" radius). Here's a link of what I've done so far. http://herringmeisterlist.blogspot.com/
I think the long scale length is the deal maker. Everything else is a matter of taste.

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Permalink Reply by Micah Haley on June 24, 2010 at 6:33am

Awesome! Thank you man!

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Permalink Reply by Michael Gajeski on June 24, 2010 at 6:47am

I saw a really cool suitcase bass kit online a while back. Here is a link to some testimonials about it, but I can't find the actual order page for it.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Gajeski on June 24, 2010 at 6:48am

you might also look into the bogdon box bass.
http://www.edencompanies.com/bogdon/

Here is a video review of the the build process and a demo of it from bass player magazine.

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Permalink Reply by Johnny Debit on June 24, 2010 at 6:58am

For rough plans on a simple washtub double bass you should see Dennis Havlena http://www.dennishavlena.com/db.htm
Cardboard may produce a better sound, but it can't take much punishment.

Michael Gajeski said:

you might also look into the bogdon box bass.
http://www.edencompanies.com/bogdon/

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Permalink Reply by Johnny Debit on June 24, 2010 at 7:22am

Michael,

I dig the detachable neck for transport on the suitcase base. Now I'll be staying up at night until I can figure out a good way to incorporate that feature into a washtub bass. I was thinking I could use a large locking latch like those on a toolbox on the tailpiece. That way you can detune, unlatch, and then the strings would be free so the neck can be removed entirely. Teardown in less than one minute and re-assemble and tune in less than two -- ???

Michael Gajeski said:

I saw a really cool suitcase bass kit online a while back. Here is a link to some testimonials about it, but I can't find the actual order page for it.

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Permalink Reply by Micah Haley on June 24, 2010 at 9:44am

Check this out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9v0ex23xag

Definite inspiration from this piece.

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Permalink Reply by BenBob on June 24, 2010 at 4:08pm

It's not full scale, but after a few more smaller instruments I'd like to build one of these:

http://liutaiomottola.com/instruments/canotto.htm

I think it would be a great alternative to an acoustic bass guitar.

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Permalink Reply by Ben on June 25, 2010 at 1:31am

Hey David, sweet build! I was thinking about your piezo problem. Have you considered going the Fishman route (make your own of course). I have it and I really like it. It has two piezos that are clamped ON TO the bridge between the E and A strings and between the D and G strings. This might give you more vibration but keep it from getting boomy.
http://www.fishman.com/products/details.asp?id=10

David Herring said:

Micah

I'm currently working on one myself. I used a 41" scale, with a 33" fingerboard (1.5" wide at the nut and 3.5" wide at the base and a 4" radius). Here's a link of what I've done so far. http://herringmeisterlist.blogspot.com/
I think the long scale length is the deal maker. Everything else is a matter of taste.

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Permalink Reply by Johnny Debit on June 25, 2010 at 5:41am

Thanks for the kind words suggestion Ben. I played around with clamping the piezos between the strings. It helped some, but I’ve found these MEAS tabs respond better under pressure. I ended up cutting a slot on each side of the bridge about ¾” from the top and putting the piezo tabs in the slots – sort of like the feet on the sides of a traditional bass bridge. The pressure from the strings flex the slots and push down on the piezos just enough to get good, even volume. I’ll have to upload pictures this weekend. I’m still tweaking the nut and refining the bridge. I might end up spending as much time on the setup as I did building the thing.


Ben said:

Hey David, sweet build! I was thinking about your piezo problem. Have you considered going the Fishman route (make your own of course). I have it and I really like it. It has two piezos that are clamped ON TO the bridge between the E and A strings and between the D and G strings. This might give you more vibration but keep it from getting boomy.
http://www.fishman.com/products/details.asp?id=10

David Herring said:

Micah

I'm currently working on one myself. I used a 41" scale, with a 33" fingerboard (1.5" wide at the nut and 3.5" wide at the base and a 4" radius). Here's a link of what I've done so far. http://herringmeisterlist.blogspot.com/
I think the long scale length is the deal maker. Everything else is a matter of taste.

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Permalink Reply by Micah Haley on June 25, 2010 at 7:10am

Hey David, what did you use for your tuning machines?

I'm trying to source some and they are anything but cheap.

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Johnny Debit on June 25, 2010 at 7:29am

I used http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Bass_tuners/Adjustable_Tension_B...

At $31.98 they are not cheap. I even had to drill a hole in the string slots for the E and A strings to accomodate the string's girth. Since I was trying to make this thing a nice as I could, I sprung for the tuners. In the future, I think I'll just use eye bolts.

Micah Haley said:

Hey David, what did you use for your tuning machines?

I'm trying to source some and they are anything but cheap.

Thanks!

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