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
Tags:
https://youtu.be/PgGHgO4myEkthis is the bass Im referring to that I want to "copy"
cool build, I m thinking right along those lines. thanks
yessir, I guess cello would be more the size Im after,, but aren't they tuned different?
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.
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!
Yep, posted some below V
But they are very small, maue have to look on my page if you are interested, sorry.
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
sweet lookin basses, I cant get the pic to enlargen . love to see em up close
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