God bless the writers of science magazines back in the 1960's.  Everyone wanted to be a rock star, so they found innovative ways to make the instruments!

We have archived these vintage 2x4 bass plans in a downloadable PDF file for you to print out and attempt. 

If you build one, post pictures below!

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I love that this surfaced again.
A few interesting "sign of the times" items leap out.  the first is that reading the instructions, what leaps out is what is not written, some of the steps are kind of glossed over as though they are so routine to the magazine and its readers that details are not necessary.  Another is some of the parts lists.  When was the last time you were in the hardware store and could buy an aluminum heat shield for a 5 prong vacuum tube? or Bakelite to cut down for a jack plate? or 40 gauge magnet wire by the pound from a local brick and mortar store?

I have taken a few notes, some design elements from here will make it into a future CBB.

Instead of connecting a spire on the end for stand up Bass, what if you connected a wash tub on the bottom? Stand up Electric Wash Tub Bass.

A bass has to be on my "to do" list.
This is a great example! Greta pic

This bass was built by my dad in 1967, and I was excited to find the plans he used online.  I now have it tuned to D and A and am playing it with my dulcimer group.

Attachments:

More "sign of the times" You will have to cut this down or use a larger piece of wood, 2X4's are not 4 inches wide anymore : )

Well, the plan calls for a body 1-5/8" x 3-5/8", so you'd only be off by an 1/8" using big box lumber.

Hi, I did not see this thread, I posted a similar build elsewhere, "5string bass" just now.

Taff

I'd like to build a 2 x 4 stand up Bass with rod piezo, preamp and maybe a Flatpup.

Hi, here's my build. Details in my other post, Ibuilt this some years ago.

cheers Taff

Very nice build Taff.

Flymo strings and a big carboard box works well .. here is how not to do it

:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHSkBpo7KUg

Flymo strings and a big carboard box works well .. here is how not to do it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHSkBpo7KUg

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