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
Started by Timothy Hunter in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray yesterday. 1 Reply 2 Likes
Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 21. 11 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 10. 1 Reply 3 Likes
Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by BrianQ. Mar 9. 4 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies 1 Like
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Ken I in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Brian partington Mar 8. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 6. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Taffy Evans in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 5. 4 Replies 2 Likes
Started by Nomad Jack in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 2. 6 Replies 1 Like
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Carl Floyd Mar 1. 15 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Joe in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Carl Floyd Feb 29. 13 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Chance in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 22. 12 Replies 1 Like
Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies 4 Likes
Started by Brad in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 19. 6 Replies 3 Likes
Started by Jacob Shook in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 16. 10 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Southern Ray in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 16. 2 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Skeesix in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Skeesix Feb 6. 2 Replies 1 Like
Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Steve M Jan 31. 9 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Mi Rankin in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Justin Stanchfield Jan 27. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments 2 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment 1 Like
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 8, 2024 at 4:05pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
May 11, 2024 from 11am to 8pm – Speakeasy Grill
0 Comments 0 Likes© 2024 Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker. Powered by
Cigar Box Nation is presented by C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, your one-stop-shop for Cigar Box Guitar parts and accessories!