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  • Joe Caruso February 19, 2019 at 10:22pm

    Thanks for posting - I needed this. ;-)

  • Primitive Acoustics February 6, 2015 at 4:25pm

    I recently built a two string bass with 30" scale and thought that the DG tuning sounded fine but I like the deeper sounds better.  Have it tuned AD now and will probably switch to EA and try that.  I really love the sounds that Mark Sandman of Morphine got out of his 2 string slide bass.  I just put up the pictures it you want to see it.

  • Scott aka Farmer Ted February 6, 2015 at 6:37am

    This project of your will be interesting to see as it evolves. Kudos for creating a set of drawing...which is helpful for others in understanding a much-forgotten step in making a guitar...drawn plans.

    The tuning question really has only 3 options (string choice)...E-A, A-D, or D-G. Keeping the string pairs adjacent will make it easier to play, since bass is commonly played by running scale patterns in single notes, not chords. Having the string pairs adjacent means that when you move from one string to the next in a scale run, your hand will remain in that area of the neck.

    • Corbin > Scott aka Farmer Ted February 6, 2015 at 9:37am
      Thanks Farmer Ted, your word mean allot to me. With this build I think that plans are truly needed because it isn't a straight forward build like one with a cigar box. Though even at times that would make it easier to do a simple CBG build. It gives you a chance to sort out some ideas and see what they will look like.

      Now about the three choices of string combos. Which do you think will be the most playable and sound the best.
      E-A lowest & thickest strings
      A-D
      D-G thinnest strings
      • JL > Corbin February 6, 2015 at 10:39am

        I cast my vote for E-A

        • Corbin > JL February 6, 2015 at 11:42am
          Any particular reasons why you would choose E-A?
          • Scott aka Farmer Ted > Corbin February 6, 2015 at 1:08pm

            If I were making one, the lowest (deepest) notes would be more desirable...after all, its a bass. At 30" scale, the other two strings (D-G) might sound closer in tone to a baritone scale guitar(not bad overall) but it all comes to preference.

            • Corbin > Scott aka Farmer Ted February 6, 2015 at 4:02pm
              I'm leaning towards E-A, but slightly worried (but not real worried) about it bending the neck with the tension of the thick strings. Maybe the bit of worry is all for nothing with a truss rod.
              • Gwil Colman > Corbin February 6, 2015 at 7:20pm

                The four strings of a bass guitar each have roughly the same tension.  You can choose any two and the force on the neck will be about the same.  A thicker string only exerts more tension if it's pulled up to the same pitch as a thin one. 

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