I made a diddley bow for a guy and now he's asking whether I can make a 3 string bass cbg. Has anyone any experience with such? If so what needs to be considered in making one? I'm assuming the tuning machines required are different than what I would normally use, but what other considerations needed, I don't know.
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I built a 28" scale crossover 4 string for my last build. Crossover because it uses a bass string on the fourth string and the bottom 3 from a regular set. I got away with it using a T section aluminium bar built into the neck. Tuned D1 G2 D2 G3 it's growls through my amp.
Everyone is correct in here, to do this properly you really need to be able to adjust the neck bow after fret leveling because bass strings have a much wider vibrational circumference. I was lucky enough to get away with it by accident because I built a slight bow into my neck by design, fretting went well and I also put a slight drop off at the bass end of the fretboard. The action seemed high to me at first but after checking out some bass guitars I realise mine is decent. I was very very lucky. It would have been a complete train wreck if it was a pure bass guitar.
I don't know if this will help but here's some considerations...
Will the string length fit the design? (I had to go headless to save 2")
Finger plucking needs extra space. You need the string distance to fan out slightly down the neck mine goes from 8mm at the nut to 12mm at bridge (too small for a proper bass but mine is a crossover so I get away with it)
Extra bracing inside the box. Mine is semi acoustic with no extra bracing under the bridge and although I built a wide bridge to take the load, I'm so glad that I put a square bracing around the box because the string pressure wanted to bend the edges of the box out of shape. Easily fixed by screwing the box to the bracing inside.
If your going 3 string bass I think you will probably find the same kind of problems as my 4 string hybrid with string pressure. Don't be like me and just dive in. I was very very lucky. Read everything you can in the bass group ( I didn't know we had one, lol). And.. Last but not least.. Good luck.
I've done a few 3 string basses - use good quality bass machineheads and strings. I laminated the necks and put in double-acting truss rods - the only sure-fire way to go for a trouble free neck.
Short scale bass is 28" or 30". Long scale 32" or 34". Would suggest a trussrod and strong wood for a neck and through piece.
lots more to consider , extra neck support , truss rod or not , stronger wood choice, scale, string gauge, bass pickup , even a a bass amp need consideration . etc etc etc . bass strings add a bunch more string pressure than regular guits ,adding much more consideration in other areas .
here's the bass group , should get lots of help there
http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/cigarboxbasses
as a "safer" alternative , you can get away with a 2 stringer short scale bass , using the 2 fat strings from a special drop d guitar string pack . they will still fit the regular tuners , and a good piece of oak will be sufficient for a 25.5 scale through neck .
(i've done a couple that way ) 2 and 3 stringers .
http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/swamp-witch-guitar-short-bass-h...
http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/swamp-witch-2-string-bass-guita...