Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Yellowbelly Flatt on October 17, 2012 at 8:48am

I've never heard the term "type one bass".

What scale length will be used? What strings are you planning on employing?

String height at 12 fret approx 2 mm. Perhaps a tad more on 4th string with strings spaced at about 13mm.

Use bass pick ups (active type set up) with switches for 1, 2, or both pickups plus tone and volume switches, Put the jack socket on the face of the guitar, Sift through e-bay for ideas and contacts. Use pick ups that suit the style if guitar or the players personal preference. Fretting formulas and the fitting of frets is identical - or dare you go fret-less? Make sure that everything is strong enough, then build it twice as strong. Get a good fully adjustable bridge

Remember that this is a commission piece so the buyer player might have their own likes and wants. 

I play electric basses, electro acoustic basses,ukulele basses and stand up basses, I have also built similar.

Permalink Reply by OldNick on October 17, 2012 at 10:17am

Thanks, Yellowbelly.   This is going to be a surprise gift, so I can't ask the guy any questions.   The only info I have from his girlfriend is that he wants a 5 string, type one bass, and that he plays reggae.  Is there anything peculiar to reggae that would suggest certain features for the guitar (fretless/fretted, single coil/humbucker, etc)?  

Any sources besides ebay for reasonably priced electronics,bridges, or truss rods for 5 string basses?

I'll see if she if I can pry more info out of the girlfriend.

thanks again

nick

Permalink Reply by Yellowbelly Flatt on October 19, 2012 at 3:37am

Hi there,

there is nothing that I know of that is vitally specific to a bass used for reggae that is different from other styles of music. Like anything else it's all down to personal preference.

Items such as will the user need a thumb rest as I guess that he will be playing finger style. It might be an idea to be able to see him play or get a photo of the instrument that he presently plays.

As I am not a believer in bass guitars that have more than 4 strings I cannot help with contacts for equipment. I would suggest that a truss rod is essential.

Here are a few suggestions from a 'shop' that I have used.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-string-Neck-bridge-Black-jazz-bass-pick...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-string-Musicman-style-Bass-pick-up-13k-...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-string-hard-tail-fixed-bass-guitar-brid...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-string-hard-tail-fixed-bass-guitar-brid...

Permalink Reply by Diglydog on October 19, 2012 at 4:22am

Hi Nick

I'm hoping to build a cigar box bass and just bought a 'real' bass to see what I was aiming for (and because I wanted one). Having played guitar for a few years, I was surprised by just how big everything was on the bass - the strings are like wire hawsers !

I suggest going to your local music store and having a really good look at some basses.  In particular, consider the amount of force that the tension from 5 bass strings will put on the neck.

Like I said, I've never built one but owning one has made me see the building project in a completely different light. It is a very different animal to my guitars. Good luck.

Permalink Reply by OldNick on October 19, 2012 at 4:52am

Luckily, the girlfriend is going to get some more details from other band members.  And the request for a "type one" was a miscommunication.  When I was asked what kind of guitar she wanted, I was told "a five string bass type one".   it turns out that she was using the pronoun "one" to mean guitar.  So she was asking for a "five string bass type guitar".   The wonders of email communication. LOL

Thanks for all the feedback and answers,

-nick

Permalink Reply by eK on October 24, 2012 at 7:38am

there is nothing that I know of that is vitally specific to a bass used for reggae that is different from other styles of music. Like anything else it's all down to personal preference.

Sounds right to me. About the only thing that can be said for reggae's sound is that it is dark and thick by design.

For practical purposes that usually means flat wound strings, a short scale (30") neck (optional - to get that bouncy tubby woody quality), low tone settings - although it's usually better to do it on the amp and leave the tone on the bass somewhere in the middle, cranked up bass tone settings, a tube amp head, and 15" speakers in a ported cabinet.

It's not just the instrument that makes a reggae bassline sound like a reggae bassline. It's the instrument, the amp, the settings, and the player. I've heard pros produce that lovely sound using every bass you can think of, ranging from a an vintage P-Bass to a brand spanking new Rickenbacker 4003.

I think if you just build the nicest sounding bass you can that favors the low end you'll do just fine.

Note: a 5-string bass is not that easy a thing to build. Even if it's a conventional 5-string you're building from a kit. I give you credit for being willing to take on that level of challenge on your first bass build.

Permalink Reply by OldNick on October 25, 2012 at 1:34am

So I should use P-Bass pickups as opposed to J-Bass pickups, correct?

Permalink Reply by eK on October 26, 2012 at 4:56pm

The J-Bass pickup has a distinct "honk" in the midrange. The P-Bass split pickup (or the 50s "Tele-Bass" single style pickup you find on the reissues) have a lot more low end and significantly more "boom" when you play them due to the difference in construction.

This is a 51 P-Bass single type.

If I were doing reggae or dub I'd definitely give P-Bass pickups a try first.

Guitar Fetish has some very nice sounding and inexpensive bass pickups on their website. You probably wouldn't confuse them for a top of the line boutique pickup if you were plugged into a really good amp in a studio. But for live use, and in most other settings, they're really great pickups IMHO. :-)

Permalink Reply by OldNick on October 27, 2012 at 3:26am

Thanks for the tip about Guitar Fetish.  Their prices are great.

nick

Permalink Reply by eK on October 24, 2012 at 7:55am

Note: regarding the earlier comment about a truss rod: it's not an option. You absolutely must install one if you don't want a neck you'll be able to shoot arrows off of in about 12 months. Fortunately, they're readily available and reasonably priced (about $20-25) from several sources. Basses use the 24" size.

If possible, get one of the 2-way adjustable types to allow for correcting the neck bow in either direction. Also don't forget to see what tool you'll need to adjust it. It's essential you use the correct type and size wrench or you'll risk damaging the truss rod.

Good video here that explains what it's all about if you're not familiar with truss rods. And another vid here where a pro builder walks you through what's involved in installing one.

Permalink Reply by OldNick on October 25, 2012 at 1:33am

Thanks.  I'm well aware of the neck tension issue, as well as installation/use of truss rods.

Permalink Reply by eK on October 26, 2012 at 4:59pm

Apologies. Didn't know you did.

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page