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String Choice for 3-String Short Scale

Hi,

I'm planning to build a short scale 3-string bass using a reinforced vintage cigar box as a body and an inch-thick piece of oak as a neck. Essentially, it will be a through neck with reinforcement to accommodate a cutout for the pickup.

I've seen comments that the ADG strings are the best choice and was wondering why this was the case. I would prefer the tone of EAD and I'm not particularly interested in the acoustic response of the box as I'll be using a bass pickup into a bass amp or a direct input. However, I don't want to go making basic mistakes if I can learn from others.

I'm also debating whether to attempt fitting a fixed truss rod. I've never done it before but I'm sure it's within the art of the possible, although I may need to buy a router. I'm not planning to use a separate fingerboard (at the moment - my plans change) so the truss rod would need to go in from the back.

Any advice would be much appreciated, as I have no experience of bass building. Many thanks :-)

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Diglydog on August 23, 2013 at 8:56pm

Thanks eK - I'm hoping to get a better recording of it soon. I'm pleased with the way it's turned out. Now I'm thinking about a 4-string (maybe long scale) but I'm pretty sure that would need a reinforced neck.

Permalink Reply by eK on August 24, 2013 at 7:41am

I'd think so. There's a huge amount more tension with that 4th string and extra 4 inches of the set. One way to be sure you get a working instrument might be to just buy an unfinished 4-string bass neck from somebody like StewMac. A P-Bass replacement goes for about $120 USD. Not exactly cheap. But if you're planning a "one-off" you just want to play, that might be a viable starting point. Definitely cheaper than buying a router, planer, fret saw, truss rod wrench, hunk of maple, etc. etc. etc. would set you back if you don't have all the tools. Alternatively, picking up a junker Squier or other inexpensive bass for something like $50 is another possibility. But be forewarned, I recently bought a oddball Baltimore 4-string bass in mint condition on close-out from Guitar Center for $25. (The Roadrunner gig bag I also bought to take it home in cost more than that.)

I did this on a lark, fully intending to disassemble it for parts. Unfortunately (fortunately?) it sounded so good and had such a nice neck with almost perfect set-up (better than some expensive Fender American-Made instruments I've recently tried) that I've kept it as is. I'm now using it as my truck-around bass for when I'm playing in open jam sessions - or in places where I don't want to risk taking anything good along. (Lost a few very nice instruments that way over the years.)

Mine looks like this except it's in cherry red metallic.

Of course the journey is also it's own reward. So if you're really into it, or plan on going into limited production as a business or hobby, doing it yourself also makes a lot of sense.

D'Addario's website has some very good information on string tension that can be found here. It's must reading for builders that are exploring unconventional materials and building techniques (like CBGs!). Although it's mainly presented as a way to match strings for better intonation and tuning stability, it also makes you realize just how much pressure is exerted on the neck of a guitar or bass. It comes as a surprise to most people that the pull of a single guitar string easily exceeds 10 lbs.

Luck with your next. And keep on thumpin'...because at the end of the day: BASS RULZ. :-))