Local materials challenge bass finally done

[Peter Wilcox]

Started here, back in April: http://www.mimf.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=729

I didn't get far, but intermittent procrastinating perseverance has finally paid off. I played it at a jam last weekend, and everybody thought it sounded good, close to an URB. I have flat wound strings on it until the FB finish hardens up for a couple of months.

Scale 34"
Soundboard - 4 piece hemlock
Sides and back - myrtlewood
Dark wood - Peruvian walnut (not local anymore)
Braces - spruce
Bolt on mortise and tenon alder neck
Body width - 20"
Body length 30"
Side width 5" to 10"
Total length 63"
Finish KTM-9

I initially made maple tuning pegs to use with weed eater strings, and used an unglued pin bridge (without pins), but the strings didn't have the needed mass, so I had to use store-bought tuners and a glued in pin bridge for the higher tension steel core strings.

I learned a lot making this: most importantly, that the most enjoyable part - design and construction - is about 25% of the process, and the least enjoyable - sanding and finish - is 75%. Arrrgh! If I were to do it over (or build another) I would use less robust top bracing, and more side braces. Also, I haven't yet figured out where to put strap buttons for playing it standing (I can hold it like a cello seated.) I should have made the tail block more robust so I could install an endpin.

Thanks to those in the forum who answered questions, and to the great library here. Any criticism, constructive or otherwise, appreciated.

[Peter Wilcox]

More pics.

[Josh Humphrey]

I like it! I remember being a bit skeptical of the design during the challenge, but the finished product is intriguing. It looks very nice, and the simplicity of the design works! Congratulations

[Nick Dingle]

Cool. Reminds me of those Mexican "Guitarron" basses.

The TIKI head?

[Peter Wilcox]

It's somewhat larger than a guitarron, especially the 34" vs 26" scale length. However, the guitarron's body is a little deeper.

The head is my poor attempt to copy this African figure. I didn't make the block I carved wide enough.
I figured a headstock should have a head on it.

The inlay is a cross section through a small animal vertebral body - probably a cat. My first inlay attempt, so it didn't come out that great.

[Doug Shaker]

I deeply like the idea of a head stock with a head on it.

[Bob Francis]

Any sound clips?
As a bass player I really like the scale and would like to hear it.

[Peter Wilcox]

Here's a short clip of my bass - from low E up the 4 strings to E on the G string.

mybass.mp3

(143.41 KiB) Downloaded 7030 times

And here's the same of an URB.

urb.mp3

(113.25 KiB) Downloaded 7030 times

Recorded with a little Tascam DR-03. Not a bad sound for a $60 instrument.

[Bob Francis]

Flats on the newbie?
Either way when they die a little you nailed it!

[Andrew Porter]

The head looks good to me. I like the inlay too. I might steal that idea. Sound clip is the proof in pudding.