1st Bass

ArenW · #1 09-26-2007, 11:48 AM

To whoever may be interested: I am posting some pictures of my first bass. I have been working for a few months under the distant supervision of Kevin Flannery from Grand Rapids, MI. It has been an fantastic learning experience. I can't wait to finish this one and get going on #2.

The top is of Engleman Spruce. The back sides and neck are curly maple. Blocks are Sitka.

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funkybassplayer · #2 09-26-2007, 12:02 PM

wow thats a good looking flame. Can't wait to see it finished

MingusAmongUs · #3 09-26-2007, 01:08 PM

Flat top?

ArenW · #4 09-26-2007, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MingusAmongUs

Flat top?

Flat top?? No, actually I've been trying to tame the arch a bit. When I started it was a little over the top, but I've got it closer to the template off of the Guiseppe Pedrazinni that I'm working from.

MingusAmongUs · #5 09-26-2007, 01:48 PM

I figured that couldn't be, but in the pic, it really looks flat to me. Tricks of the eye I guess.

ArenW · #6 03-25-2008, 12:50 PM

After a vacation, some mega overtime with my day job, and a few monetary setbacks (Christmas, birthdays, heat) I am inching ever closer to the finish line. Here are a couple pics of the progress.

gus01 · #7 03-25-2008, 12:59 PM

that's cool, i'm green

Jake deVilliers · #8 03-25-2008, 01:02 PM

Looks pretty good Aren - I especially like the scowly f-holes!

What kind of maple are you using there? Its gorgeous.

mattfong · #9 03-25-2008, 01:20 PM

I'm so jealous of you people learning how to build basses.

ah, someday. Maybe I can get an apprenticeship at Heinls after I get my performance degree...

ArenW · #10 03-25-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

Looks pretty good Aren - I especially like the scowly f-holes!

What kind of maple are you using there? Its gorgeous.

The overall design was taken from a Guiseppe Pedrazzini. I tried to get the f-holes as close as possible but being my first stab at bass making, they ain't perfect.

The maple was free, from a local cabinet maker that had the board lying around his shop for 20 or so years. I have no idea what kind of maple it is though. Only that it is from Indiana. The guy just gave me another piece with even tighter curls so I can't wait to finish this one and get the next one going!

KSB - Ken Smith · #11 03-25-2008, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArenW

The overall design was taken from a Guiseppe Pedrazzini. I tried to get the f-holes as close as possible but being my first stab at bass making, they ain't perfect.

The maple was free, from a local cabinet maker that had the board lying around his shop for 20 or so years. I have no idea what kind of maple it is though. Only that it is from Indiana. The guy just gave me another piece with even tighter curls so I can't wait to finish this one and get the next one going!

The Maple is 'Red Maple' (Acer Rubrum).

We have been using it for over 25 years here in the Smith Basses. I supplied some to Arnold a few years ago and I think his Ergo Bass#3 has Ribs made from that wood.

Nice looking Bass you have there. Let us know how it comes out in the end sound wise and update us once a year or so.

ArenW · #12 03-25-2008, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

The Maple is 'Red Maple' (Acer Rubrum).

We have been using it for over 25 years here in the Smith Basses. I supplied some to Arnold a few years ago and I think his Ergo Bass#3 has Ribs made from that wood.

Nice looking Bass you have there. Let us know how it comes out in the end sound wise and update us once a year or so.

Thanks for the info Ken. Good stuff to know!
Being a beginner in this game, I don't know my woods very well yet.

Thanks to everyone for the kind words of encouragement as well.

**Matthew Tucker** · #13 03-26-2008, 06:39 AM

looking good. That'll be a lovely bass. Nothing quite like free wood, is there?

I've got a couple of questions.

Why the holes in the top plate into the blocks? Yes, I guess they are for registration pins of some sort, but why did you find them necessary?

Why did you decide to use kerfed linings? Did you get a good fit all around? What wood did you use for linings?

ArenW · #14 03-26-2008, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

looking good. That'll be a lovely bass. Nothing quite like free wood, is there?

I've got a couple of questions.

Why the holes in the top plate into the blocks? Yes, I guess they are for registration pins of some sort, but why did you find them necessary?

Why did you decide to use kerfed linings? Did you get a good fit all around? What wood did you use for linings?

As for the pins...I have been "taking a few lessons" through this whole process and the guy I've been working with does it that way. I'm not so sure thats how I'll do things on the next one but I've been trying to stick to his method for the first bass.

The linings are spruce. The ribs did a bit of moving around after removing the mold and, being in a hurry, I had already nearly finished the top. So there were a couple places where the fit wasn't quite where I wanted it, so I kerfed the linings to gain a bit more flexibility.

KSB - Ken Smith · #15 03-26-2008, 09:04 AM

I think the Linings look a bit too wide and too thick. Please post the measurements of them so that maybe Arnold can advise you if possible before hand. This way you can trim them back a bit before gluing on the Top. If you make the Ribs too stifff, the Top will crack more and also the Back. When that Flatback moves, it will either split, pop a Bar or joint Strip (too much wood there as well) or make the Top or Ribs split. The weakest link is what will go. 'Something's Gotta Give'... (there's a song with that tittle or words in it and is SO true when it comes to Basses and the movement of wood).

Nice Scroll by the way..

Here are some inside pics of Basses during restorations showing some old or original Linings as well as some replaced ones. One Bass is a Prescott (c.1820), one a Samuel Gilkes (1814) with both old and new (his only known Bass) and one my Mystery English? Bass (c.1775-1825).

Wider and thinner or narrower and thicker but not wider AND thicker. The French made that mistake so be careful not to follow them on it.

caillean · #16 03-27-2008, 03:43 AM

Congratulations - you're doing a super job there, and I wish you years of happy playing on it when it's finished!

Great about getting the old wood from the cabinet maker - makes the tone nice from the start.

Good luck in getting time to finish .........!

ArenW · #17 03-28-2008, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

I think the Linings look a bit too wide and too thick. Please post the measurements of them.

The linings are approximately 24mm x 3mm and beveling down to 1mm at the inside edge.

Quote:

Originally Posted by caillean

I wish you years of happy playing on it when it's finished!

Hopefully not! I hope to sell, in order to fund #2 and maybe a few new tools for the collection!! But thanks for the words of encouragement.

ArenW · #18 07-05-2008, 03:20 PM

Inching ever closer to the finish line....

Still varnishing...

mattfong · #19 07-06-2008, 12:25 AM

wow! beautiful work so far! Nice colour, and flame on the ribs.