Ken McKay's new cornerless bass

Ken McKay · #1 07-07-2009, 11:03 PM

It is finished

My cornerless bass is done. Have a look if you are interested. I am very pleased with it. It was fun, difficult and interesting. http://www.upnorthstrings.com/cornerlessbasspage26

tomshepp · #2 07-07-2009, 11:37 PM

Thanks for sharing it with us.

I'm not a luthier but your "photo essay" is inspirational. Great work!

Jim Carr · #3 07-08-2009, 12:18 AM

Wonderful and in fact moving. Such fine fine work!

ctregan · #4 07-08-2009, 05:07 AM

Congratulations Ken, your a well rounded luthier!

Great research and preparation in your building methods.

Who will be playing this fine instrument?

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #5 07-08-2009, 05:14 AM

Shore is purty. Nicely played.

René_Julien · #6 07-08-2009, 05:17 AM

Ken, that is a fine, beautiful, sexy looking double bass.

I love it... makes me want one.
But I hardly play double bass enough to justify buying another one.

**Matthew Tucker** · #7 07-08-2009, 08:23 AM

LOVE the finish, Ken. Well done.

Now are you coming over to my place with your bass in a trunk, or am I coming over to yours?

james condino · #8 07-08-2009, 09:49 AM

Looks great Ken! The photo essay was well done and I learned a bit from all of the historic comparisons. That should help anyone contemplating building one.

Is that one of the stock heat blankets from Watlow, or did you have it custom made? I've got several smaller ones and always wondered how much power a big one would need.

I'm a big fan of the removable neck design- I'll post some images of mine soon.

j.

Gary Lynch · #9 07-08-2009, 10:53 AM

This idea makes sense to me. It may be non traditional but so are a lot of advances in strength and tone in guitars and other instruments. Without knowing what I am taking about, it would seem that the sound has less obstructions to decay tone. I'd like to hear some of these built by a verity of luthiers myself. A blind test. I give this bass an A+ for the idea and effort.

txstatebass · #10 07-08-2009, 12:58 PM

Great looking bass! I loved the step by step on your website too!

Marcus Johnson · #11 07-08-2009, 03:03 PM

Beautiful, Ken.... I love it. Great shade.

Rvl · #12 07-08-2009, 05:18 PM

Wow
Very nice looking bass
Love the write up too

Thanks

Robert VanLane

Tumbao · #13 07-08-2009, 05:52 PM

your bass makes me remember my avatar picture... Kelischek

artfahie · #14 07-08-2009, 06:04 PM

Wow, very interesting. It's nice to have some insight on the making of this kind of instrument. Great job !

Jake deVilliers · #15 07-08-2009, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken McKay

It is finished

My cornerless bass is done. Have a look if you are interested. I am very pleased with it. It was fun, difficult and interesting. http://www.upnorthstrings.com/cornerlessbasspage26

I love what you're doing here Ken: the asymmetry, the aged patina, the whole shebang. I'd love to hear it up close and personal...

Ken McKay · #16 07-08-2009, 10:19 PM

Thanks so much for all of the compliments and interest. Tom, Jim, CT Chris, c'thalhu,

Matthew: I would love to go to Au, especially in the winter (here)! And thanks for your support and help along the way. what is next?

Thanks Gary, Adam and Marcus! Robert and Tumbao Glad you like it Jake.

James Condino, Thanks. The blanket is a stock item. I had it for guitarmaking but if I were to make a bass one I think I could make a egg shaped mold to use like a pipe. I like pipe bending myself. Please do show your bolt on neck. I am certain that the bolt on, if done right has very little if any effect on tone.

CT I am not sure who will be playing it yet. But it sure is fun to play.

Thanks everyone.

james condino · #17 07-09-2009, 02:24 AM

Regardless of what anyone personally thinks about the bolt on neck design for tone or function, it sure puts a big smile on the faces of everyone who does neck repairs!

I'd be interested in hearing more about the back bracing. I liked what I saw. As a former a west coast guitar builder, I spent a couple of decades building with some very progressive luthiers; we were always messing around with back voicings.

j.

Ed Fuqua · #18 07-09-2009, 10:33 AM

I love this place.....

Ken McKay · #19 07-09-2009, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by james condino

Regardless of what anyone personally thinks about the bolt on neck design for tone or function, it sure puts a big smile on the faces of everyone who does neck repairs!

I'd be interested in hearing more about the back bracing. I liked what I saw. As a former a west coast guitar builder, I spent a couple of decades building with some very progressive luthiers; we were always messing around with back voicings.

j.

James, the back is interesting. I will write about it later today when I get some time.

winston · #20 07-10-2009, 04:37 PM

My Lord, that was a fascinating photo show! Very inspiring. Not a big fan of "relicing" on bass guitar, but the antiquing looks wonderful.