EUB build design considerations

[TDM]

Hey guys,

I'm in the middle of planning a EUB build. I'm an electric player and I have very little experience of playing DB except for occasional noodling on other people's instruments. My aim for the build is basically to get as much of the upright sound as possible with as few of the upright ergonomics and aesthetics as possible. Obviously I imagine there will be a compromise in the sound when I do this but I'm trying to figure out how much I can change:

Neck thickness - Most EUBs I've seen seem to have rather thick necks. I don't mind thick necks and I think it will affect sustain so I will try keeping the neck and headstock as thick as possible.

Fingerboard radius - Does this have any significant effect on the tone? I don't play on doing any arco playing so that isn't a problem. I was thinking something like 12" because the wood I have for the fingerboard isn't very thick.

Neck angle and bridge height - Again, I was under the impression that the reasoning behind this was to allow the use of a taller bridge and so the body got less in the way of the bow. So unless it affects the tone in some way I don't know about I probably won't have one. Also, it's hard to do with my limited skills and tools

Scale length - This seems to be the big one. 35" was my original plan but through research I get the impression that people prefer the sound of longer scale length EUBs. I want a two octave fingerboard so given the limitations of the wood that I have I can go up to about 40". The problem that comes with this is that I don't know if I can get standard strings that long.

So what are you opinions on these aspects of EUB/DB construction?

Any comments/suggestions/advice?

Cheers,

Joe

[silen7ce]

Try looking up a few threads in the luthier section of the electric bass forum for ideas. I've seen at least one really cool build! (if you haven't already)

[TDM]

Thanks, I've found most of them through Google, but it appears there are a few that I missed.

What I'm mainly concerned about is that I'm going to end up building a fretless bass on a stick. I don't really care if it looks/feels like a fretless bass on a stick because if anything that'd be more comfortable for me but I'm really trying to go for the upright sound in this build.

[scojack]

Hello TDM
Its all about compromise (as im sure you'll find out).
Im sure all the above items have some effect on the tone to varying degrees. You dont really know till you build it.
Heres my thoughts (for what they're worth)
Neck width / FB radius
If you dont want a DB feel then theres no problem with a thinner neck and a uniform radius FB. Most (not all) EUB designs try to stay reasonably close to a traditional DB, this allows players to cross-over between electric and acoustic fairly easily.
Scale Length
I dont see the point of a UB with a scale length under 40 inches, kinda defeats the purpose imo.
Neck Angle / bridge height -- totally agree with you on this.


Whats your plans for the body / electrics as these will have a big influence on the overall tone?

[TDM]

What you said about the fretboard is rather reassuring.

Currently the plan is a Pau Ferro fingerboard, 3-piece laminated rock maple "neck thru", probably with another wood on the back to make up extra thickness on the body, and some wood on the wings to make it a little wider. The wings are going to be so small there will be a minimal effect on tone I reckon. Having owned two maple neck thru basses I think it will sound rather bright so I've got a piece of Mahogany (African) I can use for the back to tame some of the brightness.

As for electronics I have no idea yet. I will probably have a nice wood covered magnetic pickup to go in for when I want it to just sound like a fretless. And depending on my bridge design I will find a way to attach a piezo and a buffer preamp. Current plans for the bridge would either be just a traditional electric bass bridge (probably the simplest solution) or I could make something simple out of wood, effectively just a piece of maple/Rosewood/Ebony with notches cut into it I imagine.

I've seen your build and it looks great by the way.

[TDM]

Anyone else got any suggestions?

[SomewhatHarmles]

Why not just go Peizo ala-Turner?

Anyways, I'll be lurking on this thread.
I'd like to build something like it.