6 string double bass parts

Rob from Tas · #1 09-14-2010, 06:32 AM

Can anyone advise of a website that has information about building a 6 string double bass.

I am looking at either building a 6 string double bass or buying a standard one and doing modifications.

any information greatly appreciated.

tbassist4 · #2 09-14-2010, 01:46 PM

There really is no such thing as a 6 string upright bass in the modern sense (Tuned B-E-A-D-G-C; low to high), so you'd be somewhat on your own. Have you built a bass before? If not, I'd recommend speaking to a local luthier and see if you can take lessons from them, with the final goal of constructing a regular upright bass. 5 string basses take a lot of consideration structurally, and so a 6 string would be that much harder, if it's actually possible. It would also be extremely hard to play with the wide spread of the neck, and it would also be near impossible to bow properly.

I'd recommend looking into a 6 string electric upright bass. You could afford to have a more manageable string spacing, and you'd circumvent some of the possible structural problems that a 6 string double bass would have.

Good luck,
Tyler

salcott · #3 09-14-2010, 03:05 PM

Ratzo Harris plays six string acoustic and EUB. Also, when I lived in Rochester around 73-79 there was a guy named Frank Pullara who played a six string acoustic that he modified from a big German factory bass. I remember it having a (large) regular neck with the fingerboard overhanging about 3/8"-1/2" on each side to accommodate the extra strings.

Eric Hochberg · #4 09-14-2010, 03:17 PM

I saw a 6 string Pollmann FS on a German site a while back.

Andrew McGregor · #5 09-14-2010, 05:14 PM

I've heard of someone putting an extension E on a 5-string with a high C. I expect that would be MUCH more playable.

Big B. · #6 09-14-2010, 05:34 PM

This is an idea that I am planning as well. I currently play a five string and I enjoy having the strings closer with a smaller bow angle. It is simply a matter of getting used to it and there is no reason you couldnt get comfortable with a six string . My goal is to find either a five string or a 4 with a wide neck and convert it to a 6. The other, more involved option would be to split the neck of a bass in half and glue in some laminates to widen it. At that point either the neck/neck joint must be modified accordingly. Personally I find extensions to be extremely uncomfortable and the range of the high c-string makes the idea very appealing. Dont forget that many old basses were originally 3 string basses that had to be converted to withstand the tension of an extra string. Also, many of the old gambas had 6 strings and gut fret and were played with a bow.

eerbrev · #7 09-14-2010, 09:14 PM

you'd definitely have to go gut or other low tension strings if you wanted any reasonable plate thickness on the top. If you really want to get into this my two suggestions (as a non-luthier) would be to : get lessons in bass building from a luthier, and do as much research into historical six string bass instruments (violones and other members of the gamba family) as possible focusing on what you can find out about interior construction and bridge shape (this last one might be hard, original bridges are extremely rare to non-existent)

eerbrev

Big B. · #8 09-14-2010, 09:46 PM

My first double bass build will be my first but it seems that you would be better off researching modern five string bass construction. These basses have been built to withstand the high tension of steel strings.
You make a good point about top thickness. The top will certainly have more tension on it.When I was shopping for a five string everyone I spoke to said I didnt want one because the tops were under too much tension. Personally, I have been very happy with mine though I can see why it would'nt work for everyone. I definitely think it could handle the tension of another string but I cant bring myself to do it to my baby.
If you were converting a bass to a six string it seems you could help the support issue by moving the sound post and bassbar slightly farther apart to support a wider bridge. Again, I have not built a DB so I could be wrong.

uprightben · #9 09-15-2010, 04:11 PM

A basses ability to withstand tension on the top is a function of plate stiffness. The plate will be stiffer if it is thicker and/or if it has a higher arch. If I were looking to convert a bass to six strings I would look for a large bass that seems to respond well to higher tension strings. Your idea about moving the bass bar and sound post is a good one, and you'll either have to widen the neck or have an over hanging finger board. If your goal is to get ahold of a six stringer, you would do well to enlist the help of a qualified luthier. Barring a bass and resetting a neck are no joke, it can all be slapped together, but to have everything fit like the wood grew that way takes a lot of experience. If your goal is to learn lutherie, then I would recommend starting with something less ambitious and working your way up.

Big B. · #10 09-16-2010, 10:17 AM

I agree about the difficulty of the work. Though I havent built a DB yet I do have advanced woodworking chops and equipment, and a good knowledge of bass construction. I would definitely widen the neck with some wooden laminates and refit the neck joint. I also might consider a bolt on neck setup as well. I see several modern luthiers building very high end basses with bolt on necks. The laminates should add stiffness to fight the extra tension of the strings and I think a carbon fiber or steel bar set in the next neck would also help. Lastly, the side door that I have seen on new instruments is an idea that appeals to me as well, allowing for easy access to the soundpost and the bolts for the neck.