Building/buying a luthier-style bass rack

MingusAmongUs · #1 11-28-2007, 12:16 PM

Searched exhaustively on this subject but came up empty as usual. In spite of the fact that I know I've seen this topic covered a few times, just try using keywords like 'bass' 'luthier' and 'rack'... you won't get far.

...but you know what I mean -- the simple DB rack that you see in bass dealer and luthier shops. I want to make (or buy) one, but need to see it in detail. Can't be that difficult but I have to get my dimensions right, and it has to be CHEAP.

Can anyone link me to good pictures, or are there any luthiers around that can offer tips? I have a limited space, about 4 feet and change wide, by 2 feet deep, inside which I need to somehow get all my gear. Consolidating space here to make way for baby. Gear consists of:

2 DBs
2 BGs
2 hollow body guitars
1 Ampeg B-15 combo amp
and other miscellaneous stuff -- mics, stands, cases, cables, etc.

A tall order I know, but I'm thinking if I build a rack just big enough to hold the 2 DBs, and then a combination of some carefully planned shelving and wall hangers/hooks, it might be doable. Any help is appreciated. Hopefully one big high shelf can hold all the cases.

**Basschair** · #2 11-28-2007, 01:20 PM

The Wenger company (www.wengercorp.com) makes/sells one, but it's not cheap...I believe $500 for a 3-bass rack. I've got one in my classroom here, and would be happy to take all kinds of pics and measurements. It's got a pretty good set up (I'd mod it a bit if making one), but could be improved with real woods. I don't have my dig camera here today, but can do it in the future if you'd like. Just let me know.

relacey · #3 11-28-2007, 01:31 PM

There's this one from Sherrard. Looks like it would be pretty easy to build with some basic woodworking skills.

MingusAmongUs · #4 11-28-2007, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basschair

The Wenger company (www.wengercorp.com) makes/sells one, but it's not cheap...I believe $500 for a 3-bass rack. I've got one in my classroom here, and would be happy to take all kinds of pics and measurements. It's got a pretty good set up (I'd mod it a bit if making one), but could be improved with real woods. I don't have my dig camera here today, but can do it in the future if you'd like. Just let me know.

Anything you're willing to do is appreciated, but please don't go to any great lengths. I'd just like to get an idea of how they're put together.

John Sprague · #5 11-28-2007, 02:54 PM

From the k.i.s.s. school, cut a 2x8x10 into (2 ea.) 4 ft and (2 ea.) 18 inch pieces. Cut a 45 degree bevel on one long edge of each 4 footer, tack some carpet scraps along the bevel. Assemble as a square bottomless & topless box with the carpeted bevels along the top, facing in, and set it in your 4'x2' storage space. Should be able to set all the basses and gits on it, and the instruments can all be leaned back against the wall for extra safety.

Ten bucks for the board, carpet scrap from any old where.

Good luck!

Bob Branstetter · #6 11-28-2007, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Sprague

From the k.i.s.s. school, cut a 2x8x10 into (2 ea.) 4 ft and (2 ea.) 18 inch pieces. Cut a 45 degree bevel on one long edge of each 4 footer, tack some carpet scraps along the bevel. Assemble as a square bottomless & topless box with the carpeted bevels along the top, facing in, and set it in your 4'x2' storage space. Should be able to set all the basses and gits on it, and the instruments can all be leaned back against the wall for extra safety.

Ten bucks for the board, carpet scrap from any old where.

Good luck!

You beat me to it John. I've seen variations of this in a lot of shops and schools around the country.

**Basschair** · #7 11-28-2007, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Sprague

From the k.i.s.s. school, cut a 2x8x10 into (2 ea.) 4 ft and (2 ea.) 18 inch pieces. Cut a 45 degree bevel on one long edge of each 4 footer, tack some carpet scraps along the bevel. Assemble as a square bottomless & topless box with the carpeted bevels along the top, facing in, and set it in your 4'x2' storage space. Should be able to set all the basses and gits on it, and the instruments can all be leaned back against the wall for extra safety.

Ten bucks for the board, carpet scrap from any old where.

Good luck!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Branstetter

You beat me to it John. I've seen variations of this in a lot of shops and schools around the country.

Hey guys,

I'm very much a visual learner, and the text usually supplements this. Any chance someone could dig up some pics? I'll be sending over some pics of this ready-made rack here, but would be stoked to get some pics of a do-it-yourself setup that I could make at home...

Much appreciated!

Paul

ctregan · #8 11-28-2007, 04:33 PM

Don't forget the casters so you can wheel around if needed.

MingusAmongUs · #9 11-28-2007, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctregan

Don't forget the casters so you can wheel around if needed.

Good idea.

Thanks everyone. Great suggestions. Keep 'em coming! And I 2nd the motion for visual aids from John Sprague. I think I get what you're saying but a picture is always helpful.

Bob Branstetter · #10 11-28-2007, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctregan

Don't forget the casters so you can wheel around if needed.

Personally, I would skip the casters. If you lean the basses up against a wall for support and the casters let the frame move, you've got a potential disaster waiting to happen.

**Matthew Tucker** · #11 11-28-2007, 11:50 PM

Also ... if you leave enough room for the endpins to be set at roughly your usual playing height, you can just pull the bass out of the rack and play ... otherwise you have to pull the bass out, lie it down, set endpin and THEN play!

John Sprague · #12 11-29-2007, 07:59 AM

Definitely no casters for this set-up as Bob said, because it will roll away!

Here's a pic of one without the protective carpeting:

Bob Branstetter · #13 11-29-2007, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Sprague

From the k.i.s.s. school, cut a 2x8x10 into (2 ea.) 4 ft and (2 ea.) 18 inch pieces. Cut a 45 degree bevel on one long edge of each 4 footer, tack some carpet scraps along the bevel. Assemble as a square bottomless & topless box with the carpeted bevels along the top, facing in, and set it in your 4'x2' storage space. Should be able to set all the basses and gits on it, and the instruments can all be leaned back against the wall for extra safety.

Ten bucks for the board, carpet scrap from any old where.

Good luck!

I finally figured out why some people were having problems visualizing this. You actually will need a 2x8x12 board or two 2x8x6 boards to give you the 4 pieces you need to build it. Unfortunately, you can't cut one 10' board into 11' feet total. (2 times 4' = 8', 2 times 18" = 36" or 3')

1st Bass · #14 11-29-2007, 09:15 AM

So start with a twelve-footer...problem solved.

MingusAmongUs · #15 11-29-2007, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Branstetter

I finally figured out why some people were having problems visualizing this. You actually will need a 2x8x12 board or two 2x8x6 boards to give you the 4 pieces you need to build it. Unfortunately, you can't cut one 10' board into 11' feet total. (2 times 4' = 8', 2 times 18" = 36" or 3')

So... 4 feet for the 2 boards that run across the bottom, where the bass butt rests?

and 2x 3ft vertical sides? Have I got that right? I think what threw me is the willy-nilly mixing of feet and inches. Watch it now!

don't forget the amp has to squeeze in there somewhere. not sure that's possible. i'm thinking if i slide it in sideways, so i'm looking at its profile. it's about 10 inches deep (or wide the way we're looking at it).

So the thinking was a 3-ft bass rack, with room for the amp next to it, then maybe another rack or just a shelf above the amp for the guitars and pork chops.

Bob Branstetter · #16 11-29-2007, 10:29 AM

As long as you amp is longer wider than 18", just sit it on top of the rack sideways just like the basses. Keep in mind that you can't sit the basses all the way over the end because of the cross pieces, but you can have the amp there since it is flat on the bottom (unless it is an AI of course

). The weight from the amp and the extra length of the frame will also add to the stability.

John Sprague · #17 11-30-2007, 01:49 PM

Ming, here's one in cello size, just use larger boards for bass. I'm sure you can find some good hooks and such at the local hardware store.

MingusAmongUs · #18 11-30-2007, 04:14 PM

Tx John. I made myself a drawing that looked just like that... the whole time I was thinking of something with height to it, and an a-frame type structure. but this may work too. i'll probably want something to secure the top end of the basses though. but this is a great help.

Bob Branstetter · #19 12-03-2007, 03:04 PM

Another very cheap method used in shops is to hang a bungee cord noose from the ceiling that hooks under the scroll volutes area. It scared me a bit the first time I saw a row of basses hanging from the ceiling, but I know one very well known shop that has been doing it that way for at least 20 years both in the sales and repair areas. I've got a few of those in my shop that I use when floor space is at a premium.

wineaux · #20 12-05-2007, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by relacey

There's this one from Sherrard. Looks like it would be pretty easy to build with some basic woodworking skills.

I love this rack and might have to order one. I pointed it out to my wife last night, figuring she'd be happy I was finding a way to organize my music room. Instead, she said, "You only have two basses. Why would you buy a rack that holds four?" I guess she's not as smart as I thought she was!!!

For the do-it-yourselfers in the crowd, you can buy casters with locking wheels. They'll hold your rack in place but can be freed up to roll your unit around when necessary. Just remember to lock 'em up again when you "park."