Yes, yes, crazy question

[Yvarg]

So, the thought had crossed my mind recently and this is going to sound pretty dumb (ridicule all you want; I'm used to it ) but whatever. If say, one were to construct a double bass completely out of plexiglass or other transparent materials (hardware would remain steel for the necessary strength), what kind of glue would you use to hold everything together? How do you think plexi would hold up to the stress of the string tension? Just some of my nightly ponderings.

NOTE: I am not actually going to try this (at least not for a while if I ever do try it), I am just an obnoxiously curious teenager.

[bassist14]

Originally Posted by Yvarg

So, the thought had crossed my mind recently and this is going to sound pretty dumb (ridicule all you want; I'm used to it ) but whatever. If say, one were to construct a double bass completely out of plexiglass or other transparent materials (hardware would remain steel for the necessary strength), what kind of glue would you use to hold everything together? How do you think plexi would hold up to the stress of the string tension? Just some of my nightly ponderings.

NOTE: I am not actually going to try this (at least not for a while if I ever do try it), I am just an obnoxiously curious teenager.

well, you are not the first who thought about this...

[Basshole]

Neat. Can I keep my fish in it?

[Peck_Time]

To glue (or weld) plexiglass use chloroform. It melts the acrylic, and then evaporates producing a strong and invisible join.

[bassist1962]

Dan Armstrong URB?

[bassist14]

Originally Posted by bassist1962

Dan Armstrong URB?

the description of the photo says:
"Contrebasse en Rosacryl, matiere plastique, construite par R.I.A.S. a Roskilde, Danemark, 1961"

EDIT: i googeld R.I.A.S. Roskilde - they have a website: http://www.rias.dk/

[skidude]

You may want to look into poly carbonate. It's more durable than acrylic. It should produce a brighter tone than the softer acrylic.

If you build it, it will sure attract a lot of attention regardless of what it sounds like.

[M Ramsey]

When you do make it, just get enough material and make me one as well. But, I want a good seal with gaskets around the endpin. I'm going to keep some gold fish in there as I play.

[drurb]

How about silicone adhesive? It makes a strong, flexible airtight joint. The flexibility might help the plexiglass to "open up" after playing for a while. In addition, such a bass might promote a melodically transparent style of improvisation.

[Silversorcerer]

Originally Posted by drurb

How about silicone adhesive? It makes a strong, flexible airtight joint. The flexibility might help the plexiglass to "open up" after playing for a while. In addition, such a bass might promote a melodically transparent style of improvisation.

I worked in Plexiglass fabrication for a while. It bends very easily with heat so it will be easy to shape the ribs and top if you have some kind of mold. I would not favor an adhesive like silicone. The bond is not strong and under tension will come loose. Use a solvent that will weld the plastic together. Chloroform while it might work well probably has some legal issues as far as availability. Any plexiglass fabrication supply house will have the solvent that is hydrocarbon based.

If you do this I would definitely do the fish thing. The water swishing around is going to produce some very unusual resonances. If you put water in a bottle and blow across the top and swish the water you will get an idea of what I mean. Good luck.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Silversorcerer

I would not favor an adhesive like silicone. The bond is not strong and under tension will come loose.

Well, my post was, after all, somewhat tongue-in-cheek.

[DocBop]

I remember when Skunk Baxter had a strat guitar made from lexan? the stuff jet canopies are made of. Bright, amazing sustain, and weighted a ton.

If I was doing DB like this I would keep a wood top and fretboard everything else transparent. Of course have to have a some blue neon light inside for a nighttime glow.

[Jake deVilliers]

I made a ton of Plexiglas/Lexan/Acrylic stuff when I was in the TV/movie business.

Acrylic is bonded with Glacial Acetic Acid. You can use white vinegar in a pinch but it isn't as strong.

Its a great look but the stuff is way too heavy and soft to make a good sound.

What a great stage prop though, with tropical fish and bubbles all backlit.

[Damon Rondeau]

A few years ago I made some try-squares out of plexi or acrylic or whatever it was. There was a Fine Woodworking article that put the idea in my head. Everything was going great until the first time one of 'em fell off my bench onto the floor and shattered.

[Yvarg]

Wow, so this actually is a plausible idea (I said plausible not necessarily good)? I just might officially put this on my to-do list of "Well, it was cool in theory . . . " ideas for a later date. Perhaps I'll even keep my eels in it from time to time, that'd be an attention getter at gigs. (What . . . no . . . don't call PETA . . . put that phone down . . .)

[Johnny Atomic]

If I remember correctly I've used Methylene Chloride to "glue" lexan plexiglass together. It just sort of temporarily "melts" the edges to stick them together. I can get REALLY MESSY, REALLY QUICKLY.

[Chrix]

This is a perfect application for Transparent Aluminum! Why must the 24th century be so far away?

[Cosmos]

Make a Kevlar bass. Bullet-proof bass... to protect the fish...

[djwackfriz]

Originally Posted by Peck_Time

To glue (or weld) plexiglass use chloroform. It melts the acrylic, and then evaporates producing a strong and invisible join.

I find it is also quite useful in incapacitating meddling secret-agents.

[Matthew Tucker]

... speaking of which, the "cone of silence" was made of plexiglass I believe, and demonstrated excellent acoustical insulation properties. Zero transmission of agent 99's dulcet tones.

Which makes me thing that maybe plexiglass isn't so good for an acoustic bass. I like the goldfish idea though. I could bin those horrid dampits at last ...