5 string fretless showcase/sub competition

[Musiclogic]

Hey all,

With all of this competition talk, a few of us started talking about "Fretless 5 Strings" and doing a sub competition before the next big competition starts in March.

These are the decided parameters.
5 string fretless build to start just after Christmas and to end in March.
All builds will be well documented start to finish.

We will decide exact dates and any guidelines over the next week, and prepare from there.

I am looking at doing an open build(any style) with an open budget(no minimum or maximum), to do more of a showcase of different builds and different approaches to building a Fretless 5 string.

We are not going to go nuts on rules or divisions, as it proves counterproductive. Quality work will show no matter what the budget or type of build.

THIS IS for FUN, and maybe an open vote for a handmade trophy...LOL
Basically a showcase build with as many people as we can get, that can complete their build by the prescribed date.

We have a few guys talking about this to get all of the parameters laid out, and we will update this with a final rule and timeframe layout no later than December 22, 2010.

If you want to participate, post intent here, and we will shoot pm's to confirm a final listing of who is going to compete in this showcase.

Hopefully it will be fun, humorous, and some new ideas emerge. well see.

JC

[jmorbita]

well I don't know if i'll make it into the competition, but I'm sure interested in seeing what you guys build! good luck with this!

[Big B.]

I like it. No budget, minimal rules. I agree that creativity and execution are evident at any budget level.

[David Pinton]

I was thinking about building another five string fretless so I just might join in!!
(Is 6 string fretless OK (I'm still hesitating between 5 and 6)?)

Make the closing date as distant as possible that will help!

[Musiclogic]

Well David, you do some nice work, would love to have you aboard, right now 5 string fretless is the Target, but it's upto the group.

Big B, I look at it like the "Biker Buildoff". Run what you brung". Bu I want to seewhat Barnaclebeau is thinking too.

[phmike]

"5 string fretless" - count me in.

[Musiclogic]

Cool Mike, keep an eye on this, and we'll contact you before the start to confirmM

[Phil Mastro]

I'd like to join in, but I'm pretty sure I won't finish in time. No matter how far the limit date

[Musiclogic]

Awww c'mon Phil, we'll help push...LOL you might have some contributions that inspire someone else or spur on conversation. You can try even if you don't finish

[Big B.]

Originally Posted by David Pinton

I was thinking about building another five string fretless so I just might join in!!
(Is 6 string fretless OK (I'm still hesitating between 5 and 6)?)

Make the closing date as distant as possible that will help!

I dont have a problem with 6 string basses, I might even consider doing it myself, but I would be content with a 5 string build as well.

[Beauchene Implements]

I'm in, I like the 'run what ya brung' idea. Five strings...no frets...gooooooo!

Cocobolo, ziricote, OLD chunk of mahogany at the ready:



Gonna make a fretless 5 rendition of Habanero bass, with a regular headstock:

[miziomix]

darn... one of my next build IS a Über-J 5er fretless! But I won't be done with my current build soon enough to join the competition... starting in January right? oh my.....

[Musiclogic]

I think we will call it the New Year build showcase, I am designing a plaque and we'll do an open vote to determine winner, and the plaque will go to them or a miniture replica. If it goes well we can do a semi annual or annual build showcase for the plaque. Any objections?

[Beauchene Implements]

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

I think we will call it the New Year build showcase, I am designing a plaque and we'll do an open vote to determine winner, and the plaque will go to themor a miniture replica. If it goes well we can do a semi annual or annual build showcase for the plaque. Any objections?

Great ideas!

[scojack]

Good luck to all who participate in this, im really looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with ..gonna be good !
My next project would fit this category at a stretch (...it does has 5 strings and no frets! ) but slightly more horizontally challenged than most ....
Unfortunately it will be March/April before the shop ( well.... shed ) thaws out.

IanM

[Phil Mastro]

Ah... what the hell. I'll join in. I probably won't finish, but just for fun...

All that I've decided upon, as of yet, is that I want to use poplar for the body. No top, plain as dishwater poplar. The reason I want to try poplar:

I've seen it used before (on Veillette basses), so I know it's possible
It's cheap.
It's easy on tools.
I want to stain it green, and poplar already has a greenish hue.

I've got a set of hipshot ultralites that I purchased in the wrong size that I'll use, and I'd like to get an ETS bridge, if it makes it in time.

Actually, I'm also planning on using Wenge for the fingerboard, I've just used it for a guitar, and it holds frets really well, I have a big block of it... I think it'll look cool.

I dunno about the neck yet.

[miziomix]

Originally Posted by Phil Mastro

Ah... what the hell. I'll join in. I probably won't finish, but just for fun...

All that I've decided upon, as of yet, is that I want to use poplar for the body. No top, plain as dishwater poplar. The reason I want to try poplar:

I've seen it used before (on Veillette basses), so I know it's possible
It's cheap.
It's easy on tools.
I want to stain it green, and poplar already has a greenish hue.

I've got a set of hipshot ultralites that I purchased in the wrong size that I'll use, and I'd like to get an ETS bridge, if it makes it in time.

Actually, I'm also planning on using Wenge for the fingerboard, I've just used it for a guitar, and it holds frets really well, I have a big block of it... I think it'll look cool.

I dunno about the neck yet.

Poplar is good. Poplar and Wenge is a classic MTD combo. And Wenge holding frets really well should be a neat trick on this build - unfair advantage eh?

[Musiclogic]

Very cool Phil, welcom to the fray.
Ian would have loved to have one of your EUB's in this, hopefully in a few months.

On December 23rd I will post the final known participants list so we know who will give it a try. YES you can still join after that, but to be judged you must be completed by the end datem
I am thinking of December 27th as the official opening day and March 31st as the final day and we will post all finished builds for judging on April 2 so everyone can get the best pics done for the showcase/voting thread.
All participants must make a thread of their build from start to finish. Does this sound good?

[phmike]

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

On December 23rd I will post the final known participants list so we know who will give it a try. YES you can still join after that, but to be judged you must be completed by the end datem
I am thinking of December 27th as the official opening day and March 31st as the final day and we will post all finished builds for judging on April 2 so everyone can get the best pics done for the showcase/voting thread.
All participants must make a thread of their build from start to finish. Does this sound good?

Sounds like a weiner to me.

[Beauchene Implements]

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

Very cool Phil, welcom to the fray.
Ian would have loved to have one of your EUB's in this, hopefully in a few months.

On December 23rd I will post the final known participants list so we know who will give it a try. YES you can still join after that, but to be judged you must be completed by the end datem
I am thinking of December 27th as the official opening day and March 31st as the final day and we will post all finished builds for judging on April 2 so everyone can get the best pics done for the showcase/voting thread.
All participants must make a thread of their build from start to finish. Does this sound good?

Roger, out.