First build: 5 string EUB

[Rickett Customs]

Hello,
This will be my actual first wood build. It's loosely based on the NS bass/chello. Don't have the plans I drew up (they're at work).
Do have some of the first pics.
This will be more of an experience build than a "masterful" work of art, plus compared to some that I've seen here, will be a little slower on the build progress . Specs:

34" scale 5 string (left handed).
Poplar/ other wood (might be teak,or cherry) neck through.
Most likely a poplar body.
red oak bridge w/movable saddles.
fingerboard TBD.

Pics so far:

Bridge (A bit thick right now, easier to manage)




Neck (unassembled)

[BenitoBassolini]

I'm excited to see this build progress. I had been planning on building a similar project somewhere down the line because I've always loved the tone and feel of upright but not so much the price.

Subscribed!

[Rickett Customs]

I did the the concept form in "paint". I ended up making the test pieces out of Pine, so I could get the realistic measurements (Note, these are all subject to change):

This is the original drawing I started with:




Here's a little more detail on the bridge (minus the measurements). I'll end up using a multiple input piezo pre (probably Ghost).



Headstock (minus the measurements). Along with being at an angle, it will also be tapered and the face will be radiused.

[SDB Guitars]

Subscribed!

[PilbaraBass]

I like the design except for one major thing...

there's not enough radius in the fingerboard for an upright...(you can't bow)...

the bridge design only needs to be slightly modified to accommodate a more radiuses board...(inner saddle blocks protrude more)...

otherwise, a "stand up" design

[Rickett Customs]

Originally Posted by PilbaraBass

I like the design except for one major thing...

there's not enough radius in the fingerboard for an upright...(you can't bow)...

the bridge design only needs to be slightly modified to accommodate a more radiuses board...(inner saddle blocks protrude more)...

otherwise, a "stand up" design

Yeah, the drawings are rough, for sure. The bridge will be set to radius with the fingerboard, just not taking the saddles down yet until it's time, I'm thinking perhaps a 10"-12" radius.
I read somewhere that the NS fingerboard is 2"? Seems like alot of curve there. I'm more pizz besides.

Worked on the bridge some more, now that the glue has cured,
used a Dremel with what I call a "gear" bit ("router" bit that comes with a dremel):







Saddles are all the same height (for now).

[SDB Guitars]

Jason -

I believe standard URB fingerboard radius is 6". For a project like this, I would probably just buy a ready-made URB fingerboard.

[Rickett Customs]

Originally Posted by SDB Guitars

Jason -

I believe standard URB fingerboard radius is 6". For a project like this, I would probably just buy a ready-made URB fingerboard.

That may be the deal

Only downside is, not getting the radius experience

But yeah, i'm gonna buy this time.



Thanks

[PilbaraBass]

that's a relief...

you may not be an arco kinda guy, but

1) don't ever say "never"
2) getting used to a standard UB board will help immensely if you ever decide to get another EUB or an AUB.

what's the scale? 34" ...hmmm...you sure you don't wanna go a "little" bit bigger

[SDB Guitars]

Originally Posted by PilbaraBass

what's the scale? 34" ...hmmm...you sure you don't wanna go a "little" bit bigger

It *does* seem to fall significantly between cello (~27" scale) and URB (~42" scale), 34.5 would be smack in the middle of those...

What would that be... a basso-cello?

[Rickett Customs]

Originally Posted by SDB Guitars

It *does* seem to fall significantly between cello (~27" scale) and URB (~42" scale), 34.5 would be smack in the middle of those...

What would that be... a basso-cello?

Actually a bello ,

It was just "in the cards" I originally wanted to do 35, but I had 2-8' lengths of poplar.........

I wanted to have at least a 7" headstock, just to have a smidgen of excess and 3" between the string ferrules to the bridge.
44" is what i came up with, so I'd have 2 remaining pieces that were 7", which put me at 34". I do have another piece of 2x2 (18" long) poplar, that i'll add to the headstock if I need it wider.

If I were to use the teak to add to the neck lams............
All the pieces of teak are under 44" , now the question:
I was going to try "butt" jointing the teak to make the pieces 44", do any of you think this will work?

It seems like it would work to me, at least once it's completely glued together, and then bonded with the poplar.

[Rickett Customs]

Originally Posted by PilbaraBass

that's a relief...

you may not be an arco kinda guy, but

1) don't ever say "never"
2) getting used to a standard UB board will help immensely if you ever decide to get another EUB or an AUB.

what's the scale? 34" ...hmmm...you sure you don't wanna go a "little" bit bigger

Never have, never will

Once upon a time, I did play DB in high school (mostly pizz and tiny bit arc), but I know where you're coming from though.

thanks

[Rickett Customs]

Ok, i've got the neck lams glued together today.

Consists of Poplar/Cherry/Poplar/teak/Poplar/cherry/Poplar

My table saw burned up the edge of the cherry,no matter I still have to plane it anyway.

[Rickett Customs]

Being that this is my first build, i'll share a snippet of the journal
I started when I began this build:

....After un-vising it, I discovered that 44" might be too short, to get a 34" Scale. Did not take into consideration for the size of the bridge to be added in.... Dammit!.............But life goes on, I have what's there. It is possible to do 32"- 33" scale
regardless.

[SDB Guitars]

Don't shorten the scale - just do it as a glued in neck, as opposed to a neck through.

Seriously.

[Rickett Customs]

Originally Posted by SDB Guitars

Don't shorten the scale - just do it as a glued in neck, as opposed to a neck through.

Seriously.

I will have to think this one over some. Depending on the height of the bridge piece, I may get away with less than 3", between the string ferrules and the bridge and still keep the 34" scale. I may be able to add another piece of oak to the rear of the bridge and move the bridge more to the back of the body (like an acoustic giutar) and run the ferrules in to the bridge, instead.

[Rickett Customs]

Bridge 2.0 may remedy this issue:

[Rickett Customs]

Got a chance to get the planer out and trued up the lam:




Glued some more meat to the bridge, I think i'm gonna try and go that route of moving the bridge to the back.

[scottyd]

Poplar?? Oak?? Cherry?? Are you serious!? You'll never get any good "tone" from those woods..........























JUST KIDDING! Looks like a fun project, looking forward to seeing more!

[Rickett Customs]

Well, scotty
There will be plenty of twists and turns on this project, that's for sure.

Oh you forgot, that tiny piece of teak down the middle