First time build ABG questions

[ThumbFreak]

Hello, everyone

Right now I'm in the designing stage of making a fret less short scale 6 string acoustic bass. I won't be starting on the actual construction in about a month or so from now. As of right now I have a few questions for the guys who really know what they are doing.

I know I want the bass to be small. I was guessing a normal size short scale bass (32") with would that be ok? Thinking of all the tension because of it being a six string.

Wood choices, I was thinking of going plain sense this would be my first build and stick with Maple, Ebony for the finger board and something fancy for a top wood.

Construction wise. What would be easiest and best? I was thinking of having two half's of the many body shape and putting the neck in the middle and gluing it all together.

And all of the measurements... my be asking a lot but, how large should I aim to make the body for a nice balanced bass.

I'm not concerned about having electronics in this bass, its simply just for practice and to have something like a backpacker to always have with me.

I'm sure I will have more questions along the way of doing this but if you could shed your light on this topic I would greatly appreciate it.




While thinking of all this I'm aiming at something like the Kinal Kompact 6 string

Kinal Kompact 6-string Acoustic Bass Completed!!!


Thanks,

Ben

[erikbojerik]

Honestly....you should start with a solid body before you dip your toe into the acoustic realm. WAY easier and you'll learn skills that you absolutely need before you even think about going acoustic (I like the Melvyn Hiscock book here). I build 6-7 solid body instruments over the course of about 5 years before trying my first acoustic (which I'm still working on).

When you think you're ready for an acoustic, get yourself a book first. I highly recommend "Guitar Making: Tradition and Technology" by William Cumpiano if you want to try an acoustic instrument. He details the process of building both a steel-string guitar and a classical guitar, and for an acoustic bass you need all that information, and more.

You won't want to follow his example exactly...he builds on a workboard without a mold (you want a mold), it is easier to bend sides on a Fox-style bender with heating blankets than by using a heating pipe, and there are much easier ways to accomplish the neck joint (go to school on the Taylor-style bolt-on butt joint). If you're unfamiliar with any of the above...you're not ready for an acoustic.

Subscribe to the OLF and spend a good long time searching the threads. Read Cumpiano through once, then get an acoustic guitar kit and build it while you read it again. If it comes out good, THEN you can think about an acoustic bass....if you try this right off the bat for your first build, I guarantee you'll waste time and money.