My first build - 1 string frettless neck trough. Some questions.

aronnes71 · #1 01-09-2010, 06:46 AM

Hello

First I will exuse my english, it is not my native tounge.

I am planning to build a 1 string bass, but are a total newbee at this. Will get help form a friend that is a carpenter.

This is what I´m thinking of using:
- Neck 1" X 1" thick of Mahogni (neck thrugh)
- Fingerboard 1/4" Teak
- Body, birch. The body will be 2" thick.

I will tune the bass in E (or D).
What I wonder is if the wood for the neck is hard enough?
Or will I need to replace the mahogni with a harder wood?
Do I need a rod in the neck to make it stiff enough?

The electronic will be a EMG (?) style pickup turned 90 degrees.

Hope to get some good answers (and that I do not need a rod in the neck).

Cheers
Tore, Alta, Norway

vbasscustom · #2 01-09-2010, 06:49 AM

preferably for something that slim (the neck) a rod, or a stiffer wood would be best. but other than that, this sounds like a cool first build.

Headless Llama · #3 01-09-2010, 07:40 AM

They have these single pole pickups advertised on the banner on occasion... If I see it again I will post a link or maybe someone knows about these also? I think that it would look alot cleaner if you used one of those, just my 2 cents.

aronnes71 · #4 01-09-2010, 08:01 AM

I have been thinking of a single pole pickup, but will not spend much money on this, it is just a tryout. I´ll use what I already got.

What wood would you suggest for the neck? I would like it to be a bit dark.

Cheers
Tore, Alta, Norway

OriginalKeyster · #5 01-09-2010, 08:03 AM

I think those single pole pups are around $20 each, can't remember their name...

vbasscustom · #6 01-09-2010, 08:11 AM

i would suggest maple, but if your looking for dark...you could try black cherry if you have access to it.

aronnes71 · #7 01-09-2010, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OriginalKeyster

I think those single pole pups are around $20 each, can't remember their name...

Ok that was not to bad price. Hope someone remember who sell these.

tore

Headless Llama · #8 01-09-2010, 08:12 AM

Wenge...but if you don't want to spend alot of money, this also may be out

M0ses · #9 01-09-2010, 08:13 AM

For the pickup, I would just take a normal J or maybe half of a split coil and turn it sideways. My guess is that that would sound really good. A larger string sample generally does, right?

Headless Llama · #10 01-09-2010, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aronnes71

Hope someone remember who sell these.

I started a thread in the pickup sub-forum...maybe someone there will know how to get them.

Murder_Worship · #11 01-09-2010, 08:36 AM

arnt the called like synco pickups or sumthing?

edit: found it
http://www.syncobass.com/

Headless Llama · #12 01-09-2010, 09:07 AM

yes these.

OriginalKeyster · #13 01-10-2010, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aronnes71

Ok that was not to bad price. Hope someone remember who sell these.

tore

I saw their banner ad here on tb probably not more than a week or so ago, still looking...

aronnes71 · #14 01-10-2010, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OriginalKeyster

I saw their banner ad here on tb probably not more than a week or so ago, still looking...

someone found them: http://www.syncobass.com/
Not to shure if theese are any good. Nobody here at the forum has tested those. I think i jus take the pickup I have and use it on this one, maybe if I deside to make another one I will try theese..

Cheers

OriginalKeyster · #15 01-10-2010, 12:15 PM

FOUND 'EM!!!! http://www.syncobass.com/

Quote:

Originally Posted by aronnes71

someone found them: http://www.syncobass.com/
Not to shure if theese are any good. Nobody here at the forum has tested those. I think i jus take the pickup I have and use it on this one, maybe if I deside to make another one I will try theese..

Cheers

Oh, never mind...

Headless Llama · #16 01-25-2010, 10:27 PM

how is this project coming along?

aronnes71 · #17 01-31-2010, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Headless Llama

how is this project coming along?

Have not had much time, but I think the neck is ready (my friend have cut it out at his work). Will try with the mahogni neck as he think it is hard enough, was some sort of extra hard mahogni. Have been thinking about putting a Carbon rod in the neck, but have rejected the idea since carbon is not something I can find in the local shops. Just hope the neck is strong enough.

Have not gotten the single string bridge, my local guitar store have ordered a Ibanez Bridge (as on the BTB bass).
Will try to make the neck saddle (?) in Plexiglass or bone.

Was not shure about the Synco pickups, they have put out a sound clip out on their website and it did not impress me. I think I will just use the EMG pickup I have. Do not know if I will put in a Tone regulator (pot?), maybe if the bass turn out good and playable.

Hopefully I will make some progress next week. Will try to take pictures!

Have been wondering about how to make the "markers" where the missing frets are. Will try to drill holes and fill them with some sort of metal or plastic rod that I glue in place.

Cheers
Tore

aronnes71 · #18 02-04-2010, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Headless Llama

how is this project coming along?

Have done some work. Hope to be done by next week....

aronnes71 · #19 02-12-2010, 08:00 AM

Now the bass is near finished. I have decided to mark where I should hold my finger for the tone in a lighter shade of wood than the neck. I was thinking on drilling a hole (2-3 mm) deep an inserting a bit of wood into it, will give the bass a clear cote (?) after the fretmarkers are in.

Do not know if this is the way to do it. What do you think?

Cheers
Tore

Cy_Miles · #20 02-12-2010, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aronnes71

Do not know if this is the way to do it. What do you think?

I think you are doing pretty darn good on your own!

So I say do what you think is right, you seem to be creative and are thinking things through.

I may end up doing something like this some time myself.