My next build.... think U-Bass

[Droot]

Hey everybody,
My first build was so much fun I have decided to tackle another. I have been intrigued by the uke bass concept going around the net, so I figured I would give it a try. My first full build taught me that I need more practice at the art of inlay so that is going to be my goal for this build.
I am starting with a Rogue baritone uke, stripping it to the neck and body. To this I will add a sweet new wedge fretboard, some cool veneer panels, a deal of inlay, and all new hardware plus electronics.
I am going with Roadtoad strings to simulate the U-Bass tone. I figure it will be a neat project one way or the other.
I will post some pics starting tomorrow.
Stay cool,
Droot

[Droot]

How it all began (stock photo), pretty much a nothing special uke.



Stripped and sanded (still needs some filler)
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/4986/001iny.jpg


Cut out for the amp and battery box.
http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/6111/002ujd.jpg

Next to cut a fretboard......

Droot

[amosjones]

I am following this one because I am intrigued by mini instruments that pack a full size punch. If this works well for you, I may do one too.

[Droot]

Originally Posted by amosjones

I am following this one because I am intrigued by mini instruments that pack a full size punch. If this works well for you, I may do one too.

I think it can be done (heck it has by Kala). I don't figure I will save a lot of cash but I love the challenge of a build.
Droot

[amosjones]

I would love to try it to stay away from proprietary strings and to make one lefty.

[Droot]

Originally Posted by amosjones

I would love to try it to stay away from proprietary strings and to make one lefty.

As far as the strings go, they are about the same cost as typical set and they seem to be the key to the upright sound from this small size.
Droot

[Droot]

Well it has been a few days and things are moving along slowly. I ordered some parts for the build, fretwire, a bridge (really did not want to carve one out), rosette, some inlay material, and misc other small items and trim.
Took a few days off with the family for a little R&R and now I am back to putting the mind to the project at hand.
Here are a couple pictures of the new veneer back, fretboard wood (a nice piece of wedge I had left over from another build) and the scrap veneer I will be piecing together to form the front design.
Thanks for looking, what do you think?

http://a.imageshack.us/img821/7079/001mcg.jpg

http://a.imageshack.us/img822/8186/002rjj.jpg

[SC Bassboy]

Why don't you use the nice veneer for the front and the piece-together one for the back?

[amosjones]

The piece together front could look really interesting

[Droot]

Originally Posted by SC Bassboy

Why don't you use the nice veneer for the front and the piece-together one for the back?

Between the bridge, sound hole, and the neck, I would loose too much of the bookmatch of the veneer. Besides that, I have a rather neat idea for a design on the front made with the veneer and inlays.
Droot

[sevenyearsdown]

Subscribed. This looks like a very cool project.

Couple of questions (not critizisms) from a ubass owner.

- What type of electronics are you droppping in. One thing that makes the ubass shine is the PUP configuration. No preamp needed from an acoustic instrument. I see you cut a couple good size holes in the body.

- What's the scale gonna be?

[Droot]

Originally Posted by sevenyearsdown

Subscribed. This looks like a very cool project.

Couple of questions (not critizisms) from a ubass owner.

- What type of electronics are you droppping in. One thing that makes the ubass shine is the PUP configuration. No preamp needed from an acoustic instrument. I see you cut a couple good size holes in the body.

- What's the scale gonna be?

The scale will be 20" like the ubass, although I may stretch it an inch or two if possible. I need to run the numbers and see how it lays out.

I am using a generic run of the mill acoustic piezo and preamp. It has a wide range of tone available and should be able to draw out that low end tone coming from the ubass strings (although I will neeed to dial it in).
I am looking for something similar to the ubass sound but I will still be happy if it is not absolutely the same.
Droot

[Droot]

Here is an update,
Started to lay out the designs and such for the front of the bass. Keep in mind that this is going to have a veneer front, and the pattern is for a contrasting flame maple sun on a oak burl background. The bass is also going to have a braid ring around the sound hole and some special inlay that is a surprise for the wife (so I can't draw it in). I also intend to have binding at the edges and on the fretboard. Oh ya, and the sound hole is going to be enlarged. Here is a pic of the design.

[Darkstrike]

subbed, this is looking awesome!

[Droot]

Thanks, I hope it comes into the real world as well as it has played in my head.
Droot

[Shakin-Slim]

Do you mean wenge when you say wedge? :P Be sure to wear a mask and all that protective gear when working with that wenge, such as cutting fret slots etc. Not good for ya! Looking like a good build!

[Droot]

Originally Posted by Shakin-Slim

Do you mean wenge when you say wedge? :P Be sure to wear a mask and all that protective gear when working with that wenge, such as cutting fret slots etc. Not good for ya! Looking like a good build!

Yes, wenge

I kind of learned this the first time around when dealing with the stuff. It is flat out nasty. Not the worst I have seen, I worked with a piece of african burl (can't recall the name, azual or something like it, yellow and oily) that was so toxic that just touching the sawdust would make you itch for the rest of the day.

Droot

[aronnes71]

Interesting build! I´ll be following this build!

I have been thinking about trying to do this with an old, cheap guitar. Changing the fretboard, machineheads, nut, bridge and adding a pickup of some sort. But was wondering, if the guitar sound like crap, will not a bass made of the guitar sound likewise? Not saying yours will, but the guitar I have been thinking about converting.

Cheers
Tore

[Droot]

Originally Posted by aronnes71

Interesting build! I´ll be following this build!

I have been thinking about trying to do this with an old, cheap guitar. Changing the fretboard, machineheads, nut, bridge and adding a pickup of some sort. But was wondering, if the guitar sound like crap, will not a bass made of the guitar sound likewise? Not saying yours will, but the guitar I have been thinking about converting.

Cheers
Tore

I am sure that I will have a number of people who will disagree with what I am about to say, but IMHO the tone on an electric bass or guitar is more a product of the strings and pickups than the wood (the hollow body of an acoustic will also contribute). Given that the base unit I started with was OK sound wise (neither good nor bad) I feel the odds are in my favor that the bass will sound just fine. As far as converting a guitar goes, my main concern is in the amount of work to convert it, and the structural integrity of the finished product. The Ubass clone I am building is going to use a set of strings that are rather low tension and the body is being beefed up with a plate for the bridge and the extra veneer front and back. I am also adding the strength of a solid wood fretboard as compared to the plywood thing that it shipped with originally. All in all, I think I have a good chance to make a nice sounding and playing bass. As good as the Kala?, I will not know till it is done.
Droot

[sevenyearsdown]

bump for an update?