New little build thread.

[TheCatalyst]

I've decided to make a very small bass with some scrap wood I had laying around earlier today and I am in need of some suggestions.


I have estimated the body size and will be making a scaled down version of a 35" scale bass. I want it to be functional as far as sound goes. I won't be doing electronics but in order to make it function like an actual bass I will need scaled down tuners, strings, truss rod, ect. I will probably be able to make a bridge, it will be fretless, and the strings I will probably be able to get custom guaged but for the tuners and truss rod I have no clue. If anyone knows somthing to help let me know.

Thanks!

[Cougmeister]

Originally Posted by TheCatalyst

I've decided to make a very small bass with some scrap wood I had laying around earlier today and I am in need of some suggestions.
Attachment 309597

I have estimated the body size and will be making a scaled down version of a 35" scale bass. I want it to be functional as far as sound goes. I won't be doing electronics but in order to make it function like an actual bass I will need scaled down tuners, strings, truss rod, ect. I will probably be able to make a bridge, it will be fretless, and the strings I will probably be able to get custom guaged but for the tuners and truss rod I have no clue. If anyone knows somthing to help let me know.

Thanks!

Do you have any machining experience? If so, you could probably make a one-off ste of tuners. You would need acces to a lathe and a mill, but if you could gather the right tools I don't think it would be too difficult. Then again, I've never taken apart a tuner to look at the structure, just basing it off of open back tuners. You could also try to find some large guitar tuners.

[TheCatalyst]

Thanks, I have no experience in machine work though. I think I might be able to get away with using guitar tuners. I won't know until I define the headstocks shape. The only thing I know now is that it has t be between 4 and 5 inches long to keep it close to scale so I might be able to just put them really close together

[TheCatalyst]

Update:

I was able to get the headstock to fit four standard guitar tuners. Since bass string won't fit the the holes on the post I figure I could use some 13 guage guitar string to make it work.


It looks a little large compared to the body but it will have to do.

I really do need some suggestions on the truss rod though. That is the only thing I am really uncertain about here.

Thanks!