Moonshine's TB Bass build entry.

I was going to wait until I had this thing together before posting. But in the spirit of this competition, I'm just going to throw it out there and see what happens. I don't honestly know what this thing is going to sound like. We'll all find out together.

First I gathered up some parts that I have had laying around.


So far, so good. I decided to build using the first template I ever made; a modified Explore style (goes good with the neck), find me a tabletop lying on the side of the road and I'm done.

Then I saw Dark Horse's bass...Dude; How did you make something so cool so fast? Immediately I knew that I had to change plans. I went out into my garage (not wood shop) and started to look for something to build a bass out of. Problem was everything I saw was square (Damn you Dark Horse!...)

Then I saw it. Actually I kept looking, hoping to find something else, but in the end I knew that I had to use it.


Immediately, I thought of adding a metal top & making it a reso. When measurements proved that it wasn't possible, I then decided to just make it a hollowbody. I started looking for a piece of metal to make a top when I found this:


Wow. I had thought that I had thrown this away years ago. Ironically, the tom measured 16", The metal pan measured the same. Thunder clapped and the lights went out (okay...that didn't actually happen, but it should of!

Okay, now I have all the parts to build a banjo bass How fitting. I realized that I would have to have some type of a support inside the pan, I mean body. I found a piece of an old pallet; Not sure what kind of wood, but it is very hard and really rings out when tapped...Perfect!


Time to break out the tin snips. I had to cut down the lip of the pan...er, body so that it would allow the drum head to fit properly (That word doesn't really belong in this post).


Head/rim in place (Yeah, I'm going to have to get a new drum head, shouldn't be too much).


Today, I cut the inner support to fit and trimmed the body(!) to fit the inner support (I will be trimming the support, just not sure what I'm going to do at this time. I'll figure it out by tomorrow). This is where I am at now.



The neck need some repair, but I think it will work. More photos to come.

Moonshine

Plays_For_Dog said:

This is going to be an epic instrument... Epic.

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I'm on a mission from God.

Moonshine

Thanks to everyone for your input. Dark Horse; We sound like a Jeff Foxworthy joke "If you play one of these, you just might be a redneck". Also, I'm following "El Guapo"...Seriously, how do you do this? You're going to have about a dozen basses built before this is over. I stand amazed.

electracoyote said:

BTW, I'm still very interested in one of your reso-basses, like the one in your avatar, 34" scale (maybe 30", I dunno) 4-stringer, maybe aqua or white. You into production on those yet?

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Yes. I'm finally back to building instruments. It will be the first of next year before I take on any new builds. Hope to have some production models available then as well. Thanks for asking.

One last thing. The obligatory Hair (or lack of) pic.


Whatever I lack in hair, hopefully I will make up in absurdity.

Moonshine

etoncrow said:

That's one reason why Dark Horse is an honored member of the Redneck Bassist Club

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And how does one become a member of the Redneck Bassist Club?

Moonshine