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First build: 5 string EUB

Rickett Customs

Rickett Customs

Commercial User
Jul 30, 2007
7,255
116
Southern Maryland
www.rickettcustomguitars.com
Disclosures
Luthier: Rickett Customs...........www.rickettcustomguitars.com
#1
Hello,
This will be my actual first wood build. It's loosely based on the NS bass/chello. Don't have the plans I drew up (they're at work).
Do have some of the first pics.
This will be more of an experience build than a "masterful" work of art, plus compared to some that I've seen here, will be a little slower on the build progress . Specs:

34" scale 5 string (left handed).
Poplar/ other wood (might be teak,or cherry) neck through.
Most likely a poplar body.
red oak bridge w/movable saddles.
fingerboard TBD.

Pics so far:

Bridge (A bit thick right now, easier to manage)
11-9-08001.jpg

11-9-08002.jpg



Neck (unassembled)
11-9-08003.jpg

11-9-08004.jpg
 
#3
I did the the concept form in "paint". I ended up making the test pieces out of Pine, so I could get the realistic measurements (Note, these are all subject to change):

This is the original drawing I started with:
EUB.jpg




Here's a little more detail on the bridge (minus the measurements). I'll end up using a multiple input piezo pre (probably Ghost).
EUBBridge.jpg



Headstock (minus the measurements). Along with being at an angle, it will also be tapered and the face will be radiused.
EUBHeadstock.jpg
 
#6
PilbaraBass said:
I like the design except for one major thing...

there's not enough radius in the fingerboard for an upright...(you can't bow)...

the bridge design only needs to be slightly modified to accommodate a more radiuses board...(inner saddle blocks protrude more)...

otherwise, a "stand up" design :)
Click to expand...

Yeah, the drawings are rough, for sure. The bridge will be set to radius with the fingerboard, just not taking the saddles down yet until it's time, I'm thinking perhaps a 10"-12" radius.
I read somewhere that the NS fingerboard is 2"? Seems like alot of curve there. I'm more pizz besides.

Worked on the bridge some more, now that the glue has cured,
used a Dremel with what I call a "gear" bit ("router" bit that comes with a dremel):

11-9-08007.jpg

11-9-08008.jpg

11-9-08005.jpg

11-9-08006.jpg

11-9-08009.jpg


Saddles are all the same height (for now).
 
#8
SDB Guitars said:
Jason -

I believe standard URB fingerboard radius is 6". For a project like this, I would probably just buy a ready-made URB fingerboard.
Click to expand...

That may be the deal ;)

Only downside is, not getting the radius experience :(

But yeah, i'm gonna buy this time.



Thanks
 
#11
SDB Guitars said:
It *does* seem to fall significantly between cello (~27" scale) and URB (~42" scale), 34.5 would be smack in the middle of those...

What would that be... a basso-cello? ;)
Click to expand...

Actually a bello :),

It was just "in the cards" I originally wanted to do 35, but I had 2-8' lengths of poplar.........

I wanted to have at least a 7" headstock, just to have a smidgen of excess and 3" between the string ferrules to the bridge.
44" is what i came up with, so I'd have 2 remaining pieces that were 7", which put me at 34". I do have another piece of 2x2 (18" long) poplar, that i'll add to the headstock if I need it wider.

If I were to use the teak to add to the neck lams............
All the pieces of teak are under 44" , now the question:
I was going to try "butt" jointing the teak to make the pieces 44", do any of you think this will work?

It seems like it would work to me, at least once it's completely glued together, and then bonded with the poplar.
 
#12
PilbaraBass said:
that's a relief...

you may not be an arco kinda guy, but

1) don't ever say "never"
2) getting used to a standard UB board will help immensely if you ever decide to get another EUB or an AUB.

what's the scale? 34" ...hmmm...you sure you don't wanna go a "little" bit bigger ;)
Click to expand...

Never have, never will ;)

Once upon a time, I did play DB in high school (mostly pizz and tiny bit arc), but I know where you're coming from though.

thanks
 
#14
Being that this is my first build, i'll share a snippet of the journal
I started when I began this build:

....After un-vising it, I discovered that 44" might be too short, to get a 34" Scale. Did not take into consideration for the size of the bridge to be added in.... Dammit!.............But life goes on, I have what's there. It is possible to do 32"- 33" scale
regardless.
 
#16
SDB Guitars said:
Don't shorten the scale - just do it as a glued in neck, as opposed to a neck through.

Seriously.
Click to expand...

I will have to think this one over some. Depending on the height of the bridge piece, I may get away with less than 3", between the string ferrules and the bridge and still keep the 34" scale. I may be able to add another piece of oak to the rear of the bridge and move the bridge more to the back of the body (like an acoustic giutar) and run the ferrules in to the bridge, instead.
 
#19
Poplar?? Oak?? Cherry?? Are you serious!? You'll never get any good "tone" from those woods..........























JUST KIDDING! :pLooks like a fun project, looking forward to seeing more!
 

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