Not sure if I should try it or if it's just plain stupid!

search button. How to section. I dont want to be rude, just want to help you out. Its been discussed numerous times before.

Rock-Bassman said:

Well first off, I've haven't really worked wit hwood in my life. But I kinda want to learn how to make a bass from scratch... how much would the woods cost if it's just middle of the road type stuff, not great but not a stick you could findd in your backyard (and I mean a stick... not afraid t odo some choppin' )... and more importantly SHOULD I GET SOME TRAINING/PRACTICE BEFORE DOIN ANYTHIN???

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Hi Rock,

If you live in or near a larger town/city, find a luthier in your area and go visit them (use the net and local music stores to find where they are). It doesn't matter what they build, just so long as they are building stringed musical instruments.

Then talk to him/her about your vision. By the time you see their shop and spend an hour talking to them, you'll know if this is something you should attempt. If you determine to go ahead, then they may become a valuable resource of help and advice.

When I built my first bass I was fortunate enough to have Duane Noble ( www.dlnobleguitars.com ) living in my city. I contacted him for advice and help. Even tho he builds high-end acoustic guitars and I build electric basses, we have become good friends and he was very helpful along the way.

You can do the same.

Good luck !!

Hi.

It's stupid and You most definately should do it.

Since Your sex is ??? and there's no age listed, I'd make a guess that you're a teenage male .

If that's true, Your woodshop class teacher will be able to help you. If You're older there's bound to be community woodshop classes for adults, go there.

Making an (solid body) instrument has more to do with general woodworking than luthiery. Having some woodworking skills and guidance will get You through the project and you'll have an instrument that you can be proud of.

As for the wood, almost any wood can, and has been, used in instrument making so there's just the cost and ease of working with specific species to choose from. Again any woodworker or a lumberyard guy will be able to help you with that. More money won't generally buy you "better" wood, but prettier to the eye.

You won't usually save any money when making things Yourself, especially at the first try, but the best things in life aren't measured with money. IMHO of course .

Regards
Sam

Start with pine. Get some hand tools.

Hi.

Didn't mean any disrespect by the age thing.

In cases like this the age practically dictates the "correct" course of action. The people who still have the advantage of a school wood-shop, practically have the bass or a guitar made already. They sometimes have even the wood already, they just don't know it yet . They also have the expertize of a skilled (most of the time) teacher who can guide them to the correct tools and methods. The largest obstackles are already removed, there's just the planning and doing left.

It did pain me a bit that there wasn't anyone in my classes who would want to make an instrument when I worked as a crafts teacher back in the day. I did repair several instruments though so the youngsters had the opportunity to learn a bit about that too.

Pine and hand tools is a good, easy and cheap choice, plywood and machine tools is too IME/IMHO.

Regards
Sam