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First build fretless 11 string single cut

Ethereal Thorn

Ethereal Thorn

Feb 21, 2007
2,228
2,441
41
Forsyth, Missouri
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#1
Hey all I have been researching over the past few years on this project and I am going to slowly start this one I was hoping for abit of advice as I go into this. Here are my specs so far;A blackHeart Sasafras top, I am unsure of the body wood either White Limba or Swamp Ash( I am open to suggestions:help:), Neck thru with purpleheart, maple and wenge stringers, an Ebony fretboard, gold hardware Nordstrand jazz single coil pickups wired like a noiseless p-style, an Audere pre, What scale lenth is I deal for a tight low F# string? Is a 36 sufficient? I know 35 is Ideal for low b but I am wanting this bass to sound really focused in the lows. How do these specs sound so far guys? Any sugestions would be apreciated. This project is going to take awhile but I promise it will happen. I'll be shure to post plenty of pornz too:D
 
#3
Good luck on the build and that is quite the impressive first project. You will though be breaking a lots of ground on your own with 11 strings, from pickups to strings it will have to be all custom for sure.
Best of luck, have fun and take lots of pictures for us all.
Dirk
 
#4
Yeah it will be a huge under taking:eek: Thanks for the replies I am still figuring out a few details but I am excited Do you guys know any company that makes stacked concentrick wood nobs for the electronics I found some nice bocote wood nobs on the bay but I still cant stacked ones do you guys think the White Limba will look more apealing then swamp ash with the Blackheart Sasafras top? These following questions might need to be posted in a different thread sorry mods if I need to move this I will but I am trying keep everthing relating to the build. Do you guys know of any string co's that make Flatwound strings for a low F# string? I am using Daddarios flat chromes on my Ibanez currently and they sound abit dull for my liking. So if you know of any that would be abit briter sounding as well I would be very greatful also the Nordstrand pickups If order them would Nordstrand jazz single coils be able to be wired like a noise less P-style pickup:confused: I am still fairly new to these forums so bear with me if I am breaking rules:hiding: thanks for replies again.
 
#6
Dirk Diggler said:
Good luck on the build and that is quite the impressive first project. You will though be breaking a lots of ground on your own with 11 strings, from pickups to strings it will have to be all custom for sure.
Best of luck, have fun and take lots of pictures for us all.
Dirk
Click to expand...
I certainly will be taking plenty of pics:bassist: Dont worry I am still upgrading my rig to handle this beast as well so it will take some time be patient. I want this done right the first time. I was originally going to have wilser Ramirez build me a fanned fret 13-string beast 3 years ago I had a huge thread on that but my ex Fiancee got me in some bad debt that ate all my funds I had saved for the project and since then I have learned how to use power tools and my taste in basses have changed alot. I dont think I'll use my low F# string very often, so the need to go any lower just isn't there for me so I am tuning from Low F# to High AB4 that will deffinatly satisfy my range greed ;) I also have became addicted to fretless bass.
 
#7
Snap! Jauqo's wet towel stings!

Ethereal, I'm not knocking you, but you've posted a bunch of questions above that demonstrate that either you're way out of your league, or you're not done planning/researching. That's not a criticism, just an observation. Like trying to find stacked wooden knobs when you haven't even purchased the wood for the bass you're planning to build yet. Seek support here, but plan accurately and realistically as well...
 
#8
Beej said:
Snap! Jauqo's wet towel stings!

Ethereal, I'm not knocking you, but you've posted a bunch of questions above that demonstrate that either you're way out of your league, or you're not done planning/researching. That's not a criticism, just an observation. Like trying to find stacked wooden knobs when you haven't even purchased the wood for the bass you're planning to build yet. Seek support here, but plan accurately and realistically as well...
Click to expand...

You are right I am not 100% done figuring my details but I am starting to order parts I have almost all the details figured out. I figured I should post the building process from the beginning and thats what this is. I am just looking for educated advice from professionals to ease my mind. I dont feel it is out of my league in any manner mate. I am more than able to play it I have been playing for almost 12 years now. I am trying to save time and and money buy buying as many things pre made as I can considering almost everything is custom from the ground up on this I am not worried about this and I had spoken with Jaquo before on my previous project he actully gave me some very good advice about trying things out abit more before I went thru with it I am glad because I know a 13 wouldn't work for my needs now. I was very close to making that bass a reality I had the money all saved and it hit the fan with the ex I had to go to court lost everything it sucked but you live and learn. This build is in its begining stages as I stated previously and it is my first under taking I am confident with the help of my brother (builder of "Dragon Guitars" on some and my friend rick kramer my local guitar luthier I have them both to help with this build I will be doing the majority myself but they will be able to assist on any of the more technical aspects. My freind Scott Plummer of Viraemia has built two 10-string custom Basses and I talk with him frequently I have been picking his brain abit about the project so what I do lack in experiance in building I will have help nearby and it is not in my nature to be defeated by anything;) So trust this is being thought out more this time around. I have my eye on some blanks I just haven't commited the funds yet. I have a nice Dbx compressor I am looking at purchasing in the next week. So I am working on a tite budget between upgrading my rig and buying wood/parts. Changing the subject Have you any experience with circle k string I am seriously looking into them thankyou for your reply and any constructive help is apreciated.
 
#10
I'll answer a couple of your questions.

You want wooden knobs, just make them. There is a great sticky here that should help. I never buy knobs anymore. They do take some time to get them right, my first sets really sucked, it's harder than it looks. And if knobs are too scary to think about, your build is way beyond scary, bordering on insanity.

Go with round wounds on your F#, plain and simple.

Dirk
 
#11
#13
If you're building as a way to have the bass you want but for much less, not a great idea. Trust me, I started my first build because I wanted a sweet exotic wood singlecut bass and thought, "I can build one for half the price!" The bass was not so hot...though now I do have a great hobby, my second is turning out great so far. It can be done, but for something like an 11 string you might seriously want to build a test bass first.

Anyway, best of luck!!
 
#15
there somebody had to do it
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#16
Dirk Diggler said:
I'll answer a couple of your questions.

You want wooden knobs, just make them. There is a great sticky here that should help. I never buy knobs anymore. They do take some time to get them right, my first sets really sucked, it's harder than it looks. And if knobs are too scary to think about, your build is way beyond scary, bordering on insanity.

Go with round wounds on your F#, plain and simple.

Dirk
Click to expand...

I am not afraid of making my own nobs. I am trying to save time and am trying to do this with as few tools as possible to save money. I dont own my own tools currently. I lost everything to my ex. I am buying a good router, sander and wood clamps. I will have to borrow tools for some of the other work. thanks for pointing me to the sticky. Won't round wounds mar a fretless fingerboard? I prefer flatwounds either way.
 
#20
My serious contributions to your plan:

Sketch it out fullsize so you can get a handle on what you're doing. Include everything in the sketch, don't leave out any details.

Start compiling parts now so you can work around what you have, especially when it comes to the bridge (or single bridges which it will pretty much have to be unless you plan to fab something yourself).

See what woods are available to you locally so you can realistically judge what's the best deal, especially since your funds are tight.

Lastly, take your time, but don't waste it - plan carefully and thoroughly.

Also, spellcheck, correct grammar and complete sentences will make your posts easier to read! :D
 

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