Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Show us your acoustic bass guitars!
- Thread starter BrandenSteele
- Start date
RE: KAB video ... very cool -- seems like it's pretty loud, and the tone ain't bad either. Not a DB tone, but bass-ier and less harsh than a resonator bass guitar -- which is I think another obvious option to produce similar volume unplugged.
This is not a critique, just brainstorming... it seems to me if there was a good source of cheap neck-through-body blanks, one could use one of those effectively in this application -- router a couple of square holes in the drum cylinder to accomodate the "body" part of the blank, and just have the body slab run through the drum under the head. Your tailpiece would thereby essentially bolt to the neck itself, which might do good things for sustain, and maybe provide some mwah. It might make fastening the neck to the drum easier as well.
Not counting the cost of the bass guitar neck, could you share approximate cost of materials and time expended to build one of those?
This is not a critique, just brainstorming... it seems to me if there was a good source of cheap neck-through-body blanks, one could use one of those effectively in this application -- router a couple of square holes in the drum cylinder to accomodate the "body" part of the blank, and just have the body slab run through the drum under the head. Your tailpiece would thereby essentially bolt to the neck itself, which might do good things for sustain, and maybe provide some mwah. It might make fastening the neck to the drum easier as well.
Not counting the cost of the bass guitar neck, could you share approximate cost of materials and time expended to build one of those?
A thru neck will not work because you need to offset the neck and brace to clear the hoop and skin. You can see what I did on this site. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
To get the bridge near the centre of a 22" drum, with a 34" scale neck, you need to have 20, or fewer, frets on the neck. To bring the fretboard over the edge of the drum would mean removing the neck to replace the skin... if needed. The KAB No.2 is a short scale Hondo II neck cut to the 22 fret, on a 20" drum. The bridge floats on the skin and is 70mm, or so, high.
I organise a session in a quiet function room in the local pub with half a dozen guitars, a banjo and vocal PA and still get heard.
To get the bridge near the centre of a 22" drum, with a 34" scale neck, you need to have 20, or fewer, frets on the neck. To bring the fretboard over the edge of the drum would mean removing the neck to replace the skin... if needed. The KAB No.2 is a short scale Hondo II neck cut to the 22 fret, on a 20" drum. The bridge floats on the skin and is 70mm, or so, high.
I organise a session in a quiet function room in the local pub with half a dozen guitars, a banjo and vocal PA and still get heard.
Ah, yes, I see what you mean. Thanks for the extra pics, that claifies the design considerably, and the constraints imposed by building with a drum.
I'm wondering how much does the depth of the drum matter? Could a shallower drum (along the lines of a Bodhrán) be used to a similar effect, but with improved ergonomics?
It is in any case I think a very ingenious concept, and when I find some spare time I will explore it further. Thanks again for sharing. =))
I'm wondering how much does the depth of the drum matter? Could a shallower drum (along the lines of a Bodhrán) be used to a similar effect, but with improved ergonomics?
It is in any case I think a very ingenious concept, and when I find some spare time I will explore it further. Thanks again for sharing. =))
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Tacoma CB-205C unlined fretless
Usually it is a 5 string... Thomastik is sending a replacement out as we speak.
Even with the flats it is plenty loud, they give it a nice upright tone
Tacoma CB-205C unlined fretless
Usually it is a 5 string... Thomastik is sending a replacement out as we speak.
Even with the flats it is plenty loud, they give it a nice upright tone
Hey! Lets show off our awesome acoustics.
Mine is a TangleWood Tab1-CE, and is currently serving as my main bass guitar.
I'm thinking about getting one of these. Are there any negative points that you have found? Also I would need a case; which case did you get for yours? thanks, Bob
Veilette Archtop- more electric than acoustic but it's a serious thoroughbred!
I have posted a photo of my Jasmine by Takamine 4 string acoustic bass guitar. The quality of the bass is fair, but the electronics are horrible. It dawns a passive piezo pickup that I would NOT recommend.
The natural projection of the instrument is pretty good though. It is a very nice sounding bass acoustically. Especially with D'Addario Bronze Phospher strings.
The main reason for the post is that I put a thumb rest parallel with the E string. I don't see that anyone else does this, but I was so uncomfortable playing the bass (really just the E string) until it was installed.
I am not sure if this affected the value of the instrument, but it is not very valuable to begin with. I am thinking of upgrading to a Goldin fretless soon, and I'm a bit nervous that I will find myself uncomfortable again. I just need an anchor for that E string, LOL. I think they have a version with a pickup though. I may be fine.
The natural projection of the instrument is pretty good though. It is a very nice sounding bass acoustically. Especially with D'Addario Bronze Phospher strings.
The main reason for the post is that I put a thumb rest parallel with the E string. I don't see that anyone else does this, but I was so uncomfortable playing the bass (really just the E string) until it was installed.
I am not sure if this affected the value of the instrument, but it is not very valuable to begin with. I am thinking of upgrading to a Goldin fretless soon, and I'm a bit nervous that I will find myself uncomfortable again. I just need an anchor for that E string, LOL. I think they have a version with a pickup though. I may be fine.
Attachments
Jeff, a bass that looks lighter than your 4005's
Good to see your name again. All the best, Bob
I like the feel of the bass vibes on my leg. Reminds me of when I had 2 Orange 4 x 12s behind me, trouser-flapping good.
Harmonia unlined fretless 6-string courtesy of eBay.
It arrived with roundwound strings on it, I've changed them to nylon tapewound strings. I had to add a strap button at the neck heel and still need to put dots on the edge of the fingerboard so I have a visual clue where I am on the neck. It feels pretty unfinished too, so there might be a hand-rubbed finish in its future.
It arrived with roundwound strings on it, I've changed them to nylon tapewound strings. I had to add a strap button at the neck heel and still need to put dots on the edge of the fingerboard so I have a visual clue where I am on the neck. It feels pretty unfinished too, so there might be a hand-rubbed finish in its future.
Jeff, a bass that looks lighter than your 4005's
Good to see your name again. All the best, Bob
Hi Bob!
How are things in the photography world for you?Yes, the Rick Turner is definitely my anti-gravity bass.
What a great thread! Here's my Ibanez AEB5E. Currently wearing the factory bronze rounds. Looking at either Tapes, Chromes or Half Rounds (all D'Addario) to replace them with. Lovin' it in the mean time!
