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$100 4 string challenge

#62
michaelwayneharwood said:
In progress builds allowed? Only wood used counted against cost (e.g. 4bf used out of 6bf purchased)? 4 strings only?
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I'd say yes, builds in progress are ok, and only materials used count (e.g. 4bf used out of 6bf purchased). I'd add that we should keep a running tally of the total cost as well. I would also have no issues with the number of strings. Fewer strings = less cost, so 3 strings are ok too.
 
#63
I might be interested in joining. First, though, I'd want to see a clear set of rules.
Having strict constraints on what's allowed is not a bad thing, it's what makes it a fun challenge.

So here's what I'd want to know:
- If you have old hardware laying around, can you use it? For example, I have a no-brand pickup that I could use for this. How would that be accounted for in the $ totals?
- Same with old lumber. I have a nice chunk of bubinga leftover from a previous project. Would that be cheating? What about small cutoffs, that probably have no market value?
- Finishing materials, if you use ¼ from an old $30 can of epoxy, do you count it as $7.50?

Here's my suggestion - we need to be able to itemize all the components of the build, but we can be allowed to do out best to estimate the market value of each component. For example, my no-brand pickup would probably be worth no more than $10 on eBay. A chunk of wood from an old piece of furniture would probably count as $0, unless you buy the furniture for the purpose of salvage the wood for this project.
Of course, we can fudge those numbers as much as we want, but that wouldn't be in the spirit of the game.

- Finally, the cost of strings. Would they count?
 
#64
I think it should be a standard bass, what means 4 strings at least.

If I would be allowed to use my lumber out of the scrap box and my stock of used hardware, the bass would cost me nearly nothing, ....that's too easy. But the real value of all those things could be much more than 100 bucks.

consider this please.
 
#68
I'd say both strings and finishing materials (paint/lacquer/etc) should not be included. Existing hardware - that's a tough one. I have a set of hipshot tuners and a scholar bridge I bought for a different build. Clearly using those would not be in the spirit of this challenge. On the other hand, wire, potentiometers, switches, etc maybe could be used if one has them on hand. But that's the rub - existing builders would have an advantage as most of us have these things in our parts bin. Unless we just include wood, tuners, bridges, pickups, nut, and pick guards in the cost. Heh, I include pick guards because I'm not using one :P Oh yeah, and for fretted basses, fretwire?
 
#69
Hopkins said:
I give all my scrap cut offs to a guy I know who carves small wooden sculptures. I have some body wood, but it wouldn't fit with the spirit of the challenge. I have no interest in building a fretless, so fret wire is a cost that you left out of your estimate, and there still is no getting around the price of finishing material.

If parts that we already have are acceptable (big parts like pickups necks and hardware) then this challenge may be doable, if not then I don't see how I can do it.
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Finish = tru-oil ;)
 
#71
Ok, just stopped by the wood store where they are running some special deals this month on mahagony.

20ssrwy.jpg


I grabed this pack for $24.00 less my Rosewood club discount. I should be able to make the entire neck and body from this. Did we decide if we're each going to make separate build threads?
 
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#72
I wish we had a woodworkers source here, one of the many things I miss about AZ. WHAT A DEAL!

Historically, I've seen people start there own threads with the challenge name in the title. Then, miscellanies comments, rules, time line, simple up-dates and progress is posted in the initial challenge thread till the end. once a build has been completed, a finished pic is posted in the challenge thread. At the end of the allotted time It's put to a vote by TBer's. Or so that's how I've seen it before.
 
#73
mapleglo said:
I'd say both strings and finishing materials (paint/lacquer/etc) should not be included. Existing hardware - that's a tough one. I have a set of hipshot tuners and a scholar bridge I bought for a different build. Clearly using those would not be in the spirit of this challenge. On the other hand, wire, potentiometers, switches, etc maybe could be used if one has them on hand. But that's the rub - existing builders would have an advantage as most of us have these things in our parts bin. Unless we just include wood, tuners, bridges, pickups, nut, and pick guards in the cost. Heh, I include pick guards because I'm not using one :p Oh yeah, and for fretted basses, fretwire?
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I just have to throw my two cents in here. Good on you for running with this idea, I think it could be really interesting. I agree that the cost of strings could be left out since every bass has strings and pretty much no matter what brand/type you use, they look the same. I disagree about the finish costs though. A heavy, highly polished nitro finish looks vastly different than linseed oil (as an example) and have distinctly different costs and some, not all, may associate different finishes with quality. Also, I think all things on hand that are used need to be counted or at least find a price of the equivalent online and include it. But only to the extent of counting the cost of the amount actually used.

Just the thoughts of a rambler though. Good luck to everyone if you participate. I'll be watching from the wings!
 
#74
MrArose13 said:
I wish we had a woodworkers source here, one of the many things I miss about AZ. WHAT A DEAL!

Historically, I've seen people start there own threads with the challenge name in the title. Then, miscellanies comments, rules, time line, simple up-dates and progress is posted in the initial challenge thread till the end. once a build has been completed, a finished pic is posted in the challenge thread. At the end of the allotted time It's put to a vote by TBer's. Or so that's how I've seen it before.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I just happened to go there on a day they had some good deals. But even at regular prices, one can find some really nice pieces. There was another piece of mahogany right next to the pack I grabbed which was less expensive at $17.00, but there were cracks all through the back. I was hoping it was solid enough to make a neck, but no such luck.

I guess I'll start a build thread for this build.

Oh, and I'm not sure why the previous photo came out sideways - I was posting from my phone so that may have been the issue.

97l5d1.jpg
 
#75
Jonny5bass said:
I just have to throw my two cents in here. Good on you for running with this idea, I think it could be really interesting. I agree that the cost of strings could be left out since every bass has strings and pretty much no matter what brand/type you use, they look the same. I disagree about the finish costs though. A heavy, highly polished nitro finish looks vastly different than linseed oil (as an example) and have distinctly different costs and some, not all, may associate different finishes with quality. Also, I think all things on hand that are used need to be counted or at least find a price of the equivalent online and include it. But only to the extent of counting the cost of the amount actually used.

Just the thoughts of a rambler though. Good luck to everyone if you participate. I'll be watching from the wings!
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Yep, I agree with all of that.
If we want to do this, perhaps it would be worthwhile to start a new thread with these rules as the top post. And perhaps not limit it to a 4-string (although that's what I'd build), for those who'd rather spend their time building something with their preferred number of strings (hopefully not a 1-string, maybe).
Hmmm, I'm starting to form a plan for what I'd build...
 
#76
Subbing! Great idea, great thread. I don't have the skills yet to make a neck so I can't join in, but I'm waiting for developments! It may not be for everyone and OK, if you don't think it's possible to build a decent bass for $100 I understand: but as an idea to foster creativity and have some fun, it's awesome IMHO!! :D
 
#77
I may participate, I'm not really sure though. In my current location it may be hard to participate; I have no vehicle to get around town and get supplies, I live far north and temperature can hit -60'c this time of year, and I'm living in an apartment building and have no access to any power tools except for a cordless drill.

I'll think it over, and hopefully I can get an idea going.
 

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