Hopkins
Commercial User
Yeah same seller, I've made over 10 pickups with the same spool, and it still has a few left in it.
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$100 4 string challenge
- Thread starter flameworker
- Start date
Yeah same seller, I've made over 10 pickups with the same spool, and it still has a few left in it.
The pickup output is proportional to the number of turns, all other things being kept constant (magnet strength and dimensions, distance from strings, etc). With 24ga you can't get enough turns to get a decent amount of output so you'd be making a low impedance pickup that needs a buffer circuit with gain to boost it. Doable, but it wouldn't be a 'normal' passive pickup unless maybe you make it huge.
- May 1, 2014
- 2,494
- 2,341
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- Disclosures
- Owner Melodious Resonance Constructs
My two oldest children have been begging me to make them each a bass guitar, and after some quick calculations I should be able to build two 30" scale fretless 4 string for under $100 total. How's that for upping the ante a bit? 
I will start a build thread once I get things designed and the parts list finalized, though it may be a bit before I can start the actual build as I need to finish up my current commission first.
I will start a build thread once I get things designed and the parts list finalized, though it may be a bit before I can start the actual build as I need to finish up my current commission first.
I wish I could take part in this, but there are too many personal constraints for me. I'll watch everyone else builds like a hawk, but it's saddening to know that I can't participate.
Hrm, I'm doing a home built pup using 36 awg, but I'm dropping neodymium magnets at the base of each pole piece... 
we'll see how it turns out....
we'll see how it turns out....
- May 1, 2014
- 2,494
- 2,341
- 56
- Disclosures
- Owner Melodious Resonance Constructs
I'm still on the fence, I've had a few build threads that went unfinished and really would like to avoid that so I'll probably join late if I do and will have made sure all my ducks are in a row.
Hopkins
Commercial User
I's still debating it. I love a challenge, but I am not really crazy about being budgeted to $100.
It's definitely a challenge. I'm hoping if need be, I can swap out most of the parts for higher quality pieces afterwards.
Hey, ...try it, it's fun
Build a bass guitar as cheap as you can, but choose the wood with well considered. So you will be able to upgrade the bass whenever you want.
Hopkins
Commercial User
I'm not to keen on having to strip off whatever rattle can finish I would have to put on it to come in at under a bill to spray a higher quality finish on later. That's my only real hold up.Hey, ...try it, it's fun
Build a bass guitar as cheap as you can, but choose the wood with well considered. So you will be able to upgrade the bass whenever you want.
I was thinking of it, however I only just finished one build (which came out under $100), then I am working on another build which will likely come out under $100.
My biggest problem is that I will have 5 basses once I finish this one. Its even harder to implement a one in one out rule when you have made half of them.
I can only play one at once after all.
My biggest problem is that I will have 5 basses once I finish this one. Its even harder to implement a one in one out rule when you have made half of them.
I can only play one at once after all.
I'm going to tentatively put my hand in. I may not get much further than this step if I cannot get access to a Band saw or a thicknesser.
Plan is for a Single cut bolt on. Loosely based on a NS-2 body shape. Single piece Radiata Pine. Planning to make a Maple on Maple neck, fretless with side lines.
Wilkinson Bridge, Chinese Tuners and jazz bass electronics. Finished in Tung oil, considering a stain of some sort.
This is my progress so far. Cut up my huge slab of Radiata pine that I found on the side of the road. This segment is completely devoid of cracks or knots and has a fantastic Ash-like grain. I still need to get this slab down to thickness on the back though, as it is still extremely thick.
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Plan is for a Single cut bolt on. Loosely based on a NS-2 body shape. Single piece Radiata Pine. Planning to make a Maple on Maple neck, fretless with side lines.
Wilkinson Bridge, Chinese Tuners and jazz bass electronics. Finished in Tung oil, considering a stain of some sort.
This is my progress so far. Cut up my huge slab of Radiata pine that I found on the side of the road. This segment is completely devoid of cracks or knots and has a fantastic Ash-like grain. I still need to get this slab down to thickness on the back though, as it is still extremely thick.
Invalid Link Removed
Hopkins
Commercial User
I am going to have to officially bow out, I was going to do a 5 string with a G&L neck, a $10 poplar board from Home Depot for the body and a salvaged Light Wave system. But I cannot find a cheap 5 string tuner set with half inch posts that I can replace later with Ultralites. I guess this project will get started as a non challenge build with good hardware from the beginning. But anyway, it seems to be a little bit against the spirit of the competition to slap a bunch of cheap hardware on the bass just to replace it with good stuff after the challenge is over.
It is a challenge, not a competition. I like to think it's more about pushing ones boundaries, trying new materials or techniques.
So you can be challenged to think different, even if you know you don't stand a chance of meeting the criteria exactly.
