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1st schratch build

V

vintager

Jan 29, 2005
321
0
Slovakia
#1
Hi,

here is the build where i wanted to learn few things and test some ideas. For so long i've been tempted to find out if the neck without a truss rod or any passive stiffeners could lead to a more resonant instrument, woodier tone. Well, i still don't know since i haven't built both otherwise exactly versions. All i know is that it vibrates strongly and the sound has a thick, warm and woody character in all notes, while there is a firm and articulate low-mid spectral area. (which is mostly because of the thicker neck. combined with a long scale delivers a nice piano-like low B and good sustain). Action is fine now (old walnut, no great climate changes in my home) but i wouldn't go without a truss rod anymore. Plays great and makes me happy, so i consider it as a successful try for now. Some specs :

Scale : 35.5"
Construction : set neck. hot hide glue used only
Body : hard european ash, 2pc
Neck : euro walnut, 3pc (from an old gunstock blank), asymmetrical
Head : euro walnut, 1 pc (not from the source as above)
Finish : shellac
Fboard : pau ferro, as well as nut. inf. radius. brass side dots.
Pup : Kent Armstrong handmade soapbar
Electronics : none, straight to the jack
Tuners : Schaller + koa buttons
Bridge : asian import, 16.5mm spacing, little patina
Strings : Ken Smith slick rounds
Weight : cca 4 tons ;

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#9
And...what happens if the bass never moves but the climate changes? Where I am, we get very hot summers (100+ degrees F with high humidity) and cold winters (sub-20 degrees with snow). I can't imagine a bass being built without an adjustable neck that remains stable with my local weather.
 
#11
thank you all. i like the bass despite i see so many signs of impatience and lack of skills. the sound is great mostly because of the perfect pickup. i've just made a rigid base to hang the strings on. so far the neck is all straight, plays nice. it feels a bit like a older warwick, but its asymmetrical, its thinner where my thumb rests. and i love that old walnut.. especially with thicker pau ferro fboard its so stiff i absolutely can't bend notes by wiggling the neck (im sure there is a special word for that).
 
#13
...and that absence of a TR was just an old temptation. 3 piece neck of 20+y old walnut (that should have a bit greater stability than maple) sounded good to me so i went for it. now its fine, i don't expect the movig but yes, just because of that 'what if' feeling i wouldn't do it again. i didn't want to either, it's more-less a personal experiment.
 
#14
vintager said:
...and that absence of a TR was just an old temptation. 3 piece neck of 20+y old walnut (that should have a bit greater stability than maple) sounded good to me so i went for it. now its fine, i don't expect the movig but yes, just because of that 'what if' feeling i wouldn't do it again. i didn't want to either, it's more-less a personal experiment.
Click to expand...

You could always re-dress the frets during a future set up if the climate has any effect at all.
 

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