2 string bass

[Youn Berpo]

Hello,

I'm a french teacher (at primary school), and we have some "DIY" instruments in our classroom : various cigarbox guitars (1, 2 or 3 strings), MIDI controllers, etc... As my kids have zero knowledge in making music, I adapt the instruments to their needs and capacities. So, I made a 1 string shortscale bass few years ago. It's fun, and they really like it (it has a JB pickup parallel to the string). You can see it in an old photo, guitars hanging on the wall (we now have a furniture on wheels to move all the stuff).

So, I really enjoyed playing on this simple 1 string bass, so I asked myself "why not have mine, maybe with a second string, to have twice the possibilities?" So I built one, last week...

Walnut body, ovangkol 30 inches neck with wenge fretboard, EMG P Pickup. I tried a Dimarzio Split P DP 127, but I found it very dull. The 2 Precision "half pickup", just one under the other make a very loud sound. I first installed only one half of the pickup, but it was a bit weak. With the second half installed, I have to turn down the preamp...
It's a nice bass. Lightweight, good sound (for me, at least!). I like it!

 

[13ghosts]

Nice bass! Congrats!

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Looks like fun. That walnut is very pretty. I recall reading about someone semi-famous who played a 4 string bass with an E and an A and another E and A in case one broke. Any more than 1 or 2 strings is just showing off anyway!

 

[Youn Berpo]

Yeah, it's fun. I had hands and back problems few years ago, so I stopped playing bass. It hurted too much... I started playing again with cigarboxes guitars, so I learned that even with less strings, you can make music! The 2 string shortscale bass solves some problem : it can be VERY lightweight (mine is not so, with walnut and ovangkol : 2,3 kg), and the thin neck is very comfortable, easy to use. Maybe a 3 string would be the perfect deal for me : i don't use the 4th so much, but the 3rd can be useful to play octaves (hard to do with 2 strings!).

 

[HateyMcAmp]

Looks like fun. That walnut is very pretty. I recall reading about someone semi-famous who played a 4 string bass with an E and an A and another E and A in case one broke. Any more than 1 or 2 strings is just showing off anyway!

I’ve read Jerry Only from the Misfits did this.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Very nice! A cool idea, executed well. I think a 2-string bass is a viable design for many players.

 

[johnh89]

Mark Sandman of Morphine . Check out youtube .

 

[Youn Berpo]

Yes, I listened a lot Morphine, years ago. So I knew 2 strings were "possible". But he plays with the bottleneck.
I didn't try with mine... Let's go!

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

Mark Sandman of Morphine . Check out youtube .

In an interview, Mark was asked why he plays a 2-string bass. He told that he started with a 1-string bass and found it a little limiting. So he added the 2nd string, and it was perfect!

I've been big fan of Morphine for years. Addiction I guess..

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I’ve read Jerry Only from the Misfits did this.

That’s who it was. I couldn’t remember the name this morning.

 

[J Wilson]

No stereo outs? Separate Left and Right outs?

Pretty bass.

 

[Youn Berpo]

I could, but I wanted to keep it simple. But sure, it's not that complicated to have an output for each string. I think it's more useful in "bass/guitar" instruments, where you have a low bass string and 2-3 guitar treble strings, treated separately, with two amps or effect chains.

 

[blastoff]

I like the idea of a J pickup parallel to the string!

 

[ximun]

Ben y'a des enfants qui ont de la chance d'être dans ta classe

Very nice project I like it !
Congrats
I really could play on 3 strings without changing much I think...

From my teenage years I also remember the "Presidents of the USA" playing on guitars with 2 strings or something like this.

 

[HardNHeavy]

nice work and design

 

[Youn Berpo]

We see the "mono bass" better on these pictures, with our new "guitars and amps stand on wheels" :

 

[Sickboy Method]

In an interview, Mark was asked why he plays a 2-string bass. He told that he started with a 1-string bass and found it a little limiting. So he added the 2nd string, and it was perfect!

I've been big fan of Morphine for years. Addiction I guess..

He used to give a lot of "smart" answers about his choice of using only two strings... I used to work as a videographer and you can just see on a person's face when they have been asked the same question a million times. One reporter paid attention at some point an noted that Mark had been experimenting with his instruments for years, which led Mark to talk about his evolution from playing what he called a "Tritar" to the 2 string slide...
such a shame when a bright light burns short.

 

[jtemple]

Krappy Guitars is well known for their 2 string basses: Punk Basses

 

[J Posega]

That's a beautiful bass, super nice work!

I've got a Krappy 2 string and it's great as a gimmick and display piece, but without a truss rod or neck reinforcement the action is pretty high. I'd love a more refined 2 string at some point. It's fun to limit yourself sometimes.

 

[Youn Berpo]

I've put a truss rod, nut that's a one piece neck. I hope it will stay "straight", because it's really a joy to handle. Oiled ovangkol... I choose it because I liked my first bass : a warwick corvette FNA.