Bass Build ideas needed

[543432321234]

Hello, I am thinking of building a 7 to 8 string bass (all single courses), so im trying to get some ideas for the bass, like;

wood; what type, how sturdy, etc.

bridge; where to get a 7 or 8 string bridge

balance; how to

i am looking for a tuning F#, b, e, a, d, g, c and looking for strings to fit that tuning

things like this, and really technical type of design perspective would be very helpful!

Also, i do not need any purists telling me how basses should only have 4 strings, and true bassists need only 2 strings. i have already been chewed out by purists, and i know that you have you have your own opinions.

 

[sloasdaylight]

Jaco only needed 4 strings.


On topic though .
Woods I'm not sure, but you're probably going to want to look at having 2 truss rods and maybe 3 graphite/carbon fiber support rods as well, since that's going to be a wide neck and probably fairly thin to keep it playable.

Regarding your bridge, you might want to consider a multi-scale instrument, especially if you want to have a low F# beneath the B, so the Single String tuners from Hipshot (I think) should be on your list of things to look at, since you can space them out as needed.

The balance issue can be addressed by using Hipshot Ultra-lite tuners to keep the weight down at the head. You're also going to want to use a body shape that has a long, strong upper horn to allow for not just good balance, but also for easy access to all the frets, from 1 to 24 or however you have.

The bigger question though, is what do you want? What types of basses do you like and why?

 

[jworrellbass]

I'm wondering have you ever built a bass before? If not you might want to start with something a liitle easier.

But if your gonna do it, good luck.

You should consider using single string bridge's, 2 tr's, 1 cf rod, multiple lam neck, light weight tuners, and lots of research. Read, read, read. Their is a load of info here, just read and ask questions to guys that are building basses.

 

[Rickett Customs]

I'm wondering have you ever built a bass before? If not you might want to start with something a liitle easier.

But if your gonna do it, good luck.

You should consider using single string bridge's, 2 tr's, 1 cf rod, multiple lam neck, light weight tuners, and lots of research. Read, read, read. Their is a load of info here, just read and ask questions to guys that are building basses.

+1

Not one of us on this site, who build, had just one day woke up then successfully built a flawless instrument, it surely takes time to develop the skill to do so.

Time to read and do some research, perhaps a few books. 2 of which i'll always suggest for anyone starting out:

Melvyn Hiscock
"Make your own electric guitar"

and my Favorite,

Martin Koch
"Building electric guitars"

If you take the time and give either of these a read, you will find alot better questions to ask around here than "What kind of wood?".......

Just my .02

 

[mikeyswood]

wood; what type, how sturdy, etc.

Also, i do not need any purists telling me how basses should only have 4 strings, and true bassists need only 2 strings. i have already been chewed out by purists, and i know that you have you have your own opinions.

+2 to the vets.

The money put into a ERB as your first build would be viewed by many as a waste. Especially since you are do not understand the foundation. You will not find a luthier around here "chewing you out" for multiple strings. We appreciate the art of building different instruments. You will find a great deal of dissatisfaction with assemblers that call themselves builders.

Good luck.

 

[Rickett Customs]

+2 to the vets.

The money put into a ERB as your first build would be viewed by many as a waste. Especially since you are do not understand the foundation. You will not find a luthier around here "chewing you out" for multiple strings. We appreciate the art of building different instruments. You will find a great deal of dissatisfaction with assemblers that call themselves builders.

Good luck.

Does this mean you'll chew out the assemblers for us Mikey?

 

[salman]

Single string bridges are cool, for eight strings, I've also seen basses with 2 standard bridges. If this is your first build, I would not recommend a multi-scaled bass. Nor would I go with more than 5 strings. The neck/fretboard are the hardest parts of a guitar build...you will mess them up first go around. It will be a lot less expensive if you start off simple.

Don't get me wrong, I like ambitious projects...but taking on an extremely difficult build for your first project may turn you off to the whole idea

 

[Zombbg4]

I see lots of reading and research in your future... Look at the 7 and 8 Strings out there and study them. How many truss rods? Neck lams? What woods? How far does the upper horn extend? The books AlembicPlayr suggested are great, a must have really. Get one (or both) and read through them first, research, then read the book(s) again, then start planning out the bass.

It is possible to build a great bass for your first, many have done so on here, but I sure wish I would have used inexpensive woods on my first. It was a huge learning experience, the hard way, but I'm going into my second much more confident. Best of luck and have fun, the planning stage is exciting!

 

[mikeyswood]

Does this mean you'll chew out the assemblers for us Mikey?

Only if they pretend to be "builders" or "experienced" and ask noob questions

 

[Rickett Customs]

Only if they pretend to be "builders" or "experienced" and ask noob questions

That'll work

 

[sloasdaylight]

Single string bridges are cool, for eight strings, I've also seen basses with 2 standard bridges. If this is your first build, I would not recommend a multi-scaled bass. Nor would I go with more than 5 strings. The neck/fretboard are the hardest parts of a guitar build...you will mess them up first go around. It will be a lot less expensive if you start off simple.

Don't get me wrong, I like ambitious projects...but taking on an extremely difficult build for your first project may turn you off to the whole idea

Ya I agree on the multi-scale thing, the only reason I mentioned it is cause I imagine a low F#, would probably need like a 36 inch scale to not be too floppy, but I couldn't imagine playing a high C or even F on a scale length that long.

 

[Malinoski]

Dive in,
just dive in.

The first one will be ugly
and the 2nd one will be better.

You'll figure it out,
it's just wood and wire.
There is a lot of baloney out there, so be wary.

But be careful-
A happy woodworker has all of his fingers.

 

[Rickett Customs]

Dive in,
just dive in.

The first one will be ugly
and the 2nd one will be better.

You'll figure it out,
it's just wood and wire.
There is a lot of baloney out there, so be wary.

But be careful-
A happy woodworker has all of his fingers.

Peter,
I respectfully disagree with just diving in, research and planning are key, also educating yourself is always nice......just IME. It'll be less ugly at least.

However,
The last bit is the wisest statement that can be said with building instruments, that statement sir, takes the cake.....

Where are you in Maryland? You do have quite the talent for unique instruments, they all look very good.

 

[Malinoski]

Peter,
I respectfully disagree with just diving in, research and planning are key, also educating yourself is always nice......just IME. It'll be less ugly at least.

However,
The last bit is the wisest statement that can be said with building instruments, that statement sir, takes the cake.....

The 3rd one will be presentable.
I still love my first one... lost a piece of finger on it.
But it grew back... really, really lucky.

Hyattsville, MD

 

[543432321234]

Yes, this is my first official instrument. I have created experimental instruments, and i have been studying guitar design and construction for about 3 years now. i know how to build, i just have never got the chance, but now i finally have some cash, so i can FINALLY build.

Yes, the multi scale instrument is a great idea, and i have seen instruments like this; i will have to do some research, and allparts has single string bridges, so all good ideas here.

also, using stainless steel frets would be a better idea, for the long run. last longer, so less hassle with refretting down the road. Also, how would be, say a wenge/bubinga 5 piece neck with thin C shape back, 2 truss rods, 3 carbon reinforcements, with a tung oil finish? any opinions?

I was also thinking about piezoelectric bridges, if anybody knows where to find single string piezoelectric bridges. i would also probably use MM pickups, but if anybody has opinions on pickups that have the power to not make an f# tuning sound like the devil just ate a truck stop burrito, it would really help. I would have to use a EQ obviously, just to make it sound half good.

Yes, i would have to have a long upper horn, great idea.]

like i said, i have done research, but no planning, really. Does anybody have some extra tips?

Also, i would like to thank everybody for the criticism, it really does help!

 

[Rickett Customs]

Yes, this is my first official instrument. I have created experimental instruments, and i have been studying guitar design and construction for about 3 years now. i know how to build, i just have never got the chance, but now i finally have some cash, so i can FINALLY build.

Yes, the multi scale instrument is a great idea, and i have seen instruments like this; i will have to do some research, and allparts has single string bridges, so all good ideas here.

also, using stainless steel frets would be a better idea, for the long run. last longer, so less hassle with refretting down the road. Also, how would be, say a wenge/bubinga 5 piece neck with thin C shape back, 2 truss rods, 3 carbon reinforcements, with a tung oil finish? any opinions?

I was also thinking about piezoelectric bridges, if anybody knows where to find single string piezoelectric bridges. i would also probably use MM pickups, but if anybody has opinions on pickups that have the power to not make an f# tuning sound like the devil just ate a truck stop burrito, it would really help. I would have to use a EQ obviously, just to make it sound half good.

Yes, i would have to have a long upper horn, great idea.]

like i said, i have done research, but no planning, really. Does anybody have some extra tips?

Also, i would like to thank everybody for the criticism, it really does help!

It appears you have at least an inkling of what you want, now it's just a matter of the finer details, so if you can offer almost any information on repairs on electric bass guitar, then you know how it all comes together. Using an Eq to sound "good" is debatable, but if that's what you want, then that's your preference. 2 trussrods and 3 CF rods?? that'll probably be more than you need in the cf rod department, but if over built is how you want it, then make it so.

 

[jworrellbass]

I'd be careful with a bubinga and wenge neck that wide, it will be really heavy. Wenge and maple make a good combo. I built a neck 4-1/4" (at the nut) and 5" (at the bridge) and used 2 tr's and one cf, worked great. You need to be careful how far you space your tr's, you may cut though your neck if they are too far apart. You might want to have your neck flat in the center and round the edges. Just IMO.

 

[543432321234]

I'd be careful with a bubinga and wenge neck that wide, it will be really heavy. Wenge and maple make a good combo. I built a neck 4-1/4" (at the nut) and 5" (at the bridge) and used 2 tr's and one cf, worked great. You need to be careful how far you space your tr's, you may cut though your neck if they are too far apart. You might want to have your neck flat in the center and round the edges. Just IMO.

yes, great idea with the truss rods! Also, i am not looking for a light bass, i wouldnt care if it was 20 pounds, i am going to be using this for a recording bass anyways.

also, does anybody have any ideas for an EQ? not sure which one to buy for this bass, and pickup options if anybody has ever built a bass for f# tuning.

 

[Zombbg4]

yes, great idea with the truss rods! Also, i am not looking for a light bass, i wouldnt care if it was 20 pounds, i am going to be using this for a recording bass anyways.

also, does anybody have any ideas for an EQ? not sure which one to buy for this bass, and pickup options if anybody has ever built a bass for f# tuning.

You should talk to Jauqo III-X (or however its spelled) about that, he has a lot of knowledge on the super low stuff.

 

[Phil Mailloux]

yes, great idea with the truss rods! Also, i am not looking for a light bass, i wouldnt care if it was 20 pounds, i am going to be using this for a recording bass anyways.

also, does anybody have any ideas for an EQ? not sure which one to buy for this bass, and pickup options if anybody has ever built a bass for f# tuning.

I used 2 rods and 1 carbon fibre rod in my 9 string. It's plenty stiff enough. You'll care about the weight once the bass is built. I'd suggest to stick to lighter timbers. Make sure the upper horn is at least up to the 11th fret if you want it to balance well when using with a strap. You don't want to fight neck dive that heavy when you're playing.

Most pickups will work with an F# string, just raise it close enough to the string to get maximum response. You can get 7 string bridges through Hipshot if you go the 7 string route, it'll be much easier than dealing with single saddles, especially on a first instrument. Good luck