Chambered 8 string multiscale bass

[ninefingerbass]

Yes this is an arched top. The body is 14 1/4" wide and 19 1/4" long on the bass side. The whole thing about 41" long.

I think the string spacing at the bridge is about 1/2" between strings that makes the neck 3 3/4" wide at the last fret. With a very sligh taper making the neck about 3 1/4" or 3 3/8" at the nut. I'm tryin to keep it similiar to a classical style neck so I'm not crowded near the nut.

The detuner, I figure it would give me a nice lower end range, though I'm not a B string fan I do use low D. Funny you mention detuners on all the strings, sure it would great but 8 detuners, that might be overkill. hahaha

 

[Feral Feline]

I liked #3! There's a mystical creature in #3 that's trying to get out and howl...

Since you've chosen #2, just send me #3 and I'll get on with my Viola Da Gamba 7-string project...

Great build you've got going. Can't wait to see the finished bass.

 

[ninefingerbass]

I did like #3 too but it didn't speak to me as much.

And for those that are interested in obtaining the top, the top was big enough to get 1 piece out of it but enough to get 4 different patterns. So I am sorry to say but there is nothing left over of the wood, other than using the other pieces for the matching pup covers and headstock cover.

I spoke with Ray, he will be cutting and routing. Pictures soon to come and this baby will start coming to life.

 

[ninefingerbass]

Here is my design for the tailpiece. I'm choosing to either go Wenge or heartwood cocobolo for the tailpiece and bridge to give it some contrast but I've yet to decide.

Let me know your thoughts.

Update on the bass: So I have decided to go with Graphtech ABM style piezo/midi saddles and the Hexpander. I'm going to have the highest 5 strings on midi only. There's so much you can do with that particular midi so it'll be lots of fun. It has a 3 way switch the choose between magnet, midi or both which is what I was looking for.

For the preamp, I'm going with the Audere 3ZB connected to a custom wound Neo 2 wire humbucker style pick up and keeping the number of knobs to a minimum by going with the stacked version. There will be about 4 switches for the preamp and Graphtech system combined so it's not too crazy.

I'm excited!!

 

[JoelFT]

The pdf didn't show but, I would think the darker wenge would look better. More contrast to the lighter spalt.

Ray and I are discussing a headless four-string right now. It would have a small single-cut body that would fit in a Steinberger case for easy transport in a Boeing cockpit.

 

[ninefingerbass]

More pics of the top and back glued and ready to be glued. Just look at that bookmatch!

 

[ninefingerbass]

Here are more pics of the top and back. They were moisten with a wet sponge to pop the grain.

 

[Ol'Bass'ead]

I think I see Bigfoot!!

 

[ninefingerbass]

Just want to give you guys a sneek peak of how the bass is coming along. I think the wood combination is beautiful.

 

[JoelFT]

Very nice. The neck laminates look real sharp.

 

[octaedro7]

Looking good indeed. Watch out for the weight

 

[ninefingerbass]

The weight situation is taken care of, it's going to be chambered.

 

[ninefingerbass]

Here are more pics.

 

[ninefingerbass]

Here's another pic of the neck blank. I'm still waiting on the fingerboard, Ray is looking for a really nice piece of cocobolo heartwood.

 

[ninefingerbass]

I'm having trouble trying to pick a fretboard that matches the spalted maple top and wenge/bubinga combination. The luthier, Ray, has pick a gorgeous piece of marble wood but I think it'll get lost and maybe too busy with the top. I'm trying to go something a little bit darker but not like ebony dark or rosewood. I'd like rich deep colors and some figuring to compliment the top but not to detract either.

Any thoughts.

 

[Tribbinator]

Maybe a naturally darker piece of bloodwood that you could oil to a nice deep red color?

 

[pilotjones]

I'm having trouble trying to pick a fretboard that matches the spalted maple top and wenge/bubinga combination. ...

Any thoughts.

I'd go with a bubinga fingerboard, with a thin wenge veneer to set it off from the neck shaft. If you want some figuring, get some slightly fancy bubinga, but I'd keep it fairly simple.

 

[natw42]

I think it looks pretty nice as is

 

[ninefingerbass]

The neck has bubinga and wenge and the back is wenge too. I think it would be too much. I've thought about a straighter grain like zebrawood. We'll see when I get new pics of other pieces.

 

[ninefingerbass]

Here is a pic of the bloodwood that was suggested, I do like it but it might be too red. Hmmm...

Also here is a pic of the marblewood and spalt top with a wet look. I've been thinking of Bocote, with a wild figure. Thoughts...??