Cigar Box Bass Build

[RaniBrandt]

A sound clip of the completed bass is now available in post #42!

I recently finished building a fEARful 12/6 cab (go to Ronaldpdbrandt - TalkBass Wiki to see it), and I got me thinking about trying to build a bass. Then I picked up a couple of Jay Turser necks for really, really cheap, so I decided to use one to make a cigar box bass.

The pickups and other hardware are on the way to me now, but I got a jumpstart on the woodworking yesterday.

Here's the inner bracing for the bridge and neck, made of 1x3 poplar from Home Depot:

And here's the neck dry-fit in place:

More to come very soon!

 

[pie_man_25]

hmmm.....
methinks this could be interesting....

I know a guy who did something like this, if the neck is more than "32 scale, I would recommend putting some weights in the box to help with balance.

 

[RaniBrandt]

Yes, it'll be 34", so I'll definitely need some extra weight in the box. Anybody know if lead weights would cause interference in the pickups, or if there is a better material to use? I have lead weights already, so I'll do some trial and error with them once the hardware comes in. I also got ultralight tuners, so that will help a tiny bit.

 

[TomA1234]

I would highly doubt that lead would affect the pickups unless it touches an exposed connection on the pickups.

 

[RaniBrandt]

Progress made this week on the "Punch" Bass:

1. Bracing added in the corners.
2. Strap buttons attached.
3. Tensioner added to inner chamber to increase stability, resonance, & weight.
4. Sound holes drilled and covered with sink drain screens.

Now I'm just waiting for the rest of the hardware and pickups, which are literally on a slow boat from China.

Pics below:

 

[Stinsok]

I want one! I have a neck and bridge lying around. Instead of a normal bass pickup I am considering a piezo pickup or getting a used barcus berry hotspot, etc.

 

[RaniBrandt]

I'm thinking I might add a peizo pickup under the bridge as well and having a switch so that I can add it or take it out at will. I saw another guy's design on cigar box nation that did that, and I like the option of it, so...

 

[hover]

this looks very fun indeed, like it a whole lot. if I may, I not a bit of twist in the neck, is that a trick of camera optics?

 

[RaniBrandt]

The neck is not actually attached yet. I have a custom neck plate coming in the mail, so I'm waiting for that before I drill the holes.

 

[Stinsok]

Concerning the bridge, I am assuming that block on the tail end is the platform for mounting it? Could you give us the measurements you have used for the internals? Thanks!

 

[RaniBrandt]

My custom neck plate came in today!

BTW, Andrew at Guardian Customs did this amazing, one-of-a-kind neck plate for me. Great guy to work with, he did a heck of a job! If you're looking for custom engraving, send him an email at [email protected] or check out his website.

As for the question about the innards of the box: It's 1x3 poplar from Home Depot, which you can buy by the foot. Its actual measurement is 3/4" x 2 1/2", which is the perfect width for most 4-string necks. I made a half-lap joint for the bridge block, so that there's no way it will ever budge. The neck heel was rounded off little by little using a dremel sanding bit. The bolt tensioner and sink drain screens are from the local True Value Hardware.

 

[Stinsok]

Please keep us updated!

 

[RaniBrandt]

I will--I got the piezos from Radio Shack yesterday, and I'm just waiting for the rest of my hardware, which is being held hostage by the US Postal Service in a facility somewhere in about ten miles from my home. Grrr.

 

[Stinsok]

In the first photo it looks as if there is another piece of wood under the main section. Sorry for being a "needy" douche, I'm just really intrigued by your build! I have a fretted Eden maple neck, an assortment of Fender style bridges, neck plates, strap buttons, take off strings, etc. I need a cigar box, some 2+2 tuners and a piezo pickup setup. From my estimation I can probably build one for around 30.00.

I am considering a pickup rig like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/acoustic-ci...133?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item2c5a9bb5fd

 

[RaniBrandt]

In the first photo it looks as if there is another piece of wood under the main section. Sorry for being a "needy" douche, I'm just really intrigued by your build! I have a fretted Eden maple neck, an assortment of Fender style bridges, neck plates, strap buttons, take off strings, etc. I need a cigar box, some 2+2 tuners and a piezo pickup setup. From my estimation I can probably build one for around 30.00.

I am considering a pickup rig like this:

acoustic or cigar box guitar piezo pickup double piezo | eBay

That pickup set would certainly work, but you could make it yourself for a lot cheaper. I went to Radio Shack and picked up two piezo buzzers for less than $5.00. The model number is 273-073.

As for the wood, yes, there are two layers of pine lattice underneath the poplar piece. I had to bring it up to get the height I needed, and I had these thin pieces lying around that fit perfectly.

On the other hand, I wouldn't sweat the specifics of this particular design too much, because cigar boxes come in a wide variety of widths and depths, so you'll have to adjust everything to fit the box you end up getting. In fact, at the tobacconist where I got my box, there were different-sized boxes of the very same brand.

I looked at a lot of designs on cigarboxnation.com before I started, but none of them look exactly like mine. I just had to figure out what worked with the stuff I had, using other people's work as inspiration, rather than a blueprint. Besides, that's the beauty of DIY--no two designs end up alike!

 

[JonahTheAmazing]

Definitely gonna need some sound clips. I love the souldhole drains.

Will the box be openable when the bridge is installed? Or screwed shut? This design is CRAZY.

 

[monkeyking]

I'm really diggin the sound holes too. Perfect choice for the build. Hope it turns out just how you'd like.

 

[RaniBrandt]

Thanks for the props, guys!

I just ordered some decorative metal corners, which will be screwed in place when the innards are done. I'll still be able to take the top corners off if I need to get inside, but they'll do double duty of closing up the box and protecting the corners.

I found out that USPS mis-routed my electronics, bridge, and tuners package to a nearby town's P.O., but by the time I got in touch with that P.O., they had sent it back to the sorting facility (yesterday). I'm hoping I'll get it by tomorrow, fingers crossed.

I'll definitely get you some sound clips when I'm done!

 

[RaniBrandt]

So the parts came in!

I'm going to try to get a lot done tomorrow evening, so I'll be giving you a tasty update really soon!

 

[RaniBrandt]

I got the last of the cutting and drilling done tonight! All the hardware is in place, and I'm ready to start with the soldering of the electronics.

However, I couldn't wait to see how she looks all strung up, so here's a sneak peek!

If you look closely, you can see that the bridge is just a hair to the right of center. I'm not sure how that happened, as I marked everything out before hand, using standard bridge placement procedure and whatnot. I guess I just drilled a bit off. It doesn't really affect the playing, but I'll probably fix it, just to satisfy my OCD.

People who have been following along may also notice that I added a block to the end on the outside, as I realized that I needed about 3/4" more to get the full 34" scale. I actually like the way it turned out, so I can't complain about that.

Next up is the wiring!