• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

converting an acoustic six-string to an acoustic bass

L

landolakethat

Aug 23, 2009
49
0
Cincinnati, OH, U.S.
#1
I've got a cheap six string guitar that I'm going to remove the frets from and install acoustic bass strings on.

I've already removed the frets and stripped the neck of its old paint, and now I'm trying to decide what to do with the body. It took a lot of work to sand off the paint from the neck, and I really don't want to spend the time doing the same thing for the rest of the guitar.

I think I might just paint over the body to hide the scuffed and scratched paint that's currently on it.

As far as sound goes, would adding a layer of paint and polyurethane to the body beef-up the sound? I imagine that it would give it a rounder tone.

Any ideas?

Also, what kind of paint should I use?

(disclaimer: don't worry about trying to tell me not to mess with a finish that's already good enough. I've read enough about that on other forums and I don't care. I'm going to mess with the finish no matter what anyone says)
 
#2
well, first off. before you put any kind of bass strings on that guitar, you need to factor in tension. 6 strings have much less tension that bass strings and the body will most likely collapse, and you will be out of an instrument
 
#6
PocketTrio said:
I don't think it's worth putting in the money time or effort.
Click to expand...

Lets not worry about that, thought. :spit:
He has the instrument, and he WANTS to do this.
Saying "dont to that" or, "its not worth it" are not very constructive.
What i'd do is use light gauge bass strings, and make a super short scale fretless.
The biggest thing i think you'll need to do is make a new string nut (if you dont already have one)
It'd be a neat project.
And sorry, i cant help you much on the finish.
Good luck, and keep us updated with pictures. :D

Thanks.


And to all the nay-sayers, if the project does not come out "playing like the bass of doom", then Oh well.
The OP will have had a cool, learning experience.
 
#12
landolakethat said:
Like I said, you're not going to dissuade me. Work has already begun and I am going to finish the project.
Click to expand...

+1. Let us know how it turns out.

As for finishing it, one of my basses had the original gloss finish all chipped, peeled, and worn off. So I sanded it down and sprayed a light clear coat of something on it. (It may have been an act of sacrilege for all the "relic" fans, but 25-30 years ago, it was just a heavily used bass in need of a spruce-up.) It really wasn't as much work as you'd think. Even cheap acoustics nowaday have solid wood tops, which is where most of the sound and tone comes from, and adding layers of paint would tend to make the top heavier and less resonant.. Since you'll be pulling the old bridge off, why not just sand the top down and finish it lightly?
 
#13
I guess that makes sense... thinner body, more resonance.

Maybe I'll sand down the front and back and paint the sides. (The front and back are perfectly flat and easy to sand, whereas the sides have some extreme curvature.)

As for the fretboard being rosewood... I don't think it is. It is a really cheap guitar and I think the fretboard is made out of a cheaper kind of wood. It doesn't look like it would be oily at all.
 
#15
landolakethat said:
I've got a cheap six string guitar that I'm going to remove the frets from and install acoustic bass strings on.

I've already removed the frets and stripped the neck of its old paint, and now I'm trying to decide what to do with the body. It took a lot of work to sand off the paint from the neck, and I really don't want to spend the time doing the same thing for the rest of the guitar.

I think I might just paint over the body to hide the scuffed and scratched paint that's currently on it.

As far as sound goes, would adding a layer of paint and polyurethane to the body beef-up the sound? I imagine that it would give it a rounder tone.

Any ideas?

Also, what kind of paint should I use?

(disclaimer: don't worry about trying to tell me not to mess with a finish that's already good enough. I've read enough about that on other forums and I don't care. I'm going to mess with the finish no matter what anyone says)
Click to expand...

If this works for you, let me know. I have been wanting to do the same thing, only using a Ukelele I have had sitting around since college:bassist: Course, the Uke was already a 4 string, so I won't have that nasty 6 to 4 switch to make, and I won't have to replace the nut or the tuners. Can't decide whether to make it a string thru body tho' Any advice or preferences?:confused:
 
#17
rcarraher said:
If this works for you, let me know. I have been wanting to do the same thing, only using a Ukelele I have had sitting around since college:bassist: Course, the Uke was already a 4 string, so I won't have that nasty 6 to 4 switch to make, and I won't have to replace the nut or the tuners. Can't decide whether to make it a string thru body tho' Any advice or preferences?:confused:
Click to expand...

were u planning on using ashbory strings? i don't have the link, but someone on the web made an electric/acoustic uke with them. sounded pretty good.

here it is:
http://www.largesound.com/ashboryarticle/concept/ukulele/
 
#18
To the OP, you need to remove the paint and redo it properly in order to keep or improve the acoustical properties. Just search refinishing and you'll find everything you need. I'd personally go for a clear or tinted finish rather than paint, but everyone's different. You might also want to carve an entirely new bridge to ensure its seated properly and intonates correctly.

To the naysayers, for crying out loud, ain't you got google? This is literally one of the oldest conversions around. I used a have a "bass" that was converted this way in the 1960's. The bracing in a steel string acoustic is plenty strong enough to convert to bass strings, especially if you use light gauge strings. I don't know if I'd try converting a classical, but regular acoustics work just fine...
 
#19
KramerBassFan said:
I am colorblind but i THINK that is NOT Rosewood.... :hiding::ninja::eek:
Curious.. did you strip anything off of the fretboard?
Click to expand...

Sanding the fretboard was really interesting...

I started by sanding off a black finish that looked like paint. I then got down to a layer that at first seemed like bare wood (it had grain swirls on it). But then I noticed that this grain pattern was beginning to sand away... so I sanded that off and got it to where it currently is.

My first thought was that the layer under the black paint was a sort of fake grain that was laminated on top of the actual wood of the fretboard.

The guitar was made in "Korea" in the 70s, so I'm sure the fretboard is anything but a conventional acoustic guitar fretboard.
 
#20
It looks like it .... not Rosewood.... not maple.... and DEFINITELY not ebony....
So Conventional fretboard is pretty much out...
I can't put my finger on what kind of wood that is... i'm sure a more experienced luthier will chime in....
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back