I’m gearing up to build a bass with my dad. I’m sure it will be a pretty special project. I need ideas. I typically prefer classic body shapes (P, J, tele…). I’m kinda leaning toward a tele or offset body shape but I’m open to ideas. It’ll be a 4 string, full scale, probably a split coil and humbucker or HH configuration. It would be rad to see some pics of custom builds or concepts you have seen around. Any input on the pickup configuration is also welcome. Give me some inspiration!
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Custom Build Ideas
- Thread starter DagoMaino
- Start date
There are countless ideas. I'd suggest sitting down with your dad and Googling basses and guitars, woods used in luthiery, and see what strikes him as interesting. Then, not only is the build part something you share with him, but the whole design has his inspiration.
Great idea. I’m really stoked to have a such a valuable heirloom. Bass has been an important part of my life for 30yrs now and my relationship with my dad is beyond priceless to me.
Like Charles Berthoud says, "Every day, millions of people around the world unfortunately play music without a bass player. Although we can't help all of them, we can still spread the good word of bass." and "Everything in the world is connected through bass."
To start, ask him what he's comfortable with: bolt-on, set neck, or neck through? Types of finishes?
I'd bring a list of my own personal preferences. What body shapes do you like? What nut and heel width do you like? Kinds of pickups? Woods and aesthetics? Hardware? Headstock styles and shapes?
Heck, go old school and print out same-scaled pictures of bodies, then cut and tape together your favorite parts from each.
Personally, I'd design the bass with EMG35 shaped pickups in mind. Almost every pickup make builds pickups in that shell, so you'll have tons of options: split coils, single coils, dual coiled humbuckers, multi-coils, blades, etc.
Tele shaped basses don't balance well unless they're shorter scale or very heavy due to the location of the upper horn.
I just started a new build so…………
I wanted a jazz bass but the offset body is giving me a hard time so ended up ordering a p bass body from Warmoth but with jazz routings instead of classic p bass humbucker :
Not sure yet about the final outcome but one thing for sure, it will be rather unique !
I wanted a jazz bass but the offset body is giving me a hard time so ended up ordering a p bass body from Warmoth but with jazz routings instead of classic p bass humbucker :
Not sure yet about the final outcome but one thing for sure, it will be rather unique !
But one day, I will also probably build a "rat rod" type of tele bass……..
I would suggest visiting the Luthier's Corner and having a look around, tons of great builds over there.
As for me, I built this one a couple years back -
And I built this one last year -
I don't know that I'd call either of them a custom concept. Both are based off other designs, which you will find to be the case of just about any bass build out there. It's all been done by this point.
As for me, I built this one a couple years back -
And I built this one last year -
I don't know that I'd call either of them a custom concept. Both are based off other designs, which you will find to be the case of just about any bass build out there. It's all been done by this point.
When it comes to building a custom, I'm a big fan of waiting until you've played enough different axes so you have a pretty good idea what works for you, and more importantly . . . . what doesn't. In these situations, it can get too easy to overthink, over-engineer, and wind up with something way more complicated than what you thought you had in mind.
Simple is elegant.
In the meantime, I'd suggest something that will balance well on a strap (because not all shapes and wood combinations do), doesn't get too heavy (or too expensive, this can turn into a money pit), and is something in the ball park of your prior experience, as it can be a roll of the dice to invoke the Monty Python refrain 'and now for something COMPLETELY different'.
Simple is elegant.
In the meantime, I'd suggest something that will balance well on a strap (because not all shapes and wood combinations do), doesn't get too heavy (or too expensive, this can turn into a money pit), and is something in the ball park of your prior experience, as it can be a roll of the dice to invoke the Monty Python refrain 'and now for something COMPLETELY different'.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Don't build a slab (early P) unless you have played one. For some, the lack of body contouring is not comfortable.
Sounds like the voice of wisdom here………..
Maybe I or we should build something like this instead :
Here's my Double Darkstar Telebass.
Might give you some ideas.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/nbd-lowdown-dual-darkstar-telebass.1417317/page-2
Might give you some ideas.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/nbd-lowdown-dual-darkstar-telebass.1417317/page-2
so…. not a mustang, a Clydesdale!
(For those who haven’t been around horses much: most mustangs are smaller horses, and Clydesdales are giant horses bred to pull heavy stuff)
My only advice, go for it!
A somewhat similar story for me. Over 35 years ago I asked my dad to make some parts for me [bridges & control plates] and those parts have been part of my arsenal ever since. Between my own sweat equity and my dad's custom work these 4 have remained very special to me and proud to play them.
He's now 93 and thrilled to employ his handy work.
I'm a sucker for offset jaguaresque bodies. Like my old talman:
(I miss the look of this bass, but, the neck dive was bad and I could never get happy with the tone)
Or my jaguar project (that I did with my dad!)
or my current main player, the sweet lookin and kinda weird but awesome in that retro googie/atomic age aesthetic reverend mercalli:
Other contenders for cool body shapes....
Love the Meteora shape:
I love the look of St. Vincent's signature guitar, not sure if it has a cool name, but, yeah it's cool:
The Vox Phantom is also a funky cool shape:
or whatever shape this is... it's cool:
or you could go "out there" with something odd like this: (honestly I hate it lol)
(I miss the look of this bass, but, the neck dive was bad and I could never get happy with the tone)
Or my jaguar project (that I did with my dad!)
or my current main player, the sweet lookin and kinda weird but awesome in that retro googie/atomic age aesthetic reverend mercalli:
Other contenders for cool body shapes....
Love the Meteora shape:
I love the look of St. Vincent's signature guitar, not sure if it has a cool name, but, yeah it's cool:
The Vox Phantom is also a funky cool shape:
or whatever shape this is... it's cool:
or you could go "out there" with something odd like this: (honestly I hate it lol)
