Designing my first build; a Mini Bass

[AllFifths]

So...

Been playing 35+ years, had a bunch of instrument high and low end...I've even had a good number of bass build for me. I know enough to be dangerous as we used to say ;-)

I've recent gotten a Mini Bass that I really like and (after years of working in 3D) I've mocked up (there's some slop) what I think would be my dream Mini. My business partner just got his hands on a CNC machine so I can build this to scale, buy the woods, get help from people who know what they are doing better than I do, and make this thing.

The concept is patterned after my old Warwick Dolphin (that I dearly miss), my Prometeus and my Mihado Fingy...

***The Images are not totally done, this is conceptual. The fingerboard, for example, is only meant to represent Multi-scale layout. I would have a professional make it.***

Specs

• Main Body (dark brown): Black Walnut (I may chamber it)
• Top Wood (Light Brown): White Variegated Ebony
  
• Finger Board: Bamboo or Black Palm (?)
• 22.5"-21.5" scale
  
• 24 Jumbo Frets (Maybe go with Bell Bronze)
• Aluma Bar Bass PU
• Stellertone Tone Styler
• Villex Mid Boost switch (not shown)
• Custom Knobs (my design, to be 3D printed or CNC'd)
• Store Bought ABM Tuners/ Nut

I'd love some constructive criticism feedback, comments, suggestions BUT...and this may have to do with being online too much lately, LOL...PLEASE...If you hate it, thinks its dumb, think I'm dumb, you would never play it, think there's only 2 kinds of Basses, a P and J, etc...please save us both the trouble...REALLY not into flame wars or whatever. No one has to deal with this or pay for it but me, so please, I'd rather discuss a construction issue or learn something about the process of doing this than argue over aesthetics. If you think something is potentially non-functional/ problematic, I'd love suggestions to prevent foreseeable problems...

Thanks so much!

Body is to scale; Fingerboard is NOT.

No Tussrod, the wood should act as a stabilization arm.

 

[Delusionati]

Wow that is a wicked design! All you are missing is 2 seats for Luke Skywalker and R2D2 to sit in.

 

[AllFifths]

Wow that is a wicked design! All you are missing is 2 seats for Luke Skywalker and R2D2 to sit in.

LOL! Legit laugh out loud! Thanks so much!!!

 

[AFRO]

So...

Been playing 35+ years, had a bunch of instrument high and low end...I've even had a good number of bass build for me. I know enough to be dangerous as we used to say ;-)
<Snippy>

***The Images are not totally done, this is conceptual. The fingerboard, for example, is only meant to represent Multi-scale layout. I would have a professional make it.***

Specs

• Main Body (dark brown): Black Walnut (I may chamber it)
• Top Wood (Light Brown): White Variegated Ebony
  
• Finger Board: Bamboo or Black Palm (?)
• 22.5"-21.5" scale
  
• 24 Jumbo Frets (Maybe go with Bell Bronze)
• Aluma Bar Bass PU
• Stellertone Tone Styler
• Villex Mid Boost switch (not shown)
• Custom Knobs (my design, to be 3D printed or CNC'd)
• Store Bought ABM Tuners/ Nut

I'd love some constructive criticism feedback, comments, suggestions BUT...and this may have to do with being online too much lately, LOL...PLEASE...If you hate it, thinks its dumb, think I'm dumb, you would never play it, think there's only 2 kinds of Basses, a P and J, etc...please save us both the trouble...REALLY not into flame wars or whatever. No one has to deal with this or pay for it but me, so please, I'd rather discuss a construction issue or learn something about the process of doing this than argue over aesthetics. If you think something is potentially non-functional/ problematic, I'd love suggestions to prevent foreseeable problems...

Thanks so much!
<Snippy 2>

View attachment 4206271

on the same train as Delusionati: This last shot I could see a Wookie and a certain Smuggler in this, 'as a ship'...

Edit:
Suffice to say, I like it and think it looks good in concept!

 

[dwizum]

Don't mind me, I'm just here to watch this cool project unfold.

And I'm also here for the wookie jokes.

 

[Beej]

It looks really nice mocked up Watching

 

[AllFifths]

on the same train as Delusionati: This last shot I could see a Wookie and a certain Smuggler in this, 'as a ship'...

Edit:
Suffice to say, I like it and think it looks good in concept!

Thanks so much! Really appreciate the positive responses! Also, as a Sy Fy nerd, I LOVE these comments!

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Very cool looking, and overall a functional design.

A couple of technical comments:

What's the point of going multi-scale? At that super-short scale length, would you even be able to feel or hear the difference in scale lengths? You are adding a lot of extra complexity to the project, and I don't see what the benefit is.

You need to put some thought into the clamping block out at the end. Cutting off and clamping strings is problematic. It can be done well, but it's not as simple as a hole with a setscrew. That's going to be one of the trickier parts to build on this instrument.

If you are only going to build one of these for yourself, I wouldn't waste your time trying to cut it by CNC. That wooden frame doesn't look particularly difficult to build with normal woodworking tools. Bandsaw, spindle sander, angle grinder, big files, etc. It would take far less time to shape it by hand, working from your drawings, than it would to get it all set up in the CNC.

 

[MPU]

Very cool looking, and overall a functional design.

A couple of technical comments:

What's the point of going multi-scale? At that super-short scale length, would you even be able to feel or hear the difference in scale lengths? You are adding a lot of extra complexity to the project, and I don't see what the benefit is.

You need to put some thought into the clamping block out at the end. Cutting off and clamping strings is problematic. It can be done well, but it's not as simple as a hole with a setscrew. That's going to be one of the trickier parts to build on this instrument.

If you are only going to build one of these for yourself, I wouldn't waste your time trying to cut it by CNC. That wooden frame doesn't look particularly difficult to build with normal woodworking tools. Bandsaw, spindle sander, angle grinder, big files, etc. It would take far less time to shape it by hand, working from your drawings, than it would to get it all set up in the CNC.

There's always the fascination of making things one way even if it's not the most efficient way to make. You can never underestimate the importance of the quality time you can spend with your friend while trying to get the g-code, cnc-router and woods work together. I agree with you that it will take a lot more time to make one bass with cnc than it takes to make it by hand.

 

[Delusionati]

Very cool looking, and overall a functional design.

A couple of technical comments:

What's the point of going multi-scale? At that super-short scale length, would you even be able to feel or hear the difference in scale lengths? You are adding a lot of extra complexity to the project, and I don't see what the benefit is.


You need to put some thought into the clamping block out at the end. Cutting off and clamping strings is problematic. It can be done well, but it's not as simple as a hole with a setscrew. That's going to be one of the trickier parts to build on this instrument.

If you are only going to build one of these for yourself, I wouldn't waste your time trying to cut it by CNC. That wooden frame doesn't look particularly difficult to build with normal woodworking tools. Bandsaw, spindle sander, angle grinder, big files, etc. It would take far less time to shape it by hand, working from your drawings, than it would to get it all set up in the CNC.

Some good suggestions there by Obi Wan

 

[dwizum]

If Bruce is Obi Wan, then who is Yoda?

 

[Flamingo21]

Subscribed. Very interesting bass.

 

[AllFifths]

Very cool looking, and overall a functional design.

A couple of technical comments:

What's the point of going multi-scale? At that super-short scale length, would you even be able to feel or hear the difference in scale lengths? You are adding a lot of extra complexity to the project, and I don't see what the benefit is.

You need to put some thought into the clamping block out at the end. Cutting off and clamping strings is problematic. It can be done well, but it's not as simple as a hole with a setscrew. That's going to be one of the trickier parts to build on this instrument.

If you are only going to build one of these for yourself, I wouldn't waste your time trying to cut it by CNC. That wooden frame doesn't look particularly difficult to build with normal woodworking tools. Bandsaw, spindle sander, angle grinder, big files, etc. It would take far less time to shape it by hand, working from your drawings, than it would to get it all set up in the CNC.

First, thanks so much for the suggestions! I'm looking to the instrument I have for the multi-scale thing;

Agree that the difference isn't gigantic but at the moment my Instruments are all multi-scale, so that is part of the motivation...These guys do a custom nut. I'm hoping I can use the ABM pieces...maybe not?

Also, my wood working skills are pretty basic but my 3D modeling/printing skills are good. My feeling is that I'll get a whole lot wrong (seams, shapes, edges) if I do it by hand...maybe I'm over thinking it...?

 

[AllFifths]

There's always the fascination of making things one way even if it's not the most efficient way to make. You can never underestimate the importance of the quality time you can spend with your friend while trying to get the g-code, cnc-router and woods work together. I agree with you that it will take a lot more time to make one bass with cnc than it takes to make it by hand.

Yeah...most likely. Think I'm just a bit nervous about how much I'd screw up doing it by hand! LOL! Starting to think I should give it a try based on your and the previous comment...

 

[Bruce Johnson]

If Bruce is Obi Wan, then who is Yoda?

I haven't seen him in a few eons. He ran off to seek the force, or something. Last I heard, he was singing lead vocals in a Doom Metal band. Crazy kid.

 

[MPU]

Yeah...most likely. Think I'm just a bit nervous about how much I'd screw up doing it by hand! LOL! Starting to think I should give it a try based on your and the previous comment...

If time is not limited by all means use what you feel familiar with. Take your time with test runs with cheap woods to get everything running smooth before making the real bass.

 

[AllFifths]

Thanks, yes was definitely going to do something in plywood first! LOL!

 

[AllFifths]

Hey, want to give a big thanks for all the great comments and advice! Hugely inspiring! I can't promise that this will be a fast process, LOL, but I will update as often as possible! The next updates will be a tighter design and the search for the woods!

Thanks all!!!