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EUB build diary

#41
Videojunkie said:
That's a very interesting design. The CF elements, 2 strings (that look like they are rubber?) Very cool!
Click to expand...
The strings are Superior bassworks deluxe in blood red . So as not to hijack this thread , I will start a new one detailing this build and answer any questions .
Here it is
johnh89

Double Bass Thread 'New build 2 string EUB aluminium .'

Just a quick post to entertain and inform . Had an idea of building an EUB . Had one before and liked the general idea . I have played a doghouse bass before and love it but the practicalities , storage and transport of it have put me off . That , and the fact I would have to leave home at the age of 58 and start again in life cos the missus would not be too happy . And the tiny little micropub that we often play in is not ideal for double bass , as most of the customers would have to be outside on the pavement . So this idea was born . The plan was some sort of electric instrument , to be...
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Reactions: 41Hz To Go, Videojunkie and -Asdfgh-
#42
Note to self: do not brace end of headstock against centre of chest and spoke shave for an hour; it leaves a bruise.

Carving is taking a while. The router would save time except I'd need to spend a month practicing to avoid doing the wrong thing/taking a finger off. A better tool sharpener helps with chisel work, but I'm going slowly without the mallet to avoid accidentally taking too much, so even chiseling takes a while.

As the (English) Beat wrote, I'm scared I'll lose my fingers or more in a lathe on the night shift, but then the band's second saxophonist lost his fingers in a circular saw.

I'll try more pickup experiments tonight.
 
#44
Pickup seems to work. It sort of amazes me that a piezo stuffed under the metal individual bridge works at all and the sound quality seems fine. Should I expect it to work? I'll try to check the full frequency spectrum and whether this is that best approach? Are there better options?

There is hum, but then my quick soldering of a jack socket to allow connection to a preamp partially broke off, so I had to push it into contact. But I'll test with another disc to see if it's a systemic issue. Or could it be excess pressure on the disc under the bridge?
 
#46
-Asdfgh- said:
There is hum, but then my quick soldering of a jack socket to allow connection to a preamp partially broke off, so I had to push it into contact. But I'll test with another disc to see if it's a systemic issue. Or could it be excess pressure on the disc under the bridge?
Click to expand...
Try twisting the signal wires from the piezos, if you haven't been. Or use tiny coax. But if they are untwisted, merely twisting should reduce pickup of hum quite a bit.
 
#48
Although I only have about 5mm left to remove on the back of the neck (the pieces of sapele were inherited from a home DIY project so thicker than required) I have acquired an electric planer to assist. That's partly because the pieces of sapele (several metres of the stuff) is, due to a measuring error, too thick for the intended use. A planer is cheaper than buying new wood.

I need to buy one more chunk of sapele to finish off given the current design.
 
#49
Depth of neck is about done. Left to do on basic neck tasks:

Carve the rear radius.

Carve in to the flare at the heel end and headstock end.

File the inner parts of the tuner slot

Carve the outer part.

Cut the heel to the exact size.

Fix a slight delamination

Put in the headstock 'keystone'

Slot for a nut

Carve a fall away to wear the tuners will sit

Buy the right drill bit for the tuners

Drill tuner holes

Fit tuners

Glue on fingerboard and trim to size.

Sand, oil, sand, oil, etc

Then it'll be the body, which will be simpler.
 

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