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Feedback on bass shape

N

NoahKnapp

Jul 13, 2009
49
0
#1
Not sure if this is the right place to put this. I have been doodling basses for a while and finally decided to draw one of my favorite shapes full scale. I am considering eventually building a bass and was hoping you could tell me about balance or comfort issues. Feel free to let me know if you like it or don't like it. 35" scale, 5 string, 2 jazz pickups and preamp. I got some ideas from dingwall and warwick, and the headstock is elrickish. Just looking for some feedback.
Pics

Body
nonoknapp

Bass
nonoknapp

Headstock
nonoknapp
 
#3
He had some bad HTML encoding. These are them.

I like it.

Personally, I'd make the bottom horn less pointy and more "clubby" to echo the top horn, but that's just me.

I imagine it would balance OK with that top horn, but there are obviously more variables.

DSC030931.jpg


DSC030911.jpg


DSC030941.jpg
 
#4
I like it. It's edgy. Something in the larger horn doesn't sit right, maybe a little thicker at the end?

Also, I love the headstock design. I think it would flow a little better if the top or end of the headstock were a little more drawn out. Perhaps extended longer, or make the curve a little steeper.

Just my input.
 
#7
Sorry about the pics. Thanks fu22ba55. I understand what you guys are saying about the horn balance, but I love the shape and I think I might just blunt it a bit. Also, on the 1:5 scale drawing, the head stock is longer with a more drawn at curve, and the upper horn was fatter toward the tip. I just couldn't draw those right full scale, but I'll try to make those changes. Thanks for all of the feedback so far. I'm glad to see that this is feasible.
jonathanhughes said:
Cool. It looks like the headstock might need to be a little longer to balance things out visually.

Also, I think you should make the bass out of hardibacker. It is the ultimate underlayment, after all.
Click to expand...
Lol:) Yeah, that was all I had that was big and semi-smooth, so I went with it. Also, what might be a good material for a body template? Thanks
Noah
 
#8
The body is nearly perfect! If you ease the points of the bottom as others have said I believe that you will have a design that flows evenly. Also, dufus the upper arc so that the upper horn is a little thicker and the curve peaks into the gut-cut.

The headstock is another story. It is too blase for that body. Elongate your curves and increase your arcs. Your body is asymmetrical and you want to compliment that with the head. A 4 over 1 head might get you there with greater flow.
 
#9
mikeyswood said:
The body is nearly perfect!
...

The headstock is another story. It is too blase for that body. Elongate your curves and increase your arcs. Your body is asymmetrical and you want to compliment that with the head.
Click to expand...

+1

IMO ... keep the 3 + 2 ... just an easier reach, plus I like a the idea of a wider headstock to help balance out the asymmetrical body. Plus it keeps it looking thick, instead of elongated (it'd give the whole bass an elongated look, especially with the long upper horn).

Personally ... I think it'd look KILLER headless! :cool:
 
#16
Thanks for the further input. I understand what you are saying about the upper horn. I would like to keep the angle away from the body, but maybe put it at a less sever angle and make the end fatter? I understand that the headstock doesn't flow. That actually to the longest to draw. I would like to keep it 5 string, but could anyone post pictures of a headstock shape they think would fit. I just don't understand if your suggesting a more ritter-style headstock or what. Please let me know. Oh by the way ubado, I love how it looks headless, but I think I'd like to stick with a standard neck for my first build. Thanks
Noah
 
#17
Maybe making the rear of the body offset? It would look great with such a long horn. A slight offset would do.

Regarding the headstock - you should position the tuners first, relatively to the nut. Then design the shape with a constant distance between tuner poles and the edges of the headstock. This headstock, although nice in overall shape, would look weird when stringed. Also draw the tuners poles to scale, as the truss rod cover thingy.

The body looks great - but you might want to move the controls towards the inside of the body. Remember that there are electronic components underneath each pot, which are biggish, and that there should be a wall between the controls cavity and the edge of the body. I'd move the controls for as much as 1", and spread them out a little.

How about a wooden pickguard inside the body, a-la- LeCompte? :D
 
#18
Bocote, thanks for the advice. I understand what you are saying about the tuners and the controls. I was approaching this more as a rough design and less of a technical drawing. I will make a revised drawing soon with everyone's input, the dimensions of the controls, and the tuner alignment taken into account soon, so thanks for the help everyone. Regarding the wooden pickguard, I really have little woodworking skill and pickguards really aren't my thing, but I have seen the LeComptes and love the look on them.
 

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