Double Bass Finally starting another new Bass

[1st Bass]

It took ten years to get back, but through the encouragement of Matthew Tucker and Mark Leue, I am having another go at it.
Building a Double Bass | Bluefiddles West Wind Strings

I will post progress reports as they happen.

 

[GKon]

Bravo! I wish you all the best with this build. I'm looking forward to your updates.

 

[JoeyNaeger]

It looks like you're off to a good start! I am finally out of the design process and am starting construction on my next bass as well.

 

[1st Bass]

I really am hoping to be done with this by April, as there is a show near here at which I hope to exhibit the bass along wih my other instruments. But I am working a great deal of overtime at my "day-job", so it will be tough.

 

[GKon]

I really am hoping to be done with this by April, as there is a show near here at which I hope to exhibit the bass along wih my other instruments. But I am working a great deal of overtime at my "day-job", so it will be tough.

I hope you meet your deadline but please don't rush, either.

BTW, are you going to change your screen name to 2nd Bass?

 

[1st Bass]

Nah... I'll leave it alone.
You are right to warn me against rushing. I have made some serious mistakes in the past by doing just that. Thanks for the caveat!

 

[1st Bass]

I got the mold laid out and cut out yesterday, having bought the materials on Tuesday, but having been too tired to work on it when I got home from work that night (I took yesterday off, and worked on lutherie all day. Made for a nice day.) I also had to complete a violin restoration, so that took about half the day, but it is done, and playing, so that is that. I hope to get the mold assembled tonight, and then I will post more photos.

 

[GKon]

Looking forward to the photos.

 

[LowNloud1]

Looking forward to watching this build!

 

[james condino]

Nice Chet! Are you planning on showing that at the Marylhurst show? That is a great one- nice place and people and a manageable turnout, unlike some of the complete chaos events. I'm also hoping to have another one done by then, but I won't be at the show.

 

[1st Bass]

Aww, come on, James! It's only a 3,000 mile jaunt from your place, for a total of ten hours at a show: why would you not just trot right over? (Yes, it is a good show, and I wish you were coming. Seth Kimmel will probably be there this year (he missed last year), but other than that, I think there will be no other bass-makers.) I, of course, am fairly diverse, and will have cello, viola, violin and five-string fiddle exhibits as well. Are you planning to be at the 2017 ISB convention? I am hoping to go, so perhaps I will finally get to meet you.

I got home too tired to do much last night-- washed and dried two loads of laundry, had a bite to eat, and went to bed.

 

[1st Bass]

Just a photo to let you all know that I am still plugging away.

Still need to install the upper and lower block mounts, but I need to get some sleep...I will work on this tomorrow night and try to have the blocks in place.

 

[1st Bass]

Here's the post:
http://www.bluefiddles.com/2015/11/building-a-double-bass-the-mold/

The Spruce arrived this evening...hopefully I can get the plates joined, and the blocks in the mold and shaped, by this weekend. But I have other stuff to do, as well, so I will have to manage my time well if I am to accomplish much.

 

[1st Bass]

Today I completed the mold, installed all the blocks and began shaping them. Then I had my son help me, and we re-sawed the maple I had for the ribs-- it was 33" long, about 15/16" thick, and 9-5/8" wide. Now it is five pieces 4 mm thick, but still 33" long and 9-5/8" wide. It will be 2 mm thick and 9" wide at the tail block, when finished; tapering to 7" at the neck block, starting from the midpoint of the upper bouts. I hope to finish shaping the blocks this weekend, and maybe get the ribs bent... but who knows? I do have other stuff that needs doing, so perhaps I will not get as far as I hope. On the other hand, I began work on the plates, too, today, so maybe I will get the plates joined. That would be nice.

I am really thrilled with how the maple looks. I will post pictures soon. This is from a log that was given to me a few years ago. The tree was cut less than ten miles from my house. Pretty stuff.

 

[GKon]

Looking forward to the pics!

 

[1st Bass]

Here is a photo of the ribs and mold:

...more to come, later.

 

[1st Bass]

Finally got to make some progress on the bass:
Shaping Double Bass Blocks | Bluefiddles West Wind Strings

 

[Fogducker]

You've got me hooked now, I'm outstanding at watching good work being done! It's tough enough nowdays, but was thinking about the ol' guys "back in the day" making basses without all the good stuff/tools/hardware or even electricity!

 

[JamesAdams]

Wow Chet, this is great. I'm enjoying watching your progress. I'm working through my first bass right now, just not brave enough to post a build log. Curious about what Matthew told you about the D neck. I'm getting ready to shape my neck and hadn't thought much about it being different. I just assumed I'd leave it a little big and trim it down if I needed to.

 

[1st Bass]

Sorry I haven't posted in a while: "Life is what happens while you are making other plans," or so I am told.
The bass is on hold for a while-- I will be working 50-hour weeks for a while at work (About three months, I expect), so I can't hope to complete the bass by late April as originally planned.
In the absence of completing the bass, I elected to complete another 5-string fiddle, this time out of Myrtle and Port Orford Cedar. It is coming along OK, and it should be done in plenty of time.

Hopefully the hiatus on the bass will not be too long. I'm pretty frustrated about that, but that is how things go, I s'pose.