Fretless five competition: Mad scientist edition

[Musiclogic]

When I was doing furniture, I saw many mold set laminations as this, as long as there is no grain seperation after shaping, it could be just fine. I hope it works out, will be very cool.

 

[Murphys Law]

Awe-Some!

Subbed.

But really, It would be a shame covering up the curves with a top!
(Well THAT came out wrong...)

 

[iamlowsound]

But really, It would be a shame covering up the curves with a top!
(Well THAT came out wrong...)

Fits your name perfectly

lowsound

 

[Grant Bass]

i know all about unusual bends and laminations, what worries me is that at the end of the day these are straight pieces glued together; as opose to laminations surrounding a strusctured piece; like if your center piece was cut out in the wave, and then all the other pieces formed to it;
not trying to put it down at all, very intigued
best of luck

 

[pickle]

wow, just wow

sub'd

 

[Rip Topaz]

wow, just wow

sub'd

Yeah, this ones got me, too. Also sub'd.

 

[gnarlyopossum]

If you had enough to do the body in this manner, I think it would be one of the trippiest things you could ever see. Then you could also see the waves.

 

[miziomix]

well done! I salute you, brave visionary

ps: Camphor burl... even just for the smell it is tricky to work with, but it's just as rewarding http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=708566

 

[15000volts]

i'd love to see one w/o the solid top. this is still gonna be great, though. subb'ed

 

[Big B.]

Lab Journal #3: There is a certain amount of risk in gluing up a bass this way and I had to spend a lot of time working on my form to find a shape that would not put the wood in undue stress. I went through about 4 different layouts to come up with a shape that would be visually pleasing and stable.

The pattern consists of four waves. Each wave is 12" long and deflects 3/8ths of an inch from the centerline. At any point along it's length a single piece can be easily bent to the form with the forefinger and thumb. The length of the body is close to 24" so there will be two full waves in the body and two full waves in the free end of the neck. I dont feel there will be any movement but I wanted to have an equal amount of curve in both directions.

I originally wanted to used various sized laminates like the famous Carl Thompson "rainbow bass" but found that any thing thicker than 3/16ths began to push the limits of my faith in titebond. In my experience in commercial woodworking I have seen a lot of curved moldings and stair rails that were bent and glued till you could hear the wood grains start to pop and still stay in shape so I have faith that it will hold. Between the finger board and 2 carbon fiber bars I dont think movement will be an issue. And hey, with great reward comes great risk right?

 

[Big B.]

Lab Journal #4: I understand that some people wouldnt want to cover the waves under a top but one thing I really like about basses and guitars, compared to most furniture, is that you can really only see one side of the piece at any given time. From a design perspective this allows the front of an instrument to look completely different than the back. I like the idea that a bass can look classy and refined from the front but totally outrageous on the back. Its like wearing nipples clips and spiked suspenders under a tuxedo.

The other reason is somewhat more practical. Having the top makes for a very good gluing surface to tie all of the laminates together. Like my last post said, I dont expect any movement but I have taken measures to prevent it. One reason that I use solid tops is that I feel they hold the whole bass together, while exposed laminates leave the body wings and neck attached by only a butt joint(unless you use dowels or some other fasteners). Obviously there are thousands of basses made this way and stability has not been a problem, but it is just one of my weird little quirks.

 

[Musiclogic]

That's the beauty of individuality B, doing it your way, and this is what makes this format so great, all of the different ways we come to achieve our final goal...watching intently.

 

[adam.beauchene]

My IKEA furniture, on which I rest my arse, indicates that this is a sound construction method I'm inspired, and I can't wait to see how it comes out!

 

[15000volts]

The other reason is somewhat more practical. Having the top makes for a very good gluing surface to tie all of the laminates together. Like my last post said, I dont expect any movement but I have taken measures to prevent it. One reason that I use solid tops is that I feel they hold the whole bass together, while exposed laminates leave the body wings and neck attached by only a butt joint(unless you use dowels or some other fasteners). Obviously there are thousands of basses made this way and stability has not been a problem, but it is just one of my weird little quirks.

wouldn't using a clear plastic top work as well for the gluing-everything-together task? ok, it probably wouldn't look as classy, but if you could pull that one off, you'd have the best of both ways(except for the classy on one side,wacky on the other). you wouldn't be able to carve the top. even bending it for the arm rest would be a pain, actually..

 

[pilotjones]

So, your neck also is going to have the undulating grain direction?


You are are very adventurous person.

 

[David Pinton]

I would totally make a form that would have straight neck lamination and wavy ones in the body. Well I wouldn't cause I'm not crazy enough... but you get my meaning.

 

[octaedro7]

Subbed!
I also think that covering the waves with a top takes the sense out of the laminate work for me.
I also agree that any way you choose it'll end up fantastically.

 

[Grant Bass]

i dont see a pickgaurd there;
i think the most shocking way to present the wavy lams would be to cover it from the front completly, make evryone in aww of the top and fretboard etc. then flip it around and just freak their beans!

 

[Big B.]

Lab Journal #5: Whew! So the holidays are over and the new year is here. Finally got back into the laboratory and fired up the machinery.

First thing is to get all of the strips sanded smooth. My little drum sander is having issues at the moment so I made a quick visit to friend's shop and did it the right way.

A couple of trips through and every thing is in order for the gluing to begin. A thin layer of glue rolled on with a paint roller and the first four strips go into the mold.

8 hours in the clamps and we have the beginnings of a neck block.

From here it's just a week or so of gluing up strips. I will post pics as it goes and try to decide what fingerboard and top I want to go with. I definitely agree with Grant about using a solid top and only letting the laminates be seen on the back of the bass. Since I am a mad scientist I like the idea of the Jekyl and Hyde look. Or as you would say here in Alabama, "Business in the front and party in the rear." And on the practical side, many of my gigs are legit gigs and a wavy laminate bass may be just a little more than marginally good taste would allow for. It works for Les Claypool but not so much at a symphony pops show.

 

[iamlowsound]

Whew! So the holidays are over and the new year is here. Finally got back into the laboratory and fired up the machinery.

First thing is to get all of the strips sanded smooth. My little drum sander is having issues at the moment so I made a quick visit to friend's shop and did it the right way.

A couple of trips through and every thing is in order for the gluing to begin. A thin layer of glue rolled on with a paint roller and the first four strips go into the mold.

8 hours in the clamps and we have the beginnings of a neck block.

From here it just a week or so of gluing up strips. I will post pics as it goes and try to decide what fingerboard and top I want to go with. I definitely agree with Grant about using a solid top and only letting the laminates be seen on the back of the bass. Since I am a mad scientist I like the idea of the Jekyl and Hyde look. Or as you would say here in Alabama, "Business in the front and party in the rear." And on the practical side, many of my gigs are legit gigs and a wavy laminate bass may be just a little more than marginally good taste would allow for. It works for Les Claypool but not so much at a symphony pops show.

Are you going to do a drop top on this? Then you would really have no idea about the laminates and you could still do the forearm cut.

lowsound