Double Bass full size double bass

[matthewa73]

Hi I am new to the forum and was hoping to touch base with some double bass builders. I am wonder what the starting thickness of the slabs are for the back, sides and belly. I was also wondering how often 3 piece fronts and backs are used. I have built two guitars but can't get the double bass out of my head so I am switching gears I have nice stockpiles of quartered maple and a chunk of quartered spruce 9" wide 4" thick and 10 feet long. I hope to hear from someone. Thank you. Matt

 

[RCWilliams]

1 pick a scale length, 2 pick a model, pick a book on making and then after a bit of study start making decisions about arch height and the like. pleny of old basses have multiple piece tops and backs.

 

[MikeCanada]

There are so many variables that you need to nail down first. A standard "Full size" is typically 3/4, where a 4/4 bass is considerably larger. If it is your first instrument, there are a lot of decent resources out there. Most people here would strongly encourage you to pick a particular model of bass you would like to copy, and start there.

So you want to make a Double Bass by Peter Chandler walks you through everything, and there are actual scale detailed drawings with measurements you can purchase as well. As you are likely aware, there really aren't "standard" blanket statement numbers to throw around with bass as each model and instrument can be significantly different. After you have a better idea of what you are looking to build, a lot of these things will become self evident.

 

[matthewa73]

Thanks for your response. I am trying to get prepared with the raw materials. I wanted to double check on what my minimum height requirements would be before I start bandsawing a nice piece of spruce. The only thing I have come across is that the belly requires about 2 1/4" of thickness and the back requires 1 5/8" of thickness. Am I in the ball park?

 

[keiranohara]

There will be an awful lot of variation in arching hight from model to model, maker to maker, and even instrument to instrument from the same maker. If one is building by hand, each build is and investment in and ideas of how to make it sound "good". Arching height will be one of those variables that has a lot of impact on the end results in tone.

I will sight some examples, I have seen very old basses with tops sunken nearly flat that sound amazing (not saying there is any causality there) I have seen basses nearly 50mm of arch that looked as though if you taped up the f holes you'd have a serviceable canoe and the thing sounded very pleasing.

Personally, I was bound by some lumber constraints in my first (and only at the moment, number two is to come) build. Beautiful back place was round but only 23mm heigh. Top was average-ish 40 or so mm.

Take these measurements with a very well endowed grain of salt, these are the final dimensions (if the rough stock is wedged shaped, will all of the arching fit? Not just the center line). Flat backs are a very nice way of saving money on fancy hardwoods.

The time you'll be investing will be the most expensive step. Don't skimp on Lumber.

 

[james condino]

The time you'll be investing will be the most expensive step. Don't skimp on Lumber.

For those of you who don't know Keiran, he is a great luthier who works side by side next to Arnold every day in one of the best bass shops in the country. His new bass kicks a$$. I really like the shallow arch roundback design. I'll be incorporating it into my new bass build, based off the 1888 James William Briggs- a very clean, giant gamba.

j.
www.condino.com
www.kaybassrepair.com

 

[matthewa73]

Thank you for your responses. Can anyone recommend an arching height for a first timer to shoot for?

 

[Schoolhouse]

Good luck, 40mm +/- will work nicely. Tom

 

[matthewa73]

Thanks for that info. That should work nicely with the lumber I have.