Double Bass Having a "swell" time

[ctregan]

Since I am a one finger keyboardist, its easier to just post pictures of my Cherry Panormo project and let the pictures tell the story.

Spring is coming soon, but we still have some snow on the ground.

The back plate is taking shape but still needs plenty more caving.

 

[ctregan]

The middle arching between the c bouts is tricky.

 

[ctregan]

Using a gouge with a big sweep to waste away material.

Then coming back with a gentler sweep to remove the high spots.

 

[Darren Molnar]

Old workbench in front of a huge old window, looks like paradise. Are you making the upper bout flat for the break?

 

[ctregan]

Cleaning it up with the Scrapers.

 

[ctregan]

Old workbench in front of a huge old window, looks like paradise. Are you making the upper bout flat for the break?

Yes, its got a big break with the arching coming into it at the same point. I beliave a break on a flat back would be easier than this set up.

Paradise? inside the barn, or outside the barn?

 

[ctregan]

I wish I had more time to work on this project, I'm looking at 1/2 hour in the morning, maybe two hrs at night then the weekends.
Lets see, roughly 500 hrs to build a bass divided by 2 1/2 hrs a day....

 

[1st Bass]

I wish I had more time to work on this project, I'm looking at 1/2 hour in the morning, maybe two hrs at night then the weekends.
Lets see, roughly 500 hrs to build a bass divided by 2 1/2 hrs a day....

Sounds about right...

 

[Kev2007]

Cleaning it up with the Scrapers.

Nice work, ct. How are you findingthe cherry to work with?

What size/# gouge do you use, BTW?

Kev

 

[Matthew Tucker]

Put a bigger handle on the largest gouge. Its two-handed work!

That flat part on the upper bout looks really weird before you bend it. I wouldn't know where to start blending the upper edge with the flat part. I guess you might have to bend it before finishing the outer arch?

 

[ctregan]

Nice work, ct. How are you findingthe cherry to work with?

What size/# gouge do you use, BTW?

Kev

I have been using a 3/4" #8 sweep with a mallet for the heavier stock removal. Then a flatter #4 fish tail (no mallet) to clean things up.

I would assume the small luthier planes with rounded bottoms might work better at this stage. Scrub plane or power carver might be nice for the heavy stuff, but at this point I'm just going with the tools available in my tool kit.

The cherry is working out good. It is not figured so the carving is pleasant. Caring a back plate with figured wood must be crazy.

 

[ctregan]

That flat part on the upper bout looks really weird before you bend it. I wouldn't know where to start blending the upper edge with the flat part. I guess you might have to bend it before finishing the outer arch?

Bending the break with the arch will be strange.
To make matters worse the cherry is starting to warp.
(Talk bass high drama)