Double Bass Homebuilt EUB build thread

[Flamingo21]

Is a bass stand going to hold that kind of weight?

You're the one building the stand, so yes.

The main question is whether the part of the bass that the stand attaches to, will hold the weight. Since I seem to remember your bass has a sturdy "spine" that runs all the way to the bottom, I think you'll be fine.

 

[Videojunkie]

I was thinking about ordering something like this:

BQLZR Black Carbon Fiber Double Bass Endpin 3/4 4/4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EQ277DQ/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_T8XWRT4W3FS2VWECGGV4

Or the steel one from Gollihur's. Otherwise I will have to figure something out from the plumbing department.

Structurally the spine goes to the bottom of the instrument, and the bottom is a plate of 3/4 mahogany that is epoxied to the spine in addition to being overlapped on all sides by the body. So I think it should be plenty strong.

 

[Videojunkie]

A bit of minor surgery on the neck heel. Pretty happy with it.

 

[Flamingo21]

There was a knot there, if I remember?
Did you do this for aesthetic reasons or is it a structural issue as well?

 

[Videojunkie]

There was a knot there, if I remember?
Did you do this for aesthetic reasons or is it a structural issue as well?

There was a void (I think I pieced it together and did not plan well where that void wound up.) So I had to do something. My finishing plan includes staining / dyeing that area black/brown. As kind of a faux French polish effect.

Structurally it is irrelevant. But it still irritates me that I made such a bone headed mistake.

 

[Flamingo21]

The thing with voids is, if you don't give it a function it will give itself a function. So yes of course the void had to go.

 

[Videojunkie]

Spending some quality time with sandpaper. I also duplicated my success from the other side. The joint where the neck and body meet is nice and clean. I used my small plane on the neck to clean up some weirdness I had noticed.

I think once I get everything down to 220, I'll steal @Beej plan for using an iron to steam all the flat sides before starting with sanding sealer.

It's getting there, and I'm inspired by the work I see others doing to keep up with it, and really try to do a great finish job.

 

[Videojunkie]

I've come to the conclusion that anything that's standard for a bass or cello for an endpin isn't going to work. I am going to have to create something.

Mostly because when I am playing standing, I'll need about 20-24" of endpin. but if I am sitting, I need about 6". So I think I need several posts that can be relatively easily swapped out for different scenarios.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

You might want to have two, an angled laborie and a straight one. Also have a look at the RobPin to get some ideas.

 

[Videojunkie]

You might want to have two, an angled laborie and a straight one. Also have a look at the RobPin to get some ideas.

I bought this, it has a slope, kind of like the rob pin.

Five Oceans 3/4 inches Flag Pole Stainless Steel Socket Top Mount FO-3109 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H009PV...abc_D018QTVDJPT7YHP2ZEBY?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I'm thinking that an adjustable cane might work about perfectly as the taller pin. Then I can turn a dowel or something for the shorter one.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

That is a bit simple and you can only stick something on but not inside the body.

The robpin is much more sophisticated and could be added without making a hole in the instrument like the laborie needs.
One problem is the best angle. Luthiers may know that, but not us players.

If you are not sure, get a normal DB endpin assembly.

 

[Videojunkie]

When you look up and realize you just soldered your input jacks to the circuit outputs, it's time to put the iron away and go do something else for a while.

 

[Videojunkie]

I have worked myself back to the headstock of the bass. And as I am examining it, I'm not sure I still love the shape. Particularly the 'peg' I left in the middle of the volute.

It's unique, but it adds some mass where I am not sure that is a good thing. It also doesn't serve any purpose.

I think if I change it, I would just flatten the volute at the current bevel, and smooth out that transition.

Any opinions?

 

[Rôckhewer]

It also doesn't serve any purpose.

You could hang a cable on it.
... like, the back of a vacuum?
(J/k).. chop it

 

[Flamingo21]

Just to make sure: you are talking about the thing in the middle of the second picture, right?

If yes, then I agree, chop it off.

I ask because when reading your post I got lost in terminology (volute? bevel?) and I feared you wanted to do away with the curly part. (Top of the first pic.)

I'm not criticizing your choice of words, I just need to learn English.

 

[Videojunkie]

Just to make sure: you are talking about the thing in the middle of the second picture, right?

If yes, then I agree, chop it off.

I ask because when reading your post I got lost in terminology (volute? bevel?) and I feared you wanted to do away with the curly part. (Top of the first pic.)

I'm not criticizing your choice of words, I just need to learn English.

No, I have no plans to cut off the scroll.

Also, as a non-native English speaker, your English is very good, better than some of the stuff I have encountered in my professional experience, and certainly better than many of the high school and college students I have seen recently.

 

[Videojunkie]

Also, as Corbin Dallas (Bruce Willis) quips in the Fifth Element, "I only speak 2 languages, English, and bad English"

 

[Flamingo21]

Thank you very much.

 

[Jeff Siddall]

Agree, the peg can go. From a structural perspective it isn't doing anything there. The contoured portion of the neck gets thicker just before the nut, and then gets even thicker when the headstock starts so you seem to have lots of material there.

 

[Rôckhewer]

I ask because when reading your post I got lost in terminology (volute? bevel?) and I feared you wanted to do away with the curly part. (Top of the first pic.)

Actually...you're correct in being confused. If that makes any sense.
In violin luthiery terminology the "volute"... IS referring to the scroll.
The word volute is derived from "Volutidae" ... which is sea snails. The scroll mimics the spiral of the shell.
For some reason... in guitar luthiery... we call this a volute as well.