A friend and i are thinking of building a bass, we have the materials to shape the bones, but does anyone know how well bone resonates? I know we could make one out of wood, but we gotta be unique. I was going to purchase a neck to go along with it, and i still have yet to decide on pickups, but does anyone have any input on the subject?
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How would an elk bone body sound?
- Thread starter jsteez
- Start date
Waiting for the elk bone detractors to jump on this. I can see it now, a comparison thread between a scrap wood bass and an elk bone one.....
Wow, your asking about the best question one could. Resonance and bone.
Ultrasound scans make for some medicaly useful pics. Hows those corresond to a wood ultrasound? I havent a clue, but would be neat to know,
If you where asking about carving a body out of giant mammoth bones. My main question would be what kind of glue does one use to fit the 2 peices together if you couldnt manage a 1 piece mammoth bone bass body. Then Id have to ask what kind of changes to the screws need to be made since its wood neck to bone body and metal hardware to bone body. Are you going to do freaky bone headstock with spikeys? Might look kewl. But dunno about what kinds bone to wood glue youd need to make it work, Maybe superglue comes to the rescue?
Anyway, back on topic. Bone can resonate very well in some cases. However, unless its fossolized, yer gonna hava e heck of a time curing it. To make it ready for bass body. Bones have been used for flutes, whistles, and drumm things to include knock two together style play. However in these cases its been more high pitched rather then low pitch. Not many examples of mammoth tusk bass flutes are there? Bummer
I dunno. If you cure the bones properly, and can make the body out of 3 or less peices. And , lo heck maybe go with neck thru body neck from Carvin and just make wings for it as better route. Fewer headaches.
Body wings might work if one peice each. Was it a big elk?
Ultrasound scans make for some medicaly useful pics. Hows those corresond to a wood ultrasound? I havent a clue, but would be neat to know,
If you where asking about carving a body out of giant mammoth bones. My main question would be what kind of glue does one use to fit the 2 peices together if you couldnt manage a 1 piece mammoth bone bass body. Then Id have to ask what kind of changes to the screws need to be made since its wood neck to bone body and metal hardware to bone body. Are you going to do freaky bone headstock with spikeys? Might look kewl. But dunno about what kinds bone to wood glue youd need to make it work, Maybe superglue comes to the rescue?
Anyway, back on topic. Bone can resonate very well in some cases. However, unless its fossolized, yer gonna hava e heck of a time curing it. To make it ready for bass body. Bones have been used for flutes, whistles, and drumm things to include knock two together style play. However in these cases its been more high pitched rather then low pitch. Not many examples of mammoth tusk bass flutes are there? Bummer
I dunno. If you cure the bones properly, and can make the body out of 3 or less peices. And , lo heck maybe go with neck thru body neck from Carvin and just make wings for it as better route. Fewer headaches.
Body wings might work if one peice each. Was it a big elk?
Does anyone even know enough about this to intelligently comment? Oh, wait: it's the internet; that doesn't matter.
I don't know if this is helpful at all but I have this box made from bones.........maybe some of it's construction techniques could help?
The bones are def cut and shaped. Seems to be just glued together and has some brass bits holding the curved top together. I think bone could be a viable & unique material to make a bass out of.
Beside just think of the flame wars you will be the progenitor of........elk vs deer, cow vs sheep, etc.
Of course the argument is already settled as to which bone will be the best for metal........human.
The bones are def cut and shaped. Seems to be just glued together and has some brass bits holding the curved top together. I think bone could be a viable & unique material to make a bass out of.
Beside just think of the flame wars you will be the progenitor of........elk vs deer, cow vs sheep, etc.
Of course the argument is already settled as to which bone will be the best for metal........human.
bongomania
Commercial User
Awesome. I'm really keen to see if you manage to make a bass body from bone. I'm thinking about making my own bass and want it to be something different too
Subscribed hoping to hear more.
Subscribed hoping to hear more.
I have to ask - you will be using an animal that's already dead, right? Not going and killing one just to make a bass?
a human pelvis would make a nice bass body 
they used to use bone nuts on guitars, so it must have some good qualities. i have a huge moose antler that would make a nice body.
they used to use bone nuts on guitars, so it must have some good qualities. i have a huge moose antler that would make a nice body.
