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I have a crazy idea.

C

curbowkid

Jun 27, 2011
1,779
12
Brooklyn, New York
#1
Alright we all know the standard build of a bass yes?

Here's my idea. A zon hypderbass like body with the extra deep lower cut away. The fretboard running all the way to the bridge, or transitioning on the same plane all the way to the bridge. The bridge being set into the body slightly. The pickups inserted through the back in cavities that dont come through the top of the bass but slightly under. All held in by a back plate. Also with the control cavity having all the electronics being set in the back so there's no knobs of any sort on the front. And lastly, the headstock having no tuners and the bridge being like a steingbergers. But the bass itself still having a full headstock like the jens Ritter tuneless headstock. Thoughts? I think it would be absolutely out of this world. And of course, it would be a single cut design if I do it. For the hell of it.

Alright thoughts, let the, rip!



Note: I claim ownership of this idea if it hasn't been done already. Text and email can be used as legal documents to prove ownership.
 
#2
curbowkid said:
Alright we all know the standard build of a bass yes?

Here's my idea. A zon hypderbass like body with the extra deep lower cut away. The fretboard running all the way to the bridge, or transitioning on the same plane all the way to the bridge. The bridge being set into the body slightly. The pickups inserted through the back in cavities that dont come through the top of the bass but slightly under. All held in by a back plate. Also with the control cavity having all the electronics being set in the back so there's no knobs of any sort on the front. And lastly, the headstock having no tuners and the bridge being like a steingbergers. But the bass itself still having a full headstock like the jens Ritter tuneless headstock. Thoughts? I think it would be absolutely out of this world. And of course, it would be a single cut design if I do it. For the hell of it.

Alright thoughts, let the, rip!



Note: I claim ownership of this idea if it hasn't been done already. Text and email can be used as legal documents to prove ownership.
Click to expand...

I think Those "Ideas" belongs to Jens Ritter and Zon Basses.
Some Peizo Pick ups mount that way already, and Warwick routes out the body to mount their Bridges. Also, There have been custom builds where the fingerboard runs up to the bridge.

If it were me, Id get my patents together before I tried to announce and claim an idea. Some one with more money could prototype one, and argue "simultaneous invention" if you tried to sue them.
 
#6
For you guys to get this I guess I'm gonna have to draw up some sketches. Its something I've never seen before. Yes the tunerless headstock and unlaid bridge have been done. But the look I'm going for is something entirely new. And yea I guess it was stupid to post it. But hey, its an idea.

What I'm saying is single cut bass with super deep cutaway with the neck running basicly all the way to the bridge, fretboard and all. The magnetic pickups mounted underneath the fretboard (I'm thinking 4 individual p bass pickups, one for each string) all held in by a plate like the control cavity. The knobs in back like a ritter. The bridge is dropped into the body to compensate for a lack of an end of fretboard rise. Esentally you have a neck that lays perfectly level with the body and the fretboard slapped on top of that. The front would look wild yet at the same time simple. I'm gonna build it one day. Its all in my head
 
#8
Jazzdogg said:
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Click to expand...

:D I love the part under his weirdos section where he has the black and white outlines of a Strat and a Les Paul, and labels it ((un-published material)) as if they were old ideas he knew wouldn't go far, followed by this


"Unpublished material:

Due to lack of hope of success
at the time, we put the accompanying
sketches back in the drawer.
Today we can say with confidence,
that those instruments would have
had very little chance with the public..."
Invalid Link Removed
Or the guitar that he claims his wife and him randomly decided to just glue everything laying around the house on it, even a toothbrush pick holder.
Invalid Link Removed


Love this guys sense of humor, Basses, ehhhh not so much:hmm:
 
#9
I forgot to ad, every aspect wood wise of the bass, will be made of veneers. A lot of gluing and clamping? Yes. But it will look awesome when its done and carved. Purple heart, bloodwood, maple, yellow wood, and any other woods that come to mind. Imaging the fretboard after being radiused?

Of course it would also answer the question "what's the best woods for metal" answer, all.
 
#10
curbowkid said:
Alright we all know the standard build of a bass yes?

Here's my idea. A zon hypderbass like body with the extra deep lower cut away. The fretboard running all the way to the bridge, or transitioning on the same plane all the way to the bridge. The bridge being set into the body slightly. The pickups inserted through the back in cavities that dont come through the top of the bass but slightly under. All held in by a back plate. Also with the control cavity having all the electronics being set in the back so there's no knobs of any sort on the front. And lastly, the headstock having no tuners and the bridge being like a steingbergers. But the bass itself still having a full headstock like the jens Ritter tuneless headstock. Thoughts? I think it would be absolutely out of this world. And of course, it would be a single cut design if I do it. For the hell of it.

Alright thoughts, let the, rip!



Note: I claim ownership of this idea if it hasn't been done already. Text and email can be used as legal documents to prove ownership.
Click to expand...

Minus the headless tuners, I am having such a bass being built now. Construction started two years ago. Very much inspired by the Pagelli, and when it is finished, it will blow your mind.
 
#11
The concept is not a difficult process, by using a low string to body spacing, you get proper draw from the hidden pickups, the steinberger bridge can be recessed easilly, it's just a rectangular rout, and the string anchor at the head can be as simple as a nut block to as exotic as the anchor being hidden in the headstock with a blind feed slot/holes. Sounds like a cool project. Look forward to seeing it, evn if it is a single cut.(not my favorite body style)
 
#13
curbowkid said:
I forgot to ad, every aspect wood wise of the bass, will be made of veneers. A lot of gluing and clamping? Yes. But it will look awesome when its done and carved. Purple heart, bloodwood, maple, yellow wood, and any other woods that come to mind. Imaging the fretboard after being radiused?

Of course it would also answer the question "what's the best woods for metal" answer, all.
Click to expand...

I thing such a fingerboard would be a nightmare after being radiused. Not to mention the fact that veneers have no strength in them, so the rigidity and stability of the bass would depend entirely on the polymers in the glue.
 
#14
I would like to look at this as an idea that's trying to create an instrument with a very different "look", completely unorthodox, showing a different approach.

My question is, what are you trying to achieve with a fret/fingerboard going all the way to the bridge ? Is it to go higher than the 2 octave limit on most instruments, or to have an infinity kinda "look" with no visible pickups and knobs to look minimalistic ?
 
#16
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Slightly different model.
Invalid Link Removed
 

Attachments

  • PagelliFretless.jpg
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#17
curbowkid said:
For you guys to get this I guess I'm gonna have to draw up some sketches. Its something I've never seen before. Yes the tunerless headstock and unlaid bridge have been done. But the look I'm going for is something entirely new. And yea I guess it was stupid to post it. But hey, its an idea.

What I'm saying is single cut bass with super deep cutaway with the neck running basicly all the way to the bridge, fretboard and all. The magnetic pickups mounted underneath the fretboard (I'm thinking 4 individual p bass pickups, one for each string) all held in by a plate like the control cavity. The knobs in back like a ritter. The bridge is dropped into the body to compensate for a lack of an end of fretboard rise. Esentally you have a neck that lays perfectly level with the body and the fretboard slapped on top of that. The front would look wild yet at the same time simple. I'm gonna build it one day. Its all in my head
Click to expand...
With all due respect curbowkid, this is probably because you are still a child. I absolutely say that with respect, I've seen and worked with a lot of gifted young folks over the years, and you have already demonstrated your mettle and maturity elsewhere, as well as your burgeoning build skills.

All that said, there is only so much experience and worldview you can have as a teen, a fact which will be easily reflected upon when you're in your twenties, let alone your thirties, forties, fifties and so on. Don't forget that the forum you're engaging in is made up of people of all ages and experiences from around the world. When you add up that collective experience and perspective, it's difficult to find things that have never been done or thought about, no matter how foreign or wild they may seem to us initially...
 
#18
Beej said:
With all due respect curbowkid, this is probably because you are still a child. I absolutely say that with respect, I've seen and worked with a lot of gifted young folks over the years, and you have already demonstrated your mettle and maturity elsewhere, as well as your burgeoning build skills.

All that said, there is only so much experience and worldview you can have as a teen, a fact which will be easily reflected upon when you're in your twenties, let alone your thirties, forties, fifties and so on. Don't forget that the forum you're engaging in is made up of people of all ages and experiences from around the world. When you add up that collective experience and perspective, it's difficult to find things that have never been done or thought about, no matter how foreign or wild they may seem to us initially...
Click to expand...

Thanks man. And I basicly get random ideas for builds and I honestly don't know how they will turn out until I am able to build them. The idea for this I've been thinking of a lot and while there are many similar basses I have seen, I have yet to see one like I have invisioned haha I don't mean to sound full of myself if I am. I just turned 20 in march and in all honesty I know I can be immature at times. But aren't we all? I'm not saying its okay, its something I got too work on. I'm just a goofy kind of person but I get some ideas in my head that I really want to persue. Hence my contacting luthiers looking for intern/apprentice work. Its what I want to do for a career. I know its not gonna be easy, but if I can get settled in the company I have in mind, I will do just fine. I really hope it works because I can't see myself doing anything else.


As for the veneer idea, I understand many believe the structural integrity would be relying on the glue and epoxies. Not with my idea. Use the veneers like the grain of wood. Use an extra firm adheesive (I'm thinking marine epoxy, I have experience with it) to hold it all together. But like selecting the grain direction of wood, I would cut the veneer boards toothe angles best for the neck and so on. As for making the boards, I would use an overlapping method so there are no sections of only glue. I would build up the boards little by little to help keep moisture to a minimum. I would also clamp each board in between flat boards of pine with plastic over them to help prevent stick. So for the fretboard, I would have the veneers laying flat, for the neck (3 piece) I would do the center flat like the fretboard and each side at a 45 degree angle towards the top center line of the neck plus I would use carbon fiber rods to help add strength if it needs it. Making esentially a CT rainbow bass effect but much more intricate and insane looking. The body wings (it will be neck through) would be flat like the fretboard.

Esentially what I would be making is a plywood bass but with better woods and the grain direction being all one way. Plausable in theory. Now to test it. Plus it won't need a finish because the glue will be sucked into all the wood poors making it hard and pretty resistant to humidity.

As for over all design, I guess I would have to show you. I of course won't do this for a while because of its intracate nature. But I will attempt it. I feel its never been done because no one has wanted to go through the trouble of making each board and laying every veneer.

I greatly appreciate the comments and links on this thread. they all have some pretty cool stuff. But I think this one is just something I gotta do to have people fully understand what I got going. :bassist:
 
#20
suraj said:
I would like to look at this as an idea that's trying to create an instrument with a very different "look", completely unorthodox, showing a different approach.

My question is, what are you trying to achieve with a fret/fingerboard going all the way to the bridge ? Is it to go higher than the 2 octave limit on most instruments, or to have an infinity kinda "look" with no visible pickups and knobs to look minimalistic ?
Click to expand...

What I am going for is both simple yet complex. Its I guess a boarderline art piece. In functionality, have full bass range and I guess entering treble plus flawless playability with almost. No limitations. At the same time, the design itself is simple and plain looking, but made of houndreds of veneers to give it an insane look. Its most deffinately an exotic instrument. I'm very excited for it though.
 

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