I want to be a luthier!

[Levarioj]

Hello,
This is my first time here and I'm excited to join talkbass.com. I have been playing bass for 8 years now and the itch to build has come over me. I want to learn how to build basses! I am asking for your advice on learning tools (i.e. dvds,books) that I can purchase to get me started. I would prefer DVDs, but either one will be awesome. Thanks for you help!

 

[rootshock]

Why not start by constructing a kit from say Warmoth? Get one of the unfinished bodies, route it for pickups, stain the body, etc. Maybe even contour the body to your liking... should give you an idea if you like the hobby w/o diving in to deep to start.

If you like it, take a wood working class either at your community college, or thru a local private group instructor.

 

[Gone]

Have a look through the stickies. Quite a lot of info there.
I highly recommend Melvyn Hiscock's "Build your own electric guitar" as a starting point. Read that, design a bass or 2, build one and take it from there.

 

[Barkless Dog]

You Tube has a lot of building & woodworking videos.

 

[tdogg]

I highly recommend Melvyn Hiscock's "Build your own electric guitar" as a starting point. Read that, design a bass or 2, build one and take it from there.

+1 this book is extremely helpfull!

 

[codyAllen191]

+1, i would read that before doing anything. I built a Warmoth jazz bass last year and now i'm about halfway done with my first complete build.....takes alot of time to accumulate all the tools I've needed, haha

P.S. nice to see another Texan here

 

[tdogg]

+1, i would read that before doing anything. I built a Warmoth jazz bass last year and now i'm about halfway done with my first complete build.....takes alot of time to accumulate all the tools I've needed, haha

P.S. nice to see another Texan here

yeah i think i spent twice as much money on tools than i did on materials.

 

[XylemBassGuitar]

Yep, you'll need a lot of tools and the more basses you build the more tools you'll acquire.

+1 on Melvyn's book. There are a few other good solid body guitar building books out there too.

I would also get a book on sharpening (The Complete Guide to Sharpening by Leonard Lee is very good) and Dan Erlewine's Fretwork Step-by-Step.

The book on fretwork is especially helpful as a huge part of making your bass play well lies in installing and dressing your frets well.

Also, check out a lot of builder's websites for articles and interviews and such. You can gleen a lot of information that isn't in most books that way.

 

[Levarioj]

Thank you so much on the advice. I'm so excited to get started!

 

[erikbojerik]

Whatever you do - start it! You definitely want to read up, but you learn even more by doing.

Just make sure to protect your hands, fingers, eyes and lungs. Think everything through.

 

[tdogg]

and if youre unsure about any power tools... ask someone to show you and practice on a junk peice of wood first!