Double Bass It's finished!

[Don Harris]

I got the bass strung up with Belcantos today and have to say that I'm very pleased with the sound. Rich and refined, just the way I was hoping it would be (or I should say, not nasal and brash, the way I hoped it wouldn't be). I was going to finish my own tailpiece, then I said forget it, I'll put on a non-ebony one I had lying around and work on my tailpiece later.

Thanks to everybody who commented and encouraged me along the way. For those thinking about building, I'd never done much woodworking before and just dove in. If I can do it, I'm guessing you can too (as long as you have lots of patience).

 

[Silversorcerer]

That looks great, Don. Congratulations!

 

[Don Harris]

and another shot:

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Wow wow wow!

That's beautiful Don and I wish I could hear it and see it up close. You're a natural.
If you wanted to clog my mailbox with lots of large close-ups that would be great!
Send to: [email protected]

Don't forget to submit pix to the TalkBass Eye Candy Collection.

Wow

 

[Darren Molnar]

Great job Don! that looks fantastic!

 

[KSB - Ken Smith]

I got the bass strung up with Belcantos today and have to say that I'm very pleased with the sound. Rich and refined, just the way I was hoping it would be. I was going to finish my own tailpiece, then I said forget it, I'll put on a non-ebony one I had lying around and work on my tailpiece later.

Thanks to everybody who commented and encouraged me along the way. For those thinking about building, I'd never done much woodworking before and just dove in. If I can do it, I'm guessing you can too (as long as you have lots of patience).

You have Skills..

 

[philip sirois]

Beautiful! You must be very proud!

Seriously, that's a great accomplishment.

 

[Valerus]

what a beaut!

 

[Basschair]

Don, that is very impressive!
An absolutely fantastic job.

 

[Kevin Hsieh]

gorgeous. two great touches are the double lines in the middle of the scroll and the lower placement of the F-holes.

 

[forester]

quite an achievement...it's been a pleasure watching it take shape.

 

[Matt R.]

Holy S-H-I-T!!! Amazing!!

 

[ctregan]

A great story with a happy ending!
Thanks for sharing your experience with us!!!!

 

[Heifetzbass]

I am saving up for some good tonewood as we speak...

You should be proud to have joined that exclusive club. (The one with really sore hands and backs...)

Truly impressive.
BG

 

[Matthew Tucker]

Well done Don, looks great. You probably won't believe you actually made it, until you finish number 2 ... so get crackin'.

My #2 has to sit on the backburner for a while as I'm off to France and UK for Christmas. A whole month with no workshop .... waaaaaaaah :-(

 

[Marcus Johnson]

I If I can do it, I'm guessing you can too (as long as you have lots of patience).

Actually, no.... I can't.

Great accomplishment, Don. It looks beautiful.

 

[christ andronis]

.... If I can do it, I'm guessing you can too (as long as you have lots of patience).

uhhhhh......no!

Nice man....are you going to post any sound clips?

I'm also curious, what was the bottom line as far as your monetary investment in that beauty? (not meaning to be rude...please don't be offended)

 

[Don Harris]

$110 Sitka spruce top (Orcas Island Tonewoods)
$50 Rib wood (Orcas)
$140 Back wood (ebay)
$70 basswood for blocks
$150 neck wood: maple(Orcas)-bubinga(Woodcraft)-black veneer
$300 fingerboard (Upton)
$300 tuning machines (k.c. strings)
$70 endpin

So around $1200, but I made a lot of trips to Woodcraft and Lowes for little things along the way. For example, just making the spool clamps (60) took a lot of time and wasn't particularly cheap. It would be tough to guess how much was spent along the way.

I'd post soundclips, but I'm not sure how or where...

 

[arnoldschnitzer]

I'd never done much woodworking before.

Baloney!

 

[JKincaid]

That really looks gorgeous, Don.

If you have the time, I'd still love to try it out.