Matthew, that bass is looking magnificent. I just saw the shots of that silky oak with the shellac and it's downright wood porn. Just beautiful.
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Double Bass Matthew's Double Bass Building Project
- Thread starter Matthew Tucker
- Start date
- Aug 21, 2002
- 2,686
- 387
- Disclosures
- Owner: Bresque Basses, Sydney Basses and Cellos
Top's on. Well actually you can't see it because its underneath. But it's glued on at last!
Getting exciting ... hope I haven't forgotten anything!
Hey Matthew,
I have been watching you build this bass....it is looking great...will this bass be going to the isb convention?
I have been watching you build this bass....it is looking great...will this bass be going to the isb convention?
- Aug 21, 2002
- 2,686
- 387
- Disclosures
- Owner: Bresque Basses, Sydney Basses and Cellos
err ... I'm in Sydney, there's not much likelihood of that!!
That said, it has a detachable neck, so if someone feels like taking it over for me ...
I strung it up last night. Have a look now!
Jake deVilliers
Commercial User
- May 24, 2006
- 6,349
- 607
- Disclosures
- Owner of The Bass Spa, String Repairman at Long & McQuade Vancouver
Whoa baby!
Up and standing (almost) on its own.
Very cool Matthew, it looks terrific. And how does it sound so far?
Up and standing (almost) on its own.
Very cool Matthew, it looks terrific. And how does it sound so far?
- Aug 21, 2002
- 2,686
- 387
- Disclosures
- Owner: Bresque Basses, Sydney Basses and Cellos
When I first strung it up it was quite loud and bit "honky", kind of over-resonant. I think that was something to do with playing a loud resonant box in my brick garage. E string was a bit dull and there were a few buzzes and rattles from endpin and nut and all that sort of thing. String height is still very high because I'm only very roughly fitting the temp bridge, the fingerboard is a bit rough straight off the plane, not fully dressed yet.
This morning i brought it up to pitch and it played much better, more focussed, and nice and loud. i scratched it with a bow and it sounds even better. I need to get a proper 4/4 bridge for it, I think that and a decent soundpost set will fix my E string sound.
This is one big bass. The sort you have to take a step back from to get into TP.
This morning i brought it up to pitch and it played much better, more focussed, and nice and loud. i scratched it with a bow and it sounds even better. I need to get a proper 4/4 bridge for it, I think that and a decent soundpost set will fix my E string sound.
This is one big bass. The sort you have to take a step back from to get into TP.
Matthew, you are quickly becoming one of my new heroes.
That bass looks killer!
- Aug 21, 2002
- 2,686
- 387
- Disclosures
- Owner: Bresque Basses, Sydney Basses and Cellos
Ok here's what it sounds like.
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Mind you, this is the bass without setup, temp bridge, quick soundpost set and no fingerboard work at all.
My crummy playing aside, I think its promising
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Mind you, this is the bass without setup, temp bridge, quick soundpost set and no fingerboard work at all.
My crummy playing aside, I think its promising
Sounds great, now, how about some stick of pain samples http://[malware url removed].net/vicious-smiley-1815.gifOk here's what it sounds like.
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Mind you, this is the bass without setup, temp bridge, quick soundpost set and no fingerboard work at all.
My crummy playing aside, I think its promising
- Aug 21, 2002
- 2,686
- 387
- Disclosures
- Owner: Bresque Basses, Sydney Basses and Cellos
- Aug 21, 2002
- 2,686
- 387
- Disclosures
- Owner: Bresque Basses, Sydney Basses and Cellos
Jake deVilliers
Commercial User
- May 24, 2006
- 6,349
- 607
- Disclosures
- Owner of The Bass Spa, String Repairman at Long & McQuade Vancouver
That's a great bass, Matthew! I think I will go and order the rest of Peter Chandler's plans so that I have them as future options. I like that one you chose, and the Panormo model, too.
Chet
Chet
- Aug 21, 2002
- 2,686
- 387
- Disclosures
- Owner: Bresque Basses, Sydney Basses and Cellos
Jake - I'm using a danish oil, coloured with artist's oils, over a shellac sealer. Dries quite quickly, except at the seams where the buildup is still soft.
I am excited that I am actually achieving the rich chestnut look I have wanted from the outset. (I was going to say think of a schoolboy's polished "conker", but that might attract lewd remarks!)
Chet, of the Chandler plans, I also like the Tarr and the new Lott model. They're all big basses though. Not for small people. I also have plans for two other styles that I have copied, a 7/8 german bass and a smaller cornerless italian. The cornerless bass will be next, I hope.
I am excited that I am actually achieving the rich chestnut look I have wanted from the outset. (I was going to say think of a schoolboy's polished "conker", but that might attract lewd remarks!)
Chet, of the Chandler plans, I also like the Tarr and the new Lott model. They're all big basses though. Not for small people. I also have plans for two other styles that I have copied, a 7/8 german bass and a smaller cornerless italian. The cornerless bass will be next, I hope.
Jake deVilliers
Commercial User
- May 24, 2006
- 6,349
- 607
- Disclosures
- Owner of The Bass Spa, String Repairman at Long & McQuade Vancouver
It looks beautiful Matthew.
I had no idea that you could use a Watco-type oil as a varnish over a sealed ground; I always thought it needed to be on bare wood. Have you added some Japan Dryer or is it just straight out of the bottle ( like Single Malt) ?
Between you & Chet I'm getting serious case of bass-building envy.
I had no idea that you could use a Watco-type oil as a varnish over a sealed ground; I always thought it needed to be on bare wood. Have you added some Japan Dryer or is it just straight out of the bottle ( like Single Malt) ?
Between you & Chet I'm getting serious case of bass-building envy.
- Aug 21, 2002
- 2,686
- 387
- Disclosures
- Owner: Bresque Basses, Sydney Basses and Cellos
I am using Cabot brand, straight out of the tin. I tested some Tung oils but it soaks into the wood like nothing else. A penetrating oil I do not want! I did some tests and found that a few coats of shellac will work well to seal the wood before oiling. I have used this brand of danish oil before on other projects (chairs, for example) and it wears well, easy to apply and most importantly, i understand it.
I don't want a high gloss, a rubbed oil look is just fine, although you can get a good shine with several coats of oil if you sand it in with 400 grit.
I was tempted to french polish, but this is not a violin
I don't want a high gloss, a rubbed oil look is just fine, although you can get a good shine with several coats of oil if you sand it in with 400 grit.
I was tempted to french polish, but this is not a violin
It sounds excellent, it looks fabulous - I can't imagine how proud you must feel. And this won't go before a fall!
How great it will be when people come up to you on the stand after a gig and ask where you bought it. "Oh, this old thing? I made it, actually..."
How great it will be when people come up to you on the stand after a gig and ask where you bought it. "Oh, this old thing? I made it, actually..."
magnificent!
but is that a gamba bass I see in progress in the background? Are you building a 2nd?
but is that a gamba bass I see in progress in the background? Are you building a 2nd?
- Aug 21, 2002
- 2,686
- 387
- Disclosures
- Owner: Bresque Basses, Sydney Basses and Cellos
No that's a 50's czech ply bass I'm restoring. Bottom block was rooted and the belly had sunk. I've replaced the block, reshaped the belly and I'm going to do a belly patch before I stick it all back together. Oh and I have started stripping it, the finish was pretty awful, not worth restoring. My daughter wants a green bass, and this just might be it ...
