My new design looks like a fish

[shai-ga]

I'm trying to design a body for this neck for the past 3 years.
Trashed a lot of high quality woods just because I didn't like the design as it went from paper to 3D.

This was the last attempt, and I regret throwing it away:

So the bass is a headless, small body design, 34" scale, simple passive circuit with blend and volume, tone in the back.

The neck is ebony\maple with 2 carbon square rods and a single truss rod.
Should be very fast and fun to play with a bulky D shape \ 12" Radius.

During my weekend design session, I came up with this sketch, that made an eureka moment for me, talking about the lower horn of course, and the overall flow of the body shape.

The body width is about 7" and it will have a nice concave shape.

So.. Do you like the shark fin?

 

[bholder]

I like it! You threw that away? What a shame...

 

[dwizum]

Make it out of foamboard or MDF and try holding it - that shark fin on the bottom looks like it might be a little hurty! I can't imagine it would be comfortable to have it digging into my leg when playing seated, but maybe it wouldn't matter if you were holding it in a more upright position.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I agree w/ the comment above regarding the lower horn. Also, I'd widen the body a little bit.

 

[Slidlow]

What are the considerations for making a body so small?

 

[shai-ga]

Just aesthetics and compact design which I prefer.
Also a really low weight is nice after breaking my collarbone.

 

[RichterScale]

Well, nothing wrong with a small body. You can basically think of it like a steinberger, but with curves.
However, you definitely need more meat behind the neck pocket. So it will have to be thicker, if nothing else.

 

[Callused Finger]

Agree with mocking it up and holding it before sawing up wood.

When it comes to body dimensions almost imperceptible differences can be large when held. 1/2" per side is a lot.
I'd start at nearly "regular" dimensions, hold it and pare it down from there.

 

[scott sinner]

Wouldn't bother me. My oldest bass.

 

[Gorn]

Oh, quit your carping.

 

[Gorn]

I think it’s sofishticated.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

De-FIN-itely an interesting design.

 

[BassFishingInAmerica]

 

[RichterScale]

That's literally exactly what I saw.
I watched Nemo a million times when my kids were little.

 

[roller]

Paint it white and...

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Wouldn't bother me. My oldest bass.

View attachment 4480700

I was going to say it reminded me an Ibanez “bean” bass. Nothing wrong with that. They were, in general, good basses.

 

[Pet Sounds]

By Cod, that's a lovely design! You didn't jump the shark with this one. I'll be perched at the edge of my seat to see how this works out. I'll stop now.

 

[roller]

+1

The Beans are great instruments... comfy!

I was going to say it reminded me an Ibanez “bean” bass. Nothing wrong with that. They were, in general, good basses.

 

[Beej]

I like the little fin, looks good and fits the style of the body. My only concern would be how it would sit in my lap, but that may be a non-issue depending on the use of it.

For anyone who's not familiar with @shai-ga 's work - check out his build threads. He's been doing these cool tiny bodied creations for years.

 

[scott sinner]

I was going to say it reminded me an Ibanez “bean” bass. Nothing wrong with that. They were, in general, good basses.

I originally hated the look but it played sooooo well. I've grown to merely be so so on it. But it still plays better than many basses 5 times the price.