Double Bass My Ultimate EUB, IMHO!

[Tom Lane]

Okay, so Rudy, I feel the need to contribute to this thread. 1) I think you should continue your explorations because I think you have some good ideas and they might lead to something cool. 2) I think DamonSmith is being a bit closed-minded about your EUB because I think the 34 inch scale is a possibly reasonable compromise. David Friesen plays a 34 inch slab bass that was made custom for him, and after hearing it live in a small room, I don't think it sounds like a URB, but it doesn't sound like a bass guitar either and it may be worth the compromise in tone for such a portable instrument. That's probably Friesen's opinion. 3) I'd love an EUB that I could fit into an overhead airline bin - although I recognize that that's not what you've done thus far. 4) I listened to your YouTube video and I gotta say, I'm attracted by many of your ideas, but the sound on the video doesn't sound much like an URB to my ear. I'm sorry to say that it sound very much like a rather nasal bass guitar. I'm hoping that you can work on the tone of the instrument to make it sound more like an URB. 5) I like the portability of your EUB, but I'm concerned about the lack of a completely acoustic chamber like the Eminence - which I own and am happy with given its compromises and strengths. One thing is clear: there is room for innovation in bass instruments and portability is always a goal, so please don't be discouraged.

 

[Jon Moody]

The short scale also has other benefits, such as inexpensive $30 string changes, increased comfort while playing, the ability to sit down and play (while still holding something that "looks" like a bass), use with conventional bass tuners, etc.

Didn't have time to read all the other posts, but my first thought with using the electric bass flatwound strings is how that's going to sound bowed? From experience, flatwounds are really missing in the arco department, so I'm curious as to whether you've thought about this and if so, what you're planning to do to address the issue?

 

[rgroomer]

Hi Rudy,
I know from your work on lap steel guitar, pickups, and banjo design that you have years of innovative thinking and proven design work behind you. What I have admired about your work is that all of it has concentrated on simplicity and playability. Your instruments are designed for musicians who play music. Probably not for gear heads. I was surprised to have found that you had also come up with this bass design and on the strength of knowing your other work am committed to building this design.

I've written recently asking technical questions about this design because I am excited about it. Most of all because my biggest concern is portability. The sound I heard is very close to what I am looking for. I have had very good experience with the piezo sound I got from my Rob Allen fretless bass and love the concept of acoustically coupling a piezo to a vibrating top.

I have found the Roarockit web site that has a great tutorial on how to make a foam mold that will work for laminating an arched top. I recommend it to anyone else who is looking for help. Here's the link: http://ministryofwood.com/shaping-a-foam-mold/ Thanks for the inspiration.

Richard

 

[rudy4444]

Hi All,
Just a quick note to say I haven't forgotten to check in once in a while!

I've really enjoyed playing this bass; so much that I think my next step will be to do another with a full acoustic chamber with the strings coupled to the top plate through the bridge. This will take away the ability to separate the body from the neck, but after playing with the design for a bit I don't think it will be too much of an imposition to travel with a semi-permanently assembled acoustic body. The basic instrument is still much smaller than a 3/4 size bass, so it will still be fairly portable.

The advantage I see in doing this would be the improvement in acoustic tone, both unplugged and amplified as well as a reduction in weight. It is considerable lighter than my 3/4 Englehardt, but I can reduce it a lot more by using a full acoustic body.

I really enjoy sitting (yes, sitting..) around and playing this instrument, and a slightly better tone with a bit more unamplified volume could be a real improvement. This will result in an instrument that will be both louder than the acoustic bass guitars that I've played, but also with more of a true upright tone. The ability to plug in for higher volume abilities when necessary will be retained, of course.

The bad part is I've got other instruments in the queue, so this will be a winter project. Stay tuned, though. Better yet, make your own!

 

[jstiel]

I used to have a 1/4 Kay that seemed to have similar dimensions.