Double Bass scroll progress pic

[Don Harris]

<<Did the bubinga stripe help in keeping both sides symetrical? Sort of like a plumb line?>>

Totally. My mentor/teacher who builds violins said that keeping track of the centerline while carving the scroll is always a hassle.

Here's the body:

 

[Don Harris]

And a more finished scroll:

 

[Jake deVilliers]

That scroll is gorgeous Don!

Are you sure the blocks are big enough?!

 

[Don Harris]

<<Are you sure the blocks are big enough?! >>

I'm going from memory here, but I looked at a Hachez once that had really interesting, sleek looking blocks that I'm wanting to copy, so a lot of what's there will be carved away soon...

 

[Jake deVilliers]

I was thinking that would be the case but the endpin block looks to be all of 6" wide in the photo.

How wide is it really?

 

[Don Harris]

7" actually.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Don,
Although I haven't seen you in years, from what I remember you probably won't want to go long without eating.

Keep some balance, man.

Great looking bass in the making and it's hard to imagine it is your first.

 

[Don Harris]

<<Keep some balance, man.>>

I've been thinking about what you said, clink, and you are absolutely right. I need to divide my time more equally between the neck, top, ribss, and back. And lets not forget practicing...

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Exactly what I meant. Put the pedal down and go for it. You can eat and sleep later..

 

[Matthew Tucker]

Oh dear. I'm getting a really strange feeling in the pit of my stomach "gotta ... make ... another .... bass ... soon".

That's very nice clean work Don. The scroll fluting works well.

What's your finished rib thickness?

 

[Don Harris]

The ribs are around 2.1 to 2.3 mm. Hand planing, it was hard to get them really super uniform.

I was wondering when #2 was going get started. You're web journal was really what pushed me over the edge to start building.

 

[Matthew Tucker]

I'm resetting a crooked neck at the moment. Finally got the neck out and discovered the most ugly disgusting mess of rock-hard 60-year old glue I can imagine. Have to clean it all out, replace the mortise cheeks and make a clean joint. Character building ... and keeping me from starting the new bass.

 

[Paul Warburton]

What style machines are you thinking about. I know they can get expensive, but with that scroll, please don't cut any corners!
The ones they're making in England are nice. From Baker style on up.

 

[Don Harris]

I was thinking about the Sloane tuners (Link Removed, but haven't really checked out the English ones yet (Gallery Strings??). I've got Sloane on one of my basses and they seem flawless. I've got to figure out which key style to use though, as they have three styles to choose from.

 

[Paul Warburton]

I agree!