I have 2 basses featuring a Kahler tremolo bridge. Never use them, but they are cool.
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Summer Build Off 2022 - Get Ready!
- Thread starter Beej
- Start date
This is useful. I was on the Kahler site looking at bridges the other night and I was thinking one might be cool. They're not cheap and I can't think of anything I've ever needed to use one for, but, coooool! I realise the lack of usefulness, then a couple of months later, it's like, wow, wouldn't a bass trem be groovy...
I even block the trems in my guitars (2) that have them.
Ya know, I've heard that a few times: that people don't use oak in instruments because it's too heavy. But I don't get it because the common oak species have the same weight as hard maple. Plus, people use all these imported woods that are very dense and much heavier.
I haven't researched it specifically yet, but often wonder if it's simply an aesthetic issue, or if oak doesn't behave well in service. There has to be a better reason(s) it's not a common instrument wood, besides weight.
Oak looks ash-ish a lot of the time doesn't it?
Because Leo didn't use it.
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,007
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- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
Yeah, it's a beastly heavy piece, but I already knew that.
As others said, I can try to take a bunch of wood out and put a top on it, or maybe it can just be a sitting bass.
Just chopped up all the padauk into strips, almost all of it curved pretty bad. Some worse than others.
Gonna take a shower, a sad nap, then do some reading
As others said, I can try to take a bunch of wood out and put a top on it, or maybe it can just be a sitting bass.
Just chopped up all the padauk into strips, almost all of it curved pretty bad. Some worse than others.
Gonna take a shower, a sad nap, then do some reading
Attachments
So use it as facings if you like the look or a core hollowed out.
In case anyone's interested, an online forum exists for bassists who use tremolos.
Bass Tremolo Fanatics
Bass Tremolo Fanatics
I have no desire to own or play a bass with a trem, but it brings me great joy to know they exist.
My last oak guitars - flamed oak with contrasting grain fill; they are heavily chambered to keep them light - I would have done the same thing with solid maple. Driftwood tops and control covers.
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Take two pieces with equal bend and glue them face to face. The bend of each piece will counteract the other. Put some contrasting wood in between and you've got a neck blank.
I built a P-Shaped Object out of Alaskan Paper Birch during the Virus-which-shall-not-be-named Buildoff. It’s not a lightweight, but neither is it a boat anchor coming in at just under 10 lbs with standard weigh tuners and a Fender-style bent bridge. I did thin the body down to nominal 1 1/2” before sanding, but if that’s the wood you’ve got, I’d say go for it!
Best regards,
John
Affirmative, but not my tree/decision. I'll use this as "leverage" to do it "now", but also want to see it done "right"....
Thanks,
Looks good and yeah, side dot, no line on front.
Maybe one of these small side line markers that show a little on the front.
Or at every fret. I always liked these.
Maybe one of these small side line markers that show a little on the front.
Or at every fret. I always liked these.
I like the pickguard, it fits in very well. You have an eye for this.
And yes, totally Thunderbirdy.
