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The official "Show your basses" thread part 17!
- Thread starter smperry
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Yeah, that's an older pic. Have changed the strings since then. I usually keep the wrap much cleaner... must have been lazy when I put those strings on.
Sorry for the silly "artsy" Instagram pics. Here's two more, to more accurately show off the body shape. I'll take some more photos and post shortly. One artsy Instagram pic, one old pic of a random sound-check, ca. 1999/2000
A few specs:
Built with my grandfather, in his shop, in 1994
Link Removed
Solid flamed maple body wings (which we got for free out of the burn pile at a local hardwood supplier!)
Three piece mahogany through neck.
Rosewood fretboard
Seymour Duncan active pups
Gotoh tuners
34" scale. Honestly can't remember string spacing... fairly narrow at the nut. Adjustable at the bridge.
I used early Tobias (pre Gibson/MTD) basses as my design/idea template. I've been very happy with it, and have hardly used any other bass in the 18 years since I built it. It's seen most of the country via several years of touring, and 100s of shows and plenty of recording.
You can hear it/me on my reverb account playing in a few different styles.
Reverb-Wil Couch
I'm finally in a position where I have the time, $$$, and space to start building again. Already have a few projects started, and will be getting a thread going over in the Luthier forum. Just a hobby for now, but who know...
As requested, more/better photos.
No.01
As you will see, it's far from perfect, and definitely shows its age from time on the road. I've been thinking about taking down the neck a bit (it's pretty burly) and refinishing with oil, as the varnish gets pretty sticky.
No.01
As you will see, it's far from perfect, and definitely shows its age from time on the road. I've been thinking about taking down the neck a bit (it's pretty burly) and refinishing with oil, as the varnish gets pretty sticky.
My second build, an electric upright. Built 1998/99. Also showing it's age a bit...
Zebrawood wings. The lower bouts have additional wings laminated on. The nice thing about Zebrawood is, you can't really tell!
3 piece mahogany through neck with cocobolo accent strips
Cocobolo fingerboard, nut, saddle, string guides and volume control knob.
Flamed maple bridge. Desperately needs a redesign/replacement...
Gotoh tuners
Highlander active coaxial piezo under the saddle pup.
Thomastik silk core 3/4 scale double bass strings w/ low B (needs replacement)
This bass has a great, woody, almost acoustic, tone. I think the cocobolo nut and saddle really help with that. Was a lot of fun to build. Definitely a whole new set of challenges vs. the standard electric. There are a few things I would do differently, given the chance (string anchors and bridge, most notably, prob use something other than mahogany for the neck, as it doesn't go with the zebrawood very well) and will certainly do another at some point.
Zebrawood wings. The lower bouts have additional wings laminated on. The nice thing about Zebrawood is, you can't really tell!
3 piece mahogany through neck with cocobolo accent strips
Cocobolo fingerboard, nut, saddle, string guides and volume control knob.
Flamed maple bridge. Desperately needs a redesign/replacement...
Gotoh tuners
Highlander active coaxial piezo under the saddle pup.
Thomastik silk core 3/4 scale double bass strings w/ low B (needs replacement)
This bass has a great, woody, almost acoustic, tone. I think the cocobolo nut and saddle really help with that. Was a lot of fun to build. Definitely a whole new set of challenges vs. the standard electric. There are a few things I would do differently, given the chance (string anchors and bridge, most notably, prob use something other than mahogany for the neck, as it doesn't go with the zebrawood very well) and will certainly do another at some point.
That's really nice - is it full 3/4 scale? What do you use for an endpin or stand?
Thanks, guys!
Yes, full 3/4 scale. It's basically all "neck" with no true lower bout like an actual double bass would have. I have an endpin hole drilled into the butt end of the bass, which accepts one of two different 3/16" steel endpins. One is +/- 36" long (3" inserted) for playing while standing/on a tall stool, the other is about 15" inches for playing while seated. Not the most elegant solution, but it works.
That reminds me, on the next one, I will change the endpin location, as I have to "route" the A string around the endpin hole. You can see what I mean on the photo of the back of the bass. The A string is not routed straight. Again, it works, but not the way I'd like it.
@wil_couch,
thanks for the pics of this beauty, a real one of a kind (bass nr. 1 1994).
but don't forget: taking off matter will lead to loss of punch and fat necks definitely do support punchy tone, specially since the body of your axe is rather thin and small and taken off is taken off -so don't do it without a real urge!.
i have the same specs on my warwick: light weight small body (cherry) and a sturdy neck, that made me change the approach but rewards with killer tone! ;-)
btw, what's the stringing on the upright, the 5th string seems to be thinner than the 4th?
thanks for the pics of this beauty, a real one of a kind (bass nr. 1 1994).
but don't forget: taking off matter will lead to loss of punch and fat necks definitely do support punchy tone, specially since the body of your axe is rather thin and small and taken off is taken off -so don't do it without a real urge!.
i have the same specs on my warwick: light weight small body (cherry) and a sturdy neck, that made me change the approach but rewards with killer tone! ;-)
btw, what's the stringing on the upright, the 5th string seems to be thinner than the 4th?
@bob,
Agreed. The idea of taking down the neck has weighed heavily on my mind for 15+ years... which leads me to believe I'll never actually do it.
That said, I am seriously considering taking off the finish on the neck, and going with an oil finish instead. I've always like the feel of an oiled neck, and this varnish is not wearing very well. There are very noticeable burnish/sticky marks on all of my anchor points along the neck. I don't really care about the look (adds character, IMO) but I do care that it makes the neck feel slower.
Agreed. The idea of taking down the neck has weighed heavily on my mind for 15+ years... which leads me to believe I'll never actually do it.
That said, I am seriously considering taking off the finish on the neck, and going with an oil finish instead. I've always like the feel of an oiled neck, and this varnish is not wearing very well. There are very noticeable burnish/sticky marks on all of my anchor points along the neck. I don't really care about the look (adds character, IMO) but I do care that it makes the neck feel slower.
The 5th string is B, but it's metal core, vs. the silk cored EADG strings. I don't really care for that B string... too flappy and farty sounding for my taste. I may go with a C string instead on the next set.
Landing bass, built by Jimmy Wilson in Pittsburgh, top piece of tiger maple was providing by friend in Potter County PA
@wil,
ok, certain finishes can be a pita when they're sticky or too thick and sound-killing.
in your case you can feel free to sand down the "original" laquer and replace it by wax or oil... where are the burning spots from, are such a speed player to leave traces on the neck? *LOL*
ok, certain finishes can be a pita when they're sticky or too thick and sound-killing.
in your case you can feel free to sand down the "original" laquer and replace it by wax or oil... where are the burning spots from, are such a speed player to leave traces on the neck? *LOL*
oh, then pass on by at fender's or gibson's, perhaps you get a well payed job in their relic-department... kinda you touch them and they f**k up!
I don't know if I can link these photos or not, so I'm going to give it a try, if not, I will post them elsewhere and repost this. If you can't see the pics from the link, let me know so I can put them somewhere else.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.567235596627777.1073741826.100000240266992&type=3
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.567235596627777.1073741826.100000240266992&type=3
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