WBO 2022: Löwenbäss

[RichterScale]

I loaded everything on the scale again, to ballpark finished weight, so I can decide on whether or not to mess with chambering before gluing the tops on.
This time, I loaded up everything, including the strings and FB blank.
I left everything in it's package, the neck still isn't carved, headstock not carved and FB blank will lose roughly half or more of it's weight and volume.
FB blank weighs 1.5 lbs.
Everything piled up weighs 8.5 lbs.
I'm confident I'll be under 7 lbs without needing chambering. Not chambering should also help it not be neck heavy.
I'm happy.

 

[RichterScale]

Okay, one more useless pic and then I'm done screwin around, I mean it this time.
I just wanted to see what it looked like next to another bass. Definitely a little on the petite side, but not as small as I expected. And it's comfy on my leg while sitting.
It's bring your FB to work day tomorrow, so I'll chop it off where it meets the pup and then I can trim the fret section to 3" wide..... then I don't have to make a new fret slotting jig. Gonna learn how to carve a neck this weekend.

 

[Beej]

Hoo boy that thing's easy on the eyes.

 

[TerribleTim68]

It's very cool. I like how you've taken the Marleaux shape and really altered it to be unique but familiar.

 

[RichterScale]

It's very cool. I like how you've taken the Marleaux shape and really altered it to be unique but familiar.

Thanks.
Hacking off most of the lower bout was something I was conflicted about and stayed conflicted about, even long after I did it. The aim was to lose a little weight, but mostly to make it sit better/differently when holding it in a classical/between the legs position. The overall look of the Diva is very fluid and I was worried that changing one part of the shape would make the rest of it look odd. I still look at it sometimes and wonder if I should've cut that much off. Once in a while, I catch a glance from a certain angle and think, man, that looks odd. But I like the way you worded it. Made it different, but still familiar. Hopefully, once the board and finish are on and it's all buttoned up, it all blends and doesn't just look like a Diva with the lower bout cut off. The important thing is that it's comfortable, but I still worried about making it look stupid in doing so. And also, defiling the sacred Diva shape that everyone loves. Not being sarcastic. As stupid and irrelevant as those thoughts are and as much as I dismissed them, I still had them.

 

[Level5wizard]

I think it looks great. could you temporarily put the fretboard on the neck? might help tie in the look visually.

 

[Katoosie]

So, how close is too close to a Diva?

 

[RichterScale]

I think it looks great. could you temporarily put the fretboard on the neck? might help tie in the look visually.

I took this last week, when I was playing with knobs. I still have to cut the board down, which I'm doing today. It might take a lot of pausing, measuring, thinking, hand wringing, head scratching and time, because I have one shot at it. But I should have something by tonight to put on there and get a better pic than this one.

 

[TerribleTim68]

So, how close is too close to a Diva?

I think that depends on what your end goal is. If you're planning on selling it, my opinion is that his design is enough of a change that it's okay. My design is...not. But ... if ... like me, you don't ever plan to sell it and your end goal was to literally build a cheaper exact copy of a Diva (or as close as you can make it with your limited skillz) because you can't afford the real deal, then that's fine too.

 

[RichterScale]

Hadn't thought about it just like that. Interesting.
Now that I'm thinking about it,....I think my answer is that I copied too much of the shape to feel right about calling it "mine" and selling it.
I did what Tim did: I love the Diva shape and doubt I will ever pay $6k+ for a bass.
So, I copied it and made changes like the lower bout and adding frets, to make it a more personalized fit for me.
This build is definitely a one-off, stay at home player.

 

[TerribleTim68]

I feel like your "hips" are a lot more flared too. The Diva is very rounded there -

It's a subtle, but important change.

 

[RichterScale]

I feel like your "hips" are a lot more flared too. The Diva is very rounded there

Ha, I look at those all the time. I'm still debating whether to round them off slightly. They kinda match how the horns are rounded and then end at a point, but I feel like the "hips" are just a tich too pointy.
I think I should round them off with a white pencil and stare at it. Once I round them out, that's it.

 

[Level5wizard]

I can't afford a WAL. But my building skills aren't that good to replicate one. yet

 

[RichterScale]

So, how close is too close to a Diva?

people generally stay a min of 3-4' away from me.

 

[Max Bogosity]

people generally stay a min of 3-4' away from me.

Personal space is funny. I'm a hick from the sticks - we stand about this far apart.


But I have a friend and colleague from a foreign land where the default conversation distance seems to be about a foot and a half. When we talk we're both trying to get to the 'right' distance and we end up in a slow motion chase around the room.

 

[daveman50]

I like the hips. It makes the design particularly interesting...imo.

 

[dwizum]

Yeah, the hips are important.

 

[RichterScale]

I decided to get the control cavity finished up. Now there's nothing to waste time thinking about. It's done.
Now when the bass is done, I just mount it all and solder it. Plus, it was easier to do it all with the top off.
I made a 9v connector because the spring tab idea didn't pan out. I used the top and bottom of an old 9v battery. It's harder plastic, so it should hold up better than the cheap ones with the vinyl sleeve.
I know how to party on a Fri night.
I'm out of things to fiddle with, so tomorrow it's finally time to put on my big boy pants and start the neck carve.

 

[Flamingo21]

Man, that thing looks beautiful! Please don't change anything.

 

[Camaro69]

I like hips