Which design to go with?

[frianbisher]

I am entering Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in less than a month and have spent the day making designs for the bass I get to build. At first I was think about just using a jazz bass template, but then I thought that might take some of the fun out of it and there are enough exact clones already.

I would welcome any constructive feedback on my designs.

Design 1 (My favorite at this point). I plan for a 1.5" nut and a jazz style neck. Alder body with maple top or maybe walnut.

Design 2 Sorta looks like a Modulus Vertex and a Big Al had a baby together. Haven't decided any specs yet.

And last, #3. A smaller more compact bass.

Headstocks, wood, hardware, and electronics are all subject to change, nothing is set in stone, except that it has to be solidbody construction with a bolt on neck. Whaddya think?

 

[AltGrendel]

I like #2, kinda looks like a Kubicki.

 

[agreatheight]

#1, but add the lower horn "cut" from #2, and make the top horn a little less angular, and #3's headstock.

 

[jasethebass]

Defo 2. get some burl on it, nice and dark. light coloured headstock to show off the ebony board, will be lovely

 

[AltGrendel]

I thought I remembered seeing something like #3 before:

 

[frianbisher]

#1, but add the lower horn "cut" from #2, and make the top horn a little less angular, and #3's headstock.

Nice ideas I'm going to play around with that and see how it comes out.

 

[frianbisher]

I thought I remembered seeing something like #3 before:

Yes this bass did serve as the inspiration for that design.

 

[Madwatch]

Good luck with school. My friend went there a few years ago. The bass he made was very cool and he had a lot of fun making it. Option 2 for sure!

 

[Catbuster]

I vote #2

 

[frianbisher]

Here is a quick rework of #1. New headstock, added cutout, and minor work on upper horn.

 

[AltGrendel]

Yes this bass did serve as the inspiration for that design.

Hope you don't think I'm busting on you.
It's an excellent design, I should have included that for a vote.

 

[Madwatch]

Still like #2 best

 

[cnltb]

I am entering Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery in less than a month and have spent the day making designs for the bass I get to build. At first I was think about just using a jazz bass template, but then I thought that might take some of the fun out of it and there are enough exact clones already.

I would welcome any constructive feedback on my designs.

Design 1 (My favorite at this point). I plan for a 1.5" nut and a jazz style neck. Alder body with maple top or maybe walnut.

Design 2 Sorta looks like a Modulus Vertex and a Big Al had a baby together. Haven't decided any specs yet.

And last, #3. A smaller more compact bass.

Headstocks, wood, hardware, and electronics are all subject to change, nothing is set in stone, except that it has to be solidbody construction with a bolt on neck. Whaddya think?

How did you do the drawings?

 

[frianbisher]

Hope you don't think I'm busting on you.
It's an excellent design, I should have included that for a vote.

You know the funny thing is making a design is harder than I thought. You sit around trying to come up with ideas and you draw something, then you look at it and say no it looks to much like a fender. It's like that episode of south park where they try to make a plot and cant get anywhere because the simpsons already did it.

Also no offense taken whatsoever.

 

[frianbisher]

How did you do the drawings?

I use autocad 2010 (which is awesome btw). I lay out the basic measurements and then its a lot of trial and error to get the curves right.

Then if I want to add the wood, knobs, bridge etc, I import the autocad file into photoshop and basically follow the rendering tutorial I found in the luthiers corner.

 

[frianbisher]

Heres a quick mock up of design 2 with curly walnut. mmmm Walnut.

 

[()smoke()]

concept 2 has a lot of potential to be a very pretty instrument--the rendered version seems like the headstock could thin up just a hair, but otherwise the only thing I'd like to see is your ideas on really carving the body so the topography of the top really pops as a feature (maybe the 'cutaway' line extends toward the pickups a bit as a ridge like a Roscoe LG--that kind of carving)

keep us posted, I'd like to see your process!

 

[5string5fingers]

number to 2 with number 3 head stock. I feel the original headstock is just too bulbous looking for such a sleek body.

 

[cnltb]

I use autocad 2010 (which is awesome btw). I lay out the basic measurements and then its a lot of trial and error to get the curves right.

Then if I want to add the wood, knobs, bridge etc, I import the autocad file into photoshop and basically follow the rendering tutorial I found in the luthiers corner.

Wow...Hightech!
I still use pen and paper and things take months on end until they're right!

My last bass design was laid out on the floor for almost a year before it was built .
Now i am at the same place again.
The head shape is decided though.

here I like shape #2...but with the parker -like head of#3.
But...is it going to balance well with the tiny lower cut?
I'd move that lower arch8 which will sit on the knee a tad further towards the head, just to avoid it diving.
Exciting process, no?

 

[superdick2112]

Another vote for shape # 2, even though it looks a bit like the Schecter Avenger body shape, which is a knock-off of an old Teisco. I'll take mine in swamp ash with a quilted maple top & gloss amber finish please.