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Winter Build Off 2022 - Get Ready
- Thread starter Beej
- Start date
I'm not going to take part to the WBO if guit.. light string piccolo six stringers are not ok, that's not a problem. I can still make a thread of that build? I mean it can't make a man a guitarist if he once, just once builds a guitar, right?
Based on all the responses so far, it looks like we are collectively leaning towards removing this rule. Last thing I want to do is eliminate both an @MPU and @Rôckhewer build, and it sounds like pretty much everyone agrees.
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,024
- 1
- 31,754
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
Rôckhewer
Commercial User
- Feb 28, 2015
- 2,922
- 9,029
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- Owner/Builder- RockHewer Custom Guitars LLC
I'm not trying to be like the "girl who wants to join the Boy Scouts" here (sorry, bad metaphor) ... and sue for acceptance.
I do like the idea of themed build-off's.
And for there to be a theme... criteria (rules
) need to be adhered to. And most of the time those criteria would likely apply to bass. Yeah? Mainly because that's what we here collectively build most.
But the theme on THIS go 'round...
renewal /rebirth ? Cool
An apropos and poignant theme for these times.
Just felt to me like it should be... kinda open. To new possibilities? To change? Whatever.
Just get busy again and build more instruments that make beautiful music.
I'm renewing, re-identifying as a bass/guitar builder.
...."Bi-Luthieral".
I do like the idea of themed build-off's.
And for there to be a theme... criteria (rules
) need to be adhered to. And most of the time those criteria would likely apply to bass. Yeah? Mainly because that's what we here collectively build most.But the theme on THIS go 'round...
renewal /rebirth ? Cool
An apropos and poignant theme for these times.
Just felt to me like it should be... kinda open. To new possibilities? To change? Whatever.
Just get busy again and build more instruments that make beautiful music.
I don't know man... I heard you could catch "it".
I'm renewing, re-identifying as a bass/guitar builder.
...."Bi-Luthieral".
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I like this, may I use it too?...."Bi-Luthieral".
"Hi, I'm Marko, I'm Bi-Luthieral. I just came out of the closet so this is all new and confusing. Please try to understand me."
How about this then; main BO is for basses, Bass VI style and piccolos*, the main instruments a bassist might play. Guitars, Sticks, baritones and others can enter as associates so we can enjoy our friend's work but keep the BO to the 'bass' theme as this is TalkBass after all. Instruments need to be functional and playable on stage, not just an art piece.
* Before anyone complains about this, Stanley Clarke plays piccolos and he's a bassist, so to my mind, that counts.
Edit: when the time limit has passed, two threads are started with polls for all the completed instruments. One for basses and one for associate instruments with the latter getting an 'Atta-boy' Award once the vote is tallied, say 2 weeks later. Oops, I meant 'Atta-person of non specific gender' Award. That way everyone gets to participate and have fun and we all get to see their work and learn from it. The only criteria for the Associate should be that you're a TB member of some standing, not just a blow in who's joined TB just to enter.
@Beej what think ye?
* Before anyone complains about this, Stanley Clarke plays piccolos and he's a bassist, so to my mind, that counts.
Edit: when the time limit has passed, two threads are started with polls for all the completed instruments. One for basses and one for associate instruments with the latter getting an 'Atta-boy' Award once the vote is tallied, say 2 weeks later. Oops, I meant 'Atta-person of non specific gender' Award. That way everyone gets to participate and have fun and we all get to see their work and learn from it. The only criteria for the Associate should be that you're a TB member of some standing, not just a blow in who's joined TB just to enter.
@Beej what think ye?
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"Hi, I'm dwizum and I'm pan-lutheral. Here's a tiny solid body uke I just built, can that be in the contest?" 
You guys sure do write a lot. One or two busy days at work and there's like 6 more pages to catch up on in here!
I'm conflicted about the .084" rule as well. I love bass, I consider it my primary instrument and my favorite thing to build, but by the numbers I own and build far fewer basses than other types of instruments. As you all know I share some of them in threads here from time to time, and I enjoy it when others share non-bass builds they do. To be honest, for the last build off or two, I've struggled a bit trying to come up with a bass design I want to build that matches the rules.
All that said I feel like a "contest" with a theme or intention has to have some type of guideline or structure - or at least, the structure can sometimes add value, so it's very conflicting.
I don't mind at all blowing the rule away. So I don't want this to come off as me disagreeing, if that's the direction this goes. But I have been wondering - do we keep the rules as-is, and instead of removing the .084 rule, do we add another category - "non bass?" Then people can build piccolos, guitars, sitars, whatever they want! And still feel part of the event. And the sense of purity in the bass category remains. If we're going to break out scratch build, partial build, and kit build - having "non bass build" too seems to make sense and it gives everyone a hook into the event.
Any thoughts on that?
You guys sure do write a lot. One or two busy days at work and there's like 6 more pages to catch up on in here!
I'm conflicted about the .084" rule as well. I love bass, I consider it my primary instrument and my favorite thing to build, but by the numbers I own and build far fewer basses than other types of instruments. As you all know I share some of them in threads here from time to time, and I enjoy it when others share non-bass builds they do. To be honest, for the last build off or two, I've struggled a bit trying to come up with a bass design I want to build that matches the rules.
All that said I feel like a "contest" with a theme or intention has to have some type of guideline or structure - or at least, the structure can sometimes add value, so it's very conflicting.
I don't mind at all blowing the rule away. So I don't want this to come off as me disagreeing, if that's the direction this goes. But I have been wondering - do we keep the rules as-is, and instead of removing the .084 rule, do we add another category - "non bass?" Then people can build piccolos, guitars, sitars, whatever they want! And still feel part of the event. And the sense of purity in the bass category remains. If we're going to break out scratch build, partial build, and kit build - having "non bass build" too seems to make sense and it gives everyone a hook into the event.
Any thoughts on that?
Just an observer here, but I don't see any need for a rule about gauge, pitch, or even presence of strings. Build a pipe organ or a keytar if you want.
That's the kinda crazy talk that'll get you shot with a net gun and tranquilizer.
I don't see an issue with piccolo bass but extended range guitars are just that ... guitars. I am finishing up an eight string 27.5" and wouldn't consider entering anything like it in a bass build. Just my opinion.Based on all the responses so far, it looks like we are collectively leaning towards removing this rule. Last thing I want to do is eliminate both an @MPU and @Rôckhewer build, and it sounds like pretty much everyone agrees.
Attachments
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,024
- 1
- 31,754
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
That headstock should be on a bass, for maximum effect when you like, accidentally, hit the guitarist in the head with it.
As has been stated by others, previously in this thread, rules be damned!
However...
As this is an informal "competition" of sorts, some sort of rules may help keep the waters clear.
When it is time for the vote, it may be difficult to choose between an eight sting baritone, a hurdy gurdy and a didgeridoo with an internal drone-string.
However...
As this is an informal "competition" of sorts, some sort of rules may help keep the waters clear.
When it is time for the vote, it may be difficult to choose between an eight sting baritone, a hurdy gurdy and a didgeridoo with an internal drone-string.
