As an aside, I'm thinking I'll most likely use this bass as an electric bass, and just use it acoustically for practice. With the shallower body, I can't imagine that it will sound as good as either of my Ovations.
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Winter Build Off 2023 - Acoustic/Electric Short Scale 5 String
- Thread starter mapleglo
- Start date
No work on this bass today so far. We went to the AZ Renaissance Faire this morning. We saw Men in Kilts:
And I got a new broom for faster travel.
And I got a new broom for faster travel.
Absolutely nothing like wearing a Kilt! If it wasn't so expensive, I'd wear it every day.
I worked a little on the saddle template, and tested it to make sure it will work.
The correct router bit is currently out for delivery - should be here later today.
The correct router bit is currently out for delivery - should be here later today.
Router bit arrived. Or really, it's more a Dremel bit.
First pass for the saddle rout.
Could be deeper. Second pass.
Better. Now to try the bridge. I thought I'd use the existing tail piece, just as a test.
A side view shows the bridge assembly tilted.
I may glue it down, stick a shim in the neck pocket, and try the whole thing this way, or just glue it down and try the short scale strings. I'll sleep on it.
First pass for the saddle rout.
Could be deeper. Second pass.
Better. Now to try the bridge. I thought I'd use the existing tail piece, just as a test.
A side view shows the bridge assembly tilted.
I may glue it down, stick a shim in the neck pocket, and try the whole thing this way, or just glue it down and try the short scale strings. I'll sleep on it.
Looking good! That bridge looks nice. I'll suggest that the best solution to the string load/tilting bridge thing may be to use this bridge, glued down, with the short scale strings. And then add a simple trapeze frame extending to the back end to reinforce the bridge. An aluminum bracket on the back, with two round rods going forward in a V shape, hooking into holes in the bridge. Use threads and nuts on the back ends of the rods, so you can actually tighten them up. The rods will be almost in line with the strings, and take away all the rolling load on the bridge. That may increase the overall acoustic volume, particularly on the low end.
I marked the bridge position for proper intonation.
I'll have to stop by West Marine for some more epoxy resin.
I'll have to stop by West Marine for some more epoxy resin.
That's the magic stuff! I consume about 2 gallons of it per year.
And I got right to work with it. First, I carefully positioned the bridge for optimal intonation and string location using the magic string technique.
Then I mixed up some magic epoxy and epoxied the bridge down, using my motor for extra weight.
That should be cured by tomorrow morning as the temps here have started to be reasonable again.
Today I removed the body from the clamps and cleaned up the excess epoxy.
Then I got to work making a shim.
Too thick, by far.
I made another, which was also too thick, and ended up using a piece of credit card. I still need to file down the nut a bit, and the saddle, but at least I'm in the ball park.
I strung it up with the short scale strings. I'll likely let it sit for a bit to see if the top deforms or the epoxy starts to let go.
Then I got to work making a shim.
Too thick, by far.
I made another, which was also too thick, and ended up using a piece of credit card. I still need to file down the nut a bit, and the saddle, but at least I'm in the ball park.
I strung it up with the short scale strings. I'll likely let it sit for a bit to see if the top deforms or the epoxy starts to let go.
Looks really nice!
Love the idea of a blonde Ovation. How's it sound so far?
Thanks! I'm thinking it will be black. So far, it sounds OK. I'll likely use it as an electric bass if I ever gig with it. Otherwise, I'll probably just use it for practice.
Yes, it looks like you've overbuilt the top somewhat. You've made the top stiffer than it needs to be with thickness and bracing. So, you may not have any trouble at all with the bridge rolling. At the price of somewhat reduced acoustic volume. Is the acoustic volume, so far, okay for solo practicing?
Yes, it is surprisingly loud for the size of the body. The top was made from a 1/8" piece of baltic birch plywood and those standard acoustic guitar top braces, set in the same pattern as my Ovation basses. I also used 3/4" plywood kerfing, which may contribute to the strength.
It doesn't look much different from the picture above, but I completed the round over where the tail used to be, and filled the holes left by the tail mount. I laid on a little epoxy resin, and it cured overnight, and I sanded it smooth this morning. I still need to work on the nut and saddle. Then I can decide if the neck is done, and possibly move on to finishing.
I agree with postalflunkie here. Please reconsider.
