Winter Build Off 2025 - Gemini: Twins & Pairs

[Beej]

Greetings!

For this year’s winter build off, our theme is “Gemini: Twins & Pairs”. The theme serves as a guide and parameter for the build-off. So for this WBO, give us two of something. Two basses, two instruments, two knobs, two pickups, two necks one body, two bodies one neck; something involving two.

To enter the build off, start a new thread using "Winter Build Off 2025" as part of your title, and start building. In your initial post, provide a picture of your pile of lumber and/or parts with the saying "Two makes it better." somewhere in the pic.

RULES:
1. Entrants must post a build thread with “Winter Build Off 2025” in the title.
2. Entrants can enter anytime before the build off end date (in other words, late entries are permitted).
3. Multiple entries in the same or different categories are permitted and encouraged.
4. Each build thread must have a "pile of wood/parts" pic. The pic must include the written phrase "Two makes it better."
5. To be eligible for voting, before the deadline, you must:

i) create a submission post describing your instrument with pictures​

ii) your instrument must be giggity. Meaning you could play it at a gig​

6. Entrants must declare which Build Category they are entering:

Scratch Builds must be built from scratch from dimensioned lumber.

a) Dimensioned lumber includes: Billets, 1-pce neck blanks, matched tops, stringers, thin laminates, veneers, fingerboards, pre-slotted/radiused fretboards, etc.​

b) Scratch builds must not have any components glued up or cut out prior to the start. Built components must have their build process pictorially included in the entry thread.​

c) Minimum diameter for lowest pitch string is 0.083".​

Partial Builds must identify all components used and explain what is built and what is bought.

a) All built parts must have their build process pictorially included in the entry thread.​

b) Minimum diameter for lowest pitch string is 0.083".​

Assembly Builds must identify all components used.

a) All modified parts used must have their modification process pictorially included in the entry thread.​

b) Minimum diameter for lowest pitch string is 0.083".​

Non-Bass Builds include musical instrument builds that would be excluded from the bass Build Off categories.

a) Examples include: guitar, shamisen, lute, mandolin, other non-bass instrument builds, or bass-related builds that do not have minimum 0.083” fat strings, etc.​

b) Instruments may be stringed or use other means to generate sound but must be capable of generating sounds.​

Please put a post in this thread declaring your entry. Include a link to your build thread so we have a central reference point for all of those that wish to participate.

The build off starts Saturday, December 21, 2024 0900 PST (UTC -8) This post right now marks the start of the build off.

The build off ends 1600h PST (UTC -8) Thursday, March 20, 2025. Voting will open right after the build off ends.

Reference wikis are here (suggestions are welcome, PM me):

Build Off Rules, Guidelines and Reference Information: https://www.talkbass.com/wiki/build-off-rules-guidelines-reference-info/​

Past Build Off Threads: https://www.talkbass.com/wiki/build-off-threads/​

Any questions can be posted here or PM me.

Happy Building!


List of Builders:
1. @mapleglo P https://www.talkbass.com/threads/winter-build-off-2025-tele.1664729/
2. @Jon Clegg P https://www.talkbass.com/threads/winter-build-off-2025-doubling-down-on-the-devil.1664747/
3. @Alex Xander S https://www.talkbass.com/threads/winter-build-off-2025-project-pp.1664764/
4. @JFlo A https://www.talkbass.com/threads/wbo-2025-meteora-texas-tea-double-p90s.1664795/
5. @smart51 S https://www.talkbass.com/threads/wbo-2025-travel-broadens-the-mind.1664821/
6. @Evan38109 P https://www.talkbass.com/threads/winter-build-off-2025-sapele-split-part-deux.1664794/
7. @Alex Xander S https://www.talkbass.com/threads/winter-build-off-2025-39er-for-dicksbass-com.1664836/
8. @Gary_M N https://www.talkbass.com/threads/winter-build-off-2025-double-bucker-tele.1665104/
9. @joover P https://www.talkbass.com/threads/winter-build-off-2025-xena-twins.1665107/
10. @rojo412 S https://www.talkbass.com/threads/winter-build-off-2025-cleo-fenderson.1665590/
11. @Gervais Cote A https://www.talkbass.com/threads/wi...recision-bass-johnnie-walker-edition.1665625/
12. @Boogiedude69 S https://www.talkbass.com/threads/winter-build-off-2025-adam.1665878/
13. @AbnormalForms S https://www.talkbass.com/threads/winter-build-off-2025-the-hourglass-twins-project.1666330/
14. @James Carter S https://www.talkbass.com/threads/winter-build-off-2025-the-twin-that-frets-too-much.1668096/

S=scratch build
P=partial build
A=assembly build
N=non-bass build

 

[mapleglo]

I'm in. https://www.talkbass.com/threads/winter-build-off-2025-tele.1664729/

 

[Jon Clegg]

I'm in two. https://www.talkbass.com/threads/winter-build-off-2025-doubling-down-on-the-devil.1664747/

 

[Beej]

First post updated!

 

[Reedt2000]

Here's a case where the "similar threads" feature of the new TB is gonna be cool. Should list the other threads with winter Build Off in the title!

 

[ddm0502]

I probably won't enter this one but am excited to see what everyone else does. I have a few non-lutherie projects to do before I work on anything lutherie.

If I end up entering late, I was considering rebuilding my first scratch build since my skills have improved and I never play it anymore; reusing the hardware and pickups and rebuilding the wood work. I would call it Two Basses One Parts, but that might not be appropriate.

 

[Gervais Cote]

………..still waiting for my pile of wood to come in to start my thread with the first picture…………..

Bartender Precision Bass Johnie Walker edition to start soon !

 

[Jon Clegg]

Think you need to add one: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/winter-build-off-2025-project-pp.1664764/

 

[JFlo]

Here's my assembly build:
Thread 'WBO 2025: Meteora Texas Tea Double P90s' https://www.talkbass.com/threads/wbo-2025-meteora-texas-tea-double-p90s.1664795/

 

[smart51]

OK, I'm in. https://www.talkbass.com/threads/wbo-2025-travel-broadens-the-mind.1664821/

 

[trevorpell0]

What do you all do with all of the basses you build?

I've been at it for a couple of years, and I've made 13 of them. Limited space at my house (or the prospect of moving if my landlord doesn't renew my lease) is prohibitive to building more.

 

[Beej]

I tend to keep the prototypes and sell others locally after spending a silly amount of time trying to perfect them before they go.

 

[Why Nautilus‽]

Two others for the first post.

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/winter-build-off-2025-sapele-split-part-deux.1664794/

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/winter-build-off-2025-39er-for-dicksbass-com.1664836/

 

[2groggy]

What do you all do with all of the basses you build?
...

I rip apart and rebuild the less impressive ones. Some of them are given as gifts or semi-permanent loans in exchange for constructive criticism on how to make future improvements.

 

[Gervais Cote]

(I better sharpen my wood chisels, this competition will be high level…………)

 

[Gary_M]

OK, I'm in with a non-bass build.

Winter Build Off 2025 - Double Bucker Tele​

 

[Dark Horse]

I’ve gathered parts for my next build …. Not really a “twins or pairs” thing though. But it will be using a custom Gemini pickup, and have a volume and tone knob …. So it sorta counts

 

[rojo412]

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/winter-build-off-2025-cleo-fenderson.1665590/
Count me in!

 

[Gervais Cote]

Here’s mine, assembly category :

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/wi...recision-bass-johnnie-walker-edition.1665625/

 

[Boogiedude69]

I'm in if you'll have me
Scratch build
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/my-new-bass-build.1665754/