Winter Build Off 2025 - Get Ready!

[Jon Clegg]

I was thinking/wondering the same thing.

Siamese twin!

 

[Reedt2000]

So how about a "Double Down" theme? Twin builds, double necks, double outputs, dual preamps, the ole' 2 is better than 1 idea?

 

[ctmullins]

So how about a "Double Down" theme? Twin builds, double necks, double outputs, dual preamps, the ole' 2 is better than 1 idea?

As long as we have from solstice to solstice!

 

[DanAdams]

I think one of the themes listed may be based on a thought I had in a different thread.
Second life
If so, it's been titled "Reduce/reuse/repurpose/recycle". which sounds SUPER DWEEBY and unappealing.
Second life sounds cool.
The idea is based on using materials that were previously other objects.
Old house pieces, antique furniture, Pianos, signs, etc... of coarse it wouldn't even need to be wood.
Anyone who thinks that seems too limiting should count how many board feet of straight maple exist in a single old dining room table or bed headboard. and What about doors, floors, beams?
A free junk Piano! So much wood! bonus points if you can reuse the strings????

I just think it would be more interesting and fun having a theme that really encourages out-of-the-box thinking.

 

[Why Nautilus‽]

Gemini/Twin builds sounds cool, would a doubleneck count?

Now this is a cool idea!

 

[Slidlow]

So how about a "Double Down" theme? Twin builds, double necks, double outputs, dual preamps, the ole' 2 is better than 1 idea?

I like this as I have been planning a double neck with two separate preamps and seperate outputs so it would check all the boxes. Also it would be a complex build so I would have to “double down” to get it done.

 

[Alex Xander]

So how about a "Double Down" theme? Twin builds, double necks, double outputs, dual preamps, the ole' 2 is better than 1 idea?

I support this. I much prefer to play fretless live, but my intonation goes out the window on the songs I sing. I keep telling myself that this makes a legitimate need for building a double neck. Fretless when I'm not singing, fretted when I am!

 

[Beej]

So, my informal count of 'interest' posts so far tally up the various themes like this:

Gemini: 6
Classic: 3
Build what I want: 2
Reuse: 1

So how about we pin it down to selecting one of those two. Here's how I would loosely define the top two selections:

Gemini: The twins. Two of something.
Two necks, two pickups, two knobs, two headstocks, two melded design ideas, two bodies for one neck, two necks for one body, etcetera. Wide range of things if we just broaden stuff to make it about two of something.

Reinterpreting a Classic: Your take on a classic design. If you just want to build a Fender clone with a unique colour, then yeah, you suck. You will probably also win. After all, this is TB. If I was to do this, it would be to take an original bass and improve it. This would be way easier to accomplish with a Ric than an Alembic, but improvements could still be made. Or do something wacky, like if Univox made the first rainbow bass. Or Danelectro employed Ron Wickersham and released a longhorn with filter electronics.

Which do you prefer?

Or should we do a Build-Off original experience and have two possible themes that participants can choose from? Or combine?

The purpose of the theme is only to promote creativity, not stifle it. Hence it tends to be broad. If we went without a theme at all, it may become less interesting, I dunno. What say ye folks?

 

[mapleglo]

I'd be happy with either. A two knob bass sounds fine, or Reinterpreting a classic sound good as well. Either will allow me to build the bass I've been planning. For like 2 years now...

 

[Beej]

And hurry up, we have like ten minutes until the start of the build-off. No idea who's fault that is.

 

[Slidlow]

And hurry up, we have like ten minutes until the start of the build-off. No idea who's fault that is.

Gemini… two of something!

 

[Gary_M]

I could get behind reinterpreting a classic. Although I do need to get busy with drawrings.

 

[mapleglo]

Just ordered the rest of the parts I needed, pickups, pickguard, control plate, and I ordered the epoxy a couple of days ago. Now I just have to make sure that wood I've had for like 3 years hasn't been eaten by termites or something.

 

[ctmullins]

This would be way easier to accomplish with a Ric

Already got that covered, thanks to the enablers in the LC and my own fevered imagination.

I really like having a well-defined theme. I think creativity benefits from having boundaries. I'm good with either the Twins theme (I have a few ideas) or the Reinterpreting-A-Classic theme (seems like that's all I've been doing for the last fifteen years anyway....).

 

[ddm0502]

I don't know if I'll participate or wait for spring to start my next build. I like the idea of reinterpreting a classic, but could find a way to make my plans fit either theme.

 

[Gervais Cote]

I will be in the "two of something" cause I will build a p bass with two knobs.

More seriously, I think people here on TB are very talented and have a lot of imagination and creativity so I would combine all categories into a general one that includes everything.

 

[T_Bone_TL]

Most years already have a free-for-all in the form of the SBO (WBO for antipodeans for whom the upcoming WBO is a SBO, per usual.) A theme provides a box to think in, or to think out of. Bring on the two string basses (which you can see many examples of in the weird basses thread if the theme ends up as reinterpreting a classic...)

 

[Jon Clegg]

I could go with either Gemini or Reinterpreting a classic; I have ideas if not drawings for both. My Gemini idea does both

 

[mapleglo]

2 Pickups arrived...

 

[Max Bogosity]

Both of those themes can be interpreted broadly enough to cover just about anything. Four strings is the classic number, and it's also two times two.