Winter Build off - Mash Up - Get Ready

[Panada]

I tend to think we all know a bass when we see one.

 

[Jon Clegg]

Is that a minimum or maximum of 30" scale length?

Pretty sure that's a minimum.

This hasn't been set in stone yet, but I was going to try to set a limit on scale length (30 in)

Background: A couple people approached me and asked if they could build a guitar. As this is a Bass Forum, I thought setting the scale length to 30in, or a wing bass would be an easy thing to accommodate and we'd stay true to our low end.

Now this Alto Parlor Japanese Russian mashup comes along (Which I think is a great mashup)

Just trying to figure out how to word the boundaries of the build off so we get people making basses, an not guitars.

Thoughts?

I'd maybe set a limit on the tuning -- i.e. lowest open string note must be below C2 or some such.

 

[Jon Clegg]

I tend to think we all know a bass when we see one.

True, and given the way that the voting works, I'm going to guess that something that something that is not obviously intended as a bass will fare poorly with TB's general audience.

 

[GeraldMcG]

Definitely limit the build-off to basses.
One requirement could be that the build uses bass stings. Nothing less than a 90 or 95 E string.
They are not very common but there are basses out there with scales as short as 22 inches. They can be a lot of fun and sound pretty good too. I know I dig my little Teisco.

 

[ctmullins]

^ Awwww, that’s adorable!

I will have absolutely no problem meeting any of the conditions proposed so far.

 

[Scoops]

Is that a minimum or maximum of 30" scale length?

That would be minimum, with the exception of the wing bass

I'd say lowest string must be tuned E1 or lower.

I like this better because it is simple

I am unfamiliar with the tuning of a wing bass. Does this cover wing bass?

 

[Jon Clegg]

That would be minimum, with the exception of the wing bass



I like this better because it is simple

I am unfamiliar with the tuning of a wing bass. Does this cover wing bass?

Wings use bass strings but are tuned to E2 (12th fret of a conventional bass since they're half the length) then folks run them through an Octave Down box to cover the range. They still fit into the category of "This is intended to be a bass" IMHO.

 

[Jebberz]

I'd like to see a Mashup with the wing and another bass

 

[Scoops]

Wings use bass strings but are tuned to E2 (12th fret of a conventional bass since they're half the length) then folks run them through an Octave Down box to cover the range. They still fit into the category of "This is intended to be a bass" IMHO.

So if someone made a wing bass, if the mashup were to build the octaver into the wing, I could see that

 

[Jon Clegg]

Quit making me think of silly wing bass mash-ups!

 

[Jon Clegg]

So if someone made a wing bass, if the mashup were to build the octaver into the wing, I could see that

I'd go with the string-gauge constraint, personally.

 

[Scoops]

I'd go with the string-gauge constraint, personally.

Yeah, that might even be easier. I have listed as a caveat that the electronic signal path is not part of the mashup, so that could lead to questions and misinterpretation

If we go with say .095" min for lowest string, I think that would work.

 

[Jebberz]

What's the best Wingbass mashup for metal?

 

[mapleglo]

Just ordered a few parts, bridge and truss rod. I think I have a set of tuners somewhere and I'll just grow my own pickups. I spent a fortune on the bridge, so I don't want to spend too much more. I'm still a little undecided on the specific bass I'm going to build, but I'm tending toward that Strat bass. The truss rod I bought is shorter than my usual, for like a 32" scale neck, which I'd like to try.

I have some maple and walnut in stock for the neck blank, I'll go with neck thru regardless of the specific bass I build, and I have these really light weight body wings that Kevin sent me for my prize from last year's contest. Hard to believe I've had body wings sitting around for almost a year. They're either pine or some kind of cedar - not really sure. I also have a set of tops, really nice figured maple, but I think I'll use those for a different build. I've been so busy with my band, that I really haven't had much time for building, though I did manage to squeeze in a few projects.

Anyway, that's where I am.

 

[Jon Clegg]

What's the best Wingbass mashup for metal?

A flying V, obviously.

 

[Reedt2000]

A flying V, obviously.

I don't know, a warlock wing might be pretty sick

 

[Jon Clegg]

I don't know, a warlock wing might be pretty sick

Well, quite a few things from BC Rich would be pretty metallic -- a Mockingbird Wing, even an Eagle Wing. Don't even get me started on Deans.

 

[moonshinegtrs]

I wish the start date would get here... I keep adding "ideas" to my mashup, to the point of I've pretty well changed everything...

It's still the original idea only harder...

Moonshine

 

[GeraldMcG]

I'm starting to think the LG-200 body is too cool to use for an oddball 25.5 scale bass and I have a GFS Buyout 34" neck that is just the ticket. Not sure if the scaled print is exact but it is about the same size as a Tele body I compared it to. This is just a quick test print.

Three maybe four lipstick tubes from the pickup box. Musicman bass bridge. Poplar frame and masonite Danelectro body with white tolex binding. And a few other ideas...
Except for the poplar and masonite everything else will be from parts I have on hand.

 

[HaMMerHeD]

I've been thinking about my 'Stratobacker' concept a bit more, and decided I have no desire to have a bass with that particular pickup configuration.

But then...a Wickenbuck (Rick-ish + Warwick Double-Buck) might be useful.