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Would like your opinion on this bass

B

Bigfork

Aug 30, 2009
23
1
Bigfork, MT
#1
I just designed and built my first bass and am inviting commentary/critiques. (why buy one when you can spend 3x and build one?) I'm working on a way to upload some audio, but for now all I can do is tell you there is a very strong, very clear bottom end, strong mids with enough high end to make the attacks sounds crisp and sharp. Nothing muddy about this one, not is it boomy through a 1x15.

So, if you have a second, let me know about your thoughts on the shape, the materials, etc. I'm not a luthier by any means - just have basic woodworking skills and build some doors and tables on weekends. Mostly I'm a hack player, but I only inflict it on myself (no one else has to listen.) I'm working myself up to build another instrument of some kind as I have a lot of African Mahogany (Sapaele), some Padauk and some Bubinga in the shop and want to do something with them.

Anyway, here it is.

Neck: Brazilian Cherry center, flanked by Rock Maple and Wenge

Body: Figured Bubinga

Fingerboard: Ebony with MOP inlay and side dots

Scale" 34", 24 fret

Tuners: Gotoh mini

Pickups: EMG HZ (passive)

Controls: Blend, tone, volume (bottom to top)

Bridge: Hipshot
 

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#13
Bigfork said:
What are you thinking? Right up against the bridge (maybe a sheet of paper's width away) or just a bit closer? Also, forgive my ignorance, is that to change the sounds, or the look?

K
Click to expand...

I'm just saying I would have(If it were mine,I wish,btw!) positioned the neck(front) pickup back towards the bridge a little to allow room for slapping and such.Really,I'm just a big fan of 70's Jazz pickup spacing on just about any bass.Great work,btw.If I had the patience and talent to make a bass,I'd consider doing it for a little cash,too.Great work.Your first build??Wow.
 
#18
That's a really nice looking bass. I'm not normally a "fan" of fancy basses and exotic woods on them, but I really like the bass you built. It's a great blend of "old" and "new". Classic and stylish. Reminds me of an "updated" Moonstone Bass, or something along those lines. GREAT job !
 
#19
Stinsok said:
That looks great. How much time do figure you have in it?
Click to expand...

The materials ran a little under $800

Pickups 178.00
Hipshot A Bridge Brass 99.00
Fret Wire 12.99
Truss Rod 24.99
Output Jack 11.79
Top string ferrules 9.49
Bot string ferrules 5.99
250K Pot - Pan 5.34
250K Pot - Vol 2.73
250K Pot - Tone 2.73
0.050uF Caps 4.38
Gotoh mini tuners 56.95
Ebony slotted fingerboard 47.48
White pearl side dots (3/32") 5.29
White Pearl Dots (1/4") 6.82
Ebony Dome Knob 9.45
Grain Filler, Sanding Sealer, Spray Nitrocellulose 100
Ebony stain 6.25
16" Radius Sanding Block 15.95
Shielding kit 19.99
Wood 150.00

That doens't include some of the router bits I decided to buy rather than borrow. I figure it took me about 80 hours total working time (aout 1/3 of that Sanding and finishing.) Now that I've done it once, I could probably cut that down to 50 hours. If I had templates ahead of time, maybe even 40 hours. It took me all summer to save up for the various pieces which was probably a good thing - otherwise I might have been tempted to hurry and take shortcuts.
 

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