Double Bass Yet Another Building a C-Extension Thread

[Violen]

Building an extension.

Yeah, i know, i need chuck's book. I really cant afford it now and Inter Library loan hasnt procured me one yet.

Would anyone have any other kind of handouts on it? im going to get a capo from bass capos, and we have a milling machine so we can make our own wheels. If anyone built one and documented it with a pic story that would be awesome.

Help a guy out?

 

[Cody Sisk]

I don't think there's a standard text that outlines the process, it's typically done by master luthiers who draw upon their skills and knowledge to build one from scratch. It's a challenging and time-consuming task for even experienced luthiers, hence why it's so expensive.

If you want an extension and are adamant about doing it yourself, a Kansas City Brass Gated Extension would be the way to go. It comes with step-by-step directions on how to install. Go down the street and pick one up..

 

[Violen]

We can build one for less and have as many tools as Anton does. He also dosent actually make the gated C anymore from what i gather.

So instead of diverting my intentions, can someone give me some pointers?

 

[vejesse]

I'll give you a pointer: Perhaps the first step would be to study some extensions that are already installed on basses. Compare various designs, take measurements, and take note of what works and what doesn't. Also, do some work adjusting, repairing and improving other people's extensions. At that point maybe you won't be asking the question "how do I make an extension?"

 

[Anon_Luthier]

First a disclaimer, I dont much care for Mr. Traegers book. Though it is one of the few books out there on the subject making it worth a read. Please take every page with a grain of salt. But $68.07 is too much to money to invest in when starting out on a project that materials will run atleast $200-300 and will more then likely set you back 10-40 or so man hours of tedious labor? That is on top of putting your valuable instrument at risk(drilling a hole in the scroll, new nut, destringing and restringing several times, perhaps a bit of FB dressing). I would suggest you put a bit more into your research then a post on a forum and seeing what sticks.

 

[arnoldschnitzer]

Mark the extended path of the E string on the scroll, then spend some time figuring out how to fit up a piece of scrap softwood in the shape of an extension. Fit it to the the fingerboard end, pegbox cheek and scroll simultaneously, striving to keep the string path in its center. Trim it to about 20-25mm wide and then figure out the top (extension fingerboard) angles so the string sits 4-5 mm above the main fingerboard at the E note. When you can make this work effectively, switch to ebony or the hardwood of your choice and do it again. Then you'll need to intonate it, mount a wheel, make a nut channel and nut, drill a straight hole (to the underside of the appropriate tuner shaft) through the scroll, and figure out a way to attach it. I hope this is helpful.

 

[SAlcott]

Sounds like a piece o'cake.