That sounds like a very painful - and very permanent - form of birth control. 😱 😱
-Gnobuddy
Sorry fellas, have been a bit poor in finding time to work on this. Taken a night off tonight
Jasse, lol things we do! Clamping the drill and moving the piece sounds workable. Bunch of cards to slowly place under the work piece to raise it will should allow layered cutting too
Jasse, lol things we do! Clamping the drill and moving the piece sounds workable. Bunch of cards to slowly place under the work piece to raise it will should allow layered cutting too
Some update pics
Used this pic of a 30" scale neck to find dimensions as well as web search
Max instrument size
Took a piece of corrugated plastic board to work and attacked it with a blade to find what sits comfy. This is the available room. The neck is drawn full 30" scale as above pic
The template is 31" end to end. Nut to saddle will be about 30", the set of lines at an angle represents the saddle and the tapered side of the strings will drop off the saddle into ferrules into the body top, pegs will be behind
Ball ends to lock behind the nut
The wiggly lines are covering up the outline of a through neck. At the moment plan is to make a through neck and use wings instead of full body. Body shape is just whats available in space. I am building a sleek look in my mind that brushes on classical acoustic themes. Shouldn't look like a toy or mini-me instead inspire respect and care
The only important bit on the body shape is the cutout under the knobs. This sits well over the right thigh
The righty in the pic is my $50 gumtree find. I have to get it re-stringed for lefty. Will leave that job for a pro tuner guy when I have some spare funds
DSC04306 by Jonny TooBad, on Flickr
Pics of the $12.00 plank from Bunnings. Its the best bit of timber I could find on my budget. I am not familiar with Australian timbers but its supposed to be spotted gum which according to web search is an ok hardwood. It seemed stiffest of the planks there but also the heaviest. The chap in the Rockdale store was amazingly helpful. He caught my enthusiasm and went through the planks looking for the best bits. This one has that gorgeous tigers that I think I can place just right on the instrument
DSC04307 by Jonny TooBad, on Flickr
DSC04312 by Jonny TooBad, on Flickr
DSC04317 by Jonny TooBad, on Flickr
DSC04318 by Jonny TooBad, on Flickr
First thing on my shopping list are some short scale strings. Thinking of getting a five string set so I can experiment with discarding the thinnest. Gleaning from my readings and questions, this could potentially help with running sub short scale
I need help with the fret board. I drew that one to scale using an online fret calculator. The drawing is 60mm neck base at fret end and 42 mm at nut. Length of fretboard is 20.4"
I need to buy or make one in that size but with silver fret wires. How many mm thick should the board be? I must have missed this info in my searchers
Used this pic of a 30" scale neck to find dimensions as well as web search
Max instrument size
Took a piece of corrugated plastic board to work and attacked it with a blade to find what sits comfy. This is the available room. The neck is drawn full 30" scale as above pic
The template is 31" end to end. Nut to saddle will be about 30", the set of lines at an angle represents the saddle and the tapered side of the strings will drop off the saddle into ferrules into the body top, pegs will be behind
Ball ends to lock behind the nut
The wiggly lines are covering up the outline of a through neck. At the moment plan is to make a through neck and use wings instead of full body. Body shape is just whats available in space. I am building a sleek look in my mind that brushes on classical acoustic themes. Shouldn't look like a toy or mini-me instead inspire respect and care
The only important bit on the body shape is the cutout under the knobs. This sits well over the right thigh
The righty in the pic is my $50 gumtree find. I have to get it re-stringed for lefty. Will leave that job for a pro tuner guy when I have some spare funds
DSC04306 by Jonny TooBad, on FlickrPics of the $12.00 plank from Bunnings. Its the best bit of timber I could find on my budget. I am not familiar with Australian timbers but its supposed to be spotted gum which according to web search is an ok hardwood. It seemed stiffest of the planks there but also the heaviest. The chap in the Rockdale store was amazingly helpful. He caught my enthusiasm and went through the planks looking for the best bits. This one has that gorgeous tigers that I think I can place just right on the instrument
DSC04307 by Jonny TooBad, on FlickrDSC04312 by Jonny TooBad, on FlickrDSC04317 by Jonny TooBad, on FlickrDSC04318 by Jonny TooBad, on FlickrFirst thing on my shopping list are some short scale strings. Thinking of getting a five string set so I can experiment with discarding the thinnest. Gleaning from my readings and questions, this could potentially help with running sub short scale
I need help with the fret board. I drew that one to scale using an online fret calculator. The drawing is 60mm neck base at fret end and 42 mm at nut. Length of fretboard is 20.4"
I need to buy or make one in that size but with silver fret wires. How many mm thick should the board be? I must have missed this info in my searchers
I know some Australian woods are toxic to work with, and others cause allergic reactions in some people. So I did a little Googling about Australian Spotted Gum, and here is one of the things I found:
Elsewhere, I found this additional information:
When you start woodworking with your lovely Spotted Gum piece, it might be wise to be on the alert for any signs of skin irritation or other allergic reactions, just in case you're one of the unfortunates who are adversely affected by the stuff.
-Gnobuddy
Elsewhere, I found this additional information:
So, it would seem some people are just fine, others experience temporary skin irritation, and some "will react severely when exposed even to a small amount" of wood dust. And Spotted Gum is one of the known culprits.
When you start woodworking with your lovely Spotted Gum piece, it might be wise to be on the alert for any signs of skin irritation or other allergic reactions, just in case you're one of the unfortunates who are adversely affected by the stuff.
-Gnobuddy
Mate do you realise that just about everything here is out to kill and maim you. Even timber! Well the spotted gum will just have to get in line with the spiders and lantanas and such 😛
Seriously though, it is a cause for concern but I am fairly well equipped for working with such
So you're hiring a "pro" to do something simple like converting from righty to lefty . . . but you're building a short practice bass from scratch - using wood that often causes allergic reactions and hardware that's designed for hoisting sails on sailboats - rather than just buying a cheap U-Bass? 😕
The wood IS pretty. Perhaps using some clearcoat / sealant from the marine supply store will solve the toxicity issue. 😉
Indeed 😉
Craft work is something I can attempt with confidence. Please have a gander at the example of some previous work above in the thread
I reckon an enthusiastic pro with an open mind can give it a fair go setting up and tuning it to basic playable level. If, I can give him straight and true piece wearing a mix of familiar and intuitively logical customisation
No harm in trying is there? There are worse dusts then wood in other crafts. Surely after that boat and those rods in pics earlier, I would be someways used to managing hazards. This cabbie is only aspiring to merge fantasies of learning playing with the DIY itch kicking in. Seriously, worst case, a well tuned reference unit can only help in my diy experiments towards giving a pro something that can be made playable
Learning to be able to tune on my own will be part of the usual learning to play journey
Jonny, You should get this and be done with it... Hadean Bass Uke UKBE-20 SB Left - RondoMusic.com
😀
😀
I know mate, so many keep telling me. I worship that $50 guitar, if I can make something for a little more that I can use the idle time to learn on then be awesome
Have a look at my white template. That's all the available comfy space. Hadean will be a very tight fit and I would have to be in uncomfy posture to use it. The camary seats are bloody narrow I am 5'8" but squat in appearance. I need a cutout where it will sit on the leg, that hadean will have the peak of the hump on my thigh. Same with the upper edge. I am a bit on the overweight side so the upper hump will be digging too
I do hope all the negative vibes are well intentioned though. Please give credit for reasons for opening this topic on a DIY forum
Have a look at my white template. That's all the available comfy space. Hadean will be a very tight fit and I would have to be in uncomfy posture to use it. The camary seats are bloody narrow I am 5'8" but squat in appearance. I need a cutout where it will sit on the leg, that hadean will have the peak of the hump on my thigh. Same with the upper edge. I am a bit on the overweight side so the upper hump will be digging too
I do hope all the negative vibes are well intentioned though. Please give credit for reasons for opening this topic on a DIY forum
Your craftsmanship is not in question . . . so why spend (probably) $50 or more in labor to make a $50 bass playable when you can, undoubtedly, do it yourself? All you need to do is to change the nut and get some new strings. The nut looks like the type that is mounted in a slot. If so it is probably just pressed in and just needs to be tapped out. You can then either replace it with a new nut or, perhaps, just rotate it 180 degrees to accommodate the new string arrangement. If it's not in a slot, they are usually held on with a drop of glue but a little tapping will break it free. You will need new strings because the E will not be long enough to reach the far tuner since it was cut for this bass. Check to see if the new strings will be long enough, you might need extra long ones (?).
Tuning? Get a cheap electronic tuner that clips onto the headstock.
Here are some videos which describe the procedure to change strings and "set up" a bass. There are probably nut replacement videos on YouTube also.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8uBYIwMevA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te44eWXd9pc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2DlwxSIPA0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI9Y9MsmnEc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC30nJgIAJM
You've fantasized about playing bass so you picked up a cheap bass and, understandably, haven't played it much since it's a right-handed instrument and you're a lefty. Since it will only require minimal work, I'd really suggest that you start by spending time playing the bass you already have.
Please don't take the suggestions to just buy an inexpensive U-Bass like the Hadean as "negative vibes". We're just trying to help you solve your problem and it will definitely save you a lot of time and money, too.
Maybe you didn't notice, but the Hadean linked above is 1" shorter than your template, so length shouldn't be an issue and you won't have to worry about having a tuning mechanism that sticks out of the back. I can't imagine that would be comfortable or easy to tune. And if you think the body shape of the Hadean might be a problem I'd suggest buying one and then either reshaping the body or making a new body and transferring the neck and other parts and electronics into the new body. There's a guy on Talkbass with the moniker kohanmike who has done just that. He has a few custom body U-Basses. I don't recall if he did the work himself or if he had the new bodies made for him but he has reworked a few U-Basses that way. Go over there and check it out. I'm quite sure he would be willing to share his experiences with you since he's obviously very into U-Basses and seems like a friendly guy. That really is the way to go if you insist on practicing in your cab.
Building an oddball, experimental design of an instrument that you don't know how to play - or even how to tune - seems like . . . well, the expression "putting the cart before the horse" comes to mind. Concentrate on learning to play first. If you want to re-invent the wheel, you will likely come up with a better design after you've gained some experience as a player. I imagine that you had plenty of experience with fishing poles before you decided to build your own. Or did you build the poles first and then go fishing for the first time???
Soon, a new predator will be discovered Down Under, the Short Necked Killer Bass.
(ducks and runs for cover)
I do realise that and been very appreciative of that. Thing is that when I raised the issue of a smaller instrument for practice, I was directed towards the ubass. I fitted thick nylon to my daughters Kmart $15 uke and it sounded ok. @ 28" total length it was tough going on the tiny fretboard. Only way I can see around it to try to fit a regular short scale neck into the cockpit by minimising head and body. I did mention this after my test run with the uke
I can't even think about buying even a cheap ubass clone for a while yet but until I can it's fun tinkering and who knows I might even nail it. It took me 11 years of saving, buying and building my music playback system to the level where I sit back with my favourite track from any genre with pure joy at the musical and effortlessness at any level I want in my large lounge listening room. I wish I got more time to use it! This project is quite stimulating and educational experience so far
I built better rods with increased experience but I caught a lot of fish with the first one I built. This was without much experience at fishing. I just followed the basics and it was far better then the toylike once that cost similar money. I was 14 then
"Life sucks and then you die". So I suppose one might as well tilt at a few windmills along the way, if that seems like fun. 😀
I've played guitar for a long time, but have also been dabbling with an electric bass lately. I think it is an instrument that is under-appreciated by just about everyone except other bass players; it contributes so much to the emotional impact of a piece of music, but most people never notice it with their conscious minds at all. They just hear the singer, and maybe the guitar solo, if there is one (guitars and guitar solos are both pretty much gone from most contemporary music).
At my regular weekly jams, there are a few people who have been playing guitar for 25 years or more - and have still never progressed beyond stumbling their erratic way through strumming three-chord songs in the keys of E, A, and D. If I add the simplest of bass support to their playing, the audible impact is dramatic.
It amazes me to hear this in action - how a simple "root note, fifth note" bass part can fatten and fill out the sound of an amateurishly-played acoustic guitar, pull the players erratic rhythm into time, and make the player feel much happier with his/her sound.
So I understand Jonny TooBad's passion for the bass. I hope he never loses it, no matter how many different directions he goes in at the same time. 😀
Jonny, you realize you now have to build your own custom bass amp, one that will fit into the taxicab, and give an audible voice to your short-scale headless bass guitar. 😀😀
-Gnobuddy
I've played guitar for a long time, but have also been dabbling with an electric bass lately. I think it is an instrument that is under-appreciated by just about everyone except other bass players; it contributes so much to the emotional impact of a piece of music, but most people never notice it with their conscious minds at all. They just hear the singer, and maybe the guitar solo, if there is one (guitars and guitar solos are both pretty much gone from most contemporary music).
At my regular weekly jams, there are a few people who have been playing guitar for 25 years or more - and have still never progressed beyond stumbling their erratic way through strumming three-chord songs in the keys of E, A, and D. If I add the simplest of bass support to their playing, the audible impact is dramatic.
It amazes me to hear this in action - how a simple "root note, fifth note" bass part can fatten and fill out the sound of an amateurishly-played acoustic guitar, pull the players erratic rhythm into time, and make the player feel much happier with his/her sound.
So I understand Jonny TooBad's passion for the bass. I hope he never loses it, no matter how many different directions he goes in at the same time. 😀
Jonny, you realize you now have to build your own custom bass amp, one that will fit into the taxicab, and give an audible voice to your short-scale headless bass guitar. 😀😀
-Gnobuddy
Indeed, swimming, dancing and such seemed like a lot of fun but 7yrs ago at close to 130kg I was too self conscious and embarrassed to till those wind mills. At that time a beautiful soul helped me realise, who gives a f@#%. If it seems like fun then just give it ago and have a wicked out time doing it! Now I am 81kg and still dropping!! We should never shy away from doing something new and positive
That's true, I have observed the same. I went to see a (then and there) local band live in 1989 and was hooked to melodic basslines (not doof doof or daga daga daga). Since then I have been constantly upgrading my music playback systems starting from a variety store 'walkman' in search of effortless musical bass. Crazy thing is that band has once again become local, founding members have managed to find themselves in Australia over the years. They are just a lil garage type outfit that does charity shows and things. I think I am ready to start learning to create the type of sounds I have always enjoyed listening to
My whole life revolves around listening to music with melodic basslines. The amp will be the easy part. I have built a lot of PA systems, some huge ones as well as low frequency loudspeaker systems for cars, hi-fi and PA, mostly high end gear. I am scouting amp modules and Pascal, Virture and Hypex already. There are plans for a taxi bass combo/subwoofer already in my mind. Just need to get back in the green financially. It will be something easily taken in an out everyday and I have sorted out the preamp end already, just need to buy the various bits. I am aiming for effortless volume and clarity when in sub mode and color added in amp mode. She will be called 'the pup', lol I like naming things too 🙂 Who knows, one day I might be able to build and sell a few again and get out of this taxi rut. This bass is strictly one off though and just for personal use and achievement
Boats "suenos mojados" and the shorty bass will be "la morena" 🙂
I appreciate the support guys, all of you. Sorry no more updates on the project this week but will be making template mkII in the next couple of days time permitting
For power modules, check out aliexpress.
I have bought a couple and the sound great.
I have a pair of Hypex modules here at home, but I have not finished building those monoblocks. They will feed some really nice hi-end speakers.
I doubt you can justify the price of the Hypex modules for car use.
I have bought a couple and the sound great.
I have a pair of Hypex modules here at home, but I have not finished building those monoblocks. They will feed some really nice hi-end speakers.
I doubt you can justify the price of the Hypex modules for car use.
Jasse, I am a staunch believer in striving for max headroom and quality. Quite happy to take my time to get the right bits. Just pulling some numbers from air, I want 'pup' to provide a 100db of clean effortless presentation of Robbie Shakespeare's wickedest lines in its target environments. If you can get your hands on an untouched wav of "Looking for Action" female solo (cant recall her name but the duet was with Shabba Ranks). Its a long track in typical Sly and Robbie style as well it again in their style combines song lead-in with dub-lead out. I think after 3:48mins try playing it back at a pleasing loud level and see how loud you can go compared to doof doof music. I will be using dedicated DSP engine to flatline the 'clean' subwoofer mode 100-16hz. This will require some serious speaker dynamic motor tech and amplification and be geared for headroom well above 100db. This all will come later when finances allow
For now will be just plugging "la morena" into the aux input of the taxi's head unit via a preamp. That travelers is a pretty tidy unit, hopefully mine will look almost as good and be playable enough to follow lessons
The body shape is now settled, it will follow the curves of a body that I worship. I can see it in my mind already. Didn't spend much time on the ranks Fri night (its 7:30am Sat here right now) so will post pics of template mkII as soon as I get a chance to cut it out in the car. I am not in a huge rush with this project and giving it all effort
Thanks for the encouragement Jasse
For now will be just plugging "la morena" into the aux input of the taxi's head unit via a preamp. That travelers is a pretty tidy unit, hopefully mine will look almost as good and be playable enough to follow lessons
The body shape is now settled, it will follow the curves of a body that I worship. I can see it in my mind already. Didn't spend much time on the ranks Fri night (its 7:30am Sat here right now) so will post pics of template mkII as soon as I get a chance to cut it out in the car. I am not in a huge rush with this project and giving it all effort
Thanks for the encouragement Jasse
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