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Introduction and motivation:
OK, this project might appear to push the envelope for some folks, especially those without a workshop and some machine tools, but I am putting up this Instructable mainly because it represents the belief that you should never NOT build something just because there's a big risk of failure.
After all, there are centuries of research and best practice, including highly sophisticated designs, world famous builders, critical selections of materials, glues, and finishes that go into building a fine musical instrument, and there are very exclusive guilds that carefully protect these secrets and techniques. So what in the world would any commoner in their right mind be thinking to even imagine that a good sounding, perfectly playable instrument could be designed and built by a rank -- well, lets just leave it at that.
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Signing UpStep 1Design
I am attaching the actual original drawing for this bass. It is a little worse for wear. A classically trained friend with a very lovely traditional bass allowed me to carefully measure all of the critical details of his instrument. Distance from the nut to the bridge, bridge height, string spacing everywhere, fingerboard length and height, distance to and length of the tail piece, and on and on, were all carefully recorded. I figured that whatever I would end up building, it would have to feel normal to an experienced upright bass player.
The most important part of an acoustic instrument is the sound board, such as the top of a guitar. A traditional bass has a top, or sound board, constructed from a large, thick slab of spruce from one of just a few forests on the planet (which of course are running out of trees). The design of the top (and back) of the instrument are carved in such a way that the arch shape, important for strength, is shaped from the thick block of wood and given a somewhat uniform thickness -- a huge challenge but one that carves away most of the original slab. Arch-top guitars, cellos, violins, and some mandolins also are made this way. Nowadays large CNC milling machines are used by some folks to do this critical carving.
This design was based on the idea that a sound board and back could be created from a uniform thickness piece of wood that would simply be bent or curved to provide the necessary strength to support the massive downward pressure of the strings on the bridge, but at the same time have good acoustic qualities. The big job of carving would be eliminated, and much less wood would be needed.
It also seemed like a good idea to make the sound board bigger. After all, this is a bass, and a bigger sound board should help emphasize lower frequencies, right? This is the reason for the "teardrop" shape of this instrument. The music most frequently played at our house is bluegrass, so I wasn't worried about being able to bow the instrument, however it is possible even with the wide body. I do expect comments that in the construction photos it looks like a small boat.
The most important part of an acoustic instrument is the sound board, such as the top of a guitar. A traditional bass has a top, or sound board, constructed from a large, thick slab of spruce from one of just a few forests on the planet (which of course are running out of trees). The design of the top (and back) of the instrument are carved in such a way that the arch shape, important for strength, is shaped from the thick block of wood and given a somewhat uniform thickness -- a huge challenge but one that carves away most of the original slab. Arch-top guitars, cellos, violins, and some mandolins also are made this way. Nowadays large CNC milling machines are used by some folks to do this critical carving.
This design was based on the idea that a sound board and back could be created from a uniform thickness piece of wood that would simply be bent or curved to provide the necessary strength to support the massive downward pressure of the strings on the bridge, but at the same time have good acoustic qualities. The big job of carving would be eliminated, and much less wood would be needed.
It also seemed like a good idea to make the sound board bigger. After all, this is a bass, and a bigger sound board should help emphasize lower frequencies, right? This is the reason for the "teardrop" shape of this instrument. The music most frequently played at our house is bluegrass, so I wasn't worried about being able to bow the instrument, however it is possible even with the wide body. I do expect comments that in the construction photos it looks like a small boat.
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Cool bass btw!
Thanks for the follow up.
Right now, just trying to think out my build, and I would probably use plywood for most of it to cut down on costs. How much did the lacquer run, because I'm thinking about just using a nice wood stain, but the lacquer looks gorgeous. Thank you so so so much for posting this.
I'm taking an independent study class in woods at my school and need to decide on a project. If I'm in that class for an hour for 3 days of the week and an hour and a half for 1 day and the semester is 18 weeks long which equals to 81 total hours. Would that be adequate time to build this?
Your bass is great and a wonderful jump from tradition---looks great.
Trade secrets are trade secrets. Good luck getting any Masters to tell you without being family or colleague. The interwebs are nice yes, but I'm a Master Stone Mason... There no way in hell I'm going to tell my trade secrets, secrets that took me years to get from my Dad, and still others I developed on my own. I'm not diminishing Courtervideo's work. I'm just saying, the trade secrets are out there.
Beautiful singing, too! Who are the singers? I would love to hear more of their music!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIR7dQIpxC4
I LIKE IT :D
I have only heard an octave mandolin and would also love to hear how your bass fiddle sounds.
This type of project is a great example of the full potential of the modern virtual guild. We are no longer limited or isolated, and can access tradition directly through the object itself. Its success is dependent on your craftsmanship and personal dedication. Thank you for sharing.
Congratulations, this is a great great work!
A friend of mine is a luthier and I bought a bass from him. He builds violins and mandolins, not basses; however, we have had many conversations about the complexities and over complexities of making instruments.
I like your idea. I don't see any reason to stick to construction tradition simply for tradition's sake. For a picked bass there is no reason to go with the traditional shape. This construction is simpler and might result in bigger sound. Your approach to the sound peg is interesting, too. That is the nemesis of traditional instruments. Certainly your approach opens creative doors to making such an instrument. Who knows? You might have started a movement?