Official Luthiers Forum!

Hey Folks,

I am progressing slowly but steadily with my first guitar (OM). Recently, my 16 yr old Son - who plays bass in a band - was checking out my progress. Anyway, we had an idea to see if we can build a 4 string bass for him together. I have seen some really nice basses showcased on the forum, and was wondering if anybody can give any advice on where to begin? Are there decent plans for a bass? He definately prefers neck thru designs.

Any help/advice is definately appreciated!!

Glenn
New Jersey (Outside Philly)

If you have allot of tools you can make one very easily!
If not try www.carvinguitars.com
they sell lots of parts to make your own,including a through neck!

Mike

_________________
Mike Collins

Told to me by Tom Paxton:
A father was approached by his son, "Dad, I want to learn how to play the bass"
"No way" his dad said "what about those guitar lessons I paid for and that nice guitar I got for you?? you quit after two weeks!!"
"Really Dad!" the son said, "I'm serious this time!!"
So the father relented and when the son returned from the first lesson he showed the dad what he had learned....
"bong.....bong.....bong....." only one note but the dad was satisfied
"Ok that's a start...let's see what you come back with next time!.
Next week the son came home and it was "bong...ding....bong...ding" two notes and the dad was happy.
The next week the son didn't come home at all, the dad waited up till midnight then confronted him at breakfast..."OK, admit it, You quit your bass lessons last night and couldn't face me, right??!"
The son protested and said
"no Dad you've got it all wrong!..................

I had a GIG!!!!"

I still have fond memories of building a guitar with my Dad.
Enjoy your project together!
Best

I had a GIG!!!!"

Very funny.

I have a 5 String bass neck I bought at one of the swap meets.

Turns out I already had one, so I'd let it fly, but it's bolt on.

_________________
http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Well of course, you should get Melvyn Hiscock's book. He builds a neck-through bass in it.

Project Guitar also has several builder reference sites. MIMF has a lot of guys who build electrics.

Hope this helps.

Darrin

Electrics are a LOT more forgiving than acoustics. that adjustable bridge covers a lot of variables y'know?

I've made a neck thru fretless and a bolt on fretted.

If you can build an acoustic then an electric will be a dawdle by comparison.

talkbass is a good forum with a lot of luthiers on there...

here's a thread on another forum with a LOAD of basses made by Skelf in Scotland, well worth a look....

http://jsguitarforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55832

as to tips?

there's the usual measure twice, cut once,

I used a synthetic fretboard (from Kramer) on my fretted bass and it made life very easy as I didn't have to do anywhere near as much thinking. the nut width and profile were all already decided for me, and it was only $10 off ebay. I bought three and I'm going to use another on a fretless someday.....

Oh yeah, if you're going to paint it, don't spend a fortune on scary wood!!

_________________
My soundclick xx luthier blog xx luthier soundclick

Hey,

If you have a bandsaw/ jigsaw, router, sandpaper, and some way to drill holes you'd be set to build a bass...That is how I started - in my closet in my first apartment.

I have patterns that I would be more than happy to send you on the original Fender body styles...but really, it may be easier than you think...

With a neck-thru design, the one caution that I have is that it is a generally a "deconstructive" build process, where you glue stuff up and then carve away what you do not want - that makes it a little less forgiving than constructive build processes where you can complete a step and then add it to the assembly...

It would be great...
Stephen

_________________
www.ziegenfussguitars.com

Here's another vote for getting Melvyn's book. I built my first (a 5-string neck-through) using the book and no other help. I didn't even have a computer then.

Thanks for all the replies! I actually do have the hiscock book - totally forgot i had it as I built a tele style guitar in the 80's ... long time ago . I will read through it tonight.

WRT tools, I am pretty set as I am building my OM, and have most of what I'll need. My primary focus is building acoustic guitars, but definately wanted to start a project to build with my son - and he would prefer a bass

Thanks again!!

Glenn