Official Luthiers Forum!

I love this forum and read often although I have not made a guitar for some time now. This is a Double Bass that I just finished. I have documented the design and making on my website. Have a look if you are interested in this kind of thing, but grab a cup of coffee because I am told it is addictive.http://www.upnorthstrings.com/cornerlessbasspage26

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Ken

Thanks for sharing Ken. An amazing project!
Rick

Yes, wonderful!

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https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008907949110

Ken,

That's really cool - I'm going to make myself a whole potful of coffee

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

Great looking bass Ken!

Thank you for your comments. Rick, David, Dave and Jack.

I might make a guitar now just for a change. I don't do frets well though, so I might need some help.

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Ken

Beautiful instrument!
Thank you for sharing

Wow Ken, what a journey!
That's a fine sounding and looking instrument!
Sure makes a flat-top guitar seem simple. Thanks for documenting this and sharing it with us!

Joe

Thanks Antonio and Joe.

I am thinking something small for my next instrument, like a dreadnaught , but I am driven to do this bass thing, so who knows what will come to mind after This.

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Ken

Fascinating instrument, thanks for showing it Ken.

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Thanks Arnt.

Did anyone notice I braced the back like a guitar?

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Ken

Oh yeah, several builders I've seen use x bracing on the back of their guitars for more stability and to better preserve their back arching. Seems like a great idea on a body of that size.

I didn't notice the dates of your build, how long did it take overall?

Joe

Wooooooooooow, that's like building a house! That is a very beautiful instrument, thanks for such detailed photos of the process, did anyone else do a double take when they got to the picture with the chicken in it? I love seeing all those japanese tools also, where did the planes come from, i like the looks of the convex one. Oh yeah, and all the pictures of nice old and current basses, you really did your homework!

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Jordan Aceto
Ithaca, NY

Looks great Ken. I've built a couple Violins. I can't imagine building a real bass.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

Joe,
"...use x bracing on the back of their guitars for more stability and to better preserve their back arching. " I wish I would have used this wording, it perfectly describes why I did it! Thanks Joe.

I started this bass two years ago...design and homework took a while then built it in spare (hah) time over the two. All in all I worked very fast and efficiently imagining that the old Italians had to do that in order to make a few bucks. But I stood around staring quite a bit also. All in all I would guess I could build another in 4 months of full time.

ps my 10 year old wants to say something:

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Ken

Thanks Jordan, The shop rooster was a big help in sanding the finish

I don't know what I would do without my japaniese convex plane, it takes 1/8 inch shavings across the grain.

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Ken

Thanks Woody I am building a 5 string violin now.

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Ken

Again, that is wonderful documentation of your bass build Ken, I've always been drawn to them, but I've never had the chance to be around one, so it's really cool to see one built from the ground up!

And by the way, I definitely agree with your 10 yr. old!

Joe