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Ken McKay's new double bass finished
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=23007		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Ken McKay [ Wed Jul 08, 2009 9:56 am ]
Post subject:  Ken McKay's new double bass finished
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
Author:  Rick Cowan [ Wed Jul 08, 2009 11:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ken McKay's new double bass finished
Thanks for sharing Ken. An amazing project!
Rick
Author:  David Newton [ Wed Jul 08, 2009 11:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ken McKay's new double bass finished
Yes, wonderful!
Author:  Dave White [ Wed Jul 08, 2009 12:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ken McKay's new double bass finished
Ken,

That's really cool - I'm going to make myself a whole potful of coffee [clap] [clap] [clap]
Author:  jackwilliams [ Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ken McKay's new double bass finished
Great looking bass Ken!
Author:  Ken McKay [ Thu Jul 09, 2009 12:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ken McKay's new double bass finished
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.
Author:  Antonio [ Thu Jul 09, 2009 3:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ken McKay's new double bass finished
Beautiful instrument! [clap]
Thank you for sharing
Author:  Joe Sustaire [ Thu Jul 09, 2009 7:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ken McKay's new double bass finished
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
Author:  Ken McKay [ Thu Jul 09, 2009 4:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ken McKay's new double bass finished
Thanks Antonio and Joe.

I am thinking something small for my next instrument, like a dreadnaught :lol: , but I am driven to do this bass thing, so who knows what will come to mind after This.
Author:  Arnt Rian [ Thu Jul 09, 2009 4:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ken McKay's new double bass finished
Fascinating instrument, thanks for showing it Ken.
Author:  Ken McKay [ Fri Jul 10, 2009 10:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ken McKay's new double bass finished
Thanks Arnt.

Did anyone notice I braced the back like a guitar? [:Y:]
Author:  Joe Sustaire [ Sat Jul 11, 2009 6:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ken McKay's new double bass finished
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
Author:  jordan aceto [ Sat Jul 11, 2009 8:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ken McKay's new double bass finished
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!
Author:  woody b [ Sat Jul 11, 2009 8:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ken McKay's new double bass finished
Looks great Ken. I've built a couple Violins. I can't imagine building a real bass.
Author:  Ken McKay [ Sat Jul 11, 2009 12:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ken McKay's new double bass finished
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:
bliss pizza eek beehive beehive oops_sign wow7-eyes idunno laughing6-hehe gaah pfft Eat Drink duh [:Y:] [xx(] [clap] :D :) [headinwall] ;) :( :o :shock: :? :idea: :?: :!: :roll: :twisted: :evil: :cry: :oops: :P :x :lol: 8-) :arrow: :| :mrgreen: :geek: :ugeek: [uncle]
Author:  Ken McKay [ Sat Jul 11, 2009 1:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ken McKay's new double bass finished
jordan aceto wrote:
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!


Thanks Jordan, The shop rooster was a big help in sanding the finish laughing6-hehe

I don't know what I would do without my japaniese convex plane, it takes 1/8 inch shavings across the grain.
Author:  Ken McKay [ Sat Jul 11, 2009 1:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ken McKay's new double bass finished
woody b wrote:
Looks great Ken. I've built a couple Violins. I can't imagine building a real bass.

Thanks Woody I am building a 5 string violin now.
Author:  Joe Sustaire [ Sat Jul 11, 2009 3:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ken McKay's new double bass finished
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
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