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Another Archtop Acoustic Bass
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=30647		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Darrel Friesen [ Sun Jan 09, 2011 5:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Another Archtop Acoustic Bass
Here's the second of two but with an oval hole rather than F holes and an attempt at a moonburst. Haan's beautiful bursts were my inspiration but for some reason, this one looks nothing like his, ha! I'm gonna need to spray a few more to get anywhere near. It's for my wife and she likes the burst, so a good place to learn <g>.

Bigleaf Maple back and sides, engleman spruce top, maple and walnut 7 piece neck and walnut binding.

Macassar fretboard and African Blackwood fittings. My wife wanted a D'Aquisto style bridge similar to one I've done on another archtop.

There's a K & K Pure Western Bass pick-up in it. Sounds great to me both acoustically and through my P.A.

I've still got to get at the Meguiars compound left in the pores on the walnut binding using a toothbrush and lighter fluid. If anyone has a better method, I'm all ears as it is tedious.

My wife works at an Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine college and is learning Mandarin, so she wanted the inlays to be Chinese symbols. The headstock one means "Beauty" and the twelfth fret one means "sound".

Thanks for looking.
Attachment:
IMG_1096 front.jpg
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IMG_1098 lookdown front.jpg
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IMG_1100 side.jpg
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IMG_1102 whole back.jpg
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IMG_1105 headstock.jpg
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IMG_1106 bridge.jpg
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IMG_1117 back.jpg
Author:  CharlieT [ Sun Jan 09, 2011 6:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Archtop Acoustic Bass
Oh my! That is a strikingly beautiful guitar! Nice job.
Author:  WudWerkr [ Sun Jan 09, 2011 6:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Archtop Acoustic Bass
Absolutely sweet ! Great work ! [:Y:] [clap] [clap]
Author:  alan stassforth [ Sun Jan 09, 2011 6:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Archtop Acoustic Bass
Really nice Darrel!
Cool bridge,
beautiful piece of work there.
Author:  unkabob [ Sun Jan 09, 2011 11:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Archtop Acoustic Bass
How do you build the tailpiece? I am starting on a double bass soon and the tailpiece is a part that I would rather build than buy on the first try. I may end up with exotic fire wood.

Bob :ugeek:
Author:  Darrel Friesen [ Mon Jan 10, 2011 12:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Archtop Acoustic Bass
Thanks for the kind words guys.

Bob, a double bass is quite different as it uses a tailgut. For this one, I bent and inlaid/epoxied a 1/16" thick piece of brass into the blackwood tailpiece. The rear is drilled and then screwed into the tailblock.
Attachment:
IMG_1091 tailpiece.jpg
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IMG_1090 tailpiece.jpg
Author:  Colin North [ Mon Jan 10, 2011 1:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Archtop Acoustic Bass
Thank's knock-oy, nice one!
Author:  Dave Stewart [ Mon Jan 10, 2011 8:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Archtop Acoustic Bass
Great lookin' bass Darrel! I know what you mean about Haans' moonburst (...it's on my list! <g>)
I too particularly like the bridge. Have you done any side-by-side comparisons vs a thumbwheel version?? I'd be interested in impressions having done both.
Author:  Darrel Friesen [ Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Another Archtop Acoustic Bass
Dave Stewart wrote:
Great lookin' bass Darrel! I know what you mean about Haans' moonburst (...it's on my list! <g>)
I too particularly like the bridge. Have you done any side-by-side comparisons vs a thumbwheel version?? I'd be interested in impressions having done both.


Thanks Colin.

Dave, I've tried a thumbwheel one on my other archtop with the wedge style one and wasn't able to discern any difference in sound. Could be those years with the 24 watt Craig Powerplay 8 track in the confines of my 260Z that did me in though :D They are a little easier to build than the thumbwheel ones and look pretty cool I think. As far as the moonburst, I may have to try the airbrush and/or keep practicing with the mini-jet to develop my chops.
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