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Tim Olsen Acoustic Bass
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Author:  Pat Hawley [ Wed Nov 27, 2013 4:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Tim Olsen Acoustic Bass
I just finished up a five string fretless acoustic bass based on the plans by Tim Olsen as published as GAL Plans #13. Thought some of you might be interested in the results.

The top is sitka spruce, back/sides - not sure, they came from boards used to make brick and board shelves in my basement, the trims are macassar ebony. Finish is polyester.

What attracted me to this particular plan was Tim's approach to having a large body but also making it playable as possible by going with a 32" scale and only 12 frets to the body combined with a deep cutaway. My contribution was the arm rest.

First a picture that includes yours truly just to show you the size of the guitar:

Image

Now some of the finished product:

Image

Image

Image

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It sounds pretty good. I'm pleased with the volume it puts out and I think it should be able to hold its own in an acoustic setting although I will be installing a pick-up.

Thanks for looking,
Pat
Author:  SteveSmith [ Wed Nov 27, 2013 4:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tim Olsen Acoustic Bass
Pat, that's gorgeous! I really like the execution of the armrest - very clean.

That guitar is also big wow7-eyes

The back and sides sure look a lot like mahogany to me.
Author:  dzsmith [ Wed Nov 27, 2013 4:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tim Olsen Acoustic Bass
Wow Pat! That is really awesome!
Man, it's a whopper!
Good luck finding a case to fit it.
Dan
Author:  Shaw [ Wed Nov 27, 2013 5:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tim Olsen Acoustic Bass
Nice job. I think I remember Tims bass in an article in the GAL journal years ago. I think he and two other each built a bass at the same time. I do recall his being quite huge compared to the others...Mike
Author:  Rob Flindall [ Wed Nov 27, 2013 7:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tim Olsen Acoustic Bass
Great work Pat! Love the arm rest too - I really need to figure out how to add that detail to a guitar.
Author:  meddlingfool [ Wed Nov 27, 2013 7:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tim Olsen Acoustic Bass
How does it sound? Looks badass....
Author:  Chris Ensor [ Wed Nov 27, 2013 9:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tim Olsen Acoustic Bass
That thing is HUGE! What does the LB measure in at?
Author:  George L [ Wed Nov 27, 2013 10:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tim Olsen Acoustic Bass
Nice, Pat! Beautiful work. I'd like to build a bass one day. Maybe not quite that large, but that one is pretty darned cool. Well done!
Author:  Marzano San [ Thu Nov 28, 2013 1:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tim Olsen Acoustic Bass
That's a big instrument and a beauty! How does it sound?
Author:  martintaylor [ Thu Nov 28, 2013 7:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tim Olsen Acoustic Bass
I also want to build an Acoustic Bass. One of my daughters plays bass but I'm not sure she'd cope with something that big! It looks amazing.
Author:  Joe Sallis [ Thu Nov 28, 2013 8:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tim Olsen Acoustic Bass
Really niece, Pat. Great looking top wood. I like the bridge design too. Thanks for inspiring me.
I would say that your photography skills need a little work. Such a fine instrument needs to be shown-off right. Not enough light on the headstock etc.
Author:  Pat Hawley [ Thu Nov 28, 2013 10:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tim Olsen Acoustic Bass
Thanks for the comments.

Yep, it's a big one. Here are some dimensions: overall length: 47", body length: 24", lower bout width: 19.25", depth: 5.5". I am not aware of any stock guitar cases that will work for this guitar however a soft cello case works not too bad. A standard cello is 48" long but is not as wide. However a cello is deeper, so in the end, the fit is pretty good.

Overall I'm pleased with the sound. A common complaint with acoustic bases is that they don't have much in the way of volume but I this guitar seems reasonably loud to me. I think it could be heard OK in an all acoustic environment. The fellow that ordered it wanted something he could take to gigs that was easier to carry than his upright bass and he wanted an acoustic sound. Sound-wise, it doesn't really take the place of a stand-up bass but it's definitely more acoustic sounding than an electric bass. It really needs experimenting with different strings to find those that give you closest to the sound you want. The most challenging string is, of course, the low B. I would say that on this guitar it sounds out OK but not great. As good as could be expected I suppose. The whole guitar shakes when you pluck that string. When I get someone over that can play properly, I'll post a little video so you can all get a better idea of the sound. I'd do it myself but my playing is no better than my photography which I agree, needs work.

Pat
Author:  Doug Balzer [ Thu Nov 28, 2013 1:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tim Olsen Acoustic Bass
Really nice work Pat. I like the use of a curly or bear claw top on such large instruments as you have done here. I feel it provides a pleasing visual focal point that draws attention away from the sense of enormity of the instrument. From one ABG builder to another…well done!
Author:  Pat Hawley [ Thu Nov 28, 2013 7:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tim Olsen Acoustic Bass
Thanks Doug. I see there's a link to your Youtube video right off the Tinozza acoustic bass site. Very cool instrument. For those who have seen it, here it is:



Cheers,
Pat
Author:  Stephen Boone [ Fri Nov 29, 2013 9:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tim Olsen Acoustic Bass
I really like your gigantic acoustic bass guitar!
Author:  Eric Reid [ Fri Nov 29, 2013 11:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Tim Olsen Acoustic Bass
Pat Hawley wrote:
Sound-wise, it doesn't really take the place of a stand-up bass but it's definitely more acoustic sounding than an electric bass. It really needs experimenting with different strings to find those that give you closest to the sound you want.
Pat


Are those electric bass strings on there now? Have you tried string bass strings?
Author:  Pat Hawley [ Sat Nov 30, 2013 5:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tim Olsen Acoustic Bass
They are DR strings that were advertised as being for acoustic bass guitars. Strings are definitely something I'd want to experiment with.

Pat
Author:  jfmckenna [ Sat Nov 30, 2013 5:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Tim Olsen Acoustic Bass
Very beautiful. I would be almost certain that the body is mahogany which is an interesting choice of wood for brick and board shelves.
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