Huon Pine & Tassy Mrytle Acoustic Bass

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lamanoditrento
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Huon Pine & Tassy Mrytle Acoustic Bass

Post by lamanoditrento » Sun Sep 27, 2020 7:17 am

I have just delivered this bass that was started just before lockdown. It is falcate braced, 17 fret to the body with a body loosely based on a 17" arch top shape. The specs are

Soundboard: Huon pine (via David Linton)
Back, sides, rosette & headstock: Tasmania myrtle (via Bobthebuilder)
Neck & bridge: QLD mahgony
Cutawy & endgraft: Movingui
Fretboard: Ringed gidgee (via Pete Curly) with GMOP inlay
Schaller Machine heads
K&K 3 transducer pure bass pickup
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Trent

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WJ Guitars
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Re: Huon Pine & Tassy Mrytle Acoustic Bass

Post by WJ Guitars » Sun Sep 27, 2020 9:34 am

Looks amazing Trent. Recently I had an enquiry from a local music shop that was interested in the falcate bracing idea for a bass guitar just like your posting. I be interested to know how it sounds and your comments on building / design aspects.

Wayne
https://wjguitars.wixsite.com/mysite-1

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lamanoditrento
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Re: Huon Pine & Tassy Mrytle Acoustic Bass

Post by lamanoditrento » Mon Sep 28, 2020 8:44 am

As the string tension is pretty much the same on a bass as a guitar, I pretty much kept the process the same. The target thickness for this huon pine came in at 3.2mm for the wider lower bout. Mine is much much louder than any I've tried (mind you I only tried factory basses in a couple of music store). Acoustic bass string require a much higher action, so you need to account for that in your design. Also, I would check the tuners fit in a case for any design as I've had to modify a case to get it to fit
Trent

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Valben
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Re: Huon Pine & Tassy Mrytle Acoustic Bass

Post by Valben » Thu Oct 01, 2020 6:42 am

Beautiful instrument Trent :-) thanks for sharing.
I never built an acoustic bass but I have been always tempted … and my brother has been pestering me for the last few years.
Valter

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lamanoditrento
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Re: Huon Pine & Tassy Mrytle Acoustic Bass

Post by lamanoditrento » Thu May 26, 2022 1:15 pm

The wood review has done a little feature on this build, I'm a bit chuffed about it. https://www.woodreview.com.au/how-to/tr ... ass-guitar
woodreview.PNG
Trent

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Bob_H
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Re: Huon Pine & Tassy Mrytle Acoustic Bass

Post by Bob_H » Thu May 26, 2022 2:28 pm

Nice bit of coverage - well done! And well deserved - that is a really nice (and interesting) build.
Bob Holbert
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kiwigeo
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Re: Huon Pine & Tassy Mrytle Acoustic Bass

Post by kiwigeo » Thu May 26, 2022 3:35 pm

Nice work Trent......you're in the big league now mate! :D
Martin

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Re: Huon Pine & Tassy Mrytle Acoustic Bass

Post by WJ Guitars » Thu May 26, 2022 4:15 pm

Great review Trent. Great to see you succeed !

Wayne

Spring
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Re: Huon Pine & Tassy Mrytle Acoustic Bass

Post by Spring » Fri May 27, 2022 11:38 pm

Really beautiful instrument ! The detailing is stunning.
I used the K&K pickups on a recent bass build, and I love the sound they give. Are you happy with the sound?
What strings are you using?
The bass I built is for my wife, and she has a Taylor GS Mini. We used the D'Addario EXPPBB190GS strings that Taylor uses. I'd be interested to know of other options or any thoughts you have.

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lamanoditrento
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Re: Huon Pine & Tassy Mrytle Acoustic Bass

Post by lamanoditrento » Mon May 30, 2022 11:52 am

Thanks guys. Spring, I was really led by the customer, they wanted Elixir #14502: Acoustic Bass Nano Light 45-100. They sound nice despite my personal preference for flat wounds. IMO, the sound is great and big for an acoustic bass. The customer is over the moon with it, although any amplification at all requires a feedback buster.
Trent

Spring
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Re: Huon Pine & Tassy Mrytle Acoustic Bass

Post by Spring » Thu Jun 02, 2022 1:53 am

Yes, the reason I built the bass for my wife was to try to reduce feedback. I made the body thinner, and removed the soundhole, but still K&K pickups. It is much louder than the Taylor, has a nice full deep sound, and no feedback.
She switches back and forth between guitars, and the variation in sound works well with different songs.

NotTheMama

Re: Huon Pine & Tassy Mrytle Acoustic Bass

Post by NotTheMama » Sat Jul 23, 2022 12:12 am

Wow what a stunner! I have a lot to learn...

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