Gee that's a big guitar
- matthew
- Blackwood
- Posts: 1190
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 1:16 pm
- Location: Sydney, Inner West
- Contact:
Gee that's a big guitar
I'm a self-taught maker, obsessed by double basses.
At October 2008, I have built one from scratch, restored one from a wreck and started on number two. I'll use whatever wood I can get my hands on, within reason.
I live in Sydney and do repairs and restorations too.
I have a day job and a tolerant family
My website is here
BRESQUE BASSES
[/url]
At October 2008, I have built one from scratch, restored one from a wreck and started on number two. I'll use whatever wood I can get my hands on, within reason.
I live in Sydney and do repairs and restorations too.
I have a day job and a tolerant family
My website is here
BRESQUE BASSES
[/url]
Last edited by matthew on Tue Feb 10, 2009 6:52 am, edited 4 times in total.
- Bob Connor
- Admin
- Posts: 3132
- Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2007 9:43 pm
- Location: Geelong, Australia
- Contact:
Welcome Matt
Hi Matt and welcome to the ANZLF!!!
- matthew
- Blackwood
- Posts: 1190
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 1:16 pm
- Location: Sydney, Inner West
- Contact:
Nicely figured Tassy oak ribs (from mitre 10!) bent with a combination of heat blanket and supersize bending iron to touch up the curves. They are about 2.8mm thick and 220 wide.
Above, I'm using the heat blanket when clamping to the neck blocks; spritz the outside of the rib with water, slop on the hot hide glue, clamp in position, give the heat blanket a burst and tighten the wingnuts till the ooze squeezes out all round.
Back will be Tassy oak too.
Western Red Cedar top in the background, jointed and waiting for carving.Its in four pieces; two x 30omm planks and two small wings for the lower bout.
In case no-one's noticed, a cornerless double bass is a very rare beast. I venture this will be the first one in Australia.
Above, I'm using the heat blanket when clamping to the neck blocks; spritz the outside of the rib with water, slop on the hot hide glue, clamp in position, give the heat blanket a burst and tighten the wingnuts till the ooze squeezes out all round.
Back will be Tassy oak too.
Western Red Cedar top in the background, jointed and waiting for carving.Its in four pieces; two x 30omm planks and two small wings for the lower bout.
In case no-one's noticed, a cornerless double bass is a very rare beast. I venture this will be the first one in Australia.
- matthew
- Blackwood
- Posts: 1190
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 1:16 pm
- Location: Sydney, Inner West
- Contact:
There are flatbacks and roundbacks.
Flatbacks have internal braces, usually horizontal but sometimes X braces
Roundbacks are usually carved, have no internal braces.
Both can have the "break" in the back, usually when the ribs are really deep. Helps you lean over the bass to access the upper registers.
The one in the pic is a ply bass, so not carved.
Flatbacks have internal braces, usually horizontal but sometimes X braces
Roundbacks are usually carved, have no internal braces.
Both can have the "break" in the back, usually when the ribs are really deep. Helps you lean over the bass to access the upper registers.
The one in the pic is a ply bass, so not carved.
I know squat about basses, but I know what I like...and I like that.
People are always saying to me, " I don't know how you have the patience and skill to build a guitar". Well Mathew, I understand patience and skill, but building a bass would be a huge leap of faith for me to take.
Looking good mate. I'm looking forward to more progress shots.
People are always saying to me, " I don't know how you have the patience and skill to build a guitar". Well Mathew, I understand patience and skill, but building a bass would be a huge leap of faith for me to take.
Looking good mate. I'm looking forward to more progress shots.
- matthew
- Blackwood
- Posts: 1190
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 1:16 pm
- Location: Sydney, Inner West
- Contact:
Well Kim ...
The best way to find out if there are irregularities in the arching is to run your hand over the plate. I do this, eyes closed, for several minues at a time, and where I feel a bump or ridge I mark with chalk to hit with the scraper later.
It is a very pleasant process. This is a life-size instrument, more or less!
Its interesting that the fingertips will tell you what the eye won't. Something about what makes a curve beautiful is the rate of change of the curve. Just as braking a car to a stop smoothly is something we sense, not calculate (even rate of change of decceleration), the rate of change of a curve can be felt better than seen. (I am not the author of this analogy, though I would love to take credit for it ...)
The best way to find out if there are irregularities in the arching is to run your hand over the plate. I do this, eyes closed, for several minues at a time, and where I feel a bump or ridge I mark with chalk to hit with the scraper later.
It is a very pleasant process. This is a life-size instrument, more or less!
Its interesting that the fingertips will tell you what the eye won't. Something about what makes a curve beautiful is the rate of change of the curve. Just as braking a car to a stop smoothly is something we sense, not calculate (even rate of change of decceleration), the rate of change of a curve can be felt better than seen. (I am not the author of this analogy, though I would love to take credit for it ...)
- matthew
- Blackwood
- Posts: 1190
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 1:16 pm
- Location: Sydney, Inner West
- Contact:
Allen I am only moderately skilled, somewhat lacking in patience, but I'm as stubborn as a bull!Allen wrote:People are always saying to me, " I don't know how you have the patience and skill to build a guitar". Well Mathew, I understand patience and skill, but building a bass would be a huge leap of faith for me to take
A bass is just bigger. Not harder. And you don't need 20/20 eyesight or fine motor skills
Matthew, I remember 'wasting' many hours on your blogs late last year.
I found them thru Bob Gollihur's links page shortly after buying my first DB and getting obsessed with the big ol' thing ( an old 40's or 50's german factory basket case ).
Inspiring stuff and yes, your new digs look a lot less 'breezy'
I was also interested to see you bending solky oak so successfully as i have a little stack of it here for parlour sized acoustic sides and backs and wasn't really sure that it was gonna fly.
Cheers A.P.
I found them thru Bob Gollihur's links page shortly after buying my first DB and getting obsessed with the big ol' thing ( an old 40's or 50's german factory basket case ).
Inspiring stuff and yes, your new digs look a lot less 'breezy'
I was also interested to see you bending solky oak so successfully as i have a little stack of it here for parlour sized acoustic sides and backs and wasn't really sure that it was gonna fly.
Cheers A.P.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 212 guests