New Bass Design For 3rd Guitar At Roberto Venn

[DFW]

there is nothing more exciting than a pencil sketch...except maybe an actual progress pic or something

If I were here to excite I'd light me tits on fire fer ya.

[GregP]

Now THAT I would pay to see.

I like the new design better. But that's just me.

[low end fuzz]

it seems like too much; can we see some other stuff youve finished to get an idea of why your straying so much from an ordinary 'instrument'?

i love creating things that are different, but when your at school, you want as much 'practical-practical' experience as possible, before these frankenstein collaberations.

[DFW]

it seems like too much; can we see some other stuff youve finished to get an idea of why your straying so much from an ordinary 'instrument'?

i love creating things that are different, but when your at school, you want as much 'practical-practical' experience as possible, before these frankenstein collaberations.

There are countless "ordinary" instrument builders. I'm confident enough in myself to know that I am never going to be one of them. If I built a standard strat or LP replica I would be ashamed of myself. Plus I'm not original enough to come up with something simple, tasteful and unique. My first guitars, the ones that have to be standardized, will be standardized, save for being unfretted (I respect music too much to ever allow frets into my creations). I'd say the only thing I'm straying with here is lengthening the fingerboard, everything else is just extensive carving, not avant-garde luthierie.

Plus why do something that's already been done a million times? or 100? or 10? The body of the electric instrument is how you show who you are. I'm a two toned curlycue in natural tones and an aversion to right angles.

[westhemann]

Plus why do something that's already been done a million times?

to develop a base of working knowledge to branch out from.there are still countless lessons to be learned from doing what has been done before...people have walked for as long asthere WERE people,yet the first steps we take in life are always important.

in my experience,most guys new to guitar building talk about fretless because they are secretly afraid of the accuracy needed....they don't feel confident they will "measure up"

[tim_ado]

to develop a base of working knowledge to branch out from.there are still countless lessons to be learned from doing what has been done before...people have walked for as long asthere WERE people,yet the first steps we take in life are always important.

yeah but u could use the same argument for his side

his making a totally new design to develop his knowlege

each person has his ways

in my experience,most guys new to guitar building talk about fretless because they are secretly afraid of the accuracy needed....they don't feel confident they will "measure up"

he can speak for himself with his "creations"

but thats one of the main reasons i plan on making my next on a fretless

plus there dam cool

i still think this bass is mad and i wanna see some work on it soon

[westhemann]

well...let me hit you with this one....fretted instruments have no "note limitations"...any note you can hit on a fretless,you can hit more accurately by pulling bends on a fretted instrument...

but this

to develop a base of working knowledge to branch out from.there are still countless lessons to be learned from doing what has been done before...people have walked for as long asthere WERE people,yet the first steps we take in life are always important.

is meant to answer his rhetorical question...but no,it does not work for the opposite side...my wish is only to point out the fallacy in the "i decide the notes,not my frets" statement...which i have done...there is no note to be hit that is not already available..and everything is derived from what has come before...the chello headstock,the long upper "horn" common on many custom basses that extends further up the neck...it may very well be a fine looking instrument if you share those tastes...but don't claim it more original than the

countless "ordinary" instrument builders.

...it's just insulting to everyone who prefers the tasteful designs already implemented...it implies that everyone else is just lacking in imagination...

when i build,iut is to mke a guitar "work" better...better fret access,straighter neck,better hardware and electronics...it's all good,but one way is not better than another,just different.

anyway,i spoke my piece...i won't bother this thread again...hope the build works out for you

[DFW]

I'm not using frets more because I prefer the sound of skin and wood over metal. True, it also plays in that I don't want to do the fretjob, but mostly it's the fact that frets ruin the sound of the instrument, in my ears. And I meant no disrespect to other luthiers with my XTREME body designs, I just have no urge to replicate any previous body plans, I'd rather stretch my imagination where I can at this juncture. Once I know more about the other aspects I'll try innovating there.

[flood]

i'm not too crazy about the body shape, but have to admire your style and guts there! otherwise, i am very intrigued by the instrument, especxially since i wanted to build similiar but am not even going to attempt it before i build a couple of other basses before setting out on doing that. i also specifically wanted the fretboard going all the way to the bridge - my big inspiration is this: www.marleaux-pagelli.com

anyway, i'm itching to see how this one turns out. good luck! do post sound samples when you'Re done.

[low end fuzz]

it seems like too much; can we see some other stuff youve finished to get an idea of why your straying so much from an ordinary 'instrument'?

i love creating things that are different, but when your at school, you want as much 'practical-practical' experience as possible, before these frankenstein collaberations.

There are countless "ordinary" instrument builders. I'm confident enough in myself to know that I am never going to be one of them. If I built a standard strat or LP replica I would be ashamed of myself. Plus I'm not original enough to come up with something simple, tasteful and unique. My first guitars, the ones that have to be standardized, will be standardized, save for being unfretted (I respect music too much to ever allow frets into my creations). I'd say the only thing I'm straying with here is lengthening the fingerboard, everything else is just extensive carving, not avant-garde luthierie.

Plus why do something that's already been done a million times? or 100? or 10? The body of the electric instrument is how you show who you are. I'm a two toned curlycue in natural tones and an aversion to right angles.

i think you missed my point and went to the defensive; i get that, its not that 'out there' in retrospect of a design;

my master told me while i was staying with him; whenever i wanted to do something crazy was, while your next to me your learning, theres far too much to know to waste your time on asthetics, when you go home, you do whatever you want, spend your time learning the mistakes and lessons of those before you, while your in a place you can, and save the time consuming art work that you can do anytime else (he calls it dinosaur work)?) for when its not costing you money.

whats the point of being a luthier if you cant do repairs? and if you refuse things as simple as dressings and other fret work, you'll starve;

i personnally like the design but am confused to why you would go to a school to learn and improve but make something that is all from your head; anything that is wrong with it, you can pass off as custom, whereas youve earned a diploma in b.s.

didnt want you to think i was raging on you design is all.

[DFW]

whats the point of being a luthier if you cant do repairs? and if you refuse things as simple as dressings and other fret work, you'll starve;

i personnally like the design but am confused to why you would go to a school to learn and improve but make something that is all from your head; anything that is wrong with it, you can pass off as custom, whereas youve earned a diploma in b.s.

didnt want you to think i was raging on you design is all.

[verhoevenc]

So when are we actually going to see this thing take some form??

Lets see some actual pics and work.

Chris

[fryovanni]

it seems like too much; can we see some other stuff youve finished to get an idea of why your straying so much from an ordinary 'instrument'?

i love creating things that are different, but when your at school, you want as much 'practical-practical' experience as possible, before these frankenstein collaberations.

There are countless "ordinary" instrument builders. I'm confident enough in myself to know that I am never going to be one of them. If I built a standard strat or LP replica I would be ashamed of myself. Plus I'm not original enough to come up with something simple, tasteful and unique. My first guitars, the ones that have to be standardized, will be standardized, save for being unfretted (I respect music too much to ever allow frets into my creations). I'd say the only thing I'm straying with here is lengthening the fingerboard, everything else is just extensive carving, not avant-garde luthierie.

Plus why do something that's already been done a million times? or 100? or 10? The body of the electric instrument is how you show who you are. I'm a two toned curlycue in natural tones and an aversion to right angles.

You know I have stopped by this topic a couple times. I thought some things you were doing were kinda cool and others a bit desperate(in terms of trying to be original). Really that is probably the way it should be. If I liked all of them they probably wouldn't be very unique.

I think at times you come across as a bit of a ranting green builder when you make some of your statements. Remember when learning and building from a skill base that past masters spent LIFETIMES developing and now their knowledge makes it way to you. You should try to be a little grateful or at least not insult them. A lot of the time paying homage or trying to better understand the methods of past masters is the motivation in trying to re-create designs. There is nothing wrong with creativity and being unique. Just take it easy and build that skill and knowledge base before you figure the rest of the world is below you.

I hope you have a great experience when you go to school. You seem to be very exited, and ready to roll. I can't wait to see some of your builds.

Peace,Rich

[DFW]

You know I have stopped by this topic a couple times. I thought some things you were doing were kinda cool and others a bit desperate(in terms of trying to be original). Really that is probably the way it should be. If I liked all of them they probably wouldn't be very unique.

I think at times you come across as a bit of a ranting green builder when you make some of your statements. Remember when learning and building from a skill base that past masters spent LIFETIMES developing and now their knowledge makes it way to you. You should try to be a little grateful or at least not insult them. A lot of the time paying homage or trying to better understand the methods of past masters is the motivation in trying to re-create designs. There is nothing wrong with creativity and being unique. Just take it easy and build that skill and knowledge base before you figure the rest of the world is below you.

I do apologize if I disrespected anyone. Truthfully I was aiming to do the opposite, but lack the grasp of English tight enough to convey myself completely. This is more what I meant:\

I know that my natural abilities will not lend themselves to my being one of the "Great" Luthiers, and rather than label myself as someone lumbering down their path in a drug induced stupor, I could designate my own path where my blunderings would affect only my work and not the more popular instrument creation practices. But I love to hear y'alls ideas, feel free to throw anything too ridiculous to dedicate your time to into this thread and I'll likely try and implement it at some point on something.

And No One is below me, but we're all way different and I've got this way of looking at things.

[CrazyManAndy]

It's all good in the hood .

Anyway, I really love the design in posts #32 (except for the slanted fretboard) and #42. It would look awesome played as a stand up bass.

Can't wait to see some progress pics.

CMA

[DFW]

Alright, so in preparation for this instrument I'm building a 5 string normal necked version ie: flatter radius, with frets and only 24 of them to fit the requirements of my student guitar. Contrary to erikbojerik I will be Kahlering this, as after seeing what Vic Wooten can do I have no choice but to have at it. It'll also be tuned CGDGC, or fifths (I call them 3rds) between the low three strings and fourths (coincidentally I call them fourths as well) between the high 3 strings, guages 130, 90, 65, 45, 30.

- Mahogany body with quilted maple center veneer and walnut wing veneer.

- Mahogany set neck with ebony fingerboard and walnut veneer on the headstock.

- Single Bartolini with 3 band eq.

- Black Hipshot ultralites with a slingshot on the high C to go up a whole step.

- Black Kahler 2415.

Building session starts in 2 weeks if I'm not mistaken, though they're experimenting with a new curriculum and that might change.

[Maiden69]

Don't use veneer! Especialy for the maple, it lacks the depth of the grain... that's unless you can get a 1/8" veneer. I would go for at least 1/4" top on the mahonany body.

[low end fuzz]

ya, i fyour gonna do a asthetic veneer with maple just use plain maple, cost you nothing,

even a 1/4 inch piece is gonna give you nothing with quilt, curly will come through, and birdseye if they run rampant;

my body that is just under 1 3/4 qltd maple has no desirable side figure.

[DFW]

We're required to use an 1/8th inch veneer, no if's and's or but's, so thems the stipulations. I'll ask for thicker but not sure if that'll kosherfy.

[Maiden69]

I'm pretty sure that thicker will be accepted. The thinner veneer sucks for staining because most of the time the glue soak thru and when you stain it looks blotchy... I guess this might be the reason to use 1/8" or better.

[DFW]

This one goes out to wes

[ElysianGuitars]

you should be starting RV soon no? or you already have...

Edited February 21, 2007 by ElysianGuitars

[DFW]

We've already started, now halfway through 3 weeks of the first repair session. And Nix the last sketch, that's too much for the first project, apparently.

Edited February 21, 2007 by DFW

[ElysianGuitars]

We've already started, now halfway through 3 weeks of the first repair session. And Nix the last sketch, that's too much for the first project, apparently.

yeah, way too much for first build, 3rd maybe... its interesting, seems they've changed the order of things, and now do repair first, we did repair as the last month of class when i went...

[DFW]

They do basic repairs and setups for the first 3 weeks, then the build session, then 2 weeks of structural repairs. At least, that's the plan for now.