orgmorg Posted February 15, 2008 Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 This one is going to be along the lines of the old Gibson EB-6, which was a 6 string bass, with a 30.5" scale, and string spacing not much wider than a regular guitar. It would almost be considered a baritone guitar by today's standards, but it is tuned a full octave below a standard guitar. I am widening the spacing a little bit, but it will still be very narrow compared to a typical bass, 2 1/2" spread at the bridge, and nut width of 1 3/4" The body is done. Back is one piece mahogany ( 30 year old Gibson dumpster score ) It is chambered, with a 4 piece mesquite bookmatch top. The neck will be padauk, with an osage orange fingerboard. ( warning- sunglasses may be required ) The osage will darken considerably, so it won't be nearly so garish. The bridge will be made of it as well. I've wanted one of these ever since I had the chance to see an EB-6 ages ago. They are one of the rarest Gibsons, and command astronomical prices these days, especially the ones with the semihollow, es-335/EB-2 style body. Most were SG-shaped, like the EB-0/EB-3 Mine is a wierd mutation of the latter, only marginally resembling it, but using a piece of wood that in theory could have become one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Posted February 15, 2008 Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 Awesome, you don't see these kind of 6'ers too often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAGGOTBRAIN Posted February 15, 2008 Report Share Posted February 15, 2008 Beautiful...Love the body shape... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verhoevenc Posted February 16, 2008 Report Share Posted February 16, 2008 Dude, that looks bitchin'! Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xanthus Posted February 16, 2008 Report Share Posted February 16, 2008 I'm really liking that shape as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
low end fuzz Posted February 16, 2008 Report Share Posted February 16, 2008 so is it like a 6 string piccollo; i dont know the definition of baritone; what gauge are the strings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Posted February 16, 2008 Report Share Posted February 16, 2008 so is it like a 6 string piccollo; i dont know the definition of baritone; what gauge are the strings? It's like a hybrid of an electric guitar and bass. Obviously they were never popular, but there are some really cool VI's out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orgmorg Posted February 17, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2008 (edited) so is it like a 6 string piccollo; i dont know the definition of baritone; what gauge are the strings? Well, I don't really know the definition of a piccolo bass, myself. A baritone is generally anything tuned higher than a bass and lower than a guitar. This is tuned a full octave below a guitar, like a bass, with the high B and E strings as well. String gauges on this one are 90-20, and scale length is 29 7/16" Thanks for the compliments on the shape, I'm liking it as well. It's one I've been playing with for a while, and finally have a version that seems to work. I had originally intended to use it for the 8 string bass I am building, but I had a feeling it might be a bit neck heavy as a long scale, especially with 8 tuners. So I did a quick-n-dirty scrapwood mockup with a repositionable thru-neck, and sure enough, the head dove straight to the floor when I strapped it on. 30" scale and 6 tuners was what it needed to make it balance and feel comfortable. I started looking at strings, and found a set for the Musicman Silhouette 6 string bass, which is 29 5/8" scale. They cost only a tad more than a set of guitar strings, too. starting from the 3rd fret position on my 35" fret template gave me 29 7/16" so I figured I'd give that a try. Edited February 17, 2008 by orgmorg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manquesa Posted February 18, 2008 Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 Well, I don't really know the definition of a piccolo bass, myself. Well a standard bass is normally 2 octaves below that of a standard guitar. A piccolo bass is in between, it's only 1 octave below a standard guitar. I'm digging this build as well by the way. Very nice clean work, i'll be looking forward to following the progress on this one for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Posted February 18, 2008 Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 Bass is an octave below guitar, not two octaves. A 6-string piccolo bass is a 6-string bass tuned an octave up - BEADGC, basically a 7-string guitar tuning. I'm not sure what a 4-string piccolo bass would be tuned at, guessing ADGC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orgmorg Posted February 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 Neck is done and attached! back of headstock front of headstock closeup of fretboard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andronico Posted February 18, 2008 Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 Wow, that child is a beauty ! You are right we need sunglasses to see the fingerboard, but it´s cool ! What colour/type of hardware are you thinking about ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orgmorg Posted February 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 Thanks, the tuners will be black, and the bridge will be one I am making from the same wood as the fingerboard, with adjustable brass saddles. Pickup will be an EMG HZ35 passive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killemall8 Posted February 18, 2008 Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 looking great! fretboard is a little too bright for me, but still looks cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andronico Posted February 18, 2008 Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 Thanks, the tuners will be black, and the bridge will be one I am making from the same wood as the fingerboard, with adjustable brass saddles. Pickup will be an EMG HZ35 passive. The saddles will be black like the tuners or just brass color ? Controls ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manquesa Posted February 18, 2008 Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 Bass is an octave below guitar, not two octaves. A 6-string piccolo bass is a 6-string bass tuned an octave up - BEADGC, basically a 7-string guitar tuning. I'm not sure what a 4-string piccolo bass would be tuned at, guessing ADGC. yeah you're right, I could have swore I read somewhere otherwise but apparently not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orgmorg Posted February 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2008 Ya, it's bright! almost too bright for me, even, and I like loud colors. It will darken up quite a bit, probably get at least as dark as the mahogany. The saddles I will probably leave brass colored, unless I find a blackening/antiquing solution I like. Controls will be real simple, probably just a volume knob. That's the way I usually like it. The pickup has 5 conductors, though. I'll have to look up the specs and see if there is a wiring option for coil cut or phasing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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