dsdesigns

I'm building a six string bass and was wondering you anyone found good results with certain bridge and pick-up combinations? It's a 35 in scale, 24 frets, with 2 degree neck angle and 17mm string spacing (calculations done with the hipshot bridge) I am not incredibly picky as far as type of sound. Thanks guys.

I was just wondering if it would be possible to compensate for the neck angle by thicknessing the fingerboard thicker than 1/4in towards the body. Perhaps it would be easier to just angle the tenon but you could get two fingerboards out of a thicker piece of wood, say 3/4in, by cutting it on an angle. Just wondering.

Phil, How many basses have you built? Do you remember how thick the olive and wenge were? Beautiful build by the way. Thanks, DSD Also, did you use oil to finish it?

I have the book, Just wondering how many people may have done different things seeing that its a six string bass, such as how many truss rods (Im doing 7 piece curly maple/ purpleheart neck through) , neck/head thicknessing, and an assymetrical neck. Thanks

Can anyone point me to a 35'' 6 string neck-through bass tutorial? Thanks guys

As far as the angles go, they are not precise with the dimensions of the bridge that i have chosen(stew macs hipshot) i havent done the numbers for that. So before i continue with any solidified angles, i will start with the bridge height. i do not have the bridge yet so i know i can not do any cutting, so these are optimistic estimates. I also have not done a side view to scale. My next step is to glue the neck core together after i have my planks cut to size and likewise with the body wings. I am just trying to get everything in place before i any gluing, or at least as much as i can. Are there any problems with gluing these prior to actually having the pick-ups and bridge in hand? As previously stated, I am probably too cautious, but i want this thing to be as perfect as i can possibly have for a first build. I already have plans and numbers for two electrics guitars id like to build. Im not going to lie, I will probably not make a cut unless more than myself agrees, and i do practice cuts until im comfortable. How comfortable were you when you started? I ask this because i feel i have more than enough knowledge in the working of the instruments and the relation of parts, but its probably because i havent done enough practicing. At some point i will just have to do it. Thanks fuzz Dave

I will cut the neck to 2 degrees and the head to 10 degrees, should i do both these angles before gluing the body? would you say to carve, or round, some of the horns before gluing the body? i suppose that would be more difficult when its all glued. how do you usually apply the glue? I was thinking of using a plastic putty knife, will that spread it thick enough? would you attach the walnut veneers to the outside of the neckcore or the gluing side of the body wings? Thanks, Dave

I like the 35" scale. also i will cut the angle into the head. In regards to prepping the neck core and body wings, should i thickness them separately and then glue or glue and do it altogether? I am also thinking that i would like to add some walnut veneer between the neck core and body wings. What would be customary, glue the veneer to the neck,body, or altogether at one time? Also to double-check, i am going to cut the 2 degree neck angle by raising the body and flipping it on a planer, all before gluing to the body. Hopefully that sounds about right. At the same time could i cut the angle in the head or should i wait to that. Also this neck core blank will be two inches thick, so about what time would i want to thickness the neck out of that. thanks guys Dave

i suppose i could do a 35" scale, but i ave seen quite a few six strings with 34. I always figured it was more of a novelty issue. I look further into this. Is it ok to cut the head out of the same neck plank, meaning all one piece? and just cut the angle into it? I dont think i will put active electronics on this bass possibly the next one. Are there any other pitfalls i can look for because its a neckthrough 6 string. I can thicken the headstock and i am too cautious to my detriment. I love to plan but hate to cut! Like i said i will be practicing all of this on the poplar, but i am sure its different to work with than maple and purpleheart. I would like to use a 2 degree neck angle. i have to run to work. ill try to get a picture too

Hello all, I have probably spent 50 hours reading this forum, and have purchased Hiscock's book for the second time, since I lost it in the move from new york to north carolina. I have been playing guitar/bass for nine years and have been wanting to build for most of that time. I want to build a neck-through 6 string bass. i have a full-scale drawing/picture with just about all dimensions except for the knobs and cavities, not sure how to post it though. specs as follows: 34" scale, 22 frets Body wings: 3/4" curly maple/ 1/4" walnut veneer/ 3/4" curly maple Neck: 7 piece curly maple/purple heart/ CM/PH/CM/PH/CM I would like to use purple heart for the fretboard, but im not sold I do not know what size or material for frets, i also do not know what neck angle I have no idea what type of nut to chose I am unsure whether to use two truss rods, or use one with two CF pieces. I would appreciate feedback on a possible neck radius and i will most likely make it assemmetrical Electronics/hardware: 2 EMG-HZ Bass Pickups (stew mac), although im open to others as my playing styles differ greatly and im not particular hotshot bridge I have not chosen machine heads, but i want the head to be 1/2" thick so whatever is compatible Head: Angled 12 degrees, im not sure if i will put a veneer on the head Finish: I like Truoil or shellac with a coat of nitro, i like the curly maple as is, maybe a touch darker. i will have to learn more about their application when it comes time I was originally thinking to first glue (titebond I) the neck pieces together with the pick-up wire channel routed and then glue the uncut laminated body wings to the body. From recent research im thinking i should cut the wings out before i glue them to the neck core. Is this preference or an issue of practical building. Right now i have 2 50"x8"x1" curly maple planks kiln dried to 6-8% and 1 70"x5"x1" purple heart equally dried. I love the look of these woods together. The neck will have 3 1/8" purpleheart stripes surrounded by 1" maple which will be grain reversed. I have been debating as to whether i should put veneers of walnut on the sides of the neck for appearance sake. I have a dremel xpr400 and i am acquiring many of the hand tools listed in Hiscock's book. I am not comfortable in planing yet so any important cuts will probably be done at a local mill, at least for the first guitar. I have also purchased plenty of beautiful poplar that i will practice every stage on. So i may get more comfortable and come out of this with to basses, we'll see. Let me know of anything I may be missing and possible next steps. Thank you for all your help, I feel that we are almost brothers since taking these many hours getting to know you all. Dave