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Building a Double Bass

 
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Chet Bishop
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Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 678
Location: Forest Grove, Oregon

PostPosted: Sat Oct 24, 2015 11:06 pm    Post subject: Building a Double Bass Reply with quote

The journey has begun! I decided to take the plunge to design and build an upright, acoustic, violin-cornered double bass. All I got done today was to make the templates for the mold, the neck/scroll, and the f-holes.

So, here is the first installment:
http://www.bluefiddles.com/2015/10/building-a-double-bass/

I will add progress reports as they happen. The goal is to be done by April...we'll see how I do. Smile

Actually, this belongs in the Double Bass forum, but I don't know how to move it...Michael, Lemuel?
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kjb
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Joined: 06 Feb 2013
Posts: 385

PostPosted: Sun Oct 25, 2015 8:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

looking forward to this, I don't think I will ever get the ambition to engage in a double bass but you never know
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Mat Roop
Senior Member


Joined: 24 Mar 2007
Posts: 911
Location: Wyoming Ontario

PostPosted: Sun Oct 25, 2015 12:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Chet, you sure are an ambitious fellow!... just wish I had your drive.
thanks for posting and I look forward to the progress... Cheers, Mat
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DonLeister
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Joined: 29 Mar 2007
Posts: 383
Location: Richmond, VA

PostPosted: Sun Oct 25, 2015 8:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Chet,

I look forward to reading your progress posts about the bass.
I followed your 5 string violin thread and enjoyed it a lot, I thought it looked very good!
Thank you for sharing with us!

Don
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Dave Chandler
Super Member


Joined: 31 Oct 2007
Posts: 691
Location: Mt Mitchell in North Carolina

PostPosted: Mon Oct 26, 2015 4:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

'm starting to gather materials for a cello for this winter and since they don't have a "cello" forum, I'll continue to post and watch happenings here. Chet, if you go over to the double bass forum, some of us will not be following. Are there so many bass makers you need a seperate forum? I'm only seeing two postings in two years there.

Anyway, good luck with the double bass, Chet, I'd love to see you continue posting your progress here with the violin folks. Very Happy
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"I took the road less travelled, and now I don't know where I am." Marco Polo
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DonLeister
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Joined: 29 Mar 2007
Posts: 383
Location: Richmond, VA

PostPosted: Mon Oct 26, 2015 6:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I agree about the bass forum, I mostly go to the violin makers forum. You might keep it here.

Dave, we will have to do a cello build thread. I have been gathering wood for a cello and thinking about models.
One reason; my son has been playing and is on a 3/4 now so a decent 4/4 will be useful. Another reason is I just want to build one!
I just need to find out what would be desirable as far as a model goes.

I'll move this into a cello thread so we don't derail Chet's bass thread.
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Chet Bishop
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Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 678
Location: Forest Grove, Oregon

PostPosted: Tue Nov 03, 2015 1:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just a photo to let you all know I am still on the job...


I still need to install the upper and lower block mounts. Gotta get some sleep, here...
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Chet Bishop
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Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 678
Location: Forest Grove, Oregon

PostPosted: Tue Nov 03, 2015 10:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here is the blog post with the full story:
http://www.bluefiddles.com/2015/11/building-a-double-bass-the-mold/

The spruce for the front plate and bassbar arrived today as well, so I hope to get the plates joined by this weekend. We'll see... life is what actually happens while we are making other plans.
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Chet Bishop
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Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 678
Location: Forest Grove, Oregon

PostPosted: Thu Nov 05, 2015 1:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Today I completed the mold and installed the blocks in it, but barely began shaping them. However, I did enlist my son's help and we re-sawed the ribstock, so all I have to do now is thickness them and bend them, then I will be ready to install them.

I began work on the plates, too, but ran out of time and energy.

I am really thrilled with how the maple looks. The back and neck will be gorgeous. The ribs are fine, too, but not so heavily flamed as to interfere with bending. I'll post photos later. The spruce is fine, but not spectacular...just good, clean European spruce.

Here is a photo of the ribs and mold:


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Chet Bishop
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Joined: 23 Mar 2007
Posts: 678
Location: Forest Grove, Oregon

PostPosted: Fri Nov 27, 2015 10:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Finally moving on the double bass again:
http://www.bluefiddles.com/2015/11/building-a-double-bass-shaping-the-blocks/
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