Jabba_the_gut

I'm going to have a go at building a 5 string version of my semi hollow bass. I've started off my trying to remodel the headstock to take an extra string and ended up with this: I've been trying to keep the size as small as I can so it remains in proportion with the body. The other thing it does is mess up my logo......need to think about that!! The pickup on this one is going to be a Shadow SH-065: The bridge will be a bit more of a challenge for this as the SH-065 has squared off end unlike the 5 string versions which are round - routing will be a bit trickier.....

The knurled knobs you have in your picture next to the ruler look like they are designed for a splined shaft like this CTS pot: Whereas the shaft on your bass is a solid type (which come in 6mm or 6.35mm diameter). Can you take off one of the other knobs of the same size and measure the diameter and I'll have a search..

As mentioned in my headless thread, I'm looking at making a headed version of the mini bass, so I thought I'd start a thread for it. I'm planning on keeping it at 23" scale and the same body shape as the headless one (with a very slight tweak to the lower horn). I wasn't sure what to do with the headstock so I just went for the same design I have used on my recent semi hollow basses. To my eye, it seems to flow which is nice as it keeps something in common.  This design would allow me plenty of options with regards to bridges which is always the difficult thing when going down the headless route. I've also been looking at the option of a 5 string version of this. I've been looking at a 5 string version of a semi hollow bass (will put that on another thread) using the same head stock shape so I did a quick mock-up to see how that might look on a mini bass: It just looks wrong to me, the proportions don't seem quite right. I think the body looks too small compared to the head so I've mocked it up again making the body a little wider: I think the 5 string looks better with a slightly wider body but the shape needs a little more work I think. I also think tuners that had rounded buttons would also look better and not make the headstock look too big - something else to look at. Anyway, for the moment this I'm going to make one four string version and see how it goes.

Excellent. And thank you again for a great bash.

Are they this style? One's 15mm diameter the other 20mm diameter. I bought these from Maplin about 25 years ago!! They are for a 1/4" (6.35mm) shaft. Let me know if you are having difficulty sourcing them.

The Midas touch.....

It’s all Ped’s fault anyway. If he hadn’t made me try the Wingbass I wouldn’t have had to build these....

This is the original sketch I did for this bass. As you can see, there are a number of different outlines I scribbled then rubbed out bits and scribbled more.... You can also see the outline of a MM pickup I was originally thinking about.

You are quite right! I think I need to reduce my bass collection!! I’ve got a bass to finish then I’ll have sort out...

I can’t think of a reason why it wouldn’t work as a fretless - I’ll have to make one and see!! I haven’t tried one of these bridges with flats or nylon wrapped strings yet - would have to see how the head clamp thing would grip them. I’ve also thought about removing the normal saddles and replacing them with a piezo to see what that would be like. Too many ideas, too little time...!!

Blimey.

The best drawing tools I have is a bendy ruler (like this), some Staedtler Noris HB pencils and a well worn eraser!!

Cheers. This did turn out pretty much as I was aiming for! I'll dig out the original scribbles for this (I think I still have them - old fashioned pen and paper me...) for comparison and post them on here.

Here's a few more photos of the two finished headless mini beasts:

Hi Mick. I'll stick some pictures on my build thread later - don't want to derail Binky_bass's one. Cheers Jez

Really like the look of this! I also really like these very short scale basses - I've a bit of a dodgy thumb at the moment and I just find them really easy to play. I've built a couple of headless 23" scale basses recently and I'm about to build 4 and 5 string headed versions of the same scale. That top is lovely - really looking forward to watching this thread progress. Jez

@jazzyvee This is what I like about bass bashes, there's always something completely different to see.

Many thanks!

Just got home from a lovely afternoon. Thanks again to @jebroad for organising this and to whoever donated the Ashdown compressor to the raffle- I’ll have a good try of that later. As usual it was nice to catch up with the folk I already knew and to be meet new Basschatters. As I always say, these are great events that someone has spent organising so if you are thinking of going to one, please do! There is such a variety of gear to see and try, great people and always there’s cake... Cheers Jez

Shame you can't make it but thanks for posting this - I'd written 'Bass Bash Sunday' in my calendar a long time ago...…...

What values are you looking for?

Try Banzai Music as they usually have a good selection of pots.

Oh, and that is one of my mini basses in the background that needs to be put back together for the weekend......

Just toying with a few ideas at the moment, but I have trimmed a piece of ash I had which wasn't quite big enough for a standard body but suits this. I used a piece of the same wood to make a solid body bass and it finished really nicely; very plain and simple but that was the beauty of it. Looking at a couple of ideas from a one piece bridge to another set up with individual string anchors. (not planning on this one being five string - was just using the bridge to see how it looked). I'm now thinking of using the set of Sperzel tuners on this as they are a little more compact. I'm going to see if I can get these with rounded buttons as that would suit the design a little better.

Progress has been much slower than I hoped on this. Deciding to put my house on the market and all the stuff that goes with that has somewhat delayed this. I am hoping though to find a house with a double garage meaning more workspace but these things take time..... Anyway, I have progressed with the neck. Truss rod channel routed: The fretboard has been slotted (correct dimensions this time) and glued to the neck. This has then been cut on my band saw and tidied up using the router to give the final shape. I have a log made from ebony that matches the fretboard which I think contrasts nicely. The neck is birds eye maple and if it finishes anywhere as nicely as the last one I made, should look really nice.