Jabba_the_gut

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.

Cheers Woody. Glad you like the bottom lip. I made another template with it slightly larger again but I prefer this one (I’ll post a picture later). Just thought I’d try a graded version - may or may not work but got to try these things! Cheers Andy. I’ve sourced some headless clamps which are really nice so that end isn’t an issue. It’s the other end where the choice is much more limited.. we’ll see how this goes!!

I'm looking at making a headed version of the mini bass. 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.

Love this - especially the veneer layers creating the pinstripes. Nice complementary choice of woods.

I'll be taking these to the Midlands bash for anyone to try.

Really enjoying this little basses!! I'm going to make a couple more of these but also have a couple of other ideas I'll try at some point. I'll make a slightly longer scale one (27.5") and I'm also looking at a headed version. I've done a couple of scribbles for this and I think it could look rather nice (same body shape as before but a change to the neck pocket shape). Just need to find the time, which is the hard bit!!

I've got an American Basses book I'll add to the raffle. Will have a look to see what else I may have.

Possibly try lining the holes with wood veneer.