ChickenKiev Posted February 26, 2013 Share Posted February 26, 2013 I would be tempted to say 5, but would I be right by saying most bassists play 4 string? Or would that earn me a slap in the mouth? If the majority of people play 4-string I would say make it 4, then keep options open for a 5-string. Oh, don't forget the token left handed version too, for a 10% added cost of course . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted February 27, 2013 Author Share Posted February 27, 2013 Sorry I couldn't get to a computer this morning , anyhow, a quick count up has shown a majority in favour of a four string. Lets turn our attention to the neck, how many frets? what construction? We'll look at headstocks and inclusion of block or other mounts later. Call me boring but I'd like a maple jazz neck with maple board. 20 frets will do . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamPodmore Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Maple/Maple (Birdseye preferably) and 22 Frets with a Zero fret too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartelby Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 [quote name='LiamPodmore' timestamp='1361976365' post='1993901'] Maple/Maple (Birdseye preferably) and 22 Frets with a Zero fret too. [/quote] yep, that'll do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBass Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Maple/Rosewood with lacquer a la Rickenbackers. Or Maple/Maple, nicely aged and lacquered for me and 20 frets it's all you need. Profile ideally somewhere between a Jazz and a Precision neck. If we are talking necks, are we also talking neck through or bolt on etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low End Bee Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1361894677' post='1992608'] I think it should have four strings for some songs but five for others, so we need a Low B that can sink into the fingerboard and lie flush when not needed. In similar vein, and pre-empting the fretted -v- fretless discussion, it needs to be both of course. That clever design which used to get posted every few months, the one where the frets can sink into the fingerboard and lie flush when not needed, would be ideal. As to pickups, it needs both one and two. So what we need is a pickup design which can sink into the fingerboard ... oh no ... wait ... [/quote] This could work. [url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/lookaroundyou/2000/200026.shtml"]http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/lookaroundyou/2000/200026.shtml[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Number of frets isn't as important as the location of the heel on the neck which should be above the 19th fret minimum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 [quote name='Dom in Somerset' timestamp='1361976271' post='1993897'] Sorry I couldn't get to a computer this morning , anyhow, a quick count up has shown a majority in favour of a four string. Lets turn our attention to the neck, how many frets? what construction? We'll look at headstocks and inclusion of block or other mounts later. Call me boring but I'd like a maple jazz neck with maple board. 20 frets will do . [/quote] 24 frets Wenge, Maple (Not a combination I've seen/heard) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 maple maple. No frets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted February 27, 2013 Author Share Posted February 27, 2013 [quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1361979674' post='1993975'] maple maple. No frets. [/quote] To keep things simple (or a least only less complex) the main design will be fretted, we'll run through any ideas for a fretless version at a later date. Bolt on or through neck? Good question, I've always fancied a through neck so I'll vote for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Let's put a huge pickup right up against the end of the fingerboard to stop people from slapping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 One-piece maple! black dots! 21 frets! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted February 27, 2013 Author Share Posted February 27, 2013 [quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1361980530' post='1993991'] Let's put a huge pickup right up against the end of the fingerboard to stop people from slapping. [/quote] Or a barbed spike? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low End Bee Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 [quote name='Dom in Somerset' timestamp='1361980097' post='1993986'] To keep things simple (or a least only less complex) the main design will be fretted, we'll run through any ideas for a fretless version at a later date. Bolt on or through neck? Good question, I've always fancied a through neck so I'll vote for that. [/quote] Ok, 24 frets then, and a through neck, so it can look like a sandwich at the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted February 27, 2013 Author Share Posted February 27, 2013 [quote name='Low End Bee' timestamp='1361982913' post='1994022'] [/quote] Build in some cheesy rhythm box buttons for bossanova etc and I'll have one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 (edited) You're doing this all the wrong way around. The number of frets is determined by the shape of the body (specifically the lower cutaway) and the position of the "neck" pickup and whether you want to leave any space between it and the end of the fingerboard. Edited February 27, 2013 by BigRedX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted February 27, 2013 Author Share Posted February 27, 2013 (edited) [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1361983576' post='1994041'] You're doing this all the wrong way around. The number of frets is determined by the shape of the body (specifically the lower cutaway) and the position of the "neck" pickup and whether you want to leave any space between it and the end of the fingerboard. [/quote] The lower cutaway allows access to the upper frets but it doesn't determine their number. You could in theoy put frets right up to the bridge if it weren't for pickups getting in the way. In order to access these super high frets you just slice off the bottom of the body and put the controls at the top. Edited February 27, 2013 by Dom in Somerset Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 But the space between them would become vanishingly small as you got closer to the bridge. IMO you should have as many frets as your body shape and pickup positioning makes accessible up to a maximum of 36 on a 34" scale bass (any more and the space between them is too small to be useful). It should be at least 19 and the heel shouldn't start until after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dom in Dorset Posted February 27, 2013 Author Share Posted February 27, 2013 "But the space between them would become vanishingly small as you got closer to the bridge" - certainly , but my point is that you can have as many frets as you like and then find a way off accessing them or not as the case may be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBass Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 I'll add through neck to it as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 [quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1361983076' post='1994027'] Ok, 24 frets then, and a through neck, so it can look like a sandwich at the end. [/quote] How about an actual sandwich at the end? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mckendrick Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Good one Fat Rich. Always get a bit peckish half way thro' the gig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Alsatian Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 One-piece maple neck/fretboard with 22 frets. Wider than a Jazz at the nut, but doesn't have to be Precision-width (although I'm happy with full-fat vintage P-width!). Must feel chunky/substantial in the hand - no Ibanez SR-style toothpicks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earbrass Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 (edited) Let's compromise on the strings issue and have 5 at the nut and 4 at the bridge. We can then set up a sub-committee to blue-sky some ideas for interfacing the two. (A lifetime in IT has taught me a few things ). Edited February 27, 2013 by Earbrass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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