Double bass build

[benbastin]

Hi There

So i'm building a double bass, and thought some people might be interested in the progress.
You can follow the progress pictures here, http://www.flickr.com/photos/60334748@N02/sets/72157635031167744/
I will update details here from time to time, and if anyone has any questions please ask.

Thanks

Ben

[Dad3353]

Good evening, Ben...

Fascinating. It will be a privilege and a pleasure to follow this. The slide show is excellent. Thanks for sharing, and congratulations. You're a braver man than I.

[ubassman]

Excellent ! BTW where did you source your flamed maple?

[benbastin]

Incase anyone is interested here are some photos of a violin I made.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60334748@N02/sets/72157636122476095/

[benbastin]

I bought the maple for the back sides and neck from David Dyke [url="http://www.luthierssupplies.co.uk/"]http://www.luthierssupplies.co.uk/[/url]

Edited October 2, 2013 by benbastin

[Dad3353]

[quote name='benbastin' timestamp='1380732844' post='2229728']
Incase anyone is interested here are some photos of a violin I made.
[/quote]

[URL=http://www.smileyvault.com/][IMG]http://www.smileyvault.com/albums/CBSA/smileyvault-cute-big-smiley-animated-041.gif[/IMG][/URL]

[ubassman]

[quote name='benbastin' timestamp='1380733153' post='2229733']
I double the maple for the back sides and neck from David Dyke http://www.luthierssupplies.co.uk/
[/quote]
That's who I use too! Not the cheapest but good quality! I just carved a new top block with some maple that David sourced for me . By far the trickiest of all the blocks to make with its double corkscrew profiles. Will get some photos up here if that's of interest?

[bassace]

That's very brave, Ben. All power to you.

[sarah thomas]

Wonderful!

[Owencf]

[quote name='ubassman' timestamp='1380734696' post='2229774']
That's who I use too! Not the cheapest but good quality! I just carved a new top block with some maple that David sourced for me . By far the trickiest of all the blocks to make with its double corkscrew profiles. Will get some photos up here if that's of interest?
[/quote]

Looks like a good winter project mate.

Out of curiosity about the scroll, Why a scroll or golden spiral are there any variations?
Possibly along the lines of Figurehead on old boats.

Edited October 2, 2013 by Owencf

[blinddrew]

Fascinating to see, thanks!

[benbastin]

ubassman your using maple to make the top block? Any reason for using maple and not spruce?
I'd love to see some pictures, this design doesn't have sloping shoulders so that simplifies that a little bit!

[geoffbassist]

Incredible Ben, really awesome! I can't wait to see how it turns out. The slide shows is really effective too.

[TPJ]

Great stuff.

[ubassman]

[quote name='benbastin' timestamp='1380743532' post='2230003']
ubassman your using maple to make the top block? Any reason for using maple and not spruce?
I'd love to see some pictures, this design doesn't have sloping shoulders so that simplifies that a little bit!
[/quote]

The topblock is slender with steep sloping shoulders and the neck dovetail sheared the sides walls off the existing spruce top block ! Removing the top block was "interesting" as there was a really ugly repair of white glue and dowels that took an eternity to carefully work free from the bass.

For the size of the dovetail a hardwood top block is needed otherwise it will be back to square one if I carved a one from spruce. Will get some photos showing the process if that is of interest ( ...dont want to hijack your thread though!! ).

[benbastin]

Be interested to see it ubassman.

and the slide show was a happy accident and just happen when I linked the flickr page!

[ubassman]

Hope this is of interest ( spruce on the right - maple on the left )

[ubassman]

How are you forming your top block junction with the heel - are you going for Wilfer style ebony blocking strips? Intrigued on the design without sloping shoulders ! Theres a fantastic photo with about 30 tops stacked up in the background - whereabouts are you making the bass ?

Edited October 2, 2013 by ubassman

[henry norton]

I get a fair bit of wood from David Dyke's too. Price-wise I've always found him fairly reasonable and you can't put a value on being able to go and rifle through a whole pile of necks/sides/backs to find the perfect set. You can't do that when you're ordering from Swizerland
I've subscribed - very interested to see how it progresses

[stingrayPete1977]

Brilliant, what skills!

[fatback]

Awe-inspiring skills (and confidence).

[xzodar]

Watching the sequences of photos was genuinely amazing.

I am massively impressed!

[Burg]

Great work. WIll keep posted to see how this works out.

[timbo1978]

Really interesting, great to see what's beneath the varnish. Keep the pics coming.

[Owen]

There is very little that would give me more satisfaction than building my own DB. Sadly I am very aware of my lutherie skills and it is something which will never happen.