Break it down!

[Owen]

[url="http://www.jauray.com/index.php?page=modeles&subpage=demontable&lang=en"]http://www.jauray.com/index.php?page=model...ble&lang=en[/url]

Anyone know of anyone in the UK doing this sort of thing?

Edited January 27, 2009 by owen

[BigAlonBass]

[quote name='owen' post='369657' date='Jan 3 2009, 11:24 PM'][url="http://www.jauray.com/index.php?page=modeles&subpage=demontable&lang=en"]http://www.jauray.com/index.php?page=model...ble&lang=en[/url]

Anyone know of anyone in the UK doing this sort of thing?[/quote]

If there are, I can see where the first bit of any future Lottery win is going to go.

[teej]

Nearest thing is here... imported from USA:

[url="http://www.smart-distribution.co.uk/page0/page29/page29.html"]http://www.smart-distribution.co.uk/page0/page29/page29.html[/url]

and

[url="http://www.gelbass.com/bass/bass4RN.html"]http://www.gelbass.com/bass/bass4RN.html[/url]

I want one.

[TPJ]

I'm actually doing this myself. I bought a bass cheap off the bay for about £100.

The table and neck are off at this stage. I'm trying to source hide glue, cleats and someone to make a steel insert for the neck attachement.
It hasn't been easy but for the price of the bass it's a great education.

You can follow it [url="http://finnbass.com/showthread.php?t=3751"]here[/url].

Another alternative is getting a part assembled (white) one from a dealer in China. That would make it much easier to sort out your
method of neck attchement. There is also a load of info on TB if you dig around.

My methods probably make luthiers cringe but, hey, how do you learn? If it all works in the end then fantastic. If it doesn't, then I'm out £100.

[Owen]

[quote name='TPJ' post='369885' date='Jan 4 2009, 01:07 PM']I'm actually doing this myself. I bought a bass cheap off the bay for about £100.

The table and neck are off at this stage. I'm trying to source hide glue, cleats and someone to make a steel insert for the neck attachement.
It hasn't been easy but for the price of the bass it's a great education.

You can follow it [url="http://finnbass.com/showthread.php?t=3751"]here[/url].

Another alternative is getting a part assembled (white) one from a dealer in China. That would make it much easier to sort out your
method of neck attchement. There is also a load of info on TB if you dig around.

My methods probably make luthiers cringe but, hey, how do you learn? If it all works in the end then fantastic. If it doesn't, then I'm out £100.[/quote]

I like your style! Consider me subscribed

[dougal]

+1

That looks like fantastic fun. Best of luck!

[synaesthesia]

[quote name='teej' post='369775' date='Jan 4 2009, 10:45 AM']Nearest thing is here... imported from USA:

[url="http://www.smart-distribution.co.uk/page0/page29/page29.html"]http://www.smart-distribution.co.uk/page0/page29/page29.html[/url]

and

[url="http://www.gelbass.com/bass/bass4RN.html"]http://www.gelbass.com/bass/bass4RN.html[/url]

I want one.[/quote]

Dino makes a removable neck BSX Allegro, mine's a RN verision and it only has one bolt but it works very well without stability issues. The Eminence RN has a metal coupling which I thought was necessary when I was designing a homebrew EUB, but the Allegro does not have it and I have changed my design to follow the BSX method, which is far easier to construct. I have to say though, that the only issue with removable necks is the idea that you can set it up quickly at a gig and off you go- you'd surely be able to fit the neck on and string it up quickly, ...but whatever removable neck you use, you'd have to allow for the strings to stretch and settle from slack, so you'd have to watch your tuning quite a bit.

[url="http://www.bsxbass.com/"]http://www.bsxbass.com/[/url]

[teej]

[quote name='synaesthesia' post='370784' date='Jan 5 2009, 12:01 PM']Dino makes a removable neck BSX Allegro, mine's a RN verision and it only has one bolt but it works very well without stability issues. The Eminence RN has a metal coupling which I thought was necessary when I was designing a homebrew EUB, but the Allegro does not have it and I have changed my design to follow the BSX method, which is far easier to construct. I have to say though, that the only issue with removable necks is the idea that you can set it up quickly at a gig and off you go- you'd surely be able to fit the neck on and string it up quickly, ...but whatever removable neck you use, you'd have to allow for the strings to stretch and settle from slack, so you'd have to watch your tuning quite a bit.

[url="http://www.bsxbass.com/"]http://www.bsxbass.com/[/url][/quote]

Apologies, of course I should have said 'nearest thing I've come across...'

And, yes - I would never plan to travel to gigs with the neck detached, but for flying it would be very handy indeed.

[TPJ]

Not meaning to be funny but, the Eminence and BSX are pretty much considered EU basses and the Jauray is actually a double bass with a removable neck and there is a difference. If you want a portable bass that's easy to travel with then by all means the BSX, Eminence, Azola etc... are great basses. These double basses with removable necks are a different kettle of fish altogether. There is a great article on [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=460884&highlight=Rufus+Reid+Removable+neck"]TB with Rufus Reid[/url] explaining how he gets to play his main bass with the neck conversion. I imagine this would appeal to the big players. I think Charlie Hayden may have one as well. Interesting stuff really.

[synaesthesia]

[quote name='TPJ' post='370944' date='Jan 5 2009, 02:33 PM']Not meaning to be funny but, the Eminence and BSX are pretty much considered EU basses and the Jauray is actually a double bass with a removable neck and there is a difference. If you want a portable bass that's easy to travel with then by all means the BSX, Eminence, Azola etc... are great basses. These double basses with removable necks are a different kettle of fish altogether. There is a great article on [url="http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=460884&highlight=Rufus+Reid+Removable+neck"]TB with Rufus Reid[/url] explaining how he gets to play his main bass with the neck conversion. I imagine this would appeal to the big players. I think Charlie Hayden may have one as well. Interesting stuff really.[/quote]


An EUB is not a AUB, but the difference is not much in the RN concept.

[TPJ]

[quote name='synaesthesia' post='370988' date='Jan 5 2009, 03:01 PM']An EUB is not a AUB, but the difference is not much in the RN concept.[/quote]
Very true and it's amazing to see how many different variations there are with the removable neck. I'm still trying to figure out which to use. I noticed the BSX mounts onto the body similarly to a BG with a neck pocket. Looks like a solid method. Does it appear to "wear" much taking it apart and re-assembling it? I would think a nice hard finish would keep the wear to a minimum.

I thought a steel joint would be the most robust way to go too, but not so sure now.

[synaesthesia]

[quote name='TPJ' post='370998' date='Jan 5 2009, 03:17 PM']Very true and it's amazing to see how many different variations there are with the removable neck. I'm still trying to figure out which to use. I noticed the BSX mounts onto the body similarly to a BG with a neck pocket. Looks like a solid method. Does it appear to "wear" much taking it apart and re-assembling it? I would think a nice hard finish would keep the wear to a minimum.

I thought a steel joint would be the most robust way to go too, but not so sure now.[/quote]

I was amazed when I got the BSX how simple it was. Unlike EBG, it has some metal work embedded so the wear is on the metal not the wood. There is a very heavy duty threaded insert and I recall an M12 bolt. There is a reason to the BSX design as there is something similar to Fender /Early MM/ G&L neck tilt concept via another bolt. The Eminence has a metal coupling which I think is dovetailed as well, so the bolt is an additional lock.

The EUB I plan to build is for all intents and purposes an AUB but slimmer in width not in depth. The neck is a full 3/4 neck. The joint would be similar to a AUB with a removable neck as opposed to the BSX. I plan to use a one bolt design, and was going to cut a dovetailed joint against the pull of the strings. I was going to line the joint with aluminium plates as well. It was based on the eminence RN joint. Not sure all that fancy dovetail work is necessary now. Given that there are no truss rods in your typical AUB or EUB based on the physiognomy of the AUB, perhaps the Eminence style RN joint is a bit overkill.

Edited January 5, 2009 by synaesthesia

[TPJ]

The dovetail maybe overkill like you say. Looking at several variations, they seemed to be happy with a thick wooden base to the neck that fits very snugly into the joint on the block. I'd prefer a bit of metal in there just to minimise wear as I'll be taking mine to pieces often.

Your idea of a narrower bass sounds very nice indeed. Keep us posted on that build.

[Guest Jecklin]

Roger Dawson in London has been doing this sort of thing for quite a while.

He collaborated with Barry Guy to make a travel bass:

[url="http://www.barryguy.com/travelbass/travelbass02/index.html"]http://www.barryguy.com/travelbass/travelbass02/index.html[/url]

I've played one of these and was very impressed.primarily designed to be used amplified they still put out a fair bit of acoustic sound.

I had my neck re-set a few years ago and talked with my luthier (who trained with Roger and now makes the travel basses) about having it made to be removable, but decided against it at the time. Not sure why with hind sight.
Oh well.

The only issue is finding a way to secure the soundpost while in transit without the neck, or else become proficient in putting it back in place all the time.

Thomas

[teej]

[quote name='merchant' post='371222' date='Jan 5 2009, 06:26 PM']Roger Dawson in London has been doing this sort of thing for quite a while.

He collaborated with Barry Guy to make a travel bass:

[url="http://www.barryguy.com/travelbass/travelbass02/index.html"]http://www.barryguy.com/travelbass/travelbass02/index.html[/url][/quote]

That looks very nice indeed

[TPJ]

[quote name='merchant' post='371222' date='Jan 5 2009, 06:26 PM']Roger Dawson in London has been doing this sort of thing for quite a while.

He collaborated with Barry Guy to make a travel bass:

[url="http://www.barryguy.com/travelbass/travelbass02/index.html"]http://www.barryguy.com/travelbass/travelbass02/index.html[/url]

I've played one of these and was very impressed.primarily designed to be used amplified they still put out a fair bit of acoustic sound.

I had my neck re-set a few years ago and talked with my luthier (who trained with Roger and now makes the travel basses) about having it made to be removable, but decided against it at the time. Not sure why with hind sight.
Oh well.

The only issue is finding a way to secure the soundpost while in transit without the neck, or else become proficient in putting it back in place all the time.

Thomas[/quote]

Cheers for the link. Checked out Barry's bass. Not sure the neck comes all the way off though. Great looking thing.

The sound post is one of the more difficult issues. I think Rufus had his pinned in place once they found the sweet spot for his bass. He basically said that it wasn't adjusted for such a long time that they where confident in the placement and nailed the thing in place

I'm taking another approach and cutting a hatch in the C bout to set the post. Probably not as elegant to some but this bass needs to be highly functional and quickly adjustable.

One point is the strings. I'm not sure hybrids like the Honeys will cope with the constant tuning and slacking. Might have to go with some metal strings again. Not really my tone but I'm sure it won't be the only compromise along the way.

[Guest Jecklin]

Thanks TPJ you just reminded me why I decided not to go for it....

Strings!

I use (or did) honeys, and like you wasn't sure if they would take the changes in tension.
I'd got fed up with spiros at the time and was a Honeys convert.

I would never have flown with a bass, and was intending on making my bass easier to transport on long distance national rail journeys, but reasoned the extra cost in strings might outweigh potential benefits.

I think you are right about the Dawson traveler bass having a neck that hinged rather than fully removable.
I believe this was the earlier design. I'm 99% certain the one I played (made by Laurence Dixon) had a fully removable neck.

Here is Barry in action:
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEGPHvdWFp4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEGPHvdWFp4[/url]

You can clearly see the reduced body depth of the bass.

I'm especially keen on the no scroll tuning box.

Edited January 5, 2009 by Jecklin

[Owen]

I ran into this today.

[url="http://www.foldingbass.com/"]http://www.foldingbass.com/[/url]