Bass Ukulele anybody?

[Cliff Rogers]

Has anybody made one or seen plans for one?

There are lots of pictures on line & few dimensions like scale etc but I can't find any details about the fret board/nut/bridge width or string spacing.

Anybody got any details they are willing to share?

[Toymaker Len]

Watching this avidly. I've got one of these on my 'gunna' list.

[tea lady]

Used a site with all the fret board measurements when I made my banjos.

fret calculators. And other stuff. Thought I had other stuff but can't find now.

Calculating Fret Positions

[Cliff Rogers]

Fret position isn't my problem.... I can work that out for any given scale length.

I want nut & saddle width & string to string spacing, not the fret to fret spacing.

I found some details for a U-Bass that is a 21" scale.
The nut is 45mm wide & the 12th fret is 56mm wide.
I went out to the work bench & drew out a 21" centre line & put a 45mm line at one end & 56mm line across the middle & used a long steel rule to project out to the other end & worked out that the saddle would have to be about 70mm.

This gives me something to start planning with.

On Thursday I plan to take my little 6" steel rule with me & call into a music shop with ukes in it & test my theory.
I might even take my digital calipers with me.

[Ball Peen]

Cliff,
I worked mine out from the UBASS site as well.
nut-----44mm
12th-- 52mm
bridge-53mm
9mm BETWEEN strings at nut
12mm radius fb
The strings are very hard to hold in the tuners ( slippery, like a poly ). I bored each post to suit the E, A, and D strings the G was fine but
I had to close the top of the post ( epoxy timber ) to keep the string from slipping out the top.
Awesome sound! I use a SWR Goliath Jr 2x10 cab and a Genz-Benz shuttle 3 head.....( edit E string to G string )

[Cliff Rogers]

Cool, thanks.

That sounds much straighter than what I worked out.

12mm radius fb? Is that correct? That is like a 1/2" radius.

[Ball Peen]

Cool, thanks.

That sounds much straighter than what I worked out.

12mm radius fb? Is that correct? That is like a 1/2" radius.

Sorry, 12in .

[Cliff Rogers]

Sounds better.

[Sebastiaan56]

I think you will need to know the strings you are going to use Cliff. There seems to be two suppliers; Worth Strings WORTH STRINGS for BASS and Aqulia Bass ukuleles/Ashbory bass type Original Ashbory strings are still available as well https://www.largesound.com/buy/ My sense is that other strings such as whipper snipper cord would work as well. TalkBass Forums The work needs to be done.

They will determine what you do with the nut and the bridge etc. I have a plan in my head as well, I bought a bunch of stuff from Ashbory a few years ago but havent got to it yet

Do you have any piccies Ball Peen?

[Cliff Rogers]

There are also the Road Toad strings here.
Road Toad, Aquila, Kala, and Pyramid strings for U-BASS

I hope to call into a music shop tomorrow for a quick look.

[Ball Peen]

Not meaning to hijack. Construction details. I have the " Pahoehoe Black Bass Strings ". These strings really stretch...I know they have been used on a 650mm classical guitar.

[fineboxes]

Now there's your excuse for a trip out here again Cliff.

Cheers

Steve

[Ball Peen]

Just as an aside, this ( unplugged bass )is the perfect answer to the question...." What can I play while watching tv with my loved one and not be the source of irritation?

[Cliff Rogers]

Beauty BP, thanks.

I'm already looking for a day off somewhere Steve... hope you aren't planning anything.