Matthew....hows progress with the bass?

[kiwigeo]

Hi Matthew,

Was wondering how youre going with that Bass of yours? Any recent pics would be much appreciated.

Cheers Martin

[contrebasse]

Well Its all there on my website, easiest place to see it!

http://www.pichotel.com/pic/2328IkAUn/101961.jpg

Been a bit of a hiatus cos Christmas and also because in two weeks my shed is being demolished :o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o:o ... and I'll be in Hobart for two weeks from Saturday (if anyone wants to catch up down there i'm on 0414549174)

Once the shed is demolished, i won't have the new one for three months or so, so you can see why I'm a bit panicky.

Soooo ... I'll take the scroll down to Tassie and try to finish carving it there. the volute is done but the heel needs a lot of work. Then when i get back ... well, my wife is off overseas for a month, so the kitchen table will probably get hijacked ... :D

http://www.pichotel.com/pic/2328IkAUn/107987.jpg

[kiwigeo]

Thanks for the update Matthew. Ill check out the website for the whole story.

The scroll is looking very elegant..nice work. Are you going to pack it a shold luggage on the plane or as cabin baggage?...the airport security people will have fun deciding what the hell it is and whether or not its dangerous.

[Malibu]

... whether or not its dangerous.

Something that BIG has got to be classed as a weapon, hasn't it? :wink:

Fantastic job Matthew. Love the scroll, it looks great :)
Are you missing one brace, or is that it?

[contrebasse]

Violins and basses etc have one brace (unless Kasha principles are applied) on the front called a bass bar, on which rests the bass foot of the bridge. The treble foot sits more-or-less just behind the "sound post" which is a pine stick wedged lightly between the front and the back and which imposes a non-vibration point around which vibrations emerge. Sort of like a pivot.

I'll wrap the neck and gouges in bubble wrap and stick it in the hold!

[kiwigeo]

I'd buy the scroll its own seat on the plane. Mr Scroll in Seat 3C....do not wake for meals.

[contrebasse]

I'm stuffed. Look what sort of thing is keeping me from my bass ...

http://www.pichotel.com/pic/2328IkAUn/110418.jpg

Looks highly dangerous, eh? I knew it at the time of course, but chose to power on and be stupid. Luckily, this time I got the stump out. But my hands are peppered with blisters as penance ...

talk about working with wood!

[Paul B]

Extract digit Matthew.

Pulling stumps isn't what we're wanting to see. We wanna see the Bass!

I've been watching your project with awe, man, that is looking good. I'd like to build a violin or cello. Don't know anything about them or how to play them, but I'd like to build one or ten of each.

Come to think of it I don't know a hell of a lot about playing guitars either:B

[Malibu]

Dry it, condition it, shape it...
I can see a bass neck in that one!
:D

(not a very good one, I admit, but there'll be a great story behind it!)

[contrebasse]

You bastard Malibu, look what you made me do!!!!

http://www.pichotel.com/pic/2328IkAUn/117227.jpg

you wanna race, huh? You're ON, bud :D:D:D

progress posted on my website, below.

[kiwigeo]

You bastard Malibu, look what you made me do!!!!

.

The art of being a good luthier is being able to cover up your mistakes...

[Malibu]

You bastard Malibu, look what you made me do!!!!

Hey, what'd I do???
Ah hell... doesn't matter, everything else is my fault too... Just ask my boss or the ex, they'll tell you! :-

Say, Matthew... is that a mallet and chisel in the photo?
I remember my grandfather teling me about them in one of those "...I remember when I was young..." sessions... :wink::)
A router is the way to go; that way you can do some serious damage with next to no effort! (Geez, don't know it!) :2tsup:

[contrebasse]

I was ribbing you, of course. Since you've been "progressing" an' all i've been doing is nothing. It feels like I gotta catch up!!! Thats the good thing about these WIPs. People are watching! The pressure is ON!

Actually, the photo above shows a success story. Just one whack with the mallet. I just wish i have a firmer chisel with an 8" blade instead of the nice old ebay special I'm using now.

No router is going anywhere near my blocks, ever.

[Malibu]

I was ribbing you, of course.
Yeah, I know... Just ribbing back. It takes more than that to get through the walrus hide I call skin :D

Since you've been "progressing" an' all i've been doing is nothing.
Well, we've sort of noticed; we just didn't wanna say anything, that's all... you know? :wink:

It feels like I gotta catch up!!! Thats the good thing about these WIPs. People are watching! The pressure is ON!
One thing I've noticed building this is that it takes as long as it takes! Some things I've rocketed through, others seem to drag on. It makes a good change from my normal work day when everything has got to be done NOW, to pondering, thinking and then when everything's right, only then do I do it :)

Actually, the photo above shows a success story. Just one whack with the mallet. I just wish i have a firmer chisel with an 8" blade instead of the nice old ebay special I'm using now.
I did notice it was a beautiful clean cut! There's nothing like a chisel with good steel and sharpened perfectly to chip out a chunk of wood, even if it is an e-bay special :2tsup:

No router is going anywhere near my blocks, ever.
Go on, live a little! Just before you plunge down with a hurtling piece of HSS into your masterpiece, you think "Oh, geez... this could be the end of 300+ hours!" :oo:
If, as Martin says, "The art of being a good luthier is being able to cover up your mistakes", then I gotta be a master-craftsman by now!! :D

The bass looks good. What's the estimated "big day" arrival of the first stringing?

[myguitar]

Just wanted to let you know that I am really enjoying watching the adventures of your instrument.

I think the story that goes behind any creativity is the real magic that adds to the final product.

What are your plans for the baby when ready? (I may have missed that along the way)

I have passed the link to many others & we are all enjoying the progress.

Do you think it will be up their with Richard tognettis 10 Mill violin?

Keep going.

Fiona :)

[kiwigeo]

I did notice it was a beautiful clean cut!




It was?? Shows you how much I know about building basses. Looked a bit rough to me.

[contrebasse]

Martin - hard to tell if your tongue is as firmly stuck in yer cheek as mine usually is ... but in case not, check the website: http://z4.invisionfree.com/Double_Bass/index.php?showtopic=11&st=10&#last (http://z4.invisionfree.com/Double_Bass/index.php?showtopic=11&st=10&#last)

First, two careful beautiful clean cuts with a dozuki. THEN the dirty great whack with the whackometer to split out the mortice. And thankfully, because I chose my blocks carefully, there's only a little run-out and I didn't end up splitting the thing in two. Also, I was awake enough to make the split from the thin end first ...

so you're both right. The cut was nice and clean, but the split was a bit rough as you'd expect.

The mortice has cleaned up nicely. I love cedar. Hope its strong enough!

Fiona - glad you're keeping an eye on me! My plans ... well apart from playing the thing (if it sounds the way I hope it will) I plan to get as many monster DB players as i can to try it out and give me an opinion. And then start on DB # 2 and 3. But If it doesn't sound as good as I planned, I'll be taking the top off again and fiddling with it until its OK ...

What's the estimated string-up date? Christmas 2006 at last count :-

[kiwigeo]

so you're both right. The cut was nice and clean, but the split was a bit rough as you'd expect.



Wasn't sure if the cut in the pic was what was intended.....like I said Im not up on bass construction. Glad to see it wasn't a gaff and things are going to plan.

Think Im going to have to build a bass sometime soon.

[Malibu]

Think Im going to have to build a bass sometime soon.

See what you've started Matthew? :D

[contrebasse]

Don't worry I'll take my website down before anyone has a chance to copy ...

as if.

[contrebasse]

As I'm now working under the magnolia tree in a dingy 2 x 3m garden shed, I decided I needed a new gluepot:

http://www.pichotel.com/pic/2328IkAUn/119128.jpg

recent progress is shown here:

http://z4.invisionfree.com/Double_Bass/index.php?showtopic=15&view=getlastpost

It was nice and dry when I started clamping, but pissing with Sydney rain an hour afterwards. So much for climate-control.

[bricks]

Just wondring any tips for refernance material on violins, im assuming they are closer to bass than guitar?

[contrebasse]

Head right on over to http://www.maestronet.com. Everything you need in the pegbox forum.

But the site *right now* has crashed. Check tomorrow.

[kiwigeo]

Nice gluepot there Matthew but wait till your wife comes looking for the iron!! Methinks youre in serious trouble :D

[contrebasse]

's OK. I'm using some aluminium foil to protect the teflon ...

[contrebasse]

Adam Phillips is getting WAY too much publicity.

I've been working on the back. Unfortunately i found out that the ribs have moved a bit since they were made, and its not easy at all to get it to fit, whether in a flat sense or in terms of the outline!

http://z4.invisionfree.com/Double_Bass/index.php?&showtopic=15&view=getnewpost

http://www.pichotel.com/pic/2328IkAUn/120281.jpg

[Malibu]

Looks good Matthew... It's one BIG chunk of instrument! :U
Why the movement? A humidity and/or temperature problem?

[mkat]

http://www.pichotel.com/pic/2328IkAUn/120281.jpg

I've been following the progress, which has been really interesting. Looking at this photo, it looks like it's bigger than the shed :) How tall are you...

[contrebasse]

You're not kidding. It IS one big chunk of an instrument!

http://www.pichotel.com/pic/2328IkAUn/120359.jpg

:oo::oo::oo::oo::oo:

[Malibu]

:doh::U

Too much time to spare, mate! :;

[contrebasse]

Why the movement?

Well, I was using an inside mould. A disadvantage that you didn't have, with an outside mould, is that once the linings are fitted, I can't keep the ribs shaped to the mould. The blocks are attached to the frame, but not the curved edges of the mould. And I suppose over time they've bent a bit ...

And yes, changing humidity makes these big pieces of wood flap about like butterly wings ...

[Malibu]

Once my sides were bent, I kept them in the mold for the most part, right up to glueing the top and back plates.
Do you have plans for a de-humidifier for the new workshop?

[contrebasse]

Do you have plans for a de-humidifier for the new workshop?

no ... but i have a drying box big enough for back wood.

[contrebasse]

Here's a great big cam clamp I made from tassie oak, using these plans:

http://www.woodshoptips.com/tips/050304/index.htm

http://www.pichotel.com/pic/2328IkAUn/121456.jpg

and I'm making my spool clamps ... I'll need about 50 of the buggers:

http://www.pichotel.com/pic/2328IkAUn/121455.jpg

I'm finding that I can clamp the back into position, so I'm going to do so and leave it clamped up for a few days with all the changing Sydney humidity and heat in the shed. Hopefully it'll lose its springiness and I can glue it up on the weekend.

That is perhaps a little too hopeful, but we'll see ...

[contrebasse]

http://www.pichotel.com/pic/2328IkAUn/124512.jpg

Read the epic here:

http://z4.invisionfree.com/Double_Bass/index.php?showtopic=24&view=getnewpost

[kiwigeo]

All looking fine and dandy Matthew....an epic saga in all respects but the light at the end of the tunnel is in sight. Cant wait to see the finished beast....not long now.

[contrebasse]

yeah ... just don't mention the word "overhang" to me for a few weeks, ok??

[kiwigeo]

yeah ... just don't mention the word "overhang" to me for a few weeks, ok??

Are you talking about the back overhanging the sides? Nothing a router with a straight cutter and a bearing on the end wouldnt fix. I trim my guitar tops and backs using same prior to doing binding.

[contrebasse]

I TOLD YOU NOT TO MENTION OVERHANG!!!!!

... in my case the overhang is supposed to be there. It's supposed to be even all around. It has to line up at the corners evenly. And when the ribs are pushed or pulled into shape (NOT easy because I have the equivalent of 6mm laminate at the edges when you take into consideration the thickness of the solid linings) to match the back, then when i put the front on, its supposed to overhang evenly all around, and because the front outline is finished, purfling and all, I can't just trim the edges...

I will end up trimming the back down to the lowest common denominator, about 1-2mm overhang. Should have been 3mm.

[contrebasse]

Oh and by the way, no router is coming within 15 feet of my double bass!!!

[contrebasse]

Progress pics

http://z4.invisionfree.com/Double_Bass/index.php?&showtopic=24&st=7
(http://z4.invisionfree.com/Double_Bass/index.php?&showtopic=24&st=5)

[kiwigeo]

Ya wont use a router but youre using even newer technology to check if the neck is straight???? I'll be dropping around with my fleet of FIVE routers next time I'm through Sydney :D (Tounge firmly placed in cheek)

The beast is looking quite impressive in the last few pics on the website...nothing beats the moment an instrument is first viewed with all the pieces fitted together.

[contrebasse]

Ya wont use a router but youre using even newer technology to check if the neck is straight???? I

If you can find me a router and bit for $14 I'll use it ;-)

[Malibu]

Looks great Matthew! What sort of finish is planned?
The new workshop is coming along nicely too :)

[kiwigeo]

If you can find me a router and bit for $14 I'll use it ;-)

Mmmm thats a tough budget constraint. If I was living in Sydney I'd gladly lend you one.

[contrebasse]

have router. choose when I use it. Trojan hi tech laser level $14 at bunnings!

Finish Malibu? Did you say FINISH??? I'll tell you what sort of finish I'm planning: Big party in the new workshop, lots of pina colada, mexican sausages, lairy shirts ... you are all invited ...

BTW what you see in in the pics is the loungeroom. The new workshop will be in the garage, soon as the rollerdoor arrives

Hey is anyone going to the National in Canberra at Easter?

[Malibu]

I'll tell you what sort of finish I'm planning: Big party in the new workshop, lots of pina colada, mexican sausages, lairy shirts ... you are all invited ...


Mate, I like your idea of a grand finish! :2tsup:
I'm picturing the neighbours peeking through the curtains, while hoards of people in lairy shirts carrying an orchestra's compliment of home-made instruments trapse in and out...
Mexican snags, tropical island drinks and live music all night has GOTTA be one helluva party! :D

[kiwigeo]

A finishing party, great...I'll bring along my trumpet and kettle drums!

Just checked out the website Matthew.....the bass looking very sexy with the finish on.

[contrebasse]

Hey look what I've been up to:

http://www.pichotel.com/pic/2328IkAUn/138574.jpg

It is strung up with crap strings and a crap temp bridge, but I couldn't wait.

Sounds OK. It'll be better when properly setup. Overnight the sound became more focussed and richer. It will be a roarer this one. A cannon, I hope.

[Malibu]

That's great Matthew, I'm really impressed!
I know all about your feelings with not being able to wait... I went (still going through) that itch to get it strung up and in a playing condition. Well done, it looks great :D

[kiwigeo]

Bl**dy marvelous looking instrument there Matthew. Youre a true Craftsman mate. :2tsup:

[black_labb]

i can barely comprehend the time and skill needed to do something that complex as well as you have. how much information could you find on the net and such about the construction? i can imagine that there wasnt much info available.

[contrebasse]

well it was all there, but buried quite deeply in forums, emails and yeah ... books. It has taken me a year of stop-start building to get this far. Working slowly means there's lots of time to think and plan, and less likelihood of making a blunder.

[kiwigeo]

Sooooooo...whats next??? :D

[contrebasse]

Well mate. its not QUITE finished yet., I still have to varnish, fit new bridge, shoot the fingerboard, glue some trim at the neck and a few other fiddly things.

But after that?

Easy. I have another bass to make.

[Sebastiaan56]

This looks like a lovely instrument. Well done,

Sebastiaan

[contrebasse]

Ok here's what it sounds like.

Go here

http://home.exetel.com.au/studio205/

click on downloads, then demo, then listen to two recordings I made last night.

Mind you, this is the bass without setup, temp bridge, quick soundpost set and no fingerboard work at all.

My crummy playing aside, I think its promising http://www.talkbass.com/forum/images/smilies/colors/biggrin.gif