Forums

Bass problem

Posted by Wilson Gardner on August 30, 2013 at 10:56am in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts

I built a 4 string bass - no electric -  used an old wine bottle box about 6 inches deep and about 7inches by 12 inches rectangle.  Put the strings on it and am very disappointed; very poor sound.  I made two 1 1/4 inch holes in the sound board and another two cuts that included  2 inch holes.  It seems to me that there is adequate area for sound resonation.  The neck is about 32 inches long with the head at 5 inches.  I used an internet tuner to get the correct tune.  

Any suggestions?  Is this what you get from an acustic bass?

Wilson "Bear" Gardner

You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!

Join Cigar Box Nation

Email me when people reply –
Follow

Replies

  • Dr X September 1, 2013 at 4:07am
    Acoustic basses are always very quiet, I dont know of any that dont require amplifying ... Even really expensive ones. Bass frequencies need a lot of energy to produce a soundwave loud enough to compete with a six string ...... more energy just strings vibrating can produce. Try sandwiching a piezo disk between the saddle and soundboard.
  • the anonymous pick August 31, 2013 at 2:09am

    many things factor into   sound transfer  ..  including   string angle  ,   materials  ,   bridge height    and  position  .  etc etc etc  .  

    first thing  i would try  is   getting  more downward    string pressure  on  the    body    by  increasing  the string angle   behind the nut and  bridge  .

    a type  of string retainer  may  help  this  .

     a picture  of your guit  would  help  diagnose 

  • Randy S. Bretz August 30, 2013 at 11:01am

    what kind of bridge did you use...how about a pic of it

This reply was deleted.