I built a really nice upright bass thing from an ebay cello neck and a chunk of wood. Everything is fine except it will not stay in tune. I think either it's the cheap tailgut stretching or the design of it itself is flawed and it's bowing. The neck seems solidly attached to the body so I don't think thats the problem. I'm posting a few photos. forgive the sloppy electronics, it's a work in progress.
let me know if you have any tips. thanks
Replies
I've had a similar problem with my last build and it was actually the neck that was buckling under the pressure.
Checking it out with a straight edge could help eliminate some potential issues.
Might need a little more stretching? Give a little tug up & down the string from the nut down to the bridge, this will help break the string in to lessen it from going out of tune so much. There’s a bit more of a break in period for strings made of softer materials? However, If the note goes sharp when fretted, then your problem is caused by string height? Too high? Good luck figuring it out :)
Second the stretching issue, they also can slip in the tuner without a lot of winds.
I posted a response this morning, but it seems to have disappeared. So here it is again.
If you are using non-metal strings (Nylon or Gutt), expect them to stretch and go out of tune for a fair amount of time. It's a common problem on ukuleles a classical guitars with nylon strings.
If you tune each string up a bit (maybe two semi-tones) it will help to reduce the break in period.
Let us know what you finally find.
Hi Mark, check that the slots in the nut are not too small and gripping the strings. If you suspect the tail nylon, use a steel wire in its place. Check the action is not too high.
Taff