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  • JL December 20, 2016 at 8:13am

    if you are going for a 41.3in scale length (common orchestral double bass size) you will need orchestral bass strings, electric bass guitar strings aren't long enough.

    If you are looking at building a 34in scale length (fretless electric bass guitar turned upright sized) then go with flatwound strings so that she can bow it as well as pluck.

    • Paul Craig > JL December 20, 2016 at 3:30pm

      Very good advise here.

    • David Bowes > JL December 20, 2016 at 9:52am

      JL

      Thanks for the advice. Orchstralstrigs are expensive so it look like I will go with a  shorter scale .

      Regards David

  • David Bowes December 20, 2016 at 7:58am

    Thanks, Jim.

  • David Bowes December 20, 2016 at 4:34am

    Jim

    What strings did you use?

    • Jim Morris > David Bowes December 20, 2016 at 7:33am

      I used hardware store weedwhacker strings which have a pretty good tone when plucked but don't really bow very well - too slidy. I'm not sure how regular bass guitar strings would affect the bow hairs but I have used a bow on guitar strings with no ill effects. Good quality strings are pretty pricey but a compromise might be a set like this
      http://www.ebay.com/itm/SLAP-HAPPY-WEEDWACKER-Nylon-Upright-Double-...

      Which I haven't tried but have heard good things about.

  • David Bowes December 20, 2016 at 4:29am

    Jim

    Thanks for the advice, she wants to use a bow so I will bee to radius the fretboard.

    Question 2. I have made a basic upright bass befor and used standard bass guitar strings, as these are wound would they damage the bow?

  • Jim Morris December 18, 2016 at 9:16pm

    By double bass I'm assuming you mean like an upright acoustic bass. If so here's a pretty simple one I made. It doesn't have a radiused fingerboard so it's not for bowing - just plunking. 

    http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/doodle-bass-ring-of-fire

    It has decent volume and can easily be miked at the sound port if needed. It's tuned E,A,D,G as normal and uses weedwhacker line. I think a set of actual strings would help the tone but they're pretty pricey.

    This design came from Dennis Havlena's fine plans.

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