So I chose to make my first build a 3 string double bass with a cardboard box body and a 2 1/2" x 1 1/2" lath for a neck. So far the project has been a great success with the exception of be able to put tension on the strings at the head. I used the method that Bogdon does for their bass but can't seem to get the tension on the weed-wacker strings. Here's a pic of the Bogdon head with their tuning apparatus. It appears they use a specific kind of washer between the strings and the wood, but I can't figure it out. Any ideas or different approaches for how to string this thing up? Thanks!
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3 string cardboard bass sound test
Success!!! Tightening the nuts was just right. Thanks Thomas for the help. It ain't much to look at, but it sounds great!
If looks mattered that much, nobody would be building these things. :)>
It seems like you could do it without lock washers as long as you can tighten the nuts well.
If you look under the red string you will see an extra nut. That would be tightened to give the tuning bolt drag in the neck to hold the tuning. It appears that they use an inner star type lock washer between the inner nut and outer nut to keep the nuts tight and a larger washer with a hole to give a place for the string end to go through. Hope that explanation will help. I'm a retired machinist/aircraft mechanic so all that seems pretty logical to me. Don't know how to draw it all up for reference, maybe someone else can provide an illustration.
Thanks Thomas. The only part I don't have are the inner star lock washers. I'll give those a shot and see if that takes.