#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

Upright bass build

I'm in the planning stages for my next build...an (approximately)1/2-3/4 size upright acoustic bass. I want to stand up, pluck and slap out some blues and shuffle-Billy jams.

Any suggestions re scale length to make sure I get that upright bass tonal range and a good choice of string types?

I'm considering 3 strings, what tunings should I consider? I play 3 string guitar in GDg, Dad, etc.

I'm going to approximate the box size and just make it rectangular. I'll be putting in a sound post and bass bar. Any other suggestions? Types of pick ups? Rod/disc, mic? radiused fingerboard?

1 member likes this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tom Lauten on March 5, 2017 at 2:58am

Well, I REALLY want to avoid an "electric" bass sound so I want to make sure I stick with acoustic bass style strings and scale length so I have the widest range of string material to choose from.

I've already built and upright Ukulele bass and it works very well...it does look a bit weird on its long thin leg that gets it up to standing height but hey...it works!

I really want to get that BIG acoustic sound now and that proper fingerboard slap.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jim_N on March 5, 2017 at 8:16am

Size-wise, I made this 3-stringer, “Blues Cat,” between that of a ¾ and a 4/4 double bass. EAD tuning and a flat fingerboard. There are several sites with dimensions, etc.
IE: https://www.gollihurmusic.com/faq.cfm?faqID=2

And used "Slap Happy's" weed wackers strings:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570....
Nice thumpy, definitely upright bass/not electric bass sound (tho' acoustically, not terribly loud). Since these pics, I've added a piezo under the bridge (as well as a couple of other corrections/mods.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tom Lauten on March 5, 2017 at 9:16am

Nice one(s)! What kind of piezo did you use? Rod? Disk? Any recordings? Is the Blues Cat contoured or flat fron and back?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jim_N on March 5, 2017 at 12:33pm

Tom, I used a rod piezo. No recording sample, but with the weed wacker strings and only 1/8” thick plywood over its frame, it does give a decent replication of a big bass' sound, IMO. The thing is flat- front, back and sides. (The project began as toe-pincher coffin case, but before long, I decided that what I really needed was a bull fiddle that could double as a raft in case of a flood or something. (Always thinking! :D)

Incidentally, I did angle its neck, tho' not as severe an angle as has a real, professionally-made upright bass. Incidentally, the picture on the left is the back of Blues Cat. I put the direction, “Up,” so the bass player would know its orientation without having to turn it around. ^^

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Lane Martin on March 7, 2017 at 10:21am

"I put the direction, “Up,” so the bass player would know its orientation without having to turn it around."

Perfect, until I come along, see it laying on it's side, and wonder why "this end goes down?" ;)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kigar on March 5, 2017 at 4:44pm

I did a 2 string fretless bass using a Fender Jazz Bass strings, it is 32" scale length. Used a fairly big cigar box, built like a neck thru cbg except the "thru" part keeps going to the floor. It has a nice bass sound but not a lot of volume. The stick is as crooked as it appears, it was a piece of scrap hickory from making a bow.