Hey folks.  Thinking of building a CBG bass and I have a question or 2. 

Does it matter what kind of magnetic pickup I put in it?  I mean is there one specific for basses?  Also, does the 3 or 4 string matter? 

Also do I have to use a hardtail bridge or can I use a tail piece with a floating bridge like most CBG's? 

thanks for the input.  I'm not a real experienced builder and I know nothing about basses.  But I want to built one. 

Views: 703

Replies to This Discussion

Do think about string tention. That will depend 3 to 4 strings. Are you using nylon or steal strings? This comes into play with the pickup as well. Will it have frets?

I'm not sure I know the difference between nylon and steel strings.  Total beginner.  I'm assuming the nylon are for acoustic?  I want to go electric on this one.  And yes it will have frets

I'd say no on the pickup issue. If the strings are metal covered and the pickup is magnetic you are fine, I built a bass out an old strat copy, and kept the original pickups, does D0 (octave below standard bass E) just fine.

I have a video of a 2 string bass I made....though I didn't know what I was doing, so it may be of limited use, lol! However it's still in one piece and plays well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3IF12BZ-LA

A full 4 string bass has a fair amount of tension on the bridge as well as the neck joint because of its length. These 2 areas need to be strong.

Have no exp with floaters. Cant advise there. 

Any bass pickup will work. But choose wisely. Semore Dunkin is a industry standard. For simplicity and first build I would go with a P setup.

Yes there is a difference between bass & guitar pickups, cbgitty has an economical 3/4 string pickup that’s worth trying (black enclosed 4 pole pickup). You can use any kind of bridge you want, even a bolt? but if you want maximum control over action/ intonation then you’ll want a hard tail bridge. Really the only difference between bass & guitar is scale length & string size & obviously tone, so really you’re just building a guitar with a longer neck & bigger strings. 3 or 4 strings, preference really, but if you’re doing a 4 string,you’ll need a truss rod unless you’re going with weedwhacker strings. Hope I’ve helped, there’s gonna be plenty of experience chiming in soon. Good luck

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Discussion Forum

Cigar box a little different

Started by Phil Farabough. Last reply by Phil Farabough Nov 10, 2018. 10 Replies

first bass build

Started by Patrick. Last reply by BrianQ. Nov 8, 2018. 6 Replies

looking for alternate tunings-

Started by Daniel Walter. Last reply by Ken Hutchinson Oct 14, 2017. 16 Replies

Bass build help

Started by Ro'Nique Staley Mar 22, 2017. 0 Replies

My first bass build

Started by Bryan Putnam. Last reply by Richard Haas Dec 2, 2016. 15 Replies

Building my first bass

Started by Henry S. Last reply by TN Twang Nov 30, 2016. 11 Replies

fingerboard question(s)

Started by Euraquilo. Last reply by Fomhorach Nov 1, 2016. 6 Replies

3 string bass questions

Started by Euraquilo. Last reply by Euraquilo Oct 31, 2016. 18 Replies

3 String Cigar Box Bass Guitar Parts

Started by Will T. Last reply by Murdoc_420 Jul 16, 2016. 3 Replies

Bass strings??

Started by jeffrey ross. Last reply by jeffrey ross Mar 25, 2016. 13 Replies

Magnetic vs Piezo pickup

Started by PhilUSAFRet. Last reply by Murdoc_420 Mar 25, 2016. 8 Replies

Weed eater strings and tuning.

Started by Poppy. Last reply by Murdoc_420 Feb 29, 2016. 7 Replies

Bass Uke string question(s)

Started by Lane Martin. Last reply by Where's Uranus? Jan 7, 2016. 6 Replies

Looking for 2 string bass plans

Started by Mike. Last reply by Mike Jan 6, 2016. 8 Replies

UBass strings

Started by Bobby Fields. Last reply by Bobby Fields Dec 11, 2015. 3 Replies

First bass build got a few questions .

Started by Piht Bull (Delta Dawg Guitars). Last reply by Scott aka Farmer Ted Apr 23, 2015. 23 Replies

bass frets...

Started by john mackay. Last reply by john mackay Feb 4, 2015. 4 Replies

Latest Activity

Maddog liked SlowHound's video
1 hour ago
Maddog liked SlowHound's video
2 hours ago
Maddog commented on BUGGSY's photo
Thumbnail

UNCLE JOHN

"Very Cool! Well done!"
2 hours ago
Maddog liked BUGGSY's photo
2 hours ago
Maddog commented on Uncle John's photo
Thumbnail

found a nice twice a month open mic

"Nice UJ!  I miss our get togethers. "
2 hours ago
Maddog liked Uncle John's photo
2 hours ago
Maddog commented on Uncle John's photo
Thumbnail

Nearly done Chugger ~ two string.

"Good lookin' build UJ! "
2 hours ago
Maddog liked Uncle John's photo
2 hours ago
David Woodman posted photos
4 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on AGP #'s photo
Thumbnail

AGP #529 - ''Acca Dacca''

"Another fine build in the series Alan! You have been busy"
12 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Maddog's photo
Thumbnail

Mike Hollon w/ Maddog Washboard

"It’s always satisfying when instruments you built are seeing regular action by a visible…"
12 hours ago
Southern Ray replied to Tom T's discussion Flat bucker under box top. Any Success?
12 hours ago

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->