Hi all,
Have been lurking with fascination for a few weeks... and don't know diddley squat about making or playing stringed instruments. I've had one bass lesson in my entire life.
I'm going to start my first CBG and I'd like to make a two string bass for slide. Something along the lines of this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3IF12BZ-LA
I was at a flea market recently and found this nice cedar box. It's 9.5 x 6.5 x 2.5" and 3/8" thick all around. It has a pretty amazing burl. I'm going to go almost all the way through the body, but butt the neck up against the inside of the end of the box. I think I'll use a CB Gitty Piezo under the bridge.
While I was at the hardware store today, I saw some nice axe handles and some 1.5" dia. x 48" hardwood dowels. The axe handles feel good in the hand, but when you look down them, most of them aren't particularly straight. And, most of them aren't really long enough for a 30" scale. The hardwood dowels actually had a pretty nice grain, and would work for a 34" scale.
What are the pros/cons of those choices? The 1" x 2" x 48" Poplar is available, but I thought using something different would be fun.
Suggestions for someone that doesn't really know what he's doing? :)
Thanks!
Jon
Replies
Poplar won't hold up.
For a basic neck (with no truss rod) Elwood's suggestion to go with a piece of oak is spot on. You can find reasonably priced pieces with the proper dimensions at most home improvement stores in the hardwood section.
For some inspiration once you do get it built, check out the late Mark Sandman's 2-string slide bass work with the band Morphine:
Those two strings are usually tuned in unison or a fifth apart.
Thanks for the posts, I'm heading to the home improvement store tomorrow. I did see a really cool shaped shovel handle the other day...
I'm making my first CBG a two string slide version because of Morphine... Been a fan since Cure For Pain, mid '90s if I recall.
I'm sure I'll have a lot more questions!
Jon