Bass guitar

[BobD]

Has anyone made one?

My wife wanted to surprise me with one for Christmas (I've always wanted to learn to play, especially after hearing the bass solos that the late Cliff Burton played with Metallica), but they're out of our self-imposed spending limit for each other.

I'm really tough to shop for (I really don't need anything, but I can't convince her of that)...so...I thought I'd see if anyone has made their own here and has any pointers...I figure if I can do most of the work myself, I can save on the price.

I know it's not specifically carving related, but you know as well as I do that I'm going to embellish it with carvings!

Bob

[Iowa Carver]

Check out the Grizzly kits Bob, they might be a little closer to what your spending limit. The kits have a decent reputation.

Corey

[BobD]

Thanks Corey,
I've got the wood I want to use (maple for the neck and cherry for the body) but I don't really know how to put the electronics together. The grizzley kits come with the wood and everything...and I really only need the metal and electronics.

Bob

[falconer]

Bob, I used to make guitars in my younger days. Made one for Toby Keith, George Strait and Buddy Jewell. Then my carving buisness started to ramp up and had to slow down. The one I made for Toby Keith had a bald eagle carved on the top. George Straits was a acoustic with a feather pattern burned into the top and Buddy Jewell's resembled leather. I also made another eagle guitar for 50th birthday. If need any help would be glad to help.

Welcome to Sierra Creek Studios

[falconer]

Bob, Forgot to tell you that there's more to makeing a guitar than putting it together. After you get it together it has to be intonated(pitched), bridge height adjusted, The "nut" ground to the right depth, and the strings should be a certain height from the neck so they don't buzz when played. All of this can be researched on the internet. Like I said, if you have any questions I'd be more than happy to help.


Welcome to Sierra Creek Studios

[feb]

Bob, most music sell the pickups tuning gears and what ever bridge parts you need. or you might be able to pick up a used one fairly cheap.

Feb

[cut up]

Hey Bob,
Stew-Mac.com is a good place for your electronics. I don't know if they are the cheapest, but sells anything you need for building any kind of instrument. There are others, but this is the only one I can think of.

[markken5889]

Hi Bob, I second Cut up's suggestion, and add to that, try Musician's Friend. Good luck! I know that's been a dream of mine, too.

Mark

[Irish]

Try Musicmaker's Kits

They have the pre-cut kits as well as blue print plans and the hardware accessories.

Susan

[Gear Dog]

Look up cigar box guitars they have a lot of info on building guitars. I found out about them looking for projects for my Cub Scouts to do with cigar boxes.