The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Bill's Shop: Projects, Mods & Repairs => Topic started by: drbassman on February 09, 2016, 06:57:10 AM

Title: New DocBass design
Post by: drbassman on February 09, 2016, 06:57:10 AM
OK, everyone is pretty familiar with the ROCit bass design I've been using now.  I also had Chucker design a second one for me, thinking it would be my solid body model.  I like the design a lot as it has a NR/Jag vibe to it with the lower bottom bout similar to the ROCit design.  I would do this one with a pick guard with controls mounted in it rather than a back control plate (I hate those things).

As much as I love the ROCit design, I think it lends itself best to the semi-hollow application.  I find it just a little too much in size and weight in a solid body application unless I keep it to basswood or some other light weight wood.  It sounds so good as a semi-hollow bass.

Anyway, here's the Galaxy (until Dave tells me some other company has a trademark or something on that name for a bass).  I'm sticking with "space" themes if I can.

Number 1

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/Misc%20Stuff/DocBass_B.png) (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/drbassman/media/Misc%20Stuff/DocBass_B.png.html)

Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: slinkp on February 09, 2016, 07:05:37 AM
Want one!!
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: drbassman on February 09, 2016, 07:35:53 AM
Want one!!

That could be arranged!  I take it you'd vote as a YES?
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: Dave W on February 09, 2016, 08:36:41 AM
It looks nice. Just make sure it balances well.
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: drbassman on February 09, 2016, 08:53:34 AM
It looks nice. Just make sure it balances well.

Since it has similar overall proportions to a jazz bass, I would think it should, especially in a solid body format.  I was also looking at it and wondered if it might look better and have higher register access with the same curve as the ROCit between to two upper bouts.  So, I did a mock up to see.  I kinda like it.

Number 2

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/DocBass%20solid%20body%20drawing%20JPEG_zpsj8v2u0v5.jpg) (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/drbassman/media/DocBass%20solid%20body%20drawing%20JPEG_zpsj8v2u0v5.jpg.html)
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: drbassman on February 09, 2016, 01:20:43 PM
It looks nice. Just make sure it balances well.

I could do a mock up from scraps to see.
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: Pilgrim on February 09, 2016, 05:05:27 PM
Hmmm...seems to remind me of the Hi-Flyer a bit. Maybe a reverse Hi-Flyer?

(http://s3.amazonaws.com/usedimg/UU61027949445.jpg)
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: drbassman on February 09, 2016, 05:32:09 PM
Hmmm...seems to remind me of the Hi-Flyer a bit. Maybe a reverse Hi-Flyer?

(http://s3.amazonaws.com/usedimg/UU61027949445.jpg)

Good call Al.  It didn't even occur to me!  Well, do you like it?
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: Pilgrim on February 09, 2016, 06:13:31 PM
Yup, I do...and it may balance well with the upper horn extended vis-a-vis the Univox.
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: slinkp on February 09, 2016, 08:42:06 PM
That could be arranged!  I take it you'd vote as a YES?

I really like the shape. Not buying any basses anytime soon though :(
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: Dave W on February 09, 2016, 09:38:46 PM
A mock up is a good idea. I didn't mean to imply that it won't balance, but when you have a sold body bass without an extended upper horn, it's worthwhile to check to make sure it's not a neck diver.
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: Nocturnal on February 09, 2016, 09:52:29 PM
I like it Doc!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: drbassman on February 10, 2016, 05:14:28 AM
I like it Doc!  :thumbsup:

The second one?
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: patman on February 10, 2016, 06:18:33 AM
The second one.  Be a good shape for a Dano-ish hollow body.

Use Masonite, it's cheap.
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: drbassman on February 10, 2016, 06:39:29 AM
A mock up is a good idea. I didn't mean to imply that it won't balance, but when you have a sold body bass without an extended upper horn, it's worthwhile to check to make sure it's not a neck diver.

I only use Hipshot 3/8" Ultralights and they help with dive issues immensely.
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: Nocturnal on February 10, 2016, 07:07:48 AM
I like both. The first seems more streamlined to my eyes.
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: drbassman on February 10, 2016, 07:38:51 AM
I like both. The first seems more streamlined to my eyes.

I agree.  But the second is appealing to me, because that's my bias toward the curved upper body area.  The first one would work just as well I suspect.
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: the mojo hobo on February 10, 2016, 10:21:48 AM
I like the first one better myself.
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: drbassman on February 10, 2016, 10:54:19 AM
I like the first one better myself.

Yeah, it is a bit more elegant than the second one.  It helps to hear other folks' opinions!   ;D  As I said, I'm biased and need outside input!
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: Dave W on February 10, 2016, 07:11:38 PM
I like the second one better. Lines are more graceful to me.
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: Rob on February 10, 2016, 07:27:39 PM
the first one
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: drbassman on February 10, 2016, 07:35:20 PM
Ha, you guys are really helping!  Keep them coming.
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: slinkp on February 10, 2016, 08:45:37 PM
I think I prefer the first, but it's a tough call.
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: gearHed289 on February 11, 2016, 07:51:39 AM
I think I like the look of the first one better, but the second one probably has better upper fret access.
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: Alanko on February 12, 2016, 04:01:26 PM
I like number 2. It reminds me of... something. A wee bit of the Epiphone Olympic in the horns, but it isn't purely that.
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: godofthunder on February 21, 2016, 09:33:42 AM
 Tough call I like both! Why not build a few of each ?
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: drbassman on February 21, 2016, 10:00:19 AM
It is s tough call.  I gotta think about more.  I can't decide!!!! Maybe finishing the 4 basses on my bench will give me enough time to figure it out!   :P
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: Lightyear on February 21, 2016, 10:08:04 AM
I like both but favor #2.  I might beef up the upper bout a bit a lighten the lower if I were building to my taste.  As for the build why not give Carlo's process a try - he laminates a body blank out of white pine 2x4s and builds a dummy then mounts the neck to test for overall appearance and ergonomics - sometimes seeing it assembled is the best thing.
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: drbassman on February 22, 2016, 07:53:35 AM
Yeah, choosing between the two is going to be much more difficult than I imagined.  Then, I also think I could just use my HB design for the solid bodies too.  It is still my favorite look among all of them.
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: BTL on February 22, 2016, 08:31:59 PM
Of the two, I like the first shape better.

That said, I don't think it brings enough distinction to be an improvement over the classic NRTB shape.

I'll don my flak-jacket now... ;)
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: drbassman on February 23, 2016, 07:24:08 AM
Of the two, I like the first shape better.

That said, I don't think it brings enough distinction to be an improvement over the classic NRTB shape.

I'll don my flak-jacket now... ;)

I hear ya.  I think that's one of my hesitations.  It's different, but not a lot.  Then again, there really isn't much new under the sun, is there?  As I said, I'm leaning toward a solid version of my HB design, using lighter woods to keep the weight down.  I'm working on a pick guard design for that application.
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: BTL on February 24, 2016, 09:06:39 PM
In the scheme of things, I prefer designs that strive for originality.

However, I'm not sure the market agrees with my thinking on this... :mrgreen:
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: Dave W on February 24, 2016, 09:21:19 PM
In the scheme of things, I prefer designs that strive for originality.

However, I'm not sure the market agrees with my thinking on this... :mrgreen:

There's the rub. If you want to sell, you probably have to at least have a variation of an existing design. Bassists are usually a little more accepting of changes than guitarists, though.
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: BTL on February 27, 2016, 07:37:34 PM
I agree completely...:mrgreen:

Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: drbassman on February 29, 2016, 04:39:43 AM
You both have a good point.  I'm going to build one solid body in the original ROCit style and see how it sells.
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: BTL on February 29, 2016, 08:37:40 PM
Along these lines, the First Act Delgada 12-string bass is one of my all time favorites:

(http://www.12stringbass.net/FirstAct1x.jpg)

(http://12stringbass.net/FirstAct21x.jpg)
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: nofi on March 01, 2016, 07:24:55 AM
that thing is cool. reminds me of the teisco guitars from the sixties.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/181585036785?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: shadowcastaz on March 03, 2016, 12:41:56 PM
Along these lines, the First Act Delgada 12-string bass is one of my all time favorites:

(http://www.12stringbass.net/FirstAct1x.jpg)

(http://12stringbass.net/FirstAct21x.jpg)
How are the Alumitones?
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: Highlander on March 03, 2016, 01:20:44 PM
I was thinking a reverse RD in places...
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: drbassman on March 06, 2016, 12:19:50 PM
I have decided this will be my next bass model.  A knock off of this body shape..............using my build method, headstock and set neck.

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/1968%20Custom%20K200%20Bass/DSCN1314_zpsxf7ni74z.jpg) (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/drbassman/media/1968%20Custom%20K200%20Bass/DSCN1314_zpsxf7ni74z.jpg.html)

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/drbassman/1968%20Custom%20K200%20Bass/DSCN1316_zpsnmc6bkxl.jpg) (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/drbassman/media/1968%20Custom%20K200%20Bass/DSCN1316_zpsnmc6bkxl.jpg.html)
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: Pilgrim on March 06, 2016, 01:25:38 PM
 :toast:
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: Rob on March 06, 2016, 01:42:09 PM
YES!!!!!!
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: drbassman on March 06, 2016, 03:08:23 PM
Well, we're off to a good start!
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: BTL on March 06, 2016, 05:29:09 PM
I like that!
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: drbassman on March 06, 2016, 07:43:01 PM
I like that!

Me too.  It has potential!
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: Dave W on March 06, 2016, 10:53:50 PM
Good decision.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: New DocBass design
Post by: drbassman on March 07, 2016, 06:27:01 AM
Glad you approve!  At least I've got the real thing in hand to do some templates and measurements.  I'm probably going to do  34" scale as the short scales have limited markets these days and the necks are a pain to build.  The body is actually small and I'll probably add a 1/2" or more all the way around to beef it up a bit for the longer neck.