Electric Double Bass Build

[wokkaboy]

hey Chris, yes I'd apply the timbermate now, it should still stay in place with the stain on. Maybe do it in sections as it's a big job.

A while back Tim restored an old drum set and he said it was a huge job

[ihasmario]

A while back Tim restored an old drum set and he said it was a huge job

Good hussle, I remember that thread. I'll go and check it out.

[ihasmario]

Here's some updated pictures. I've sanded and grainfilled the neck. I've also done some mild filling on the rear of the fretboard (it was pretty good on the front). Smooth as now.

Tempting to show progress. As mentioned previously the actual scale length needs to be longer so there will be a "Booster" coming out of the top- and the tail piece also needs more room so there will be one also coming out of the bottom. This is what will probably take me the longest time in terms of fabrication.

I need some advice regarding the unstained and overstained parts in the pictures. They are too difficult to stain in the normal way. The spiral (which is currently too dark, being wet and probably over-stained) is too "close" to get a cloth in there. How do I sand it back?

The second is the peg box and just under the scroll - how do I get in there to make it smoother, and how do I stain it?

Barrel still isn't finished - I will get to that shortly, I'm just doing what I can in the meantime.

Next step besides the ones mentioned is to drill the pegbox before I start final sanding and stains in that area.

Thanks, Chris.

[pablopepper]

Holy cow, what a beast! That headstock is enormous.

[ihasmario]

@Pabs yeah the double bass (even 3/4, which the neck is) is a monstrosity. The bass drum is a 20 by comparison (couldn't swing the $ for one of the massive concert ones just to pull it apart).

I think with the but under the scroll I can hold a sheet of sandpaper across to smooth it, and then do the same with a shirt to stain it... But I'm at a loss for how to smooth the peg box (which is very choppy and will be impossible to stain because of it).

Any tips would be greatly appreciated (only posting again because it's worth highlighting that I actually do need ideas regarding the inside of the pegbox...) Thanks again guys.

[wokkaboy]

this will be a huge beast Chris.
With the darker areas near the scroll I would try sand/steel wool the darker areas best you can and think the only way to get to the awkward areas is a small paint brush.
Will there be a front cover over the drum shell ? Have you worked out how to cut the round shape and attach it if so ?

[wokkaboy]

oh so the peg box won't be covered Chris ? It should have been sanded internally before it was glued together.
All I can suggest is cut a block of scrap wood just under the width of the box and wrap sandpaper around the block and sand the internal faces best you can

[pablopepper]

I think with the but under the scroll I can hold a sheet of sandpaper across to smooth it, and then do the same with a shirt to stain it... But I'm at a loss for how to smooth the peg box (which is very choppy and will be impossible to stain because of it).

You could get in there with a dremel type thing and try to clean it up. Maybe try staining it black and it will be less noticeable.

[ihasmario]

oh so the peg box won't be covered Chris ? It should have been sanded internally before it was glued together.
All I can suggest is cut a block of scrap wood just under the width of the box and wrap sandpaper around the block and sand the internal faces best you can

Hey wokka, usually the peg box is uncovered for the strings, but I actually think a cover of some sort is a pretty neat idea... Like as truss rod cover kind of dealy... I might actually do that if I can't salvage the insides.

Seems logical to sand it before gluing the pieces together, unless it was one piece :P

With the darker areas near the scroll I would try sand/steel wool the darker areas best you can and think the only way to get to the awkward areas is a small paint brush.

Paintbrush is a good idea. Should have thought of it myself to be honest... Not to worry though, seems easy enough to salvage, excpet for maybe the very insides of the corners.

And no - I haven't worked out how to cut the curve for the booster. I might have to leave that until after I go back to work. I dunno. If worse comes to worse I could probably just rasp it out. I'm not sure.

[ihasmario]

You could get in there with a dremel type thing and try to clean it up. Maybe try staining it black and it will be less noticeable.

Yeah good idea, I've got some left-over black from my last guitar. I'm contemplating dying the fretboard more black as well.

I don't think I have the right tool for the job. I would try do it with a hand tool, but the neck is maple so it might be a bit difficult and risky

Will there be a front cover over the drum shell ?

The drum will be covered with drum skins and hoops My biggest challenges regarding the shell itself is working out where to put the preamp, how to strengthen the skins to sustain the pressure without losing too much volume and as you mentioned the little booster.

My next step is to draw plans (and measure scale length) for the booster...