DHB-5 Semi-Hollow Electric Bass CUSTOM

[DarkMatterResist]

One more for luck

[Simon Barden]

Very nice. It's amazing what a difference the extra length of the string-though fitting makes. Not important on guitar strings where the same diameter is used throughout, but on bass strings, where the lower strings change diameter so that you don't have to wrap the thick part of the string around the tuner, it's a a lot trickier. And the full-sized string length varies from string to string and pack to pack. It would be nice if the makers were more consistent and also a bit more accurate as to the length of the full-sized section. I've bought some where this was a good 25mm/1" shorter than stated.

[DarkMatterResist]

Thank you kind sir. I completely agree with the string talk. I was amazed at how difficult it was to get the information on the string length. Some of the bigger companies didn't even have that info on their websites so I had to call. And why do they not make bass strings without the taper I wonder? Longer ones haha!

The string-through design made it a little more tricky. I did consider (at one point) of drilling holes closer to the fretboard, but am glad I didn't resort to that one. Was not sure whether it would have effected the intonation? Did not want to risk it. What are your thoughts on that one?

[Simon Barden]

It won't affect the intonation, but you can get too great a break angle on the strings. Especially with a floating bridge, that could make it very unstable. A floating bridge is designed to be mainly pressed down under string pressure. Put too much sideways force on it and its not working how it is designed to work. The kit would be better off with a trapeze tailpiece, but 5-string bass trapeze tailpieces aren't common at all, and certainly there were no cheap Chinese made ones that I could find.

It would be a good candidate for a one-piece bridge/tailpiece. It might mean a small re-jig of the neck angle to get the string height over the body down, and a flattening of the arch top where the bridge would sit, but I'm sure it could be done.

You don't want the thick part of the heavier bass strings going round the tuners, especially the ones with smaller post diameters. They are too thick to bend properly and you are likely to get the windings snapping or cracking, with the string failing as a result. The string also won't sit (at least initially) properly against the post, so tuning will be lost as the string slowly pulls itself towards the post.

[DarkMatterResist]

Yes, my friend who owns a music shop down the road suggested I upgrade to a fixed bridge when I showed it to him. He is confident it can be done. I have told him I will try the floating bridge for a while and if it starts to annoy me, I will grab the upgrade and no-doubt post in on here!

For those (you know who you are looking for strings that fit this beast, here are a few links):
https://www.amazon.com.au/DR-Strings.../dp/B0044COBIW
https://www.amazon.com.au/DR-Strings.../dp/B0044COBIW
https://www.stringsandbeyond.com/dr-...um-45-105.html

There are a number of other colours too. I would like to try the Black Beauties, but am uncertain if they are same length? Maybe someone els

[JohnH]

What a great build!

[DarkMatterResist]

What a great build!

JohnH you have been there the whole journey so thank you for the encouragement and support. Thank you !!!