Official Luthiers Forum!

One of my next projects is going to be an acoustic Bass. Of course, now I have ALL KINDS of questions.
Whats the best size?
What bracing considerations do I need to think about?
Do the strings on a bass produce more force on the bridge than a 6 string acoustic?
Are there plans or other resources available for acoustic basses?
Thanks for the help.
-j.

_________________
“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

I believe it was Al Carruth that had some great wisdom for building an Acoustic Bass. Smaller Body works best, if I remember right. Al. I'd PM him, haven't seen him in a few days.

I've seen a couple, they tend to be overbuilt and not too loud.

_________________
http://www.dickeyguitars.com

The only acoustic bass guitars that I've seen that I like (excepting the Mexican guitarron...) is the new Tom Ribbecke Halfling. It has a cello-like voice that really works, and it's surprisingly loud acoustically.

Disclaimer time...I'm working with Tom on pickup designs for the Halfling.

A Pic would be cool. Sounds like something from the Lord of the Rings.

_________________
http://www.dickeyguitars.com

Another great acoustic bass guitar, IMHO, is Jay Hargreaves'. I did a "Meet the Maker" interview with him for American Lutherie that came out recently (issue #83). His web site is jthbass.com.

_________________
Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

I opted to go BIG and have been pretty happy with the results. You are welcome to check out dimensions - woods used etc. on my website - Here's the link :

http://www.kingslightguitars.com/18Acoustic%20Bass%20Guitar. htm

You can actually hear this ABG being played unamplified across a big room with other guitars being played.

Have fun!

Hi John!
I played John's bass, anyone who went to the last ASIA meeting may have seen it there. It's as sweet as he says it is, too.
I can't see how a small body would help anything...?
Some of the best info I've seen is included in one of the GAL's Big Red Books, I believe it to be #2...There's a coiple of good articles in there, one by Harry Flieshman that has a plan as well. The GAL also sells a pretty nice plan of Tim Olsen's design.

_________________
Mark Swanson
Swanson Guitars
http://www.MarkSwansonMusic.com