Starting a DB Project

[Ruben E garcia]

Originally Posted by Thomas Erickson

I would suggest forgetting about all those machines for a while; maybe get a few decent quality hand tools and just focus on learning to use and sharpen them. Sharpening is an art all on its own, and without sharp tools nothing gets done...



I dunno Wayne, I tend to think plywood is a whole other can of worms (one that I don't want to deal with, generally); there are lots of cheap broken basses out there these days that are still made from solid wood and could make a good project...

I do agree, but jointing and planing wood its very hard by hand. Do u guys do it by hand?

[Arnold Schnitzer]

Violin family instruments are traditionally made completely with hand tools. You cannot make a perfect joint directly from a machine; and if you plan to make instruments using hide glue, and that will last for centuries, joints must be perfect. I'm in total agreement with Thomas that you don't need more machinery, but rather hand tools and the skills to sharpen and utilize them. Yes, we luthiers have power tools, but they are only used to save time and sweat, not to do the important work. I hope this is helpful.

[Thomas Erickson]

Yes of course, it is always raining here. Tis why we all wear wool socks with sandals!

[Ruben E garcia]

Originally Posted by wayne holmes

are we still trying to guide Ruben with his last inquiry about changing the scale length of a bass from 34 to 41?

what Thomas and Arnold say is true, except the part about carved over Ply to start with,IMO but I don't make the connection with Ruben wanting to stretch the neck of a bass.

When I started restoring basses I had a few carved and one plywood. My mentor suggested that I start with the plywood because of the risk involved to do damage; it would be better to damage a cheap plywood rather that a carved that would have the potential of being worth 3 times as much as the ply. It made sense to me and I think that it was very advice. So, I pass it on to Ruben. I realize that not everyone has the same experience.

Thomas-- what machines are you talking about?---is it raining out there?

Ok I got it bad idea....!!! but my idea was to take the construction method of the Canotto (Very simple), and redesign it to an 41" Upright... meaning going back to Auto cad and start from scratch…then when I done with the design I could get it back to you guys for debate… but trust me I am also looking for a upright to restore I haven’t be able to find something to work on, I have make a couple inquires about some DB’s to repair… but unfortunate, I am very limit on what I can buy

[Ruben E garcia]

May be something like this:

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/msg/2025308543.html

[Matthew Tucker]

Well Ruben that one looks very OK to me as a project restoration.

But yes you could make a cannotto/savart design and you don't need autocad to do it. Just scale it up by hand! It would be easier to build than a conventional DB.

However, I suspect that when you have finished, you will regret not having spent more time and money on making a real DB!

[Thomas Erickson]

THat doesn't even look like it needs much restoration, just a little work to put it together... maybe a nice project!

[Thomas Erickson]

Oh, and if you're like me, trying to put basses into something like autoCAD is about the biggest waste of time ever! But, I'm no engineer either; I have a scientific calculator but I barely know how to use it... It is interesting, however, to actually measure as many instruments as you can. I always mean to write them down and don't, but still, you get some insights into why things work the way they do that you might otherwise overlook.

Actually, that brings me to another comment - make a point of trying to draw and carve every day - even if it's just sketches and whittling it will help develop your eye, as well as coordination, muscles, sense of proportions, understanding of wood, everything. Plus it forces you to sharpen your tools a lot.

Kind of like how just playing basses and listening to music all the time will make you a better musician, even at times when you're not practicing for hours on end every day.

[Ruben E garcia]

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

Well Ruben that one looks very OK to me as a project restoration.

But yes you could make a cannotto/savart design and you don't need autocad to do it. Just scale it up by hand! It would be easier to build than a conventional DB.

However, I suspect that when you have finished, you will regret not having spent more time and money on making a real DB!

That’s what I was thinking too… but I was trying to find a project more in line with my skills.
For now it makes more sense to restore, to play, own a DB and then try to build one…
PS… how is the cornerless Castelvecchio doing???, I love the looks of that DB… seems a little less complicated to make that an traditional DB?
Not that I’m trying to make one… at least not yet J
I got really inspired by your project

[Matthew Tucker]

It's going just fine. My best sounding bass. But in fact it was a little harder to make, as the rib garland is not as rigid as a "normal" bass with corners.