Measurements...
Luna (October 7th 2023) : "I think I want to build an electric contrabass !"
Here begins the Journey ! This day, I made my first sketches.
I had been looking at the Yamaha Silent Bass
and a few other DIY contrabass making website like this one: Yamaha Silent Bass
As the project to actually build the instrument was outlining, I gathered infos: measurements of my beloved contrabass in France, more sketches, ...
I also ordered the first pieces : neck, fingerboard, and bridge.
Considering my relatively limited time to dedicate to this project, I decided to cheat a little bit by ordering these pieces (that are really complicated to make and really time consuming) on Amazon.
I choose this Amazon Pack which I received in early January 2024.
I was quite surprise by the quality honestly, the neck even seems to be hand made surprisingly !
More dimensioning, a few drawings on tracing paper, and let's go buy wood !
Top : Cedarwood; Body: Flammed Mahogany; Shoulders: Flammed Maple; Tailpiece: Zebrawood.
Week 3 marked a pivotal moment in the project as I transitioned from sketches to detailed blueprints and paper models. With precision and passion, I translated my vision onto paper, refining every detail for the electric contrabass.
These blueprints became the roadmap for construction, guiding me through each step with clarity. Additionally, I explored three-dimensional modeling, creating intricate paper and plastic foam prototypes to visualize the instrument from every angle.
Week 3 was a time of creativity and exploration, where ideas took shape and potential challenges were addressed.
During weeks 4 and 5, I advanced from theoretical planning to practical execution, focusing on wood cutting and iterative design refinement. Through systematic experimentation and methodical cutting processes, I familiarized myself with machinery operations and optimized material utilization. Recognizing a weight discrepancy, I strategically redesigned shoulder components to reduce overall weight without compromising structural integrity. These weeks epitomized the synergy between theoretical concepts and practical application, culminating in iterative design enhancements and engineering precision.
In week 6, I meticulously crafted the tailpiece by hand, using wood chisels, a planer, and extensive sanding.
In week 7, I progressed to assembling the various components, focusing on bonding the pieces together to form the body and shoulders of the electric contrabass. Utilizing wood glue, I meticulously joined each part, ensuring a secure and durable bond. The assembly process required careful alignment and attention to detail to achieve a cohesive structure. With each piece carefully positioned and bonded, the instrument began to take shape, embodying the culmination of weeks of planning and craftsmanship. Week 7 marked a significant milestone in the project, as the disparate elements converged into a unified whole, setting the stage for the next phases of refinement and completion.
In week 8, I employed a router to remove excess wood from the top and back plates of the electric contrabass, refining their shape and contours with precision. Following the routing process, I dedicated significant time to sanding, meticulously smoothing the wood to a flawless finish.
Week 9 was dedicated to carving a space in the body to insert the neck of the electric contrabass. This meticulous process required precision and patience as I carefully shaped the wood to create a snug fit for the neck.
However, halfway through the task, an unfortunate setback occurred. While working with a wood chisel, I sustained an injury, halting progress on the project temporarily.
Additionally, I received a significant boost to the project with the arrival of equipment ordered through funding received from the Making@Stanford initiative.
Among the acquisitions were a high-quality carbon fiber endpin and excellent electromagnetic pickups, enhancing the potential of the instrument and revitalizing enthusiasm for the project's continuation.
Week 9 served as a reminder of the challenges inherent in such endeavors and the importance of caution and diligence in every step of the process.
- Carve a designated hole in the body to accommodate the endpin securely.Done April 17th !
- Carve holes in the head for the tuners.Done April 26 !
- Attach the fingerboard to the neck.Done April 28th ! + a lot of sanding afterwise.
- Finish carving the hole and securely fix the neck into place. Done May 21rst! On long screw had to be used to ensure the solidity !
- Complete the tailpiece by sanding and adding fixation holes for installation.Done May 23rd !
May 30th through June 2nd, I applied 7 layers of shellac to achieve the desired finish and protection. Then, I finished assembling the contrabass on June 3rd.
