S
swarfrat
Guest
Last year I found this 25.5 P-bass for my son. We've had a ton of fun, it's really not a bad little bass. Wouldn't make it my main instrument, but I'd sure as heck pull it out for gag in a band situation. He's almost 3 now, and wanting to play it standing up, and it's just way too heavy. So I've been scheming again.
So far, the narrowest bass string spacing I've found is the single saddles on ebay - those come down to 15.5mm. If I can get the strings through, I'd like to get to a guitar spacing. Of course with balance - headless might work, but that really limits my hardware choices (and string spacing).
If this will work (or can be modified) for bass strings, it looks about perfect - size and price wise:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BLACK-4-STRING-BRIDGE-SCREW-FOR-CIGAR-BOX-GUITAR-ELECTRIC-UKULELE-TENOR-BASS-/201278438501?hash=item2edd213c65:g:WXEAAOSwa39Uzxm5
Or even a 3 string (12mm spacing)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-string-Adjustable-Chrome-Hard-tail-Bridge-for-Cigar-Box-Guitar-/272070594064?hash=item3f58abce10:g:Rh8AAOSw3xJVbmOV
It really can't have much of a body due to weight. As much as I'd love it to have a P-pickup, that doesn't really work with string spacing and body width. I'd like to avoid making a neck, but am willing to modify. And it needs a loooong but light horn for strap button. I'm open to silk & steel / piezo if it helps, but it's supposed to be a bass, not a guitar.
Turns out the cigar box crowd already has some stuff that looks interesting:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cigar-Box-Guitar-Neck-3-string-19-fret-Handmade-shellac-/171584007208?hash=item27f3342c28:g:7rEAAOxy0x1TRqzQ
I'm thinking "solid body" but more like "steinberger with a strap arm" - instead of a cigar box. Anyone done a cigar box build or something that might be applicable?
So far, the narrowest bass string spacing I've found is the single saddles on ebay - those come down to 15.5mm. If I can get the strings through, I'd like to get to a guitar spacing. Of course with balance - headless might work, but that really limits my hardware choices (and string spacing).
If this will work (or can be modified) for bass strings, it looks about perfect - size and price wise:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BLACK-4-STRING-BRIDGE-SCREW-FOR-CIGAR-BOX-GUITAR-ELECTRIC-UKULELE-TENOR-BASS-/201278438501?hash=item2edd213c65:g:WXEAAOSwa39Uzxm5
Or even a 3 string (12mm spacing)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-string-Adjustable-Chrome-Hard-tail-Bridge-for-Cigar-Box-Guitar-/272070594064?hash=item3f58abce10:g:Rh8AAOSw3xJVbmOV
It really can't have much of a body due to weight. As much as I'd love it to have a P-pickup, that doesn't really work with string spacing and body width. I'd like to avoid making a neck, but am willing to modify. And it needs a loooong but light horn for strap button. I'm open to silk & steel / piezo if it helps, but it's supposed to be a bass, not a guitar.
Turns out the cigar box crowd already has some stuff that looks interesting:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cigar-Box-Guitar-Neck-3-string-19-fret-Handmade-shellac-/171584007208?hash=item27f3342c28:g:7rEAAOxy0x1TRqzQ
I'm thinking "solid body" but more like "steinberger with a strap arm" - instead of a cigar box. Anyone done a cigar box build or something that might be applicable?