duffer1

Jimmy Powells does a 25inch scale semi acoustic Hofner style bass. Metal strung but with the violin shaped body it looks the part. Otherwise I'm working on a cigar box bass with plastic strings that uses a resonator for acoustic volume. It's early days but it works...... See pic.

Not been very impressed with Aquila thunderguts they seem variable quality. I prefer the Dadoria version made in the USA under license. Currently experimenting with adding a resonator to a 18-22 inch scale bass of my own design. Early days yet. See pic.

Construction is a trial and error process and it looks like I might be to the first to try this combination - it's an engineering project rather than fine art. Having got the strings on the tension alters the action so it needs a few days to settle and then I'll reset the action and go for some sound samples

The photo included with my last post was fuzzy - this should be better

The work in progress. There have been a couple of prototypes refining the design. 12 x 32 inches scale length 19 inches Not as loud as a big acoustic bass but much louder than a uke bass.

Not so much uke bass as a cigar box bass. I'm using a resonator cone in a home built box to amplify the string vibrations and give a clearer low register. The cone is set under the bridge like a National steel guitar and works like a speaker cone. I had a uBass for a while but found it disappointing without amplification. I've always wanted something loud enough to hear without an amp. Regarding cost for uke bass - the cheapest I've seen is someone selling a do-it-yourself kit for £40 (strings, transducer etc) based on a half sized guitar. I'll post a pic as soon as I have the strings on, I've just finished the nut and bridge, so maybe tomorrow.

Picolo bass is an interesting idea. Tuning is standard EADG at the moment. The plastic strings tend to be dead acoustically on the low end. There is plenty of vibration so they work ok through a transducer like the Ashbory bass. The resonator acts as an acoustic transducer. I will try to take some pics of the current version, the last lot didn't come out well.

Nice looking bit of kit. A bargain.

I've been experimenting with getting a really short scale bass using available technology but in a 'new' combination. Any one in Basschat tried similar? History - two UK guys developed an 18 inch scale fretless bass using silicon strings in the 80's (Ashbory) and sold it to Fender who made it for 30 years under various names. They handed it back to Nigel Thornbory a few years ago and he sold them with bass ukelele strings (Aquila Thundergut?). I bought one out of curiousity but really wanted an acoustic bass...... I'm getting some sucess by combining the plastic strings with a resonator. I was expecting to spend all winter on this project but the first prototype was playable and with some advice from a resonator guitar maker it has got louder accoustically. Where to next?

I don't play a heavy bass - it's a uke bass for me - but I used to carry heavy camera bags around for hours. The strap is everything - if it doesn't spread the load then expect joint problems in later life......

A guy named Jimmy Powells from up north does a 25 inch scale hofner style bass. I bought one but couldn't get on with it - I'm used to plastic strings - but lent it to a friend who loves it and wants to buy it. It's all a matter of personal taste.........

not sure how the attachments have changed names but the resonator bass is 297kb, excelsior bass is 450kb, and the banjolele bass is 447kb

three mp3 files - the resonator bass, excelsior bass (Ubass type), banjolele bass. All recorded acoustically at the same gain from two feet. The Excelsior bass has a much lighter action (strung with Aquila Red strings for 24inch bass) and sounds great through an amp. The banjolele bass has Aquila Thundergut strings (I think) and the resonator bass has D'Addario EJ88UB strings (developed with Aquila but cheaper)[attachment=221994:banjobass.mp3][attachment=221995:resonator.mp3][attachment=221996:excelsior.mp3]

" I'm not convinced that Uke bass strings give enough resonance (presumably Aqilla "gut" type)." I wasn't sure either and was surprised when it worked. There's plenty of scope for tweaking but I'll list an audio file soon.

Best I can do using my ancient Android tablet...... Will try again later with something a bit better - the video sound is terrible.

Will try to post some pics but not sure how........

Recently discovered a guy selling diy uke bass kits. Didn't buy one - but did buy a bass banjolele that he made. Acoustically it's louder than the usual uke bass because it uses a drum skin as a resonator. It started me wondering about resonator bass construction and after a bit of research I ordered some dobro type guitar bits. Over the weekend I produced a prototype 21inch scale (Ubass size) resonator bass using standard parts and costing less than £100. It's early days but it shows promise as an acoustic instrument. Volume and tone is better than I've had before. Anyone else tried this? Or have I just invented a resonator uke bass?

Glad you had a good first time with the Blockheads. The gig in Portsmouth was disapointing. It was a bit like watching a really good covers band - good in its own right - but lacking something. The sound quality at the venue didn't help with the overall enjoyment. I did enjoy it but it was partly nostalgia that won through.

I was there and was disappointed too. The bass player was good but lacked the punch that Norman has. They sounded a bit flat at times without Norman's bass pushing things along. It was a good gig - but lacking something.

Looking forward to seeing them on Thursday in Portsmouth - should be good! Saw Norman and friends there a few weeks ago and was mesmerized. I didn't realise there was no seating and so stood for 3 hours on a duff hip and didn't notice. It hurt like hell the next day but it was worth it. Went out and bought a shooting stick ready for Thursday!

I played around with an Alpine woofer unit but it needed lots of battery power, ended up with a Roland bass microcube which is not very loud but runs on AA batteries. I think that everthing is digitised inside the box so it sounds much better than it should.

I've been involved in folk singing for decades and recently took up the bass. I use a uke bass with a Roland bass microcube - its loud enough to balence volumes with acoustic instruments in a pub session. I recently changed basses to a new design from Excelsior instruments which might be loud enough to not need an amp in the quieter sessions. I haven't had it long enough to use it out but it's significantly louder than a uBass. I can supply more info if your interested.

Just seen him in Portsmouth - great show - Wilko still going and did four numbers including the encore.

I remember seeing Jethro Tull touring between lp's. I think the tour was called 'A little night music' anyway the program had a list of 60 (?) possible songs from which they did a set list decided on the day. Ian Anderson explained that 'it kept the boys on their toes'. It was a great gig - they were on stage for 2+ hours and did about 30 songs. 200 is one hell of a set list.

Really neat idea. I tried myself some time ago but couldn't work out how to get a suitable box - I may well go back to it now though. I did experiment with transducers and got some from eBay, it was cheaper to buy several so I have some spare disc transducers if your interested. I'd be happy to send you a couple if I can find them?