kristo Posted August 9, 2018 Share Posted August 9, 2018 After picking up a Brandoni bass made from a classical acoustic guitar (see thread here https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/326362-nbd-brandoni-acoustic-bass/?tab=comments#comment-3564414 ) I've started to wonder if a similar thing could be done with an archtop guitar. Therefore I have acquired a cheap Harley Benton Manhattan to give it a go (with help): My plan is to get a Hofner Violin style bridge and tailpiece to try. Unfortunately I don't think the kind of bridge used on the Brandoni will have enough height. If it seems ok I'll then look at replacing the tuners with something more substantial and then getting a pickup fitted. So I guess before I get the ball rolling I was just wondering: Has anybody tried this before? Does anybody foresee any issues? If it works what pickup would people try? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grahambythesea Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 Won’t the scale length be all wrong? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 (edited) I'm no expert, but I'd be concerned that the tension could be too much for the existing neck join, bracing and whatever bridge or tail piece you use. Overtime you may get issues. Light strings, down tuning a half step and reinforcing where you can would help. As might this? https://www.liutaiomottola.com/instruments/TinozzaAsm.htm Either way, have fun tinkering. Edited August 11, 2018 by Chiliwailer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alyctes Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 14 minutes ago, Grahambythesea said: Won’t the scale length be all wrong? It won't be familiar unless the OP's a guitarist, I guess. It'll just be really short scale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 On 09/08/2018 at 11:08, kristo said: After picking up a Brandoni bass made from a classical acoustic guitar ... Erm ... Shirley, that Brandoni bass is made from an acoustic bass guitar, not a classical acoustic guitar. Or am I missing something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 5 minutes ago, Happy Jack said: Erm ... Shirley, that Brandoni bass is made from an acoustic bass guitar, not a classical acoustic guitar. Or am I missing something? Roberto bought all the old Eko stock, and other factories, and has been having fun making various Frankenstein's ever since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus Lukin Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 (edited) - Edited February 27, 2022 by Jus Lukin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 Would the taylor GS mini bass strings work if you did something like this? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 Personally I wouldn’t break what looks like a nice guitar for a project like this... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristo Posted August 12, 2018 Author Share Posted August 12, 2018 15 hours ago, Grahambythesea said: Won’t the scale length be all wrong? The scale length on the converted classical guitar is roughly 26.5 inches, and with the heavy Labellas the intonation is good and the strings feel great when playing. They aren’t super floppy like a Uke bass. I’m hoping the archtop would have a similar feel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristo Posted August 12, 2018 Author Share Posted August 12, 2018 15 hours ago, Jus Lukin said: If the idea is to have fun with a crazy project, then have at it and let us know how you get on! There are plenty of potential issues, but you may be able to overcome them with some bodging. If a cheap hollowbody bass is the aim, the money spent on the guitar could just as well have gone on the Harley Benton Beatbass, likely providing a far better instrument, designed and fit for purpose from the off. If the former, I'll watch your fantastic journey, if the latter, I'm sure they'll let you return the no doubt trembling, cold sweating guitar! I’ve always found hollow body basses never feel short scale because of the bridge position. If I could find a hollow body that felt like my Mustang that would be great! I am also a guitarist, and when I tried the Brandoni the size and feel was good for me. I love arch tops, so began to lust for a bass one. I’ve tried the Epiphone pictured but the pickup was rubbish and the neck was more like a full scale bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristo Posted August 12, 2018 Author Share Posted August 12, 2018 8 hours ago, Burns-bass said: Personally I wouldn’t break what looks like a nice guitar for a project like this... That is a concern. The guitar should come this week so I’ll see how it is before getting out the screwdriver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristo Posted August 12, 2018 Author Share Posted August 12, 2018 15 hours ago, Happy Jack said: Erm ... Shirley, that Brandoni bass is made from an acoustic bass guitar, not a classical acoustic guitar. Or am I missing something? It was definitely a classical guitar. This picture shows its size in context. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBerriff Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 (edited) I take it you have checked string tension. The D'Addario website gives figures. Very rough figures needing adjustment for scale length and string type and weight. Guitar: 6 x 17 lb: 102 lb Bass: 4 x 37 lb: 148 lb On a true archtop with no centre block to strengthen it, I would be holding my breath. Then there is the neck and its relief to worry about. Once you start bending a neck, that just increases the moment (as in leverage). Again, I would be somewhat nervous. There is only so much a truss rod can support. Edited August 12, 2018 by DBerriff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 I'd dispute that the Brandoni could possibly have been a traditional classical guitar! No internal reinforcement, no truss rod, designed for near-zero tension nylon strings? Stick bass strings on a normally-constructed classical guitar & it would snap in half before you could tune the G to pitch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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