This week’s selection is from Dimitris at XTRM basses. Here’s his story:
I like testing my skills and building unique style basses,with specs that not found on “common” basses.
I was looking to add all the things i would like to try on a single build.
First of all,it has to be 5-string.Second,i wanted a longer scale,so the tone will be clear with great clarity.
I decide to go with the “electric guitar-bass guitar”comparison.
What i mean is,an electric guitar is 25.5″ scale length,if we make it 5 frets longer,then it becomes 34″ scale length.
So,if we made it 5 frets longer,it becomes 45.38″ scale length.
Now,i want it to be multiscale.I use the 45.5 in the A string and i made it 47″ on the B string,and 44″ on the G string.
The problem with this huge length,is i could not reach the tuners to tune the bass.
Ok,i never have build a headless before,challenge accepted.
I contacted wit newtone strings (UK string building company) and asked to build me a custom set for this bass.Neil said yes,so the build will become true.
The gauges are B .110 E .82 A .61 D .43 G .33 with 52 LBS tension each,but its very light to play because of the huge scale.
Now a 34″scale .110 E string becomes .110 B,but its flexible as an 34″ .080 A string.
Bigger scale needs thinner strings,and sounds clearer with bigger definition and more harmonic content.
The neck is 5 piece laminated maple/wenge with carbon reinforcements,double action truss rod.
The fretboard is laminated 2 stripes wenge with one stripe maple in the middle.
The body is laminated pine wood and is hollow in some point to reduce the total weight.
I bought a par of jazz pickups,but i should use them in angle.So,i take a par of 6-string humbuckers i already had.
The controls are passive Vol/Tone with series/parallel switch.
Tuners and headpiece are build from me.
Well done!
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i’d like to know how much custom strings cost compared to the daddario chrome flatwounds that i use. how comfortable are the fanned frets? interesting design aspects. personally, i go for practical over different for different’s sake. i have built 79 since 1989. gs custom guitars. florida usa
The strings costed me around 40 euros including shipping.They are designed for his bass.I have use daddarios but not flatwounds.Fanned frets are comfortable,if the perpendicular fret is in the range that fit your hand.
Interesting. I wonder what it would sound like with the pickups in a more “natural” or “standard” position relative to the neck and bridge? (Ie closer to bridge)
I like way out things, Nice job, to me it sounds like a fender, Well you used jazz pick ups. You had to start somewhere, I think you did good. Hold on to it and keep building, thats the key
You did it. How many can say that??