Fretless Bass Prototype. One Piece Top (Bridge, Fingerboard & All)

[@DominusFeles]

“Now back in the nineties people weren’t necessarily thinking” -Part of a quote, Tim Sway, 2021.

[@timsway]

LOL! I mean, I'm sure some people were concerned... I was in my 20s, and grew up in the 80s "Me" generation. A lot of us were more self-centered then (and now?), compared to the more socially and environmentally aware millennials and gen Zers .

[@lucaslorenz8812]

The minimalist look is great, and the philosophy of using reclaimed materials is even better.

[@wr3ncher]

When someone says you’re not capable of doing something, that should be fuel for your fire

[@timsway]

100% !!!

[@KeithDecent]

been thinking of doing a one piece guitar for a while now and this is proving to be super helpful. thanks tim!

[@davebauerart]

I love the concept! That shape is cool and it's sounding pretty good.

[@timsway]

thanks man.

[@iamroberty]

You're a madman. I love this idea. It would be really cool if the entire top of the bass was radiused.

[@xanderdaniels8284]

Why stop there? Radius the back too a la Spector

[@DominusFeles]

Really digging the one piece top concept! I’ve been playing with that idea in my head, but it’s great to see the master take action on it and I’m looking forward to see your future iterations!

[@muttley918]

Very nice build. Bass sounds great 👍🏼

[@nicolassanchez3099]

Beautiful look back to your journey, thank you for sharing it 💖💖💖

[@maksqwe1]

I’ve been waiting to comment this for years and I hope you see this comment. You, sir, are my inspiration. Ive decided a long time ago that I prefer working with instruments even more than I like playing them. I’ve been running a small workshop repairing and restoring projects that others have abandoned or would otherwise be uneconomical, and while I enjoy it thoroughly, I’ve always wanted to build my own. But, the same as you, thought that just another person working with exotic wood is not exciting enough for me. I’ve been thinking of how to approach this, and there’s been a lot of “what would happen if..” and trying to find other ways of doing something with existing materials. Growing up, we always did DIY and recycling projects and I thought, “why can’t I use reclaimed wood for guitars?” So I researched, and stumbled across your amazing work. I’m on a mission to start sourcing and making instruments soon, but just wanted to say thank you and best of luck with your future ventures. I hope to do what you do, maybe in 10 years time.

[@timsway]

cheers man! Let's change the world!!!

[@ArtificialAmateur]

This design looks like one of the few that might benefit from headless tuning. Though the added body hardware might take away from your intentions with it.

[@timsway]

exactly. maybe i could hide some type of tuners on the back...

[@YeshuaGod22]

@@timsway and I guess making it multiscale would add virtually no extra difficulty to manufacture?

[@timsway]

@@YeshuaGod22 no, but a ton of extra difficulty to the player! lol (unless we added cheater lines for some visual aid)

[@multi.instrumentalist]

@@timsway classical guitar style tuners might work - the slits could be an artistic part of the design, and the pegs would be less visible. you could even hide the slots completely, with a veneer or something.

[@timsway]

@@multi.instrumentalist I like that idea. I make a guitar like that and am a fan...

[@austinway8691]

2:18 "Don't give up on your dreams. It might just take a little longer to get there than you thought" Thank you

[@jackbyrd4921]

Roasted maple fingerboard would look sweet. Active pickups on bass are the way to go for sure

[@floydlay9189]

Love it Tim,,controls at the back is brilliant,,,,what a gift you have,,thanks mate!

[@francoiacomucci8442]

spectacular work as always!! i'm currently building a 36 fret 3 octave guitar from scratch right now for my own experimentation, kahler bridge, single emg pickup, walnut fretboard, and mahogany body and neck. i must say your work has definitely inspired me so so SO much!

[@timsway]

sounds wild. share pics!

[@AllThroughALife]

Is the 36 fret guitar inspired by the Hamer Virtuoso? They only made a handful, but it's an interesting guitar.

[@johnisch88]

Very nice, I find the same with my "through fretboard" bass - there is not enough space under the strings to pop. Looks and sounds great!

[@theothertonydutch]

My boi delivers, even if you don't deserve it, but you need it. Ya big boi.

[@Wordsnwood]

Very clean and minimal front... Cool.

[@HissUUpRomo]

I love the look. Absolutely beautiful. can't wait to see the next version of this.

[@0713mas]

I love how it looks! Seems comfortable, sounds good

[@charliemcdougall]

Amazing video. I very much appreciate your story of pursuing your dream and sharing it with us, every step of the way!

[@BlackBearSixTV]

I look forward to the next build! Nice job.

[@sammathis]

I really like the idea of having all of the controls in the back. I've never seen that before, it looks awesome.

[@SlowerIsFaster139]

I dig the bass. Controls in the back is something I never would of thought of lol! Fretless looks like a lot of fun too, I haven't ever even seen one in person.

[@perryborn2777]

That's a really interesting design. I never thought of putting controls on the back. I like it a lot

[@y007p3]

Wow that’s a really ballsy idea, would never thought that an all two piece construction like that would work, certainly would never occur to me! Looks like you got it down, awesome stuff.

[@johnpaxton2518]

Very promising design, Tim! Thank You for all the enjoyable videos.

[@davemarquez7744]

Very cool for a proto. I love the bridge idea. I have never really comprehended why fretless players want a complicated multi-adjustable bridge when a simple one does the job equally well.

[@inyourarea9292]

Love the look of both of them, new one sounds fantastic

[@danburrill8716]

I'd suggest that making the bridge and nut integral means that the grain orientation in them is sub-optimal, and could be a point of weakness. Perhaps milling slots with the CNC for a separate wooden bridge (similar to an acoustic guitar bridge) and nut might produce a more durable and adaptable instrument. Part of sustainability is designing products so that they'll continue to work for a very long time - think about the player/luthier dealing with the instrument in 2121.

[@timsway]

sure, if you wanna take the easy way out :)That's what I'll do if I HAVE to... lol. Violins, cellos, basses, have end grain bridges (tight maple).

[@m4r1ush.60]

@@timsway I’m not sure what’s available to you but I think if it’s around maybe hickory would make for a good top because of how hard and durable it is, and I was thinking It might handle the strings better than the oak. But there’s probably a reason not to use hickory. It was just a thought. I can’t wait to see where this project goes

[@timsway]

@@m4r1ush.60 I had a bunch of hickory offered to me but it was all warped and crappy. I would like to give it a try, some day.

[@m4r1ush.60]

@@timsway yeah I have the same problem, I’m hoping to find someone who has good hickory where I am but it’s very expensive for wood that’s not warped beyond use

[@cd0u50c9]

Love the design, the ethos and the innovations in the bass. As always fantastic work - never stop what you're doing.

[@vadimzubovich5537]

This is the most beautiful thing I've seen! I love the thumbrest design, I love the whole continuity... looks so natural and... uninterrupted. Tonewise oak is actually perfect for fretless bass, don't know how much it would last though. The bridge, OMG! phenomenal! Also changing the plastic cover for a pickup with a wooden one would do the trick with hiding it and easier to do than just having the pickup fully hidden underneath the single-piece top, though it would break the flowiness of the design. Would love to see the final version.

[@kenny.m.olsen95]

I actually really like the shape of that. Dope prototype and look forward to seeing more!

[@paulsangemino9430]

think this would lend itself to a headless system with the tuning mech on the back - would take some design acrobatics when passing through the body. Think it going in the right direction - love it!

[@leonah2137]

1000% agree -- a 5 or 6 string in this shape, but headless would be so amazing

[@paulsangemino9430]

I missed the part about the 32" scale length, my bad. I like the idea of the profile ledge above and below the stings as with the MM pickup I find my hand positioned too far back for long-term comfort. So this is a possible solution - mitigation. Playing right at the end of the neck is where I find fretless sings.

[@timsway]

@@paulsangemino9430 I don't think I mentioned the scale in the vid. My bad

[@timbeckingham7204]

I think this is my favourite of your builds. I've been trouble shooting a bunch of these ideas myself for a future build, but you've done so much more. Very cool and inspirational stuff. Love your videos. Much love, from down under, Western Australia

[@timsway]

cheers. a big part of the journey is trying things that may or may not work, then moving on with the results. Sometimes the only way to figure out what will work is make it and find out! :)

[@christofferniemonen8872]

I was thinking of this design too! Although my reason is lack of budget and hand tools. I also like carved things that doesnt look too smooth

[@TZerot0]

Great looking bass, love the ideas behind it as well! I think if I were to buy one I'd want the top edge of the horns rounded a little match the contours that you added!

[@Insanalyst]

That’s a cool design. I had been considering a similar contiguous fret board and top for a project though I would still use a metal bridge.

[@zhiracs]

Back in the 60s Fender did some prototypes for an offset model called the Marauder. The first iteration had four hum-canceling pickups mounted and hidden underneath the pickguard. Not piezos, standard pickups. I think they were patented and something about their construction strengthened their magnetic sensing ability to make up for lost vertical proximity. Maybe they're the key to concealment you're after? I bet the Gemini Pickups gentleman could come up with something.

[@timsway]

It's certainly been done and as ling as the wood isn't too thick the signal should be strong enough. I mean, lots of pickups have the poles concealed by plastic and whatnot, right? V2 will def be that way.

[@whythesenotes-adventuresin5576]

Great idea & execution. With the front piece being essentially just the thickness of a fingerboard, you may have a problem shaving off enough space to slap / as a thumbrest. Have you considered making both the front and back out of the same piece of wood so the grain lines up even as you add the contour etc?

[@williamadamsmusic3025]

i love fretless bass guitars ever since discovering Jaco Pastourious! id pay anything to watch Jaco play one of your fretless bass guitars, but I want one for ME!!!

[@reliefguitarist]

Really cool. I really like your videos and innovative approaches to sustainability. Rock on!

[@ViewtifulSam]

whoah, now this is a really beautiful idea! thanks for sharing it along with your thoughts and process, i love to see and hear the stuff you make

[@timsway]

thank you for the kind words

[@juliodifelippo]

Wow What a piece of art! Gorgeous. Cheers!

[@eduardosoaresnunes3880]

Beautiful bass, Tim! I would very much like to see a version with frets!!!!

[@tameromari2102]

What a beautiful idea and execution! What an inspiration you are man

[@rw9495]

Great project, I'm glad I watched, sounds nice too

[@GaryOshust]

Very cool, Tim! Definitely has a futuristic kind of look about it.

[@EpictheEpicest]

To hide the pickup, you could setup the CNC machine to cut out the top layer in reverse orientation, so to mount it to the body you would flip it. Instead of going all the way through with the pickup route, leave 0.5-1cm or so of wood at the bottom. Then mount the pickup in the body before you glue the top on and it is hidden.

[@timsway]

yes. I plan on doing that on the next one, doing a two sided carve on that piece and carving access to it in the back.

[@williamkerr3350]

Brilliant,thank you for the entertainment and the insights.

[@drewstoff]

This is really neat! I am excited to see some future iterations.

[@elluisito000]

Hi! My first bass back 2005 was also a 4 strings fretless, very fun basses to play with :D

[@mattcampbell2569]

That’s gorgeous! I would absolutely buy one

[@lanerj]

So awesome! Thats a super cool design

[@ankerstang1878]

The bass looks really good and sounds really good. I'd like to own that wow.

[@JoePalumbo221]

Great concept and execution.

[@rrotik]

this sounds amazing! a single cut design could also look pretty cool!

[@garagemonkeysan]

Zowie! You're onto something here. Such a sexy base, like playing a sculpture. Maloof and modern. Hidden pickup would be so clean. Can't wait to follow the evolution. Mahalo for sharing!🙂🐒

[@flamingorock]

Dude...i love it. When i have enough I'm going to purchase 1.

[@SMee67]

Slick looking bass, mate, and sounds awesome too!👍🏽 Seriously loving the minimalist look...👌🏽

[@mitchyahr1424]

Love the design, love the concept, great stuff!!!

[@YeshuaGod22]

The overall approach is fantastic. Not convinced about the shape of the upper horn and the headstock seems upside-down, but having one piece from bridge to nut is fab and so is hiding all the controls.

[@bAgRiMoIrEsS.4]

Very cool I like what you're doing video is educational and informative. You make it look easy..

[@LordBarrington]

looks great, an electric acoustics control box like a Fishman Presys+ would probably work great for a more stealthy look to the controls, or even some of the soundhole style ones and hide them in a curve

[@timsway]

excellent ideas

[@rubenfernandezcampos8648]

Amazing design and beautiful. 👌🏻

[@adampowell5237]

my brother made me a fretless bass for my 18th birthday out of our old (one piece for body and neck) and new (fretboard) kitchen bench.

[@Xubuntu47]

It's one of those "why didn't anyone do this before?" Ideas. It looks very organic, like it grew that way. I like this design aesthetic the most of all your work. Having the bridge just rise out of the top like that is so cool--but it means this design can only be fretless.

[@pedrocheiroso2904]

Amazing job! I can not wait for the final product. I really love this style of super clean, minimalist instrument build and i was thinking about hiding the pickup beneath a thin layer of the same wood of the bass but, maybe, without seams, with some kind of continuation of the whole body... well... some custom pickups have a wood cover and they work normally... have you ever thought of doing something like this?

[@timsway]

Next version!

[@TheTrophyStore]

I like it a lot, It makes me want to try to learn base guitar. Great Job.

[@jackegan6784]

I love the design, the fingerboard concept kind of reminds me of the Shuker Uberhorn fretless basses where the fingerboard goes all the way over the pickup and past the bridge. What could be really cool is if you really wanted to hide the controls is to mount them sideways as well as on the back, there was a guitar brand in the 80's/90's in England called Maverick that used to do that but on the front of the body, doing something like that could potentially make the design even sleeker, although its already so sleek the body itself might not even be thick enough for that haha.

[@hondawilky]

I love that 90s bass. Sounds pretty great and is reminiscent of some of my favorite Warwick basses. I’ve always been a sucker for Warwicks. ❤️

[@timsway]

I had a Warwick fretless once. I loved the way it looked and sounded but it never felt right to me.

[@juliansuarez3849]

Beautiful bass!!

[@stevesoldwedel]

Dig it. Great ideas and nice execution.

[@SunsetPunk]

Good stuff! I agree with all your planned changes and modifications. Maybe reduce the size of the headstock too? A little more pointy/sexy? Thanks for experimenting Tim!

[@schm4704]

Cool idea, and it sounds great!

[@persecutor96]

Cool concept. Can’t wait to see how it evolves. I don’t have the shops to play a fretless bass, but if I did …

[@timsway]

yes you do. It's no different, really. I'm self taught on the double bass (the notes are much further apart). I just marked the board up with little pieces of clear tape where each position was. when the tape was worn off, that meant I knew where to go :)

[@biggestrig9952]

Reminds me a bunch of stradi basses, looks killer

[@jimbecker5675]

That is a really intriguing design!

[@adamdavenport1004]

Tim I really can’t wait hear you play some old school punk rock on that bass I’m very impressed with your new bass

[@gustavocardenas3334]

this guys commentary reminds me so much of 'giorgio moroder' by daft punk, so inspiring

[@RFsamurai]

Great body style for a bass! I dig your mods.

[@nolano8279]

I'd looove to see a 5 or 6 string version, that body shape and the "endless fingerboard" design both look like they'd fit more strings very comfortably

[@eolasinstruments]

i love this. i love this so much. i may have to start saving for one!

[@ff-qf1th]

I love it! looks great. I like that it has so many octaves

[@johanneswerner1140]

Well, in principle all have them, they are just very hard to reach. But yeah, I really like that as well! Now I really need to do some more instrument building (by hand, that's what I enjoy, since I am not feeding a family with it and I don't even have a power outlet in my 2m x 2.5m basement compartment). Keep up the great work, you are an inspiration!

[@centerfoldstands2750]

Luv that design Tim!

[@soliderfromtf2]

Damn that a beautiful bass. I love everything about that bass.

[@Samuraiox]

Love it! Looks really rad but I think the body itself needs to be a little bigger. Love the idea for the scoop and hidden pickup too!

[@ChrisHopkinsBass]

Your original bass reminds a little of the fretless 8 string bass that appeared on a video on the PRS channel a few weeks ago

[@guitfidle]

I love it Tim! You have some great ideas, and I love your off center approach. You could reinforce the bridge by either inlaying a stip of wood or metal along the axis, or even flood it with thinner CA glue to just strengthen and solidify the oak. I really need to get off my ass and build a fretless- I have one like 80% complete.... And I have ideas and hardware for a couple more.

[@johnella4744]

It is good to see the interesting innovations you have employed. As a guitarist & guitar builder I am thinking how some of these could be applied to a 6 string instrument. Keep up the good work.

[@dejanmitic3324]

She sounds and look awesome mate!!!! Nice one. Greetings grom Serbia 👌❤️🤟😇😎

[@ryanmowbray8385]

Really nice job for prototype. I feel like you could carve out more between the neck and the top horn to make it meet up shaped more triangular. It'd make the top horn look a bit longer, but I think it would match the style still.

[@rackpit]

So awesome! Love the style

[@pwhite102]

I think it looks cool. Reminds me a little of the slim bodies from Alpher Basses but even slimmer!

[@rindred]

Maybe the easiest way to "hide" the pickup is to build a replacement pickup cover from the same wood as the top. It would have the outline of a pickup, leaving it still visible to the onlooker, but harmonized with the face.

[@luigigunner]

Pretty original brother, great build!

[@olivecool]

damn! that would look cool with the hidden pickup, i agree!

[@romkathe-coolest-tvivov8035]

Looks amazing!

[@MonsieurMaskedMan]

Its so cool looking, reminds me of stradi stuffs

[@SSRT_JubyDuby8742]

I love your creativity, you really are inspirational. 😎🎙🎸✅