Semi-hollow Bass Build - Episode 1

[@sambo7326]

"It's not exactly pretty, but it sure is ugly." Best quote of the day. LOL. 😂😂😂😂

[@ChrisHopkinsBass]

I see a new episode from Fanblade, I click on it immediately

[@guitfidle]

Well I've been slacking, just coming across this. Good info on the Warwick, I've been eyeing those too. We seem to have similar taste in basses, so I probably would not like it either. I just got an old Japanese full hollow body, similar shape to the Warwick and the Epi Rivoli, to build a bass around. I already had some fairly hot (9.2k) Japanese single coil pickups from Guyatone or similar, they not only fit the holes, but the mounting holes for the pickup rings line up perfectly!! I have most of what I need, just need to make a neck from scratch, was also planning on a medium 32" scale. Also (slowly) working on a chambered hollow body very similar to this- body chambered out of solid wood, carved redwood top, even a single humbucker in the same spot 😍😍 Great minds think alike

[@whodom]

This is a cool build. I purchased an Epiphone Jack Casady bass a few years ago and it’s become my go-to bass. It looks like your bass will be somewhat similar. The JC is more of a full hollow body. It doesn’t even have a center block, but a fairly thick piece of maple that runs down the center glued to the underside of the top. The JC uses a low impedance pickup routed through a transformer with 3 sets of windings that can be selected with a rotary switch. It’s surprisingly versatile. I’ll be very interested to see which direction you go with yours.

[@danbunch3926]

I was just checking to see if I had a new episode a couple days ago. Today is a great day!

[@jeronimo_bias]

I always wait for your videos and I am never disappointed. Good luck with this build.

[@marcusparnell2403]

Been wanting to see a build like this for ages! Love it.

[@ChefZak]

phenomenal work as usual, can't wait to see how this turns out

[@timbeaton5045]

Funny. I was drawing up a design for a 5 string semi-hollow bass myself, just the other day. Great minds! Was going for a similar shape to the Wal bass, and I have a neck sitting round that i bought years ago.

[@salvatoresorrentino6279]

Bass build is back!

[@paulizzyrollins]

Love your videos

[@mauricemusician7636]

Ash walnut will be a beautiful combo!

[@bankyWI]

Very glad to have you building a bass again! Love your videos!

[@fanbladeinstruments]

I'm very glad to have some time off work to do it, thanks.

[@kdoubleg]

Glad i came across this video. Im building a very strange semi hollow and i require advice that im having trouble finding anywhwre else. Right away i discovered im probably going to have more feedback than i would like. I excpect my main questions will be answered when you get to wiring this thing up but i want to ask your opinion anyways. What pickups would you suggest for a semi hollow 5 string J bass with one large resonance chambe? Suggestions would be highly appreciated.

[@glennhynes5263]

Nice project, Geoff. I just completed a 30 in scale bass myself. You ve got to get the pickups just right as the string length seems to lack 'umph!!. Good Luck.😊

[@fanbladeinstruments]

I'm doing 32.5 inches on this one (825 mm) so not quite as short as that but should be enough to maintain the umph while balancing properly. Here's hooping anyway.

[@johnkivillamar94]

does the ES335 body is the same for guitars and for bass¿

[@Fraik]

That's a great project, I always loved the Rivolis, Eb-2 etc and always wondered why they aren't more popular given how successful the 335 guitar and its variants are as guitars. Gibson and Epiphone keep making SG basses at differing quality level but they never reissue the 335 shaped basses, that's a shame. Is the body full sized or coupé-sized on your build?

[@fanbladeinstruments]

This one is coupé sized, I love the shape but I find the full size ones are just a bit cumbersome. The 339/coupé size is almost perfect, you get the classic style without the instrument getting in the way of playing it.

[@PlumpyDelicioso]

Great vid, as always. Would a “neck through” have worked on this bass? Have you ever done a “through neck/neck through” bass? Any opinion on it?

[@fanbladeinstruments]

Neck through is definitely an option, sure. A couple of years ago I got covid, had to isolate for a week and, never wanting to waste an opportunity to build something I attempted one then. I even filmed a lot of it, but I hadn't realized quite how sick I was and did some of the worst woodwork in history. Wasn't thinking straight, caused myself endless problems, and eventually just walked away and lay down for a few days. I was actually thinking, as I was making the acrylic template, that I could make it a neck-through and build the whole body out of clear acrylic - properly bent sides like a real acoustic and everything. I love the look of the transparent Dan Armstrong instruments but they're super heavy, a hollow one wouldn't be. That idea hasn't left me, I'll let it simmer for a few months and we'll see what happens. Cheers.

[@ianchisholm9260]

Gibson Midtown ( short scale ) .. I’ve owed 3 over the years .. only problem I found was they were a little underpowered .. like the body size .. shame it didn’t sound as good as a Gibson EB2 ( 2 pickup model )

[@fanbladeinstruments]

I didn't know they did a short scale version of that bass, that would solve the balance issues that plagued the Starbass. Was it 335 or 339 sized? Google is coming up short on info there, cheers.

[@XxBigguy3xX]

​@@fanbladeinstruments i think it was shaped sorta like the Jack Cassidy bass.

[@ianchisholm9260]

@@fanbladeinstruments 339 size .. not like the Jack Cassady bass that has off set horns on the body .The Midtown is very much the shape your building.. search for the 2015 model . I have a photo , but am unable to post it to you in this message

[@ChrisHopkinsBass]

I've always liked the slashes that Rickenbacker use instead of F Holes but you don't want the wrath of F C Hall to descend on you!

[@fanbladeinstruments]

I like those too. I thought of putting in a series of the little fanblade shapes that I use for the logo but I'll save those for when I have a design I can truly call my own.