Upright Bass Made From "Trash"

[@ronaldmcreagan4402]

You inspired me to rebuild a "trashed" bass my now passed grandma gave me. Plays great and now my favorite bass I have. Thanks for these videos. I plan to build a bass from scratch as soon I can get all the parts I need.

[@timsway]

Awesome

[@braindeadbzh]

I can't imagine how stressful is the first tune up when you don't know if everything will collapse wasting days of work and potentially taking a piece in the face.

[@timsway]

yup. sounds like you are imagining it pretty well...

[@mshaque5458]

I love where you explain the tension produced by the strings across the bridge. I now understand the forces you’re dealing with.

[@zak-a-roo264]

Watched the head snap off a new mahogany neck Gibson a few years ago, beside it being tragic, it was amazing to see the force destroy the guitar, it took about 10 seconds to finally go after the crack sound it made , the store replaced it.

[@mertgunes9854]

So this is how I'll interact with my son if I ever have one, nice

[@timsway]

I try to include him in everything I do and explain everything to him (age appropriately in some cases). When I was an inquisitive kid, I hated it when adults talked down to me or said I was too young to understand, etc. As Einstein said, paraphrased, you don't REALLY understand something unless you can explain it to a 6 year old.

[@mertgunes9854]

I believe you set a fine example. You're an inspiration indeed, both with your work and your personality, I'm in my twenties and I can only hope to be somewhat like you one day :D

[@kabar1211]

that's just way too cool, especially the headstock

[@timsway]

Thanks!

[@brianharris7243]

"Julie, Tim's made a double bass!" "Don't you get any ideas we've got nowhere to keep it with all your homemade guitars, violins, cigar box guitars and ukuleles!!"

[@timsway]

hahaha!

[@davebauerart]

So cool to see all the magic and hard work going into this. There's so many materials all around us if we pay attention.

[@ConstrutorMusical]

Nice job! The only thing I did not like is the cracked seam on the top, where the glued boards meet each other... It's a aesthetic thing, but other than that, it's a great work (litterally! lol!)

[@timsway]

Im not a fan of that either, but I really wanted to stay with all readily accessible waste products for the whole thing. Now that the concept has been proven I can work my way out from it to a more desirable mix of materials that is still "green."

[@TomE1248]

The holes in the tailpiece need to be arrows too! Apart from that, awesome build, can't wait for my sqwayre to arrive!

[@timsway]

great idea!

[@timsway]

sqwayres are at the printers getting inked and should be shipping soon!

[@baoboumusic]

This is my new favorite video on your channel. So much passion, so much skill. Doing the things you love pays off!

[@timsway]

THANK YOU!!

[@rimrunz1795]

Gollihur.... Yep, they're awesome! I'm just a nobody from Vt, now living and working in Thailand, but i consulted Gollihur's when i needed a decent bridge pickup for an electric upright that wz made in China.... These guys hooked me up with a K&K, which turned out to work great (especially as th pre-existing PU wz a slap-together piezo_type that, really, had no output to it). Glad u r featuring Gollihur's, and I'm enjoying ur vid also, of course....

[@jackijang4038]

What a beautiful looking and sounding bass it turned out to be! Your videos are an inspiration and this series made my mind on buying a old plywood bass from my fathers friend and gonna try to restore it. Keep up the good work Tim!

[@timsway]

awesome! enjoy the ride!

[@seamus9305]

Thanks Tim, this is just what I need to see. I'm inspired to build a mountain dulcimer bass (fretted). Will be referring to this throughout.

[@joshstarkey8883]

It's so cool to see everything come together

[@ragtie6177]

You make this world a better place. Thereby, your sponsors do as well. Congratulations Tim.

[@joebodynobody764]

Definitely my favorite of your builds. Keep pushing your boundaries, you're only getting more and more gooderer at this. 🤘

[@davidartreides3932]

Sir, I am beyond impressed! Nicely done. I'd love to hear this bass with a proper tube preamp and a nice ribbon microphone. I suspect I'd be further blown away. Thanks for this.

[@williamhart4896]

Thanks for part three Tim nice looking upright bass checked out the other channel shootout and garage hangs well clean number three of the four you shootout .

[@peteradamakakis4682]

Tim, just wanted to say I love your channel, the things you build, and how you go about it. Keep doing what you're doing and I will keep watching. Thanks the hours of enjoyment.

[@timsway]

Thanks!!

[@stevemartin2634]

Nice build! I love the Pfretzchner in the background as well.

[@sbbinahee]

What a beautiful creation. So satisfying to watch. A work of art and no less.

[@willemkossen]

I never thought building it myself might be the way to get an upright base. Another project on the long list if things to do...

[@zak-a-roo264]

People sell basses that need repair they cant afford or cant fix themselves , I picked up a ww2 era one on Craig's list for $300, check around you might find one.

[@SPLENDIDZEN]

Tim & Famila's secret weapon to build musical instruments ?: Passion! Note: Tim and Family ... you are true human idols ... because you show it with talent ... work ... and an excellent final product!

[@timsway]

thank you. too kind

[@matthewb8229]

Last spring I purchased an NS NXTa double from Gollihur. They were amazing. Answered every question I had, and I'm sure some of the questions were pretty dumb, but they were happy to answer. My next from them will be a bow.

[@timsway]

Imo they are the only game in town for double bass stuff

[@darknightdreaming7174]

Awesome series! Kudos for going beyond the recycling cynics and going for it! As a non-musical hobbyist who uses as much recycled materials as possible, I appreciate your passion, skill and determination to see materials for their intrinsic qualities rather than in their context of past use. Keep up the fab work!

[@timsway]

thanks! musical instruments are my favorite to prove a point about reclaimed materials. I take trash and make art that makes art!

[@darknightdreaming7174]

@@timsway couldn't agree more! I sculpt reclaimed wood.. turn old rags into rugs..old leather goods into new leather goods..its good to give back and honor materials with new life and purpose. Keep doing what you do so well😊

[@janviljoen7001]

Nice man, you are an inspiration. Go on!! Pretoria, South Africa.

[@jimbecker5675]

Bravo on including your young protegé in your efforts!

[@SMee67]

Insanely awesome build, mate. 👍🏽 Looks and sounds amazing. 🤘🏽😎🤘🏽 Good to see the cogs ticking over in Vance's head.

[@TMNT39]

I really like the finish you used, it's simple and understated but it really brought out the grain nicely! Awesome build Tim, you always put out a nice finished product :)

[@jpcgordon]

Such a good build! Congrats Tim! This channel deserves 100 times the amount of subscribers!

[@Paulymade]

Love your work man, I dabble in recycling too guitars, bbqs, fire pits my sons mini bike blah blah blah. Keep em coming

[@jessiepalermo7234]

Gollihur Music is amazing. That's where I get my Psychoslap strings 🤘🏼

[@Ibaneddie76]

Nice job man that turned out awesome. I build stringed instruments too so I get a kick out of seeing other builder's artwork come to life. You built a beauty sir.

[@samaker4]

Wow Tim, that is a super Awesome build and great video series. Thanks for sharing.

[@timsway]

hey, thank you my friend!

[@sapelesteve]

Awesome build Tim! That turned out great & also plays well. Having made giutars, including an Acoustic, and a few bases myslef, I can appreciate how much time & effort you put into the creation of this base. Nice work my friend. And that gollihur website is really great!

[@timsway]

cheers! Gollihur.com is the first and last double bass site to go to.

[@sgsax]

It's been a blast seeing this one come together. It sounds great to my ears, and if nothing else is a great proof of concept. If this first one was just practice, I can't wait to see the next one. Thanks for sharing!

[@timsway]

I hope to have the opportunity to try again

[@matt_williams1015]

Very cool project! I love how you made the details really unique

[@dmyers9230]

Thanks, that was awesome. Will make my own guitar at some point and your videos are great learning and entertainment.

[@anastasiocatalan416]

Simply beautiful ☺️👍🏼!

[@jannetoropainen9865]

Wow youre a True builder of double bass i love your videos

[@timsway]

Thanks! I've a lot more to learn...

[@HovingtonInstruments]

Thanks for sharing your project, I might actually get an arbor teck power carver for carving maple backboard. It sounds great 👍.

[@paulmathias1908]

Awesome vids and talk through, your enthusiasm for this project is really great, keep up the good work!!

[@timsway]

hey, you made it through all three parts. thanks!

[@jeremypoythress4995]

Nice upright build dude. Ive also been working on some bass projects.first expirement i tried putting 3/4 scale upright labella strings on a 34 inch scale jazz bass trying to create hybrid pickup system and snapped all 4 including spares without breaking the jazz bass. i was thinking hard about building a 60 inch scale electric octobass with a subwoofer that can go down below 16hz with 3 of the longest scale piano strings ever made. I don't even have enough space or budget to build it though lol 😄.

[@seamus9305]

Oh no, I'm becoming a bass nerd. Thought it interesting when you put the sound post in the top expanded a little. Watched this video 4 times. I bought a book on how to build a double bass. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a video is worth a thousand pictures. Thanks Tim

[@guitfidle]

That is so cool!! I might have to give this a try one of these days

[@mathquir190]

The headstock design is great man.

[@timsway]

hey, thanks! I was pretty proud of it :)

[@jgarber235]

I believe that the soundpost does more than just prevent the top from caving in. Along with the bass bar it contributes to the tone of the instrument. It would sound pretty bad without it.

[@timsway]

Of course. It connects the back to the front in a crucial place. Interesting trivia note, the bass bar, in Spanish, is translated to the "soul" of the instrument.

[@j_freed]

That's why it's acoustic grade aged spruce, cool!

[@phanuphanruksa]

I,m from Thailand. I like every video of you.

[@Drugaddict22]

Meh..

[@drmkiwi]

Stradivarius would be proud! Great stuff, you are a legend Tim. Thanks for the videos. Cheers, David

[@timsway]

I think he might be more offended than proud. lol. thanks!

[@Dukesuperbee]

Hey Tim very cool build! I build cbg’s and I always have a eye out for the unusual parts and pieces to add to the guitar. On the wall behind you I see the skull and crossbones and think it would be a cool bridge on your upright! Love your vision !!! Keep up the killer creations and inspirations !!!

[@timsway]

The skull is a gift from my friend (elm city vintage on youtube). I'm pretty sure he'd love it if I turned it in to a bridge:)

[@malleusmaleficarum9248]

The Doors instruments done, now is the time for wooden Jim Morrison ;)

[@giljusino]

Hey Tim, I love your KZbin channel. I’m a bass player and wood worker too. I want to be just like you when I grow up! Thanks, Gil

[@timsway]

Don't ever grow up! At least I'm trying not to :)

[@tommypetraglia4688]

14:06 A most satisfying moment. Made me go "Huuh" a short intake of air

[@stkeeley]

This man has balls of steel! Great work duder!

[@SinnGread]

Tim your a trip and I dig your stuff!!

[@tommypetraglia4688]

"If you _think_ about it for a while... maybe you can," - my wife, with all kinds of sarcastic inflections. Say Tim, from where did you acquire your mad woodworking skills? They are esp impressive when using the hand tools. A woman's house of whose I went to cut down about 20 old raised panel doors after wall to wall carpet was installed, remarked when I was about 1/2 way through Oh I see you've must've woken with sawdust in your bed before Now I don't know if she was hittin' on me, but you know... she was right. It was right around then I saw a piece (which made me think of that) in an early Fine Woodworking Magazine, Ed Pouleaux Makes Makes Windsor Chairs Without Electricity - some octogenarian Mainer living in the woods cutting shaping scraping and finishing everything by hand, and one thing he said about hand tools which stuck in my head for 30 years was this: They don't cut your fingers off, make you deaf, or fill the air and your lungs with dust covering your clothes and everything else So for Ed it was shavings and chips in his next morning cuffs. Some shit, eh? Needless to say regarding you, this one here is "a great piece of Make"

[@timsway]

i am kind of lacking in hand tool skills, particularly sharpening them. Like anything, practice!

[@stevensobba1785]

Hands on for your son! He gets it! Well done sir, your son and the bass!

[@FredMcIntyre]

Awesome work Tim! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@tulapia5342]

This chanel is gold

[@stanleyshostak2737]

That looks and sounds great!!!!

[@brianpite0893]

What a great project! But if you don't mind my saying, the bolts going through the neck heel maks me a little nervous. I once owned a Dutch made guitar from the early 60s that had a bolt in the same place and it was a problem. Tuning and cracking.

[@timsway]

your problem was the guitar itself, not the design. I refurbished that aluminum bass and didd a butt joint with two bolts identical to this a decade ago. I performed 3-6 days a week on that bass and shoved it in and out of the van probably 1000 times over the course of several years. After about 5 years, it broke in the usual spot (where my Kay broke twice) but the repair was so much easier because I could unbolt the neck to do it.

[@arttheboy]

This series was such a ride!

[@mattliebenau9083]

That’s fantastic! So cool that it worked and sounds pretty dang good! I found Gollihur a long time ago when I had an upright and wanted an adjustable bridge. One of them just posted on talkbass.com about his fretless Precision that he call his “Approximate Bass.” 😄

[@timsway]

haha! that sounds like Bob

[@frankieroberts5514]

@tim sway you should make the rest of the bluegrass instruments (banjo, acoustic guitar, mandolin and some times dulcimer)

[@MrKevincryan]

Well done Tim, inspiring

[@artjones9187]

Good job, looks great, sounds great 👍

[@juliodifelippo]

Sweet! Its sounds great! Cheers!

[@outerbanks854]

That boy is sharp...

[@watahyahknow]

think you couldve done a bit better on the bolts holding the neck in the pocket , like using alen bolts and sunk them flush intoo the heel

[@MsCaleb79]

Amazing Bass! how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me I once was lost, but now am found Was blind but now I see Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come 'Tis grace that brought me safe thus far And grace will lead me home When we've been there ten thousand years Bright, shining as the sun We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when…

[@DominusFeles]

Would it be possible to put the pole in before the lid?

[@timsway]

Sort of? It's a pressure fit. I imagine one could design it in to have it affixed to the back

[@aWildJosh213]

Beautiful bass! I love watching instruments being built. It sounds professionally made, but I can’t play it. I need a smaller version of this bass if I want to play it.

[@iqbalbinnirwan9558]

@1:17 Father and son moment... i wish my dad was just like you..

[@AngusFindlay]

Wow, setting the sound post looks stressful. Hooray for ice picks!

[@timsway]

i'm sure it gets easier with practice but it's kind of a pain

[@Bonk12381]

Lemur music is a pretty good resource for bass players too :)

[@rodneymcintosh1484]

Now I've got to find out more about Cumaru and where I can find some (preferably reclaimed) here in Melbourne Australia, as it makes a nice fingerboard. Awesome bass by the way...... very inspiring!

[@timsway]

It grows in south America and used for decks and outdoor builds, like teak. Probably not shipped out your way too often, tho :(

[@rodneymcintosh1484]

Yes, sustainably grown in Peru is the information I've found......and yeah, hard to find reclaimed Cumaru here because hardwoods like native Jarrah and Merbau from S E Asia are more popular.

[@johnbiermaniv4577]

Do it again!

[@johnlemus7921]

Tim, could you please, please play a little bit of the Pink Panther Intro on This Bass.

[@esrdemon]

Отличный контрабас получился=)

[@Thoseaboutto911]

Will the bridge support push out the back? Also, what about a semi hollow up right bass. A post down the back and bottom front to support the body.

[@timsway]

if I didn't make it right it will! lol It sits on a piece of solid wood that spans the body and distributes the load. check out BSX bass and some other electric uprights. they are made in that semihollow fashion. Not a lot of resonance unplugged, tho. For a truly acoustic instrument you gotta go all-in.

[@GibClark]

Totally freaking awesome 👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏

[@PootaurStuff]

No, the sound post transfers energy from the top plate to the bottom plate. Without it the instrument sounds weak. I'm a violin maker. I use a special tool for measuring the length of the sound post, then a sound post setter to put it in place. The sound post goes in toward the bottom of the bridge, when oriented for playing. About 1/8" behind the bridge. The post can't be too loose or tight, the post measuring tool will get it just right. I guess looks really doesn't matter, its the sound that it makes. Your instrument is a bit ugly, especially on top, those jagged edges on the top plate. Why did you sand them down to join up with the wood below it, it would have looked so much better. But still a good build. When I build mine, looks for me is just as important as sound quality. I will build one that is great looking, not a pile of wood just glued together. I still give a thumbs up.

[@guitfidle]

Oh, I'm also a big fan of Golihur, those guys are pretty amazing.

[@timsway]

Yea they are.

[@TheSmoothestPoo]

Sweet build! I have played drums/guitar for over 20 years, and I want to take the plunge and play doublte bass, rockabilly music... should I take the plunge? I am in my 50's....

[@timsway]

hell yea!

[@edwither8284]

Gollihur is awesome!

[@timsway]

The ONLY place online to go for upright bass stuff, indeed.

[@djsfunhouse.]

This vary dense .......... wood ya ....dam it I dropped it!! To funny man keep up the great work I'm a huge fan.

[@mirkosmi1800]

I have been following your work for a long time. You have great and simple ideas, Tim...Do you have customers for those instruments of yours? Here, this double bass has a solid sound...

[@timsway]

cheers. Yes, many of the instruments you see on this channel are commissioned works and I sell "a la carte" at newperspectivesmusic.com I don't think I'll be making and selling double basses anytime soon, tho. Maybe an eub if you wanted, but this design definitely needs some work before it's up to selling quality.

[@Fretlessness]

This has been great to watch! Where do you sell your stuff?

[@timsway]

Thanks! This is not for sale but I make custom and sell at newperspectivesmusic.com

[@manpreetralhan426]

Tim Jr soo cute nice double bass great Tim

[@notagod-5174]

Jesus the video started buffering at 0:35 and i most died

[@gary9816]

Woooooh!

[@k1llerm0th56]

*very impressive*

[@davidlong3696]

Would You please make a six String Violin or Viola da gamba?

[@barbarabarker8256]

Oh that dovetail joint will be that double bass's Achilles heel

[@timsway]

there are several bass manufacturers who do this nowadays. When I rebuilt my 1930s aluminum Phretschner about 15 years ago, I did something very similar but without even a dovetail! just flat surfaces held together with two bolts. I subsequently played this bass 5 days a week for about 7 years (rock n roll cover band, not light duty) before one day it got kicked off the stage and the heel of the neck broke in exactly the same spot all the Kays break. I unbolted the neck, easily made the repair and bolted it back together. The system worked perfectly. I continued to play it full time for another several years without a hitch. It is still under tension and fine today. In other words the dovetail doesn't worry me one bit! The real Achilles heel of this bass is everything else! lol.

[@seamus9305]

Thanks Tim. I think I heard in one of your videos that the neck is angled at 7 degrees. I'm hoping to build a classical set-up so I can bow. Would a classical set up be the same angle?

[@timsway]

I'm no expert but I'd say yes as the same bass is used for classical or jazz, just the action / setup / string style on the instrument might be changed to better benefit the bow.

[@terrilyndenne2810]

T.Sway. what do you use to clean old tuners? No rust. Just dirty. Any suggestions will be helpful. Thank you in advance.

[@timsway]

depends on the type dirt, maybe a degreaser and a scotch brite pad?

[@negotiableaffections]

When the apocalypse comes I'm scooping you, Diresta and a few others up and protecting you for when time comes to rebuild. Great project and thanks for pointing out how the upright bass is such a fickle instrument incl, sound posts and unatached bridges etc. Do you spend half the jig retuning?

[@timsway]

I will be helpful in rebuilding the band, but that's probably it. lol. there's quite a bit of tuning, downtuning, adjusting and fddling to get it right. I set up up again since making this vide and I have it playing even better now

[@gssong7111]

The apocalypse is already here as it literally means a great unveiling of truth, which this is. Now armegeddon, which you probably meant, isn't here...just yet.

[@negotiableaffections]

@@gssong7111 I just plucked a word outta the air TBH, prob thinking of something actually survivable for the 'rebuild' joke to make sense lol

[@seancarolanmusic]

so cool

[@Gutierrez_Felipe]

Hi, Tim How are you? I am building an electric cello, and I want to use magnetic pickups, I don't find much information on that kind of thing for cello anywhere. I was curious to know more about the pickups of your other basses (aluminum and the Kay one, I guess) They seem magnetic but I can't tell just by looking at it. Any Tips?

[@timsway]

yea, magnetic was a must for me to play rock volumes and use effects. Both of mine were made in Europe by people I doubt I could find again but if I were you making a cello, I'd buy a Fender P bass pickup and use that as you can move the two pieces independently and angle them to get the right string spacing. A lot of double bass players do this. google some images and you'll get the idea.

[@plinkbottle]

I like luminum one so I can play metal.