Post by CTGull on Feb 14, 2019 17:48:36 GMT -5
OK, I’ve officially lost it!!!! My newest guitar building idea is the YamaBass!!! Convert a 1970 Yamaha FG-180 from a 6 string acoustic guitar to 4 string acoustic bass! Sounds easy, right??? The real question is WHY???
A standard short scale bass is 30” scale length. So I started researching micro length acoustic basses. Who makes them and what strings do they use?
Everybody knows about the Taylor GS Mini bass. Its 23.5” scale, has a 1-11/16” nut and uses PB wound nylon strings. The Yamaha is about 24.9” scale. The strings for the GS mini would be too short.
Then I found the Gold Tone Mbass-25. goldtonemusicgroup.com/goldtone/instruments/m-bass25 Its 25” scale, has a 1-11/16” nut and comes with those rubber band strings. Those strings are difficult to tune (they stick in the nut) and stretch for weeks. They also offer optional flat wounds. But, the best option is LaBella “Silverback” silver plated copper wrapped Nylon strings. goldtonemusicgroup.com/goldtone/accessories/mblns I assume similar to what Taylor uses. And they’re made for 25” scale. SOLD!! String gages .115”, .090”, .065” & .049”. Since they’re nylon core the tension will be low, probably half of what it is now.
FOUND THE STRINGS!!!
Now I need to figure out what parts I need to buy. What’s this going to cost to build? The YamaGull only cost me a set of tuners and a bridge, only $54, I had the 2 guitars and all the other parts. The YamaBass is going to cost a bit more.
I know I’m going to have to replace the frets on the FG-180 neck, might as well get Jumbo’s. And I’m going to need nut files for the larger (HUGE) size strings.
Guitar – Have (only need 1 this time!)
Tuners - $50
Strings - $20
Bridge – Make.
Nut & Saddle – Make.
Nut file - $18
Fret wire - $12.
So I’m figuring about $100.
There are still some construction questions to answer (plug existing tuner holes, intonation, how to fix the strings to the bridge, etc.), but I should have what I need to make stuff.
More research required.
LET THE INSANITY BEGIN!!!
ANOTHER THOUGHT!!!! Does this mean I'm going to have to make a Seagull bass too??? YES!!! The SeaBass!!!
A standard short scale bass is 30” scale length. So I started researching micro length acoustic basses. Who makes them and what strings do they use?
Everybody knows about the Taylor GS Mini bass. Its 23.5” scale, has a 1-11/16” nut and uses PB wound nylon strings. The Yamaha is about 24.9” scale. The strings for the GS mini would be too short.
Then I found the Gold Tone Mbass-25. goldtonemusicgroup.com/goldtone/instruments/m-bass25 Its 25” scale, has a 1-11/16” nut and comes with those rubber band strings. Those strings are difficult to tune (they stick in the nut) and stretch for weeks. They also offer optional flat wounds. But, the best option is LaBella “Silverback” silver plated copper wrapped Nylon strings. goldtonemusicgroup.com/goldtone/accessories/mblns I assume similar to what Taylor uses. And they’re made for 25” scale. SOLD!! String gages .115”, .090”, .065” & .049”. Since they’re nylon core the tension will be low, probably half of what it is now.
FOUND THE STRINGS!!!
Now I need to figure out what parts I need to buy. What’s this going to cost to build? The YamaGull only cost me a set of tuners and a bridge, only $54, I had the 2 guitars and all the other parts. The YamaBass is going to cost a bit more.
I know I’m going to have to replace the frets on the FG-180 neck, might as well get Jumbo’s. And I’m going to need nut files for the larger (HUGE) size strings.
Guitar – Have (only need 1 this time!)
Tuners - $50
Strings - $20
Bridge – Make.
Nut & Saddle – Make.
Nut file - $18
Fret wire - $12.
So I’m figuring about $100.
There are still some construction questions to answer (plug existing tuner holes, intonation, how to fix the strings to the bridge, etc.), but I should have what I need to make stuff.
More research required.
LET THE INSANITY BEGIN!!!
ANOTHER THOUGHT!!!! Does this mean I'm going to have to make a Seagull bass too??? YES!!! The SeaBass!!!
