Building my own bass

[Hell Mike]

I'm going to build my own electric bass and I need a little help.
By 'a little help' I mean 'fucking lots of help'. I don't even know where to begin! I'm thinking of building a five-stringed, fretless one or maybe merely a five-stringed OR a fretless one or perhaps even a regular four-stringed bass with frets and all. Give me all the damn tips you can (Concerning EVERYTHING, from what kind of wood I need to the electronics) and maybe some website too if you know one. Thanks (I hope).

 

[SanderThomas]

One question: Why build a bass when you don't even know what you want?

Custom or home built basses only sound and feel right when you know exactly what you want.

 

[Hell Mike]

I have several reasons but the one pushing me forward is mainly that I've got a school assignment. Also, if I build a (probably terrible) bass of my own I'll know what ahs to be improved for my possible next time. Please offer aid instead of rather stupid comments.

 

[MardyAss]

You will need: a hammer.

I think.

Sorry, couldn't resist it...

Try asking some of the people who actually make basses, like Conklin, Carl Thompson etc., maybe they will help.

 

[SanderThomas]

Well, since it's going to be your first bass and you don't have that much demands, you might want to buy a build-one-yourself kit and focus on the electronics. I don't know about stores near you, but in Germany Musik Produktiv has all sorts of electronics on some sort of clickable system on a bass, so you can easily test different pickups.

But like I said, since it's your first one, I wouldn't focus too much on expensive stuff, just buy some cheaper things that sound ok and try to make that one sound right.


edit: typo

 

[Hell Mike]

That's my plan, no fancy (or expensive) stuff. Thanks.