Upright Bass build help

[Prosper]

Hello everyone! My name is Michael Prosper. This is my first thread and I'm making it a tough one. At least i think so.

I need to create an upright bass for my next build. I'm feeling kind of stuck at the moment. It needs to be able to hold my weight as I stand on it. At first I was considering some type of foam. If I go that route I'd have to consider how to make the bass sturdy enough to hold me. I was considering a light type of wood but am fearful of that much wood being brought to a convention. Then, there's a possible combination of materials.

If anyone may have any ideas on where I should start, please do let me know! I really appreciate the help! I'm kind of all over the place with this right now.

I found a photo reference from pinterest

 

[Scotophor]

For all the time and effort it would take to build that, you might be better off just buying a used one. If you can find one that's been somewhat abused (but not thrashed) and give it a quickie refinish, it might even be pretty cheap. As for being able to hold you, if it isn't already strong enough, you could strengthen it by filling it with something such as a high-density foam, then put black inserts in the f-holes.

 

[Sean]

what about honeycomb card board. a few layers should be quite strong and lighter than wood.

 

[Prosper]

For all the time and effort it would take to build that, you might be better off just buying a used one. If you can find one that's been somewhat abused (but not thrashed) and give it a quickie refinish, it might even be pretty cheap. As for being able to hold you, if it isn't already strong enough, you could strengthen it by filling it with something such as a high-density foam, then put black inserts in the f-holes.

Thanks for the advice! As for an upright bass, craigslist in my area is pretty limited. maybe with a little research I can find a site that sells used ones. High density foam is interesting. May not add too much weight.

 

[Prosper]

what about honeycomb card board. a few layers should be quite strong and lighter than wood.

View attachment 403403

Yeah, honeycomb cardboard could be interesting. I could try that first. I haven't experimented with any type of cardboard props yet. Thanks!

 

[RocketCow]

You cannot stand on a normal upright bass without reinforcing it first (at least to my knowledge). At the very least I wouldn't recommend it. If you build a bass to stand on you really need to make it sturdy, scaling with your weight, of course. Buying a used one and reinforcing it with a few pieces of wood could work, but keep in mind that those things are not designed to be stood on (they're more fragile than one might think at first glance).

 

[Foamguy]

Expanded polystyrene could work, EVA foam is definitely not sturdy enough for that so don't go that route. The cardboard idea is interesting, though cardboard can be flimsy and unsupportive as well. I know that expanded polystyrene is the type of foam used in docks and other sculptures, so look more into that. Try univfoam.com

 

[Miker]

Hmmm.....my guess is that the stresses on the wood might take weight if properly placed. Check it...

http://youtu.be/ox49PV0fqHE

Are u intending to play the Bass? Or just a prop?

 

[Dave Rondini]

Not sure where this thread ended up, but I stand on my bass all the time. You just have to be careful. After my 1946 Kay was lifted from an out of state gig, I replaced it with a Carlo Robelli from Sam Ash. The salesman was sympathetic and sold it to me for $515.33 which is all the three of us were able to scrape together and give to him mostly in 10's and 20's