Just because, that's why :)

[Mike Kolb]

When things get a lil' slow around the shop, I can turn to a few "back-burner" projects that have been sitting in the corner too long.  I'm a bassist... electric & upright.... and always bristled at how the number of strings keeps rising.... 4-string to 5-string to 6-string to 7-string, ad nauseum.  So I'm going entirely in the other direction.  I'm thinking B-E-A.

A Warmoth blank headstock and a band saw can be a lethal combination.  Updates to be continued on an "as-done" basis, which can be mighty slow.

[Steve Beckwith]

Very cool idea!

[FRANK]

SURE WHY NOT I ONCE KNEW THIS BASS PLAYER WHO PROCLAIMED HE WOULD TEACH ME TO PLAY AFTER I SPENT 7 YEARS OF COLLEGE/GUITAR MAJOR ,HE FELT HE KNEW MORE THAN I . SO I FOUND OUT LATER DURING A BAND PRACTICE HE ONLY PLAYED 2 STRINGS AND WHEN I ASKED HE SAID THAT WAS ALL HE NEEDED TO KNOW.AND PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT HE COULD TEACH ME TO PLAY BASS I SAID WELL THANKS ILL SIT BACK AND SEE IF I LIKE YOUR STYLE.I FOUND OUT THIS WAS ALL HE COULD PLAY WAS 2 STRINGS 3 OR 4 CONFUSED THINGS FOR THIN NEANDERTHAL MIND SO I BUILT HIM A 2 STRING I DON'T HAVE PHOTOS BUT IT WAS LEGIT 2 STRING P BASS LOL HE CALLS IT HIS P/J PEANUT BUTTER/JELLY BASS I CRACK UP ANYTHING IS CORRECT WHEN BUILDING YOUR OWN STUFF RIGHT ?

[Grahame Myers]

Hi Mike
Ever thought about making a "tea-chest" bass like they used in skiffle bands? It only had one string.... How about that for "reduce to the max"?

Grahame

[Eugen C]

A bass reduced to the max is a bass without any strings. Just jocking, no offence please.

[FRANK]

AIR BASS YEA

[Tim Mace]

Eclectic Bass Balalaika???Capo?

[Donald A. Fortune]

Hi Mike- Nothing wrong with experimenting once in a while- I've seen some 3 string guitars here and there in my travels
and they were played and sounded different but good- so I say have at it and show it when ya "get er done"
peace, Donald

[Robert "Yukon" Stubblebine]

Have you ever listened to the band Morphine? The late great frontman Mark Sandman played a two string bass. They were bass, bari-sax and drums. Mark called their music low rock and it was great, original, and like nothing else. No doubt you can find clips on you tube.

[Mark Pollock]

So, I take it that the spacing of the strings on the nut is not going to involve any space-age calculations?

[Mike Kolb]

Nah, it shouldn't.... the strings line-up nicely and the posts give 'em a straight pull, so they oughta' be good to go.

[Mac Walker]

+1 to the Morphine. What's the plan for the bridge? Sorry I'm jumping ahead. My "backburner" could better described as a basement full of half finished projects, stacked to the rafters...

[Mike Kolb]

For the bridge setup, I've got 3 single-string ABM bridges that attach to the body. In keeping with my plan for an "ultra-stock" look, though, I'll be covering them with a traditional chrome JB ashtray. Here's a stock shot....