Galleries
Lumberyard
Design
Cutting
Routing
Finishing
Assembly
Complete
Playing

by Michael A. Stridsberg

The following collection of pages chronicle the construction of my custom electric bass.  This is the first (and so far only) instrument that I've built.

The idea for the design came from my hours spent playing bass in pit orchestras for musicals at local theaters.  The standard bass guitar design is ideal for playing standing up, but can be uncomfortable sitting down, particularly for long periods.  I had long had the idea in my head that it would be fun to build my own instrument, so I read a few books,^* started gathering parts, and finally made a trip to the lumberyard...

Use the links on the left to navigate the galleries, or click here to begin the tour. 

^*A tip of the hat to Martin Koch, whose book Building Electric Guitars (ISBN 3-901314-07-5) was my primary resource.