Winter Build Off 2024 - Best Bass For...

Beej · Dec 21, 2023

Greetings!

For this year’s winter build off, our theme is “Best Bass For…” What does this mean and how does it apply to the build off? Well, TalkBass has a very long tradition of people showing up out of the blue and asking “What is the best bass for <insert topic/genre/interest>? The good folks of the Basses forum have suffered this most, and over time it’s become quite the meme here.

Now, it’s your big chance to answer the question! There’s no right or wrong but please tell us what your bass is the best for … and then show us!

To enter the build off, start a new thread using "Winter Build Off 2024 " as part of your title, and start building. In your initial post, provide a picture of your pile of lumber and/or parts with the saying "Build a better mousetrap... er... bass... or whatever..." somewhere in the pic.

RULES:
1. All entrants must post a build thread with “Winter Build Off 2024” in the title.
2. Entrants can enter anytime before the build off end date (in other words, late entries are permitted).
3. Multiple entries in the same or different categories are permitted and encouraged.
5. Each build thread must have a "pile of wood/parts" pic. The pic must include the written phrase "Build a better mousetrap... er... bass... or whatever..."
6. To be eligible for voting, an instrument must be giggity. Meaning you could play it at a gig.
7. Entrants must declare which Build Category they are entering:

Scratch Builds must be built from scratch from dimensioned lumber.
- Dimensioned lumber includes: Billets, 1-pce neck blanks, matched tops, stringers, thin laminates, veneers, fingerboards, pre-slotted/radiused fretboards, etc.
- Scratch builds must not have any components glued up or cut out prior to the start. Built components must have their build process pictorially included in the entry thread.
- Minimum diameter for lowest pitch string is 0.083".

Partial Builds must identify all components used and explain what is built and what is bought.
- All built parts must have their build process pictorially included in the entry thread.
- Minimum diameter for lowest pitch string is 0.083".

Assembly Builds must identify all components used.
- All modified parts used must have their modification process pictorially included in the entry thread.
- Minimum diameter for lowest pitch string is 0.083".

Non-Bass Builds includes musical instrument builds that would be excluded from the bass Build Off categories.
- Examples include: guitar, shamisen, lute, mandolin, other non-bass instrument builds, or bass-related builds that do not have fat strings (as per the 0.083” minimum lowest string thickness rule), etc.
- Instruments may be stringed or use other means to generate sound but must be capable of generating sounds.

Videojunkie · Dec 21, 2023

Good luck everyone! looking forward to all of the neat basses getting ready to be built!

Reedt2000 · Dec 21, 2023

This is so my favorite part of TB! :bassist:

Jon Clegg · Dec 21, 2023

Here's my partial build: HEL JAG -- The best bass for metal.

Beej · Dec 21, 2023

@Alex Xander 's : https://www.talkbass.com/threads/wi...-best-bass-for-happy-wife-happy-life.1633658/

Beej · Dec 21, 2023

And here's me own entry: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/wi...bass-to-replace-the-best-bass-for-me.1633663/

Here's hoping we get more than a few entries! :thumbsup:

T_Bone_TL · Dec 21, 2023

The better mousetrap...

I guess there is a stick and a bucket (sort-of a tub) and a wire, so it COULD be put into washtub bass mode? Not that I've tried. But far better than any commercial mousetrap I've used, based on results.

(Constructed before the build-off started, so not competing in the "the heck with bass, best mousetrap" category.) Needing it gets the

13ghosts · Dec 22, 2023

Here is my entry for a scratch build for a Best Bass For Sound Experiments

Flamingo21 · Dec 22, 2023

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE !!!!

ddm0502 · Dec 22, 2023

Best of luck everyone. I wish I could participate. I had plans and materials to do so but a wrist injury is keeping me out of the shop for a while. Maybe next time

AudioTaper · Dec 22, 2023

T_Bone_TL said:
The better mousetrap...
View attachment 5291737

I guess there is a stick and a bucket (sort-of a tub) and a wire, so it COULD be put into washtub bass mode? Not that I've tried. But far better than any commercial mousetrap I've used, based on results.

(Constructed before the build-off started, so not competing in the "the heck with bass, best mousetrap" category.) Needing it gets the

Back in high school, I used the spring from a rat trap to make my friends Digitech Whammy pedal return to heel-down after he took his foot off.

Dubious Aa · Dec 22, 2023

@Beej
Im thinking of entering a bass vi project that I just started. It seems to meet the rules but I’m not sure if its a partial build or an assembly build. I have a neck (unfinished) and a body that needs lots of love. Some of the hardware will be modified and I’ll make a custom pickguard.
Not much has been done yet but I have been documenting it.
All in all it may just be the best bass for firewood or wall art :bag:

smart51 · Dec 22, 2023

This is my entry, which I'm calling Twisted Essence of Suffering. https://www.talkbass.com/threads/winter-build-off-2024-twisted-essence-of-suffering.1633686/

ardgedee · Dec 22, 2023

Good luck! I might not participate in your build threads but I'm rooting for all of you to win. Every single one of you!

Dark Horse · Dec 22, 2023

BEST BASS FOR OBTAINING A CASE AND DESIST LETTER

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/wi...-for-obtaining-a-cease-desist-letter.1633690/

Beej · Dec 22, 2023

Dubious Aa said:
@Beej
Im thinking of entering a bass vi project that I just started. It seems to meet the rules but I’m not sure if its a partial build or an assembly build. I have a neck (unfinished) and a body that needs lots of love. Some of the hardware will be modified and I’ll make a custom pickguard.
Not much has been done yet but I have been documenting it.
All in all it may just be the best bass for firewood or wall art

Okay, how can we best peer pressure you into entering it?

From the description of pre-existing neck and body, it sounds like a perfect fit for the Assembly Build category. You can modify it as much or as little as you like. Some previous entries look little like the parts they started from and others look like factory. :thumbsup:

mapleglo · Dec 22, 2023

OK, I guess I need to stop jawing and get cracking. I suppose I need to buy some epoxy first thing, since all the liquids - glue, epoxy, etc - and mixing stuff - bottles, jars, etc - were lost in the move.

Dubious Aa · Dec 22, 2023

Beej said:
Okay, how can we best peer pressure you into entering it?

From the description of pre-existing neck and body, it sounds like a perfect fit for the Assembly Build category. You can modify it as much or as little as you like. Some previous entries look little like the parts they started from and others look like factory.

Ok, Im in!!
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/winter-build-off-2024-best-bass-iv-for-my-budget.1633711/

J Posega · Dec 22, 2023

I'm also in, resurrecting the Dumbucker VI.

Beej · Dec 22, 2023

@Evan38109 's: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/wi...devil-in-the-heat-of-the-mississippi.1633766/

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Winter Build Off 2024 - Best Bass For...

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Beej

Videojunkie

Reedt2000

Jon Clegg

Fueled by caffeine and snark.

Beej

Beej

T_Bone_TL

13ghosts

Flamingo21

ddm0502

AudioTaper

Dubious Aa

smart51

ardgedee

Dark Horse

Beej

mapleglo

Warp Engineer

Dubious Aa

J Posega

Cat Dad and Dingwall Enthusiast

Beej