Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
Welcome to TalkBass! Want to remove ads? Register an account and login to see fewer ads, and become a Supporting Member to remove almost all ads.
-
Build Off Rules, Guidelines and Reference Information
What is a Build Off?
A “Build Off” refers to a friendly competition Open to all and held biannually in the Luthier’s Corner on TalkBass. Build Offs have been happening in one form or another on TB going back to 2010. In 2017 the Winter Build Off became an annual event. Starting in 2022, a Summer Build Off was added. For a complete list of Build Off Threads, please see here: https://www.talkbass.com/wiki/build-off-threads/ The structure of the build offs has changed over the years, and due to the large number of discussions, previous decisions and precedents, this wiki has been created to act as a reference for the build off rules, guidelines and reference information for any interested parties.
When Are They Held?
As of 2024, Build Offs are held twice annually in the Northern Hemisphere’s Summer and Winter respectively. The Build Off start and end dates correspond to the first and last day of the season. The build off starts on the solstice and ends on the equinox. Typically, there is a “Get Ready” thread that begins about 3 months prior to the start of the build off. In that thread is a discussion about any changes to rules or processes and a Build Off Theme is decided upon.
What is Required for Participation?
Participants must choose a category, build an instrument, document that build with pictures and descriptions, create and update a build thread and when complete, create a submission post for voting.
How Do I Enter?
To enter a build off, participants must create a new thread with a title including the Build Off title as well as their build title. For example “Winter Build Off 2022 – Joe’s Bass”.
The entry thread must include a link back to the main Build Off thread, a description of the planned instrument and a picture of the pile of lumber and/or parts with the Build Off Phrase written somewhere in the picture. The phrase is posted in the main Build Off thread on the first day of the Build Off. No work on the instrument may be completed before the start date, and the phrase in the initial pic helps ensure this.
Participants are expected to post pics and descriptions of their build progress as they go. It is also recommended that they select “Watch This Thread” for both the Main Build Off Thread and their own entry thread. This ensures alerts to any activity in the build thread and any announcements or relevant discussion in the Main Build Off Thread.
In order to be eligible for voting, the instrument must be completed to the point of being “giggity”, which means you could play it at a gig. Participants must complete a ‘final submission post’ and post a link to their submission post in the main Build Off thread. As part of the submission post, participants should include a list of all components used, any features, and an explanation as to how the instrument or build adheres to the theme.
What Are the Categories?
Scratch Builds
Both the body and neck must be built from scratch during the build off period. To save time, dimensioned lumber may be used, but components must not be Cut or glued up prior to the build off start.
Dimensioned lumber includes: Billets, 1-pce neck blanks, matched tops, stringers, Thin laminates, veneers, fingerboards, pre-slotted/radiused fretboards, etc. This includes items purchased from suppliers or resellers. For example, if you have purchased a two-piece body blank that is pre-glued, that is acceptable. However you cannot purchase a two-piece unglued body and glue it up prior to the build off start date.
Partial Builds
Either the body or the neck is pre-built, while other components will be built from scratch. A pre-existing neck may be mated to a new scratch-built body or vice versa. The built components may be dimensioned prior to the build off start (see Scratch Builds above).
Assembly Builds
Both the body and the neck are pre-built and will be put together to make the final instrument. Assembly of the existing pieces is acceptable and so is modification of any and all parts.
Non-Bass Builds
Any musical instrument that would normally be excluded from the other categories may be entered here. Examples include: guitar, shamisen, lute, mandolin, other non-bass instrument builds, or bass-related builds that do not have Fat strings.
How Do I Win?
The voting threads are Open to all and are also promoted in the signature of the host and through mentions in other areas of TB. Because this is TB, and everyone can vote, past participants have noted that instruments in current fashion tend to place well, as well as iconic styles including fender-shaped objects. Attention to detail and good photography also tends to be rewarded. Past participants have reported that completion of all templates, jigs and fixtures before the build off have helped their successful completion.
OFFICIAL RULES:
- All entrants must post a build thread with “SEASON Build Off YEAR” in the title.
- Entrants can enter anytime before the build off end date (in other words, late entries are permitted). Multiple entries in the same or different categories are permitted and encouraged.
- Each build thread must have a "pile of wood/parts" pic. The pic must include the written phrase that is provided in the Main Build Off Thread.
- To be eligible for voting, an instrument must be ‘giggity’. Meaning you could play it at a gig.
- 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 other 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.
Entrants must post in the Main Build Off Thread declaring their entry. A link to the entrant’s build thread must be included to provide a central reference point for all.
The build off starts at the first moment (according to Google), GMT on the first day of the season, and ends at the last moment, GMT on the last day of the season. Voting threads will be posted shortly after the build off ending and will run for 7 days.