dr. blues tap project...complete

[dr. blues]

This is only my second post after hanging out here for over a year. I had planned to build a tapper last spring, but i got really busy moving to a new office. This year i found some of those “round-to-it’s” and built two tappers which are presented here for your review. Actually, it was good that i waited because BrendaEM did the definitive treatise on how to build a tapper and i referred to it numerous times during my endeavor. Many thanx BrendaEM for sharing; it made my work much easier. I also took many photos showing my step by step progress, but i won’t post them now.

Now for the details on the first instrument. To the best of my knowledge, the entire instrument is my original design. It is made entirely from poplar from Lowes except for the fretboard which is pau ferro from Allen Guitars. Fret markers are abalone. Tuners are from guitarpartsusa. The bridge is an original design which i machined myself from T6061 aluminum; the saddles are #6 stainless steel machine screws and nuts. The nut is machined from cow bone. The pickups are aftermarket 5 string j-bass. The finish is french polish. The scale is 34 inches, 25 frets, 8 strings tuned in straight fourths from E to Eb.

This is not the first guitar i have built, but it is the first tapper and the first guitar i built for someone other than myself. I built this for my good friend and musical mentor Deon Moseley who is a master bassist and pianist. I know that if anyone can do justice to a tapper, he can. Deon, this one’s for you.

[dr. blues]

There was supposed to be a photo attached to my previous post. Can anyone tell me why it didn't get attached?

[GaryOpenhill]

Originally posted by dr. blues
There was supposed to be a photo attached to my previous post. Can anyone tell me why it didn't get attached?

Did you use the "attach a file" option and is it a gif or a jpg? That worked before.

[dr. blues]

Did you use the "attach a file" option and is it a gif or a jpg? That worked before.

yes, in fact, i tried it using firefox and ie 6. i even tried on a different computer and still no dice. the photo was jpg.

[traktor]

Others have used attach-a-photo more than I have.

However, I seem to recall that there is a limit to the size that it will accept.

Have you limited the size of the photo to something like 600 pixels wide? I suspect that if you have a high-resolution of 300 dpi instead of the 72 or 96 dpi used by a website then the photo may have just been too big.

I'm not sure that's it, but it's an idea.

[dr. blues]

Those of you who have built instruments know that while waiting for glue to set or partz to arrive there is not much else you can do. So while tapper number 1 was in one of those waiting periods i decided to see if i could build a quick and dirty tapper (QDT) for myself strictly from parts on hand. The wood is from an old headboard which turned out to be poplar with mahogany veneer. The fretboard is also poplar from Lowes. This is the result: 27.5 inch scale, 25 frets, 6 strings tuned B to C in straight fourths. Two single coil pickups i had lying around. Bridge was also leftover from another project. The finish: stained with ferric acetate made by dissolving steel wool in vinegar then sand to 400; hand rub with extra virgin olive oil then resand. This one took about 3 weeks to complete. The first one took about 5 months.
And yes, the damper is the waistband from some old boxers.

I remembered i have some web space not being fully utilized, so i posted the pictures here:
http://76.163.40.51/tapguitarproject

[boxguitarist]

dr. blues,

Most excellent !! I particularly like the headstock !!!! I sure wish I was building a Tapladder right now, but i'm not, sigh...............

Glenn

[BrendaEM]

Congratulations. Interesting finishes.

[BigDaddyPoo]

Hope you don't mind Doctor. I thought I would post one of your pics for you since you were having troubles. Nothing wrong with a little eye candy for the forums. ;)

I really dig your design. Almost like a modern violin bass. You really made the poplar look nice. I'm supprised that's what wood you used, because based on the pictures, it looks a lot nicer than the poplar I've seen at Lowes. The folks that live in the northern US have it good - Lowe's carries Maple. Here in the South the best you can get is Poplar or Oak (unless you want to build a guitar out of Pine).

Any ways, my two favorite 4-string bases are the Gibson EB-0 and the Ampeg Scroll bass. You captured both in a tapper. Mega Kudos.

[BigDaddyPoo]

I want to see a close-up of the bridge you made!

[dr. blues]

Originally posted by BigDaddyPoo
I want to see a close-up of the bridge you made!

you got it!

http://76.163.40.51/tapguitarproject/Bridge Close UP.jpg

[Nightmare Music]

the instrument looks great, but i wouldn't think there is alot of tone options with the pickups so close together

[BigDaddyPoo]

Originally posted by Nightmare Music
the instrument looks great, but i wouldn't think there is alot of tone options with the pickups so close together


www.stick.com

[K Rex]

The solution?

www.warrguitars.com

Kev

[dr. blues]

QUOTE]Originally posted by Nightmare Music
the instrument looks great, but i wouldn't think there is alot of tone options with the pickups so close together [/QUOTE]

thanx for the compliment. as far as tonal variation is concerned there is not as much as some might like, but more than meets the eye. the pickups have different value tone caps. the output jack is stereo and the mini switch allows mono or stereo output. in stereo mode, each pickup can be sent thru a different amp/effect combination. so, there's a fair amount of tonal possibility. but, the person i built this for is old school. he plays hard core straight ahead jazz. he plays up right bass and prefers acoustic piano. he is not into tonal variation.

www.stick.com

www.warrguitars.com

yep, both are fine instrument makers and definitely options for tone. but, it's so much more satisfying and fun to build your own ax...Big Daddy you, BrendaEM, and others know what i'm talking about.

[dtapper]

sorry i'm late. WOW! i love it. great body!:D

[RocknDrTom]

Yes indeed - this one looks great. I like the scrolled peghead and custom bridge. I wish I could work faster like you!!