Hi Family and friends,
This is the project I was working on when I was so rudely interrupted by life. I’m unable to do much of anything while recovering from lung surgery. I guess I will watch some woodworking classes I have on Blue Ray and, I think I can play my Electric Upright Bass, now, that sits on a stand. Although, I probably shouldn’t try to use the bow. That takes a lot of upper body movement and being able to swing my right arm wide.
The surgery was on Friday, August 21st and, it’s now September 1st. I still can’t lift over 10 lbs. Probably won’t be able to for a couple more weeks. And, I definitely can’t use any power tools while I’m on drugs (Norco and some other pain killer for nerve pain) . . . Damn!
I have been taking three naps a day when I begin to feel weak and groggy. Otherwise, I feel pretty good. My breathing is not a problem except when I take a deep breath . . . That hurts! The right side of my body has a bunch of holes where the surgical robot had its way with me . . . I feel like I’ve been violated!
p.s. While I was away from my computer, probably napping, Sue, my wife, had her way with this blog. I am leaving it in because, she, while being very funny, is actually not far from telling the truth. Here’s her paragraph:
I have been quite fortunate to have a beautiful, wonderful, most awesome wife to help me recuperate. Don’t tell her, but I’ve been milking this for all its worth so that she’ll wait on me hand and foot. I think I’ll even get her to run my power tools for me, but only under my watchful eye. But only after she cuts the lawn and washes the poop stains in my underwear.
Back to the narrative . . . Damn! I love that woman!
This bass was commissioned by my cousin, John Tschirhart, who is a couple of months older than me. We’ve been close friends and bass playing rivals for all our lives . . . Literally! John Tschirhart is a highly respected Upright (standup) and Electric Bassist in Florida playing mostly Traditional Jazz and Contemporary Jazz. He moved there from Royal Oak, Michigan in the ’80s, I think, and raised his family while working as executive director at Healthy Start Coalition. I’m using my longtime connection with John to imagine how he’ll feel playing this bass. I’ll get into the mind of a long-time lover of everything bass to build the ultimate tonal output for John’s spirit. I send all the pictures to him documenting the birth of his baby. John sends back lots of “WOW!”s.
The bass will be ultra-light. The body is Basswood. A light, yet toneful wood. I added weight-relief cavities in the body. The top is Quilted Maple. A nice, bright, tonewood with a beautiful Quilt pattern. After finishing, the top should have a holographic effect.
For the neck, I laminated Purple Heart between Roasted, Flame Maple. The neck should present wonderful sustain and tone. It will have a Rosewood fingerboard. I may shape a piece of Rosewood as a cap for the headstock. That should look cool and give it more of that Rosewood grit.
I already bought the Fender V-Mod P-Bass pickup which uses a combination of Alnico II and Alnico V magnets. I think that will be an awesome pickup. The electronics will be using Mojotone potentiometers and a Mojotone capacitor. I might add a Stellartone Tonestyler which will give the option of traditional P-Bass tone or some other tones that will cut through various mixes, when necessary.
Thanks for reading. Please, please, stay safe. Don’t take any chances with your health and life. And above all, the health and lives of your friends and loved ones.
Love to all,
David T
p.s. Comments are very welcome. You can comment at the end of this article.
