The Ergo-Vibe Bass goes CNC!

[Telenator]

This is indeed a thrilling day as the CNC machine is churning out a fresh, new Ergo-Vibe bass!

For those of you who haven't seen the prototype, this is a specialy designed bass created for a friend who is confined to a wheel chair.

A friend of mine, Mark, at Stol Guitars has worked tirelessly on perfecting a CNC program to cut the Ergo-Vibe bass bodies.

Here's the first test cut with the original router template placed on top for comparison. I like what I see!

More photos to follow as the project moves along.

[Immo]

You're planning to provide a short series of basses for people who can play only in sitting position?
That's really great of you! I'll keep my fingers crossed!

[jrfrond]

Very cool! Keep us posted.

[Telenator]

This one is getting a maple neck with an ebony fingerboard and ebony peghead veneer.

I'm kinda leaning toward surf green for the body but I'm not sure that's a good match with the ebony.

[jrfrond]

Ebony and green??? Not my cup of tea, but if you like it, go for it. Is it for you or a customer?

You know, you may have thrown your towel into the custom bass ring. It's a fresh, practical concept. Your friend that you did this for originally is challenged, but think of all the studio musicians who play for hours sitting down that could benefit from this design. Sitting and playing can be a chore, and the positioning of the bass is compensatory at best. It will be interesting to see where you go with this. As I recall, the electronics was your only issue, correct?

[Telenator]

The electronics were in fact, not an issue after all. Long story but, the owner of the prototype will tell you it's the best sounding bass he's ever played. The guys in his band even commented that the new bass makes the whole band sound better!

What I'm doing is preparing a couple of these to demonstrate to organizations that deal with physically challanged players. I'm also looking to send them to the bass player magazines to review.

After seeing the way both challanged and non-challanged players have taken to this instrument, I can't deny there is a small niche' potential for this thing.

Several friends of mine loved the way the bass felt when they were seated and playing so, I think you're right about it being a good studio instrument.

[jrfrond]

I think that you may be underestimating yourself. Sure, it solves problems for the physically-challenged, but it also solves a major issue for ALL bassists, which is hyperflexion of the left wrist when in "proper" playing position, to wit, with the thumb behind the neck and fingers facing up. The angled fingerboard lessens this, and hence, the tendency toward developing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and/or pinch nerves in the neck (they often go hand-in-hand in what is called the "double-crush syndrome").

What impresses me the most is that it is a relatively simple and elegant solution, and you just MIGHT want to patent at some point. Yes, that costs money, but good, unprotected ideas are out there for the taking.

[Telenator]

I've been down the patent road before and as sad as it is, found it to be a money pit. The problem with a patent is, if someone in the US runs with the idea, I can sue him over it and possibly win a judgement. But the cost of persuing it is enormous, and there's no guarantee the guy who swiped the idea would the money to pay damages anyway. And if China (scumbags) run with it, they just tell you to go intercourse yourself and keep popping out knock-offs anyway.

If I could get this up and running to the point where I could make 3 or 4 a month I'd be thrilled. The other upside is, even if someone does swipe the idea, people in need of this concept will at least be benefitting from it. I'd rather it didn't go down that way, but in the end the sole reason this project came about was to help a friend. That has been accomplished. Whatever happens from this point forward is pure adventure!

[Immo]

Originally Posted by Telenator

I've been down the patent road before and as sad as it is, found it to be a money pit. The problem with a patent is, if someone in the US runs with the idea, I can sue him over it and possibly win a judgement. But the cost of persuing it is enormous, and there's no guarantee the guy who swiped the idea would the money to pay damages anyway. And if China (scumbags) run with it, they just tell you to go intercourse yourself and keep popping out knock-offs anyway.

But nowadays we have the social networks like Facebook etc. One post here and there yand you'll be surprised, ho mony people admire your creeation and despise all fakes.

[w3stie]

Very cool project! Any updates?

[Telenator]

Originally Posted by w3stie

Very cool project! Any updates?

Yes! We're working on a 4 string version.

The hardware and pickups have arrived for the two new demo models (one 4 string and one 5 string)

The 5 string is coming along and post photos as soon as I get in town.

I'm in South Dakota right now and will be home tomorrow. I played a couple gigs with the guy I made the original bass for this past week. Lots of fun. You should see how people react when they see the bass. It's cool.

The new CNC 5 string will be a deep, transparent blue. Maple neck with ebony fingerboard, black painted peghead and chrome hardware.

Not sure what color the 4 string will be.

I should have some new photos tomorrow.

[Joe-Bob]

Surf green with ebony would look fine...the old strats had rosewood boards and they looked nice with surf green and shell pink.

Then again, if one is blue, then the other could be red, (#3 should be white, though).

http://www.carvinguitars.com/catalog....php?model=fg1

[acousticman1]

I agree that the green and ebony will look great!

Can't wait to see some new pictures!

[Telenator]

The ebony I have is a bit bluish. It's a very cool color and try as I might, I just can't get my head around surf green for this one.

We're in the process of building a 4 string and a 5 string.

The 4 string will be deep, transparent blue, ebony board, black peg head with chrome hardware.

The 5 string will be deep, transparent red, maple board, black peghead, chrome hardware.

There's been a few things going on in the background here over the past few weeks with this project. If all goes well, there should be some major news coming in the next 6 weeks or so.

This truly has been the most gratifying project of my life. We all like to do things that may make a difference. And even if this whole thing were to stop right here, I'd still be really thrilled that at least one person's life ahs been affected by the existence of this bass design.

Like I always say, "I love a good project!"

[Paul in Colorado]

Very cool project. My nephew has Duchenne MD and is facing life as a young adult in a wheelchair. I'm glad you're thinking of people like him.

[Joe-Bob]

Originally Posted by Telenator

This truly has been the most gratifying project of my life. We all like to do things that may make a difference. And even if this whole thing were to stop right here, I'd still be really thrilled that at least one person's life has been affected by the existence of this bass design.

Like I always say, "I love a good project!"

You are the man!

[Telenator]

Project Update::

Here's a few more photos.

The necks have their first few coats of clear nitro and the pegheads have been painted black.

The 4 string will be deep transparent red with a maple board, and the 5 string will be deep transparent blue with an ebony board.

The body program still needs a little refinement but my friend Mark at Stol Guitars is all over it!

[Telenator]

Latest installment.

We got the necks fitted in their pockets before the hurricane hit. Still no power at Stol Guitars. Work has ground to a stand still.

[w3stie]

:thumbsup:

[Telenator]

Here's the bodies with their transparent color and clear coats. Now the waiting begins. 4 weeks before they van be buffed. Nitro feels great but man it takes so frickin long to cure!