Kasha Bass Guitars

Bass Guitars

Since I play bass guitar, it was only natural for me to
want to build my own acoustic bass guitar. I had
been playing and building electric basses since I
was in high school, so I was ready for a change.
While studying acoustic guitar building with
Anthony Huvard, he told me about the radical
designs that Richard Schneider was building.
I was hooked...so with Richard's guidance and
also collaboration with Dr. Michael Kasha,
I designed my first Kasha/Schneider braced
acoustic bass guitar. We were pleasantly
surprised with its rich, full bodied sound.
It almost sounds like an upright bass, but is
a whole lot easier to cart around!

BLUEJAY MODEL BASS GUITAR
Sitka Spruce top and back,
Flame Maple sides, Maple neck,
Ebony fingerboard,
Oriental Blue finish,
Schaller tuners.
Body size 24" X 18" X 5"
String length 30.5"

JAYHAWK MODEL BASS GUITAR
Redwood top,
Indian Rosewood back and sides,
Maple neck,
Ebony fingerboard,
Schaller tuners,
Body size 24" X 18" X 3.5"
String length 32"

Handmade Musical Instrument Exhibit April 2005

My basses are built using a tonewood for the back, and bracing it similar to the top gives it
a back that moves with the top, without impeding the top's motion, giving longer sustain,
warmer sound, and more volume. The body of my bass is larger than most at 24"x18"
and 5" deep. This is large, but is still comfortable to play. The instruments all have a door
at the bottom that allows stringing, repair work and a place to put electronics. Pickups can
also be installed under the saddle. The choice of strings will affect the sound; a phosphor
bronze string will give a bright, brassy sound, whereas nylon core bronze wrapped strings
give a fatter, warmer sound.

I build my instruments per custom order, for information on
pricing and ordering, go to my options page.

One of the most asked questions I get is: "How do I build my own bass guitar?"

While I enjoy sharing tips and information, my time is valuable to me and it is very difficult to teach someone how to build an instrument through emails! On my Links page you will find a list of sites and reference materials I recommend.

Two of the most helpful organizations that I strongly recommend that you join are
Guild of American Luthiers http://www.luth.org/
and
The Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans http://www.guitarmaker.org/