Does anyone make fullsize basses anymore?

[Melik]

Yes, that's the question

[Bill Bentgen]

Pöllmann. Mine's a 7/8.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Melik

Yes, that's the question

That may be the question, but it's ill-posed. The definitions are a bit squishy here. There really is no standard for "full-size", "4/4", "3/4", etc. Here is a guideline. It really has a great deal to do with string length. Many associate "full size" with a length of about 43-44" while a so-called "3/4" usually has a string length of 41"-42". So what's a large-bodied bass with a length of 41-42"? Is it a "7/8"? I call it a "large-bodied bass with a length of 41-42". I think it's best to state the measurements and forget the names as they aren't very useful. With all of that said, if you're asking if you can still buy a new bass with a 43-44" string length, the answer would be "yes" but I'm not aware of any mass-marketers that sell them. You can easily buy a basses with 41-42" string lengths that have bodies of all different sizes. What are you looking for?

So wile I was posting, Bill provided a perfect example:

Originally Posted by Bill Bentgen

Pöllmann. Mine's a 7/8.

Suppose I wanted to buy Bill's bass (assuming he was selling). I can guess that it has a string length of about 42" with a body larger than what's typical. I'd still have to ask. So, Bill, did I guess right?

[Bill Bentgen]

Originally Posted by drurb

That may be the question, but it's ill-posed. The definitions are a bit squishy here. There really is no standard for "full-size", "4/4", "3/4", etc. Here is a guideline. It really has a great deal to do with string length.

Usually, but not always. Pöllmanns pretty much all have the same string length and differentiate in size by the rib depth. When I ordered mine, Michael Krahmer told me that a 3/4, 7/8, or 4/4 would all have the same string length.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Bill Bentgen

Usually, but not always. Pöllmanns pretty much all have the same string length and differentiate in size by the rib depth. When I ordered mine, Michael Krahmer told me that a 3/4, 7/8, or 4/4 would all have the same string length.

Thank you! Seems I guessed correctly. This is a perfect example of the non-standard and almost useless nomenclature. Pöllmann differentiates size by rib depth so that their "4/4" and "3/4" have the same string length! That's an exception to what's not really a rule at all. I think it's fair to say that when you say "full-size" or "4/4" to most players, we think longer string-length. My point is that the size designations don't refer reliably to string length or body size.

BTW, Bill, that Pöllmann is beautiful.

[Bill Bentgen]

I think it's the same for all string instruments. I found still another book on Stradivari in a used book shop. I seems he used 9 different molds for violins, some with big differences in length or width.

[Jack Clark]

When you guys said "string length," above, I know you were talking about the scale between bridge and nut. But I wonder . . . do you think that when Krahmer told you the string lengths were all the same on the 3/4s, 7/8s, and 4/4s, he might have been talking about the length of the strings installed on those instruments?

[fettbass]

I have a Czech bass which I believe would be considered by most to be full size. It has a 44 inch string length, it's 77 inches from the bottom of the body to the top of the scroll, and it's noticeably wider and deeper than every other bass I've played. As far as I know, the mass produce them with this size as an option in a factory in Czechoslovakia.

[Bill Bentgen]

Originally Posted by Jack Clark

When you guys said "string length," above, I know you were talking about the scale between bridge and nut. But I wonder . . . do you think that when Krahmer told you the string lengths were all the same on the 3/4s, 7/8s, and 4/4s, he might have been talking about the length of the strings installed on those instruments?

He was talking about the scale (nut to bridge). The conversation was in the context of me having small hands. He recommended a 7/8 to have enough body capacity to allow the 5th string to sound properly. I asked about string length and my small hands.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by fettbass

I have a Czech bass which I believe would be considered by most to be full size. It has a 44 inch string length, it's 77 inches from the bottom of the body to the top of the scroll, and it's noticeably wider and deeper than every other bass I've played. As far as I know, the mass produce them with this size as an option in a factory in Czechoslovakia.

Well, by both criteria that sure seems to be a "full-size" (whatever that means). Thanks for the info about the supplier.

[Eric Hochberg]

Here's a big old old bass, check out the rib depth:

String Length: 45"
Belly Length: 47"
Rib Depth: 7"
Upper Bout: 21 5/8"
Center Bout: 14½"
Bottom Bout: 28"

[Jack Clark]

Originally Posted by Bill Bentgen

I asked about string length and my small hands.

Ah. Thanks.

[Melik]

Thanks for the responses guys! I didn't expect that this question would start so big conversation!