half size bass (for real-life versatility)

clochard · #1 07-26-2006, 09:28 AM

Greetings folks,
Am currently playing a 3/4 german ply, but have suffered many frustrating moments where its size - dah - prohibitted me to haul it around. Yes of course :
<< that's an upright's deal >>,
but hey, is there a way to sweeten it?

I'm thinking ; why not have a smaller bass - say half size - that would sound good, be road-ready, that'd be smaller, tough, rough but "grand" and smiling? One you can share a ride with and still bring a banjo player along (yes, the banjo topic is an other story, but hey, you always need someone to pick on) ; one you can put on your back and fly away.

Think you've got the idea. Anyone that has made this choice - or that despises it?

Knock yourself out on this matter in this thread;

Cheers.

Clay_Bass · #2 07-26-2006, 09:32 AM

Check out the checzk ease road base(sp) davidgage.com theyre made with you in mind

WalterBush · #3 07-26-2006, 09:35 AM

My 1/2 size bass fits easily in my car, takes up less space on stage, and I can haul it on public transportation (BART) here if I need to with minimum hassle.

The trade-off? It doesn't put out as much sound as a 3/4, which isn't much of an issue since I frequently amplify it, but may be a problem for you. The real hassle is finding strings. Fewer companies manufacture 1/2 size strings, and they're harder to get a hold of. 3/4 strings on a 1/2 size feel like telephone cables, and they're almost impossible to play with a bow. Hardware is also a bit more difficult to find, although a quality luthier can adapt or order the right stuff for your instrument.

Does that help?

Bofee · #4 07-26-2006, 11:20 AM

I met a guy in another band at a gig a few weeks ago that played a 5/8 bass. His reason? Everybody else in his band sat down when they played and he wanted to as well. The smaller bass made it comfortable for him to do so.

Jeff Guevin · #5 07-26-2006, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bofee

I met a guy in another band at a gig a few weeks ago that played a 5/8 bass. His reason? Everybody else in his band sat down when they played and he wanted to as well. The smaller bass made it comfortable for him to do so.

I wonder whether he considered the less expensive alternative of a taller stool.

clochard · #6 07-27-2006, 11:45 AM

Well, some folks just can't stand stools

This is good info.

Clay Bass, I've just checked the CzechEase, which indeed is interesting stuff to me. I'll have to book a trip to new york one of these days to try em out.

jabberwock777, this helps indeed. I didn't suspect the gear/strings trouble. It's plainly good to know that your half size is doing the full job.

Anyone else?

...i've got some thinking to do. (picks up bass)

Snarf · #7 07-27-2006, 01:03 PM

On a related note, how do folks with a 3/4 bass get it around the city for gigs? I'm sure mine wouldn't fit in a cab, I'm sure as hell never taking it on the T. The only things I can think of is bum a ride with someone that actually has a car that happens to be huge (highly unlikely) or get a taxi van, and even then I don't think those things will work.

hdiddy · #8 07-27-2006, 02:54 PM

I think every modern day newbie (I'm not saying you're one Clochard) comes up with the question sooner or later.

IMO, even with a Czech Ease, it still won't be that easy to carry around, especially with just a shoulder strap. That thing is still pretty wide. Maybe it's a little lighter, but that's not a big deal since size is more of an issue. It would make more sense to have a gig bag for the CE that has backpack straps. It may fit in the car a little easier, but any bass will fit in almost any car. I think the only real benefits from the CE is that schlepping it for trips by airplane would be made alot easier, and maybe cab rides.

The only other option is to go with an EUB, but then you're not playing a DB anymore. Just get a bass wheel and your life will be alot easier.

I thought about it smaller basses when I first started playing DB. After a while, I just resigned to the fact that I'd be sacrificing alot of sound for a small amount of portability if I went with a smaller bass/EUB. These days, I have my entire rig down where carry everything in one trip - cab, amp, books, bass, music stand without having to resort to using a dolly. A little heavy but it's not that bad.

This is coming from a guy who lives in the land of hills and small cars. If I can do it in SF, Montreal surely will be a breeze. I don't remember driving around Montreal being all that hard. Maybe you just need a spiked tire version of a bass wheel in the winter months.

One more thing: FWIW, I can fit my 3/4 sized bass in my car (Subaru Impreza Wagon) and still seat 3 plus room for my other gear.

clochard · #9 07-27-2006, 10:28 PM

Well, let's see;
[rough young voice, with strong quebecer accent : ] Mr, you'll know my mommy always made me iron my dresses - and hers - while - of course - whistling rachmaninov, changing the granddad's diapers - and fighting the old drunkard shoore wasen't easy - and all of that UPHILL, under the blazing heat and cold of Ye Olde Quebec, just after cow and moose duty, and of course the everlasting "petting of the sleddogs"... aem.

More seriously, I surely am some sort of newbie to double bass and understand I'm asking for too sweet of a deal; still, since I had not played any half-size as of now, i taught of asking to see how the chat would blow. modal results! Must admit i've had that half-size matter on my mind for the last week and had relatively gave up on the matter... with a bit of hope to find something here

hdiddy; indeed, the czechease can't be a magic answer, but i'd be curious to play - and haul - it out. Gotta respect whatever respectful, weird and modern genious that expresses itself trough craftsmanship and art.

as for an eub... I really can't stand to produce solely synthetic / electric sound. I'm gradually learning the joys, pains and sacrifices of amplification.

Of course any bass is haulable around, and i've taken mine for spins already - the humming of the metro rides makes her all calm and smiling.
In fact, this all started with one rainy day, being carless and wanting to get out of the city with me bass. Got stunned when it stuck its tongue out when I asked if she'd like to hitchike along.

Ah well,
keep posting, this is getting interesting.

cheers,
clochard.

**Francois Blais** · #10 07-28-2006, 10:06 AM

Salut Hugo!
As a matter of fact, I had an half size several years ago.
In fact, although it was sold to me (at Wilfer in Montreal, closed since then) as an half size, it was a 5/8. The scale was 100 cm.

It's true, like someone else mentioned, that stringing is a bit tricky with these shorter scale instruments, but some brands are available in half scale. (Spirocores, Superflexible, Helicore orchestrals, Pirastro Flexocor, Corellis in medium gauge only, D'Addario Preludes)

Bonne chance!
François

bejoyous · #11 07-28-2006, 10:28 AM

Petere Chandler (519-666-0748) makes a great 1/2 size French design bass ( a layout of the plans can be seen here: http://www.violins.on.ca/books/plans/frenchhalf.gif ).

The one I tried had a great core to the sound at the bottom end and the neck is detachable as well.

I believe Andrew Downing in Toronto uses one.

Francois: My bass has a 1000mm string length as well. I use Obligatos or Dominants and they sounds great.

Don Carrigan · #12 07-28-2006, 03:36 PM

Half-sized bass with full length fingerboard?
I saw a 1/2 sized Kay Bass in disrepair at a local antique store. Noting the ID Label #16119 (or was it 19116) I logged on to the Kay web site which identifies by ID No. It was built in 1949 by Kay as a full size keyboard (42 inches) intended to be played while seated. Someone really destroyed it with a 1/4" bolt through the fingerboard and a gaping hole at bottom. Even so, when I went back it had been sold for $300
The Kay site says it was never popular, only built about 40 of an intended run of 100 because they didn't sell.

clochard · #13 08-20-2006, 01:14 AM

Well fellas, thanks for all the info.
After some wandering, not much has changed. I still adore my 3/4 and will stand this love-hate relationship for a good while, but will look into the next halfies I come across in the future.
A weird week has passed where I also considered acoustic bass guitars, but with great disappointment. The sole necessity being the "acousticness" of an easily haulable instrument... every ABG in town discredited itself, even up to the tacoma thunderchief.

So François, Ken, don, bejoyous, hididdy, snarf, jguevin, clay, bofee amd jabber, thanks for your input in this wander-thread...

and back to bed. (picks up bass).

Ale · #14 08-20-2006, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarf

On a related note, how do folks with a 3/4 bass get it around the city for gigs? I'm sure mine wouldn't fit in a cab, I'm sure as hell never taking it on the T. The only things I can think of is bum a ride with someone that actually has a car that happens to be huge (highly unlikely) or get a taxi van, and even then I don't think those things will work.

NP ,
Goes in a taxi , bus , train , everything
I have a 40mm case with wheels for my 3/4 , and its great , easy for train switching and city transportation , somethimes i even walk with my bass to the venue

CamMcIntyre · #15 08-23-2006, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarf

On a related note, how do folks with a 3/4 bass get it around the city for gigs? I'm sure mine wouldn't fit in a cab, I'm sure as hell never taking it on the T. The only things I can think of is bum a ride with someone that actually has a car that happens to be huge (highly unlikely) or get a taxi van, and even then I don't think those things will work.

I've got a wheel [the one that Bob G sells] and i take the L. On the L-it's no big deal to lug around, i avoid rush hour/peak times or i try to take alternate routes that are typically less crowded. The only train that i've taken it on that was a space crunch was the South Shore Trains-it had seats like an Amtrak train does so it was a tight fit. Granted, i've got a pretty large 3/4 [NS Cleveland], but it's well worth it.

take it easy.

MM-Stingray5 · #16 08-24-2006, 10:50 AM

Daisy rock make a 25 inch scale bass, but its for girls and shaped like a butterfly, a heart or a flower

But they are small.......

Ed Fuqua · #17 08-24-2006, 11:07 AM

I take my bass on the train alla time. Buncha other guys do to, I'm always running into cats on the train. If you're headed to Times Square at the right time, you stand the chance of a bunch of you being on the same train, cause all the pit band guys are heading in.

DO NOT do the scroll out the window thing; Don Falzone had his bass trashed on his way TO a gig when the cabbie was trying to manouver around a parked truck and caught the edge of something. I did it for years, but I would NEVER do it again.

Every once in awhile there is that confluence of you getting off a gig and one of those van cabs looking for a fare, but you can't count on it.

But the train is no hassle, I'm not sure why you are so hesitant?

Ed Fuqua · #18 08-24-2006, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MM-Stingray5

Daisy rock make a 25 inch scale bass, but its for girls and shaped like a butterfly, a heart or a flower

But they are small.......

They also sound like ELECTRIC basses and not DOUBLE basses.

Don Higdon · #19 08-26-2006, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

I walked 2 long blocks to the train, down 2 flights of stairs to the subway platform and then took 3 trains to 135th and Convent ave. and THEN walked up about 100 stair cases thru the Park UP-HILL to the School and then up to the 6th floor where we played. I don't think I had the wheel yet at that time either!

I did that only ONCE and NEVER NEVER NEVER again..

Last summer I experimented taking bass and amp by train, tubes, and subway to a Manhattan club.
Never, NEVER,NEVERNEVERagain.

Bob Branstetter · #20 08-26-2006, 02:40 PM

I have a pair of restored 5/8 size carved flatbacks that I've been keeping around for the occational strolling job or jobs where I need something light because of having to move from place to place on the job. I've even put a carbon fibre endpin in one of them just to further reduce the carrying weight. The older I get, the more I try to keep the weight down to save the old back. Both of these basses have 40 1/4" string length, so standard 3/4 strings work fine and there isn't a huge difference in how they play compared to 3/4 size I normally play except for having the end pin extended much further. I think the 5/8 size (if you can find one that isn't really a 1/2 size that is being sold as a 5/8) can be good alternative to the Czeck Ease and you don't have to explain to anybody why it looks so funny. Now if I could just decide which one of there basses I should keep. Nobody need two 5/8 size basses! - at least that is what my wife tells me.