Ultimate travel bass; small DB w/ RN?

bribass · #1 01-04-2010, 12:19 AM

Appropriate here as well as Set Up & Repair;

Seems to me that the ultimate travel DB might be a removable neck instrument in a smaller size that would still be a true DB.

I wouldn't want to sacrifice a a full size string length of at least 41.5", preferably almost 42".

Would it be possible or practical to make a 5/8 or even a 1/2 sized bass w/ a carved top for tone and response, laminated sides and back for road worthiness and w/ a removable 3/4 neck that would be long enough for the bass to have at least a SL of 41.5"?

Some sort of custom sized flight case would be needed to yield the benefits of the overall smaller package of the 1/2 or 5/8 size versus a full 3/4 sized bass w/ a RN.

Comments?

THNX, BG

**Matthew Tucker** · #2 01-04-2010, 03:06 AM

isn't that what a Czech-ease, is?

drurb · #3 01-04-2010, 07:10 AM

Look here. I've played them and the acoustic sound is rather impressive for what it is. Then, you plug it in...

Jake deVilliers · #4 01-04-2010, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

isn't that what a Czech-ease, is?

+1 These basses have really good tone considering how much top & body cavity they are missing and with the endpin out they present to the player just like a regular DB.

Kirkowitz · #5 01-04-2010, 09:54 AM

Have you guys seen this one? No affiliation, I just think it's a cool idea.
http://www.foldingbass.com/

drurb · #6 01-04-2010, 11:24 AM

As I understand it, the Chadwick is a full 3/4 bass that folds. As for the Czech-Ease, IMO, IME, FWIW, and my $0.02, I really don't like their "playability," as, for one, the neck profile leaves much to be desired, for me anyway. I wasn't impressed with the sound either. YMMV.

Eric Hochberg · #7 01-04-2010, 12:21 PM

A removable neck Czech Ease would be more desirable to me as the current travel trunk is still pretty darn big. But, The only CE whose sound I liked was Ira Coleman's prototype, and I heard him through really high end sound systems in wonderful concert halls in Germany. The others I've heard, going through bass amps, I haven't been impressed with.

bribass · #8 01-04-2010, 12:23 PM

Yes, I'm considering all these options and others.

Although I've never played the Czek-Ease, tone sounds a bit thin when I've heard them and there are not RN models, so travel w/ hard case is not all that compact and they just plain look weird to me.

The Chadwick is intriguing, but I'm a bit skeptical of rattles and buzzes over time w/ all those moving , hinged parts etc. Also I think I'd rather have a hybrid instead of all ply for response/tone of a carved top.

I've played that Merchant Travel bass w/ the ply top briefly. My impression of just a short try was- just OK sounding, not cheap for a ply and the travel case, even though less deep than a DB, is a very wide and cumbersome w/ the neck in the side of the box as well.

So I'm thinking a smaller hybrid w/ full string length could be the answer IF there was a good smaller case for it and of course IF it sounds and feels good. I realize the acoustic sound of a smaller DB wouldn't be huge, but if it felt and responded well amplified and was a RN.... Am I dreaming?

I believe Christopher can make any of their DB's in an RN as a special order. A 5/8 hybrid perhaps? or maybe this;

http://www.azola.com/sys-tmpl/babybass1/

**Matthew Tucker** · #9 01-04-2010, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bribass

I realize the acoustic sound of a smaller DB wouldn't be huge, but if it felt and responded well amplified and was a RN.... Am I dreaming?

i don't see how a 1/4 size body is going to get you a fatter acoustic sound than the czech-ease. And you can't just bolt on a full-string-length neck onto a small body, and keep the original neck geometry, without adjustments to the body geometry, so the bridge ends up closer to the lower bout.

Nagrom · #10 01-04-2010, 01:02 PM

I'd like to hear from some folk who have seen, played, or heard the Chadwick.

Thanks

jfv · #11 01-04-2010, 01:05 PM

Hmmm, that Merchant looks quite nice, but rather
pricey for what it is. I bought my Eminence for 3K
and while it clearly sounds like what it is and not
a full upright, its still pretty nice on its own terms.

Chris Symer · #12 01-04-2010, 02:09 PM

I'm always wondering with the RN designs about transport after the flight. If the travel trunk does not have room for the soft case also, you have to either remove the neck after every gig or pack the gig bag separately in your luggage. Neither option seems really great to me. They are all a compromise one way or another, the decision is which compromises are you willing to make?

I'm currently using the CzechEase for travel and must say its done a fine job of taking some hits and surviving. I do think a carved top hybrid would play nicer though.

bribass · #13 01-04-2010, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

i don't see how a 1/4 size body is going to get you a fatter acoustic sound than the czech-ease. And you can't just bolt on a full-string-length neck onto a small body, and keep the original neck geometry, without adjustments to the body geometry, so the bridge ends up closer to the lower bout.

Matt, I know, that's why I'm not talking about a 1/4 size. I'm wondering if a 1/2 or more practically a 5/8 size would be close enough geometry wise, for a 3/4 neck? Seems like having the bridge a bit below the f hole nicks for a longer SL wouldn't be that big a deal. Am I too naive about this? I'm no luthier obviously.

uprightbass.com · #14 01-04-2010, 08:19 PM

I love the Czech ease. 41.5" string length. Neck profile is an easy fix. Geometery isn't any different than most basses. Feels the same as my German 3/4.

Sound-wise I didn't like on the older models, which is why I was very pleasantly surprised when circumstances paired me with a Czech Ease and I was sold on it. Gage addressed the issue and greatly improved it. With a change in pickup, the bass has a much better sound than with the Realist. I don't know if it was just a personal preference, but the Realist is an okay pickup but it just didn't sound as clear nor did it project.

It plays and sounds great. It replaced a plywood which I sold since other than the obvious visual difference, the Czech Ease feels and sounds like any other good bass from a player's standpoint. It's not going to replace the German bass, but it suits the function of a plywood bass and travel bass very well.

Ideally some day in the future if the opportunity arises, I'd probably consider having someone convert it to a removable neck. That would make it the ultimate travel bass for commercial flights for my purposes.

Blaine · #15 01-04-2010, 08:31 PM

My current project is just this. a 5/8ths body (ply) with a bolt on 3/4 engelhardt neck. it still has some major tweaking to do. When finished the neck will store inside the body.

bribass · #16 10-03-2010, 01:23 AM

Well, since I started this thread back in Jan. 2010 alot has happened.

I've been like the cat who ate the canary keeping this under my hat, but now it can be told.

I am honored that our most esteemed Arnold has asked me to Beta test his new and highly awaited New Standard 'Time Zone' RN bass!

I'll be putting it through it's paces on The Johnny Rodgers Band Jazz at Lincoln Center/State Dept. Rhythm Road tour of S. Asia next month. Our itinerary here

A light weight, hybrid, REAL DB w/ a removable neck. It sports Arnold's specially designed scroll w/ reduced size to cut down on weight.

It's size you might say is somewhere between a 5/8 and a 3/4 w/ a 41 inch string length.

I've been helping develope the flight case for it and we have high hopes that the whole package will come out to be under 50 lbs!

It plays and feels great w/ plenty of growl and unexpected power for a little bass. At first blush response seems to be good too w/ Spiro Mitts on it.
Under the ear it didn't sound too bright as I had expected a newer small bass would, but when I heard Arnold play it from accross the room it even sounded richer.

I'll be posting more soon, but for now check these pics.
AS NS Time Zone RN DB

geoffbassist · #17 10-03-2010, 02:08 AM

Looks great. I can't wait to hear more about it.
Enjoy :-)

Mike Carr · #18 10-03-2010, 06:45 AM

Very interesting!

Rvl · #19 10-03-2010, 05:11 PM

Very interested.looking forward to see more photos

Thanks

Robert

Troy Robey · #20 10-03-2010, 07:20 PM

The Time Zone bass sounds cool... I was in Arnold's neck of the woods yesterday but didn't have time to go to the shop

I played a Chadwick bass earlier this year. It sounds and plays like a Shen plywood (that's because it is!). The foldup process is quick and painless. The test will be how they hold up over time with repeated use with all those moving parts.