Tail Piece Rope Snaps - Page 2

Cathead · #21 07-09-2003, 11:32 PM

I am posting this picture of my bass to see if you can tell whether or not it's a 4/4 size bass, Eric. I put me in the pic as sort of a gauge to go by. Thanks in advance.

arto alho · #22 07-10-2003, 12:33 AM

Hey Jesse,
regarding Yr questions:
Yep, the string tension is in fact almost unbearable at the moment. In fact the bass is unplayable right now, because someone has shaped the fingerboard wrong and it has way too much scoop for steel strings. My friend who tried the bass couldn´t produce an F nor a G on the E-string, ´cause he couldn´t press the string down to FB....!
Like I said, I have the bass for evaluation at the moment, and I´m not sure yet if I purchase it or not. It´s an older instrument, but has no label. My luthier spotted it to late 1800 or early 1900 shop instrument from Mittenwald. The neck is an Eb-neck, and the angle is steep. The saddle has not been raised, so the string angle over the bridge is steep, too.
There are old repairs, properly done, and the instrument´s general condition is OK. It only would need a new FB and maybe a raised saddle.
I´m quite sure that with gut strings it will make an awesome Bass.
The question here is the € ( $ if you prefer ).
Those babies are not cheap, even if they need luthier work. Let´s see...

R2

Don Higdon · #23 07-10-2003, 06:37 AM

Cat
Although all the girls in my office are swooning over your picture, no one knows how tall you are or whether the end pin is extended or retracted, so we still can't judge if your bass is a 4/4. So far, I'd say no.
I see the nut is several inches above the level of your ear. Choice?
Basses are not as standardized in dimension as are violins. So no single dimension, such as string length, is enough to define your bass. Overall length, body length, width, depth, string length must be taken together. And you still can have disagreement between luthiers as to whether it's 3/4, 7/8, etc. The average guy in a music shop doesn't know. My rule is, if it's too f++king big, it's a 4/4.

Barefoot Larry · #24 07-10-2003, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cathead
I am posting this picture of my bass to see if you can tell whether or not it's a 4/4 size bass

A 4/4 bass, is generally 74" tall not counting the endpin, with a 42" scale, or a little over.

Typically a 3/4 bass is 6-feet even, with a 41.5" scale.

Scale length is the distance of the strings between the bottom of the nut and the top of the bridge.

Eric Jackson · #25 07-10-2003, 07:34 AM

Who really cares whether it's 3/4, 4/4, 29/32 or any other fraction? Size is really only an indication of how awkward it's gonna be to tote it around. Some "3/4" size basses are absolute cannons. If it feels good and sounds good to you, play it and enjoy. That's really the bottom line.

Eric Jackson · #26 07-10-2003, 07:38 AM

If you really want to compare sizes, go to Bob Gollihur's site and hit some of the links, like the Contrabass Shoppe and Kolstein's. They have pictures and dimensions posted, you'll find huge variations in dimensions and proportions.

farmerdude · #27 07-10-2003, 08:00 AM

I have 2 large 7/8 basses with 43.5" string length. I have never seen a 4/4.

Cathead · #28 07-10-2003, 11:50 AM

Well, I'll get out the tape measure and head for some web sites. In the meantime, Eric, you are right. Whatever size it is I enjoy it, so I reckon it doesn't matter. Don, those are the first girls so far that I know of who have swooned over my bass. I should take it out in public more often

I really appreciate all the help you fellers have been.

Don Higdon · #29 07-10-2003, 12:31 PM

Cat
Do any of these look familiar?

Barefoot Larry · #30 07-10-2003, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eric Jackson
Who really cares whether it's 3/4, 4/4, 29/32 or any other fraction?

If he mail-orders orders a 3/4 bass bag for a 4/4 bass, he will Really Care, just as soon as he tries to use it...

Cathead · #31 07-10-2003, 09:19 PM

Cat, Do any of these look familiar?

Wow, Don! Those are beauts! Have you recorded with the pick-ups, and if so, how did it sound? The one on the right looks like it can really move some air. Are those the girls in your office?

You are so right, Larry, about the gig bag. But, if I don't get hooked up with some good old boys and start draggin' this thing around from gig to gig the one that came with it will probably last me from now on. I'll have to change this rope on my tailpiece first, though, 'cause right now I don't trust what's on it as far as I can spit

Don Higdon · #32 07-11-2003, 06:10 AM

I thought the red one looked like yours. Or was it so obvious that it didn't require comment?

Cathead · #33 07-11-2003, 01:58 PM

Well, it no doubt looks like mine, but I'd say it is a much better quality bass than mine, so I didn't dare make a comparison. I am posting a link to a song I recorded with mine in case you'd care to hear it. I recorded this song on an Akai DPS12i 12 track recorder and did all the music myself. I used a "bottle-cap" transducer and a mike mix on the upright bass. I am a pure novice on the bass, so if you should listen be sure and cut me some slack

Also, I used a low bitrate, so the quality ain't up to par.

http://www.digitalsoundplanet.com/Me..._000005663.mp3