short scale bass question

[uethanian]

newfound GAS for short scale basses!

i've been admiring the rob allen mouse 30", and i think i may model my first project on a short scale.

my one question about it is the string choice. i've actually had the idea for a while of a bass with 34" BEAD strings, but with the nut moved up to stop the strings at EADG. or like having a capo at the 5th fret with BEAD strings, if thats easier to picture. it seems a lot better than putting up with low-tension or having to buy special 'short scale' string sets. anyone done this? any good reason not to? im not sure what the scale length would be.

[PilbaraBass]

Originally Posted by uethanian

newfound GAS for short scale basses!

i've been admiring the rob allen mouse 30", and i think i may model my first project on a short scale.

my one question about it is the string choice. i've actually had the idea for a while of a bass with 34" BEAD strings, but with the nut moved up to stop the strings at EADG. or like having a capo at the 5th fret with BEAD strings, if thats easier to picture. it seems a lot better than putting up with low-tension or having to buy special 'short scale' string sets. anyone done this? any good reason not to? im not sure what the scale length would be.

I actually had a similar thought, and think the point is valid.

E = 0.125 to 0.130
A = 0.100 to 0.105
D = 0.080 to 0.085
G = 0.060 to 0.065

sounds good to me...any reason why this isn't a good idea, other than the fat wraps of the E string?

[pilotjones]

Originally Posted by uethanian

i've actually had the idea for a while of a bass with 34" BEAD strings, but with the nut moved up to stop the strings at EADG. or like having a capo at the 5th fret with BEAD strings, if thats easier to picture. it seems a lot better than putting up with low-tension or having to buy special 'short scale' string sets. anyone done this? any good reason not to? im not sure what the scale length would be.

Capo-ing a BEAD 34" scale bass at the 5th fret leaves you with a EADG 25.47" scale.

So, if you wanted to try it, you could buy a Strat body and neck, with no routing and no tuner holes, and adapt them. There would be some compromise as far as right hand position, though.

[uethanian]

holy crap i didnt realize it was guitar scale!

well that may open up some options...i could buy an unfinished guitar and put some bass hardware on it. would there be a problem with neck width? i'd be more worried about the LH than the RH. it would make sense to move the bridge closer to the butt, if i was fretting my own neck.

OR i could make a new neck for an existing bass, but add an extra inch or two to get tighter strings...but the guitar one sounds so easy! the problem i'm seeing right now is the bridge...monorails? maybe it would be possible with an existing guitar...time to buy some junkers!

[spade2you]

An interesting thing about the Rob Allen Mouse 30 is the amount of high end and clarity from such a short scale instrument. Even in dropped D, the bass has a nice upright sound, but isn't muddy. Rob informs me that he does a lot with the construction to maintain his desired tones.

As for shorties, wide bridge spacing can really make the neck fan out width wise.