The Official Short Scale Bass Club -- Part 3

[funkytoe]

Originally Posted by iamthebassman

A few of my shorties:

A few? That seems more like a battalion!~

[makz]

Well, it seems that on years to come the SS trend will only increase, so because this thread has grown so huge, I propose to have our own forum or sub forum, the Short Scales Basses forum, who is with me?

[iamthebassman]

Fine with me!

[SmokeyB]

I'd rather leave it as a thread in the Basses forum. Since it's popular, the thread will always float up where more players can see and contribute.

[rfclef]

Originally Posted by SmokeyB

I'd rather leave it as a thread in the Basses forum. Since it's popular, the thread will always float up where more players can see and contribute.

+1

[Ayce]

+2
If we were to give SS's their own sub forum, every Mike, Leo and Jens would want their own sub forum. Then we would have a mess, now wouldn't we.

[skruch]

Happy as is.

[J_Funk_77]

Well I got a little crazy last night. I really like my new to me early 70's Epiphone ET-280, but it just wasnt cutting through very well. Plus that vintage bridge on it made intonation almost unbearable, insane!

So I was sitting in the music room just thinking about my options. Looking at my bass collection as it hung up on the wall. Suddenly, I grabbed my Dean Hillsboro and Epiphone and it was on. Guess you could say I had a early EVH motivation back when he just peiced together cheap instruments. Now first and foremost I do not have the proper tools for the job at hand, but I thought to myself did EVH always have the proper tools back in the day or did he make good with what he had?

Let the transformation begin. First, thing I swapped was the bridge's. It was not to hard after I got the Dean's line up on the Epiphone. Now Im looking at and debating, and after several hours of digging, scratching and clawing I got the single MM style pick up placed in the body of the Epiphone. Now my main goal was to just put the entire Dean's guts inside the epiphone but the pre-amp just wouldnt fit. So I debated for a hour or so cos again not the right tools and digging out the room for the pup was one thing, but digging out the body cavity to fit the pre-amp is a whole new ball game(Im use's drill bits and a chisel remind you). Finally after 2 failed attempts to get ahold of someone with a rouder for the 2nd time in the day. I decided to just do away with the pre-amp. Now its time to test my soldering skills. I SUCK!!!, I had to constantly clean and do it again, after about 4 hours I finally got it. So now its time for the pick guard.....how to cut this thing to use the epiphone one so I dont have alot of open cavity spaces. Again after debating for a long time, I just trimmed the one from the dean's for the time being and slapped some black duct tape over the open cavity spots.

This is one ugly bass now, but I tell you what. For one I know feel comfortable on not having to take my bass to get work done(well except for cutting pick guards). I got everything working, set the intonation and string heigth and it plays great and I personaly love the tone. Might get a basslines MM style pup for it later on.

Im about afraid to show any pic's but I'll post some later or I'll wait after I call around tomarrow and see about getting a new pick guard or someone to cut it for me.

[Triad]

25.5" scale here! I LOVE shorter scales.

[Avalon]

Originally Posted by J_Funk_77

Well I got a little crazy last night. I really like my new to me early 70's Epiphone ET-280, but it just wasnt cutting through very well...... I got everything working, set the intonation and string heigth and it plays great .....Im about afraid to show any pic's but I'll post some later or I'll wait after I call around tomarrow and see about getting a new pick guard or someone to cut it for me.

I applaude your ingenuity and look forward to seeing the results. Black on red (is it black hardware?) always looks hot.

I also have to admit that I am rather hopeful that you don't modify it beyond the point of no return. I wasn't really clear about that from your written description. I've never heard of anyone praising the ET-280. Still, how many of those are still in such good shape?

But I'm not meaning to rain on a parade. Inevitably, I always daydream about what mods I need to do on my basses. It's definitely part of what we do.

[J_Funk_77]

Originally Posted by Avalon

I applaude your ingenuity and look forward to seeing the results. Black on red (is it black hardware?) always looks hot.

I also have to admit that I am rather hopeful that you don't modify it beyond the point of no return. I wasn't really clear about that from your written description. I've never heard of anyone praising the ET-280. Still, how many of those are still in such good shape?

But I'm not meaning to rain on a parade. Inevitably, I always daydream about what mods I need to do on my basses. It's definitely part of what we do.

Nah man it's cool did I put a hurting on this puppy yes and no, there probably will be some extra screw holes once I get a new pick up guard or the old one cut. But thats cool cos honestly it'll probably end up being covered in stickers and decals anyway. The biggest "crime" this bass received was how I cut to fit the MM style pup, it looks like....well....poo, but it will always be hidden by the pick guard anyways. I didnt go deeper just wider. As far as the bridge same thing few extra holes but the orginal ash tray cover will hide most if not all of those. So I could put it back together and no one would be any wiser. I'll get some pic's up by the end of the night just be prepared for one ugly looking bass.

Good thing though was the guys in the band raved about it's sound. They both was skeptical till they heard it, especially how I gutted one, well two bass's to get this one the way I wanted it.

[Avalon]

Originally Posted by J_Funk_77

Good thing though was the guys in the band raved about it's sound.

It's amazing how hardware from one bass and the bones of another bass can come together to sound better than they did in their past lives. That reminds me that I gotta get working on my Ibanez.

[J_Funk_77]

Well here's "Ugly Betty"

[J_Funk_77]

Boys Im so hooked on the short scale's I went and traded another long scale away today(only 1 left to go). A Epiphone EB-0



And since the family is growning I thought Id post a family picture as well.

[okonacat]

I would like to join the Short Scale Bass club. I have a dozen, including the 2009 Hofner Contemporary, 1967 Domino Californian, & 1979 Greco VB with a set neck.

[funkytoe]

Originally Posted by okonacat

I would like to join the Short Scale Bass club. .

Nice collection you have going there.

Welcome okonacat! You are Official Short Scale Bass Club member number 334.

[Mrknowitall]

Originally Posted by okonacat

I would like to join the Short Scale Bass club. I have a dozen, including the 2009 Hofner Contemporary, 1967 Domino Californian, & 1979 Greco VB with a set neck.

That domino looks so cool!!! How's it sound?..

[okonacat]

The pickups aren't real strong, Mrknowitall, so It's not real versatile, but sounds fine for the British invasion sound & garage.
I have 40-95s on it for fast action. Fretboard is some real pretty rosewood. Here's my 1966 Vox Wyman, and my 1966 Baldwin Jazz Bass.

[jarrod cunningham]

Ok this is a dumb question , but .... On my fender mustang , neck adjustment at the heel , not the nut , do I turn clock or counter clock to tighten ? Action is to high . Need to flatten it out a little .

[skruch]

lefty loosey, righty tighty