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Active short scale basses
- Thread starter Joe Nerve
- Start date
Is it because the Bass Xtender won't fit the back of the headstock or because it would be too floppy for the short scale low-E string when the drop tuning lever is engaged?Got that too. I'm bad.
Threw Geezers in it. Sounds great. I can't put a D tuner on it though so I can't use it with my band.
If the former, how about first swapping the A D G tuners with Hipshot Ultralites and then use Ultralite version of the Bass Xtender on the low-E?
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,943
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Is it because the Bass Xtender won't fit the back of the headstock or because it would be too floppy for the short scale low-E string when the drop tuning lever is engaged?
If the former, how about first swapping the A D G tuners with Hipshot Ultralites and then use Ultralite version of the Bass Xtender on the low-E?
I've been using only short scales lately with my band. I use medium gauge strings and have no problems. We even tune down a half step, and do a bunch of drop D tunes. I did have to adjust my playing style a bit, but yeah.... and with that out of the way
...Is the changing the others so that the D-tuner won't smack into them?
I don't remember why I couldn't put one on in the first place, but I think that had something to do with it.
Also,
Will I have to re-drill anything if I choose to do that, AND, have you done it? Or better yet, are you SURE this will work, or are you just supposing that it might
. Asking, cuz there's a good chance I'll do it.Thanks.
There is only 1 screw needed to tighten the Hipshot Ultralite at the back of the headstock. So yes, each will need to drill 1 screw hole (cause this single screw is located differently from the TMB stock tuner 4 screws). Then this will leave you with some unused screw holes which you can opt to fill them in with some wooden materials or wood filler (or might be both), or just leave them open cause they are at the back, thus they would be unseen from the front.I've been using only short scales lately with my band. I use medium gauge strings and have no problems. We even tune down a half step, and do a bunch of drop D tunes. I did have to adjust my playing style a bit, but yeah.... and with that out of the way
Is the changing the others so that the D-tuner won't smack into them?
I don't remember why I couldn't put one on in the first place, but I think that had something to do with it.
Also,
Will I have to re-drill anything if I choose to do that, AND, have you done it? Or better yet, are you SURE this will work, or are you just supposing that it might
Thanks.
Actually, the best thing about swapping the stock tuners with Hipshot Ultralites is the reduction in weight. You can browse Talman Bass Club thread for some pictures of the back of the headstock with the upgraded Ultralite tuners.
Edit:
Use this link to see the back of TMB30 headstock with Hipshot Ultralite tuners upgrade:
The Official Ibanez TMB Talman Bass Club
Last edited:
For an aside, and medium scale ( but feels short to me ), Ibby BTB33. Find one used at a price even you can afford
Ibanez BTB33 2015 Natural Flat Volo 8lbs
Ibanez BTB33 2015 Natural Flat Volo 8lbs
Yeah. A Chowny will do that to you. I so did not want to buy one. But I eventually broke down. YOLO right? So don't even think about taking a gander at their excellent effects pedals either.
BTW, maybe it's just me, but to my ears the SWBs sound very much like a JB rather than giving you the tone you'd expect from a short scale bass. Can't really say that about any other shortie I've ever owned or played. Cool tools!
Fernandez made a number of models that are 32" scale and have active pickups and electronics. Reasonably priced and great instruments. The models are all a bit obscure and reused, so you basically have to just google search 32" scale or short scale Fernandez
Joe,
Just remember a bassVI and a six string bass are 2 different things.
The bass VI is more guitar than bass as it is like a guitar strung E-A-D-G-B-E just an octave lower and string spacing like a guitar
The 6 string bass is a 'real' bass strung B-E-A-D-G-C and has the more familiar string spacing.
The bass VI is really a great tool for a guitarist to play bass without much learning/adapting. Supposedly John Lennon played a bass VI on the white album while Macca was playing some other instrument reducing the need for overdubs. If you're not a guitar player you're probably better off experimenting with a 'real' 6 string bass because the tuning is still in 4ths.
I've been drawn to the 6 string myself and am curious about both of these.
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
Wow didn't know that? probably wouldn't be too hard to convert it though thanks for pointing that out.
Yeah I don't really understand the thinking behind EB leaving the preamp out.
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Just a few examples....They do five and six stringers too....and are all built by hand....
Best bang for the buck basses around as far as I know....
What is this?
A still shot from the set of the remake of "Land Of The Giants"?
This sets a bad precedent. It makes it easier for our SO's to call basses our " toys"!
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,943
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
What is this?
A still shot from the set of the remake of "Land Of The Giants"?
Land of the Giants is playing reruns on MEtv. Just saved an episode. Looks pretty bad though. Only watched the beginning.
I have a Chowny and can attest to the quality being excellent.Yeah. A Chowny will do that to you. I so did not want to buy one. But I eventually broke down. YOLO right? So don't even think about taking a gander at their excellent effects pedals either.
BTW, maybe it's just me, but to my ears the SWBs sound very much like a JB rather than giving you the tone you'd expect from a short scale bass. Can't really say that about any other shortie I've ever owned or played. Cool tools!
