Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Wondering: have you played one of Scott’s Shortbasses, and if you have, how would they compare with the CBass?
The shortbass is very fat sounding. Not overly aggressive. Nice Reggae and upright bass tones. Think Paul McCartney maybe? Cbass is more aggressive. Lots of output in that pickup. Tight bass because of the reverse P. Cbass might be more versatile depending on the music you play. Both sound great to me.
Thanks for the reply and insight. Part of it is telling me that I have every reason to be satisfied with what I have, while the other part says that I could really enjoy having a CBass.
Mostly swing, jazz-blues, some western swing and old country, as well as accompanying bands playing folky/rootsy stuff.
A mini review for the flock:
I put some Dunlop "Heavy Core" strings on my Corto4. From the marketing, it seems they were designed with drop-tuning in mind, to keep metalheads from having floppy strings. I figured the assumed extra tension might go well with a short-scale bass, so I picked up a set when I saw a recent price drop.
In my opinion they don't look or feel much different from the Mangans. I eyeballed the core wires at the ball end and they didn't look different there, but I don't have precision digital calipers or I'd have measured the two.
However, to my ears the Dunlop tone seems deeper and tighter at the same time. Granted, the Mangans I had on were very well used, so maybe it's just the new string sound I'm hearing. But I've been playing around all afternoon with different amp settings on the VT200 and am really impressed with how big the bass sounds. Also they seem to really bring the Delano pickup to life. I like 'em.
YMMV, of course. If nothing else, it's good to have variety to choose from.
I put some Dunlop "Heavy Core" strings on my Corto4. From the marketing, it seems they were designed with drop-tuning in mind, to keep metalheads from having floppy strings. I figured the assumed extra tension might go well with a short-scale bass, so I picked up a set when I saw a recent price drop.
In my opinion they don't look or feel much different from the Mangans. I eyeballed the core wires at the ball end and they didn't look different there, but I don't have precision digital calipers or I'd have measured the two.
However, to my ears the Dunlop tone seems deeper and tighter at the same time. Granted, the Mangans I had on were very well used, so maybe it's just the new string sound I'm hearing. But I've been playing around all afternoon with different amp settings on the VT200 and am really impressed with how big the bass sounds. Also they seem to really bring the Delano pickup to life. I like 'em.
YMMV, of course. If nothing else, it's good to have variety to choose from.
A Birdsong Fusion is now in classifieds. I know some have been talking about used Birdsongs lately.
For Sale - Birdsong Fusion
I am the original owner, looks like it's looking for home number 3 or 4 now. Fantastic bass. I parted ways with it originally because I picked up a CBass, which I still use as my main axe.
For Sale - Birdsong Fusion
I am the original owner, looks like it's looking for home number 3 or 4 now. Fantastic bass. I parted ways with it originally because I picked up a CBass, which I still use as my main axe.
On vehicle for delivery today! Fretless fusion and a 5-string 
Not sure if I'll be around to sign though
It's going to be cutting it close but I should have them either today or tomorrow!
Not sure if I'll be around to sign though
It's going to be cutting it close but I should have them either today or tomorrow!
Leave them to the tender mercies of the shipper for an extra day?.....On vehicle for delivery today! Fretless fusion and a 5-string
Not sure if I'll be around to sign though
...Are you mad???....
....
I think my plan is to just show up late to our band rehearsal. Worth waiting it out to grab these and use them tonight! It's just hard because they could show up in an hour or in eightLeave them to the tender mercies of the shipper for an extra day?.....
Are you mad???....
Basses arrived today and I got them out for practice. Both are so incredibly lightweight. The 5 is going to be quite an adjustment for me. Mentally, I keep thinking my lowest string is the E, second is the A, etc.... When it does click I'm loving it, so I think it will just take some time. Plays effortlessly! Nice pics to follow tomorrow
I took some on my phone over the weekend but they came out really bad.
I have a DSLR camera at work that I'm going to bring home today to get the pictures they deserve. I was going to make a post about it but figured I would just wait until I had the photos to share.
So, they're coming tonight!
As promised...
5-string made of Spanish Cedar (with matching headstock), maple neck, and rosewood fretboard...
5-string made of Spanish Cedar (with matching headstock), maple neck, and rosewood fretboard...
4-string fretless Fusion. Walnut body and headstock, maple neck, rosewood fretboard. All blackwashed.
Basses arrived today and I got them out for practice. Both are so incredibly lightweight. The 5 is going to be quite an adjustment for me. Mentally, I keep thinking my lowest string is the E, second is the A, etc.... When it does click I'm loving it, so I think it will just take some time. Plays effortlessly! Nice pics to follow tomorrow
I had the same issue when I got my first 5 and now that’s all I play. Play it all the time for a month and you’ll not put it down except for those fretless needs. Gave one birdsong 4 to my grandson and still have the first one I got from Scott which I will never sell.Basses arrived today and I got them out for practice. Both are so incredibly lightweight. The 5 is going to be quite an adjustment for me. Mentally, I keep thinking my lowest string is the E, second is the A, etc.... When it does click I'm loving it, so I think it will just take some time. Plays effortlessly! Nice pics to follow tomorrow
Reach is as easy as any other Birdsong I've played. Scott has the strap pin moved pretty far up the body to help balance, so it is very comfortable to play without any sort of neck dive.
I don't think I'll ever sell my CBass (pictured in my profile). It is my ideal instrument and made from cypress Scott recovered from a major flood near his home. Too special to part with!
