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I don't doubt that one bit. I also had a Modulus Quantum 5 fretless that was a phenomenal instrument (35" scale of course), but eventually I flipped it and settled back to 34" stuff and just felt better with it... a little easier for me to intonate properly on.
Just to make sure we're on the same page here, my comments are PURELY personal preference, and have a lot to do with what I cut my teeth on back in the day. I only brought up the overtones thing to explain what it was that I think makes that scale a bit more natural for me.
Vic said:
I guess the 35" scale just fits my size a little better. Plus, Cliff puts the bridge back so far that the bass seems really short for a longer bass. I have played a 37" scale fretless, and was tempted to ask for something like that too before I went with a 7 stringer.
As far as getting the right intonation, especially seeing that I prefer no markers on the finger board like my other CB 35"scale bass could explain why I'm not currently in a band right now ;-)
How are you enjoying your new CB bass Vic? After seeing it finished, I was really tempted go with a Walnut top for this fretless.
-ScottM
I'm kinda in a place where I can play all sorts of scale lengths, string spacings, # of strings, fretted/fretless, etc. Had the Rob Allen 6er as well as the 32" scale CB 7 out yesterday and had a blast.
I have no doubt that Cliff could build you a nice 35" scale fretless 7 and it would be comfortable. To an extent, intonation might be slightly easier, but I'm not sure intonation is the pressing issue if your highest string sounds too tight/whiney/nasal.
It's phenomenal. It joined my "inner circle" of basses right away. I love everything about it... the sound, the feel, the looks, the weight. And the classic indicator... I rarely use EQ with this bad boy. That's a keeper. It's got it all... an undeniable B string, lots of great cut and grunt in a mix. Besides, you gotta love that top horn as a carrying handle.
And it's an eye catcher too. Very unusual looking. Very polarizing amongst bassists I've spoken to, but I'm definitely on the "dig it" side vs the "not really my thing" side. I have one other "unique" looking bass I've had since 2006, and I think that one kinda' opened me up to alternate designs a lot more. Before that, it was all about the Fender shape, or at least a more traditional double cut of some kind.
Even on your run of the mill 4 string, string to string consistency isn't absolutely perfect. High C strings can be fine tuned a bit, but even on my Rob Allen, string to string consistency isn't perfect. Even at E and in 32" scale, the .025 is a little tight. I'm slacking and still need to order and try a .020, but I can tell ya that even in 32" scale, I wouldn't want to tune the .025 to F.
If you can play a lined fretless, you could always try a 35"-32" fan or something, although if I could do the same, I'd be ordering a 32"-29" or something to allow the high strings to be under less tension.
It's obviously a big YMMV, but if you like string consistency, there might be a reason or two that ERB fretli have some logistical limitations.
spade2you said:
Thanks for everyone's advice! I was not aware of the scale effecting the higher strings. I think I am going to ask Cliff to make the 7 stringer a 34" scale now.
Tslicebass, I like your idea for a new idea for a headstock. Have you already placed the order?
-ScottM
Perhaps order yourself a .020 and .025 for one of your 35" scale fretli. I don't know the conversion tension conversion, but try tuning them to E or Eb and see what you think.
Tslicebass
Commercial User
Deposit sent today. Still have to finalize some design ideas but other than that it is set. Extremely happy to be back in line for a bordwell!
The batch already sounds interesting. They're all Nordstrand equipped as well as all 4 strings.
Tslicebass said:Deposit sent today. Still have to finalize some design ideas but other than that it is set. Extremely happy to be back in line for a bordwell!
Very cool, congrats!
I'm excited to see how this Curly Caribbean Rosewood top ends up looking.
-ScottM
I'm pretty stoked for this one, it'll be my second Bordwell. My first is a one piece body as well, I seem to have developed a theme...1) One piece body on the "Big McNeely"
Well, it sorta went like this:
I am also considering a one piece body for a future Bordwell and would love to know your reason(s) for going with this interesting theme.
nad: "Hey Cliff, I want a bass! I like walnut, it's purdy."
Cliff: "Well, I have a nice one piece walnut body blank that--"
nad: "GIMME GIMME GIMME!!!"
Then close to a year later something similar happened...
nad: "Hey Cliff, I love that bass you made me! Can I have another?"
Cliff: "Well, I have a nice one piece mahogany body blank that--"
nad: "GIMME GIMME GIMME!!!"
Please note that those exact conversations may or may not have happened. YMMV, IMHO, TMI, OMG, etc.
For a fretless 6er with Nordstrand P/MM pickups and TI Jazz Flats, any recommendations on a pre-amp? Normally I like Bartolini for a smoothed out fretless tone, but I'm thinking if this has flats, I might want something with a little more bite. Half-tempted to get a piezo.
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