Lol, very true! I would be a little upset if a better SC shape came out after I had just bought one!
-ScottM
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Lol, very true! I would be a little upset if a better SC shape came out after I had just bought one!
-ScottM
Finding out the Fender P, you just bought, is going to be available in purple polka dots next month isn't that big of a deal. Return the bass and wait a couple of weeks - if purple polka dots are your thing. Waiting close to 13 months for a custom SC, and finding out that a design change has occurred (that you'll be missing by one cycle) is a whole different ball of wax. I don't know how I feel about this announcement.
One could argue that I really dig the CB SC, which I do. But who's to say that the new design isn't going to be the best thing since sliced bread? If it is a new SC shape, maybe the control cavity can carry a cool message, "The last iteration of this design."
However, since your namesake seems to be ever more popular, maybe that will become a default design shape; the CB Ball/Big McNeely.
True, but where would the world be if cars, amps, bass guitars, electronics and such didn't come out with new models\ideas? One of the reasons that I keep coming back and buying from Cliff is that he keeps coming up with new fresh ideas like the new changeable pickup position he is introducing in my six string. I am sure he is thinking of a diabolical way of designing a P bass for me right now....
-ScottM
I hope I'm not coming off as negative. That isn't my intention in the slightest bit. It's funny to me that after planning, and making my own mock-ups, re-thinking things, talking with Cliff, talking to the various people at Nordy, Hipshot, etc... and thinking that I finally had the (closest to) perfect thing (for me) coming down the pipeline, that another factor could have been thrown into the equation -- i.e. a new body shape. Again, this won't hit me in any way, shape, or form, it was just funny to me that so close to the "end" something could possibly change.
For those that own a CB fretless (preferably those owning 5-ers), what scale length (between 34 or 35) did you choose? Which strings do you use? I had originally planned on my CB being 35", then switched to 34" because a lot of folks have mentioned that the B on a 34" CB is quite good. However, I've been playing my Lulls (both of which are 35"), and after tossing some TI long scale (34") strings on them about a month ago, I am really loving the feel and tension of the B. More so than the same set of strings on a 34".
I find 34 or 35" to be just as comfortable so that hasn't been a driving factor. It's really coming down to the feel and tension of that B string.
Thoughts, opinions, and experiences would be greatly appreciated. And if someone would be nice enough to measure the distance from the string's ballend in the bridge, to just past the nut, I can compare to my Lulls - which are 36.50" -- the silk on the long scale TIs is sitting just north of the nut.
I find 34 or 35" to be just as comfortable so that hasn't been a driving factor. It's really coming down to the feel and tension of that B string.
Thoughts, opinions, and experiences would be greatly appreciated. And if someone would be nice enough to measure the distance from the string's ballend in the bridge, to just past the nut, I can compare to my Lulls - which are 36.50" -- the silk on the long scale TIs is sitting just north of the nut.
For those of you that own a Bordwell with the Parallel Chamber option, what pickup(s) did you choose for it?
I'm trying to decide on a pickup (or pickups) to go with a 32" scale 4-string Parallel Chamber SCB tuned in fifths (E1 B1 F#2 C#3). The pickup(s) would be wired straight to the output jack, and I am looking for clarity, transparency, and extended highs...something that I think would really compliment the dynamic capability of Cliff's Parallel Chamber design.
Note: I would like the pickup(s) to cancel hum and placement would be close to the bridge.
I'm trying to decide on a pickup (or pickups) to go with a 32" scale 4-string Parallel Chamber SCB tuned in fifths (E1 B1 F#2 C#3). The pickup(s) would be wired straight to the output jack, and I am looking for clarity, transparency, and extended highs...something that I think would really compliment the dynamic capability of Cliff's Parallel Chamber design.
Note: I would like the pickup(s) to cancel hum and placement would be close to the bridge.
I've been playing 35" scale 5 string (Roscoes) for seven or eight years now. But I'm now 47, and I'm a short guy with small hands. I was in Bass Central two months ago and happened to pick up a 32" Stanley Clarke Alembic. (Some guy was playing it and we switched basses.) The 32" scale felt like a toy compared to the 35 Roscoe I was playing. I didn't have it plugged in, but I found it so much easier to play. Granted, it was also a 4 string, not a 5.
After reading previous posts in this and previous CB threads, I decided to order a 34" 5 string CB bass. I also know that Cliff has made 32" 6 strings, so I'm assuming there are B strings on those sixes. I'd love to know how the B string feels and sounds on those 32" basses. But before I'd consider ordering a 32" fiver, I'd have to try one out first, even if it were for a few minutes.
Any feedback on those 32" B strings would be greatly appreciated.
If you like 35" scale, no harm in sticking with that. I'd like to order my next fretless 6 in 35" scale. I don't think TI Jazz Flats 6 string sets are long enough. I suppose I could look at other sets.
The 32" scale B is great. My only gripe with 32" scale is that the 3rd fret harmonic seems kinda weak. My Rob Allen Mouse 30 and formerly owned Fender Urge basses seemed to have this problem as well.
As long as the ballend measurement, in the bridge, to just past the nut is 36.25" or greater, the 34" "long-scale" TIs flats will fit a 35" scale bass. Again, this is the current set-up on my Lulls, and the reason I asked someone for that measurement (on their CB). If that measurement rings true on your planned CB 6, the TIs should fit (maybe).
I emailed both Jason, at Bass Strings Online, and the folks at Just Strings, to ensure that the measurements would indeed fit prior to ordering.
I could double check on that. Was thinking about sending a set to Cliff and asking/begging him to briefly throw them on a 35" scale bass to make sure they work, provided he has one coming up. I suppose I could throw a set on my 35" scale Ball 4 to make sure or test them out.
In a way, I'm surprised more companies don't simply make 35" scale compatible strings to increase compatibility.
TI flats are 37" from Ball End to Silk so as long as the Ball End to the back side of the nut is at least 36.5" you are good with the "Long" version. Measuring your 35" Ball in this way should provide an answer for you - as a 35"-scale should be a consistent measurement across CBs.
If that distance is longer, you're out of luck as I don't believe TI makes a 6-string set in extra-long scale. At least I haven't seen one.
I have one of my 32 inch (Alembic) Spoilers tuned down to ADGC (with R.Cocco 130-110-90-70 stainless steel strings)
Works great! Recorded Sad but true (Metallica) with this setup: Sad but true YouTube link
If SBT is not on our setlist, I tune it up to BEAD and use it as backup for my 5 string.
I asked Cliff. He said the long scale TIs will fit a 35" scale by .125. That's close, but doable.
That's pretty darn close. I wouldn't expect them to make their winding shorter. I almost wonder if 34.5" scale is safer.
How is the tension with them in 35" scale? The string gauges seem a bit bigger, but that doesn't always tell you the whole story.
I'm really surprised at how well the woods are matching on both of my basses getting built. I wasn't confident on the wood choices like I normally am, so I'm a little shocked at how well everything is blending together. The Wenge layer should really make the fretless growl!
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Anyone been to the current David Byrne tour - Who Is The Sky ?
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