Convert your bass to short scale

[::::BASSIST::::]

Okay since this has been bumped here's a Q...

When you put a capo on your bass does that mean it has a zero fret?

 

[WarriorJoe7]

LOL technically yes... the fret you capo becomes the new nut... but since it is a fret it is called the zero fret!

 

[Johnny Mack]

wouldnt this be accurate with a fretless as opposed to fretted since the fret sizes and distances of a true short scale vary from the ones starting at the 2nd fret of a standard scale?

 

[ehque]

wouldnt this be accurate with a fretless as opposed to fretted since the fret sizes and distances of a true short scale vary from the ones starting at the 2nd fret of a standard scale?

it's accurate on a fretted guitar. The frets will be in the right places.

It's hard to capo a fretless properly...

 

[WarriorJoe7]

wouldnt this be accurate with a fretless as opposed to fretted since the fret sizes and distances of a true short scale vary from the ones starting at the 2nd fret of a standard scale?

It works perfectly for fretted and it would only vary from a true short scale by whole scale length. Instead of being 32 inch scale or 30 it would be like 32.09 or 30.29 inch scale which is close enough. The relationship of the frets to each other would still be perfect.

Capoing aq fretless would be very hard. You would have to get a luthier to radius something perfect for your specific neck.

 

[BenderR]

There's no magic formula to fret placement, it's a continuing scale based upon the 12th root of 2. Placing a capo on the neck has no effect whatsoever on the intonation accuracy of the notes above the capo, no more than pushing down a string has an effect on the intonation of the notes above the fretted notes. IOW, we don't have to re-invent the wheel.

Using a capo on a fretless is a bit trickier but it still boils down to putting the capo in the right place.

 

[Jim T.]

Wow! For YEARS people laughed at me and now you're ALL capoing!
I've found this to be a fantastic tool for very difficult/fast passages on recording sessions when I won't have any time to rehearse the part.
(I have small digits.)

I've successfully capoed a Pedulla Hexabuzz six string fretless with a 12 string Shubb capo. Removing the rubber and using metal to metal contact can work even better depending on the bass. I may have used two capos on some six strings-both shubbs.

I finally did have a custom short scale six built for me, but of course that's a much more expensive choice and involves a long wait.
But after 30yrs. I've finally got the instrument that's right for me!

 

[theshadow2001]

A friend of mine who's been playing guitar for many years says that using capos on basses or guitars throws off the intonation.

True?

I don't know about intonation but it can throw off the tuning of the guitar or bass if its too tight. If for example you put it on the 2nd fret and you play an open string on the E string for example that F# might be a little higher pitched due to the capo pushing down too hard. You can see this yourself if you fret a note then squeeze the living daylights out of it the pitch will raise slightly. Thats the big selling point of the bird capo that was pictured above you can adjust the tension on it to whatever you want so you'll never have too much tension coming from the capo.

I've heard putting the capo right on the fret can help combat this symptom

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

Thread Revival!

Still doing it... still loving it!

Even though I have shortscale bass now, I still prefer putting a capo on a 34" bass as it gives me dead low action... lower than I can get without a capo.

Again, the biggest drawback is the comments you get from some people... traditional people.

 

[WarriorJoe7]

Thread Revival!

Still doing it... still loving it!

Even though I have shortscale bass now, I still prefer putting a capo on a 34" bass as it gives me dead low action... lower than I can get without a capo.

Again, the biggest drawback is the comments you get from some people... traditional people.

sounds like you just need your nut filed down on the shortscale

 

[WarriorJoe7]

There's no magic formula to fret placement, it's a continuing scale based upon the 12th root of 2. Placing a capo on the neck has no effect whatsoever on the intonation accuracy of the notes above the capo, no more than pushing down a string has an effect on the intonation of the notes above the fretted notes. IOW, we don't have to re-invent the wheel.

Using a capo on a fretless is a bit trickier but it still boils down to putting the capo in the right place.

you have to reintonate because when you take tension off the string to downtune (especially with all 4+ strings) you most likely have to adjust either/both the bridge saddle height and the tension in the neck, which then in turn makes you need to reintonate the bass.

 

[WarriorJoe7]

bumpage

 

[eyvindwa]

Now this, I might actually end up trying!

 

[NoobOnRoad]

Let's say that I don't have a capo, what could I do to ''make'' a capo?

 

[Darkstrike]

Let's say that I don't have a capo, what could I do to ''make'' a capo?

Use a lace, tie it tight, not at the back of the neck.

 

[NoobOnRoad]

Use a lace, tie it tight, not at the back of the neck.

Thanks DS, i just succeed!!! But it's a little tricky.

I always hated tension on strings, now i can bypass the tension without having to throw 20$.

 

[WarriorJoe7]

Thought this needed to be brought forward again for people to see

 

[cnltb]

You can temporarily convert a long scale instrument (34
inches) to a medium scale or short scale.

For close to medium scale put a capo on the first fret and
then retune E-A-D-G. This makes the scale length 32.1
inches (medium scale is 32 inches)

Go 2 frets and retune to EADG for 30.3 inch scale (short
scale is 30 inches.) Anything beyond that is too flabby...

The only problem is that you might get some buzz from
having less tension on the neck... and the bigger issue is that
if you want to do this semi-permanently you should adjust
the truss rod and re-intonate the bass... especially if you
play up higher than say the 5th fret. If you rely heavily on
the dots they will be in the wrong place (shifted by 1 or 2.)

But just for finding out the sound and feel of your bass if it
was a short/medium scale don't worry about the intonation...
just have a listen and then change it back.

cheers,
Joe

P.S. a 6 string guitar capo will fit on a 4 string jazz bass neck...
not sure of the p neck... but I haven't seen anything
that will accomodate a 5 string or more. I use a standard
kyser capo for guitar.

oh yeah and here is the fret spacing for a 34 inch scale...
(some builders adjust slightly by a few hundredths of an inch
to make up for the physics of the string and string bending.)

fretNum Distance from bridge(scaleLength)
0(nut) 34.00
1 32.09
2 30.29
3 28.59
4 26.99
5 25.47
6 24.04
7 22.69
8 21.42
9 20.22
10 19.08
11 18.01
12 17.00
13 16.05
14 15.15
15 14.30
16 13.49
17 12.74
18 12.02
19 11.35
20 10.71
21 10.11
22 9.54
23 9.01
24 8.50

the formula is:
34/(2^(fretNumber/12))

or for other scale lengths: (works for guitar too)
scaleLength/(2^(fretNumber/12))

Interesting but not news...but interesting.

 

[BassHappy]

Interesting thread, even though it is ancient. Thanks for resurrecting. I for one, do appreciate it.

Here is further proof that this is spot on.

A MIJ full scale jazz with a medium scale superimposed:

Best,

BassHappy
www.innertainment.net

 

[WarriorJoe7]

Anyone doing this?