Double Bass Converting 7/8 American Standard to 3/4

[834federal]

Hey. I'm thinking I'm going to have an extended nut installed on my 1964 American Standard in order to convert it to a 42" string length. This will mean relocating the bridge and I'm slightly anxious that it will mess up the monstrous sound. Anyone out there have any insight or, preferably, reassurances?!!

 

[Eric Hochberg]

Sounds like a good experiment. I doubt the sound will suffer. Have your luthier follow the correct ratio for bridge
and nut movement so the heel stop remains the same. MollyKay just had a neck conversion to 42" on hers and is delighted (see recent thread).

Also, you're really not converting the bass itself from 7/8 to 3/4 sizing, just shortening its string length. There are many old 3/4 size German/Czech basses around with long >42-44" string lengths.

 

[james condino]

I've done three Vintage American Standard re- neck conversions this year. The nut extension is a simple way to try out the new setup that is non invasive and reversible. If you keep the bridge close to the original position you can shorten the scale and wind up with a D neck pretty easy.

You are not really changing from a 7/8 to a 3/4 bass. American Standards are very close to a typical 3/4 body with a longer 43 1/4" scale. My impression is that if you are a sort of traditional size person, there is a slight difference in tone for the shortened scale on the lowest register, but the increase In playability and fun is huge. I just built a new shoter scale removable neck for one of my own this week. Good luck.

j.
Kaybassrepair.com
Condino.com

 

[834federal]

Sounds like a good experiment. I doubt the sound will suffer. Have your luthier follow the correct ratio for bridge
and nut movement so the heel stop remains the same. MollyKay just had a neck conversion to 42" on hers and is delighted (see recent thread).

Also, you're really not converting the bass itself from 7/8 to 3/4 sizing, just shortening its string length. There are many old 3/4 size German/Czech basses around with long >42-44" string lengths.

Thanks!

 

[834federal]

I've done three Vintage American Standard re- neck conversions this year. The nut extension is a simple way to try out the new setup that is non invasive and reversible. If you keep the bridge close to the original position you can shorten the scale and wind up with a D neck pretty easy.

You are not really changing from a 7/8 to a 3/4 bass. American Standards are very close to a typical 3/4 body in with the longer 43 1/4" scale. My impression is that if you are a sort of traditional size person, there is a slight difference in tone for the shortened scale on the lowest register, but the increase In playability and fun is huge. I just built a new shoter scale removable neck for one of my own this week. Good luck.

j. condino
Kay, King, American Standard, Epiphone and AlCoA bass repair in Asheville, North carolina -

Cool. I think I'll go ahead and do it. Arnold Schnitzer is going to do it and I love his work and figure he knows a ton about these particular basses! Thanks for your comments!

 

[james condino]

If it comes out of Arnold's shop, likely Keirin will do it. He's a great luthier and will do a fine job; one of the few folks I'd let work on my own bass and know with confidence that it will turn out great!

 

[834federal]

Okay, got the bass back, had it set up by Mike Egan in Gibbsboro, NJ and it is more or less insane. The power and sustain are outrageous. I can't find a bad string setup either- everything works. I don't know which way to go.

Currently it's a schizophrenic situation. E- spiro medium, A- spiro weich, D- anima, and G-golden spiral, and it sounds and feels great.

wow

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Sounds like a great setup for one of those basses, and a hell of a lot cheaper and hardier than the Eudoxas we were talking about. Enjoy!