@Wannabebass yours is tuned EADG like a piccolo bass, right? I tried a similar thing with my Ibanez PNB, tuned to cello pitch CGDA. I used D'Addario singles as well, works just fine (also tied a big knot for the bridge pins). I've had the same set of strings on for I think 2 years now. I'm enjoying it a lot in this tuning for chords and melodies.
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Guitar Scale Acoustic Basses
- Thread starter SBassman
- Start date
Correct EADG.
I'm really enjoying it so far. I had a scare a day later though, I thought the G string had broken overnight but the knot had just slipped through. re-tied and not issues after 3 days. Loving the novelty of the high register.
Cheers
Andy
so I have asked these questions here before, but never seem to get an answer. I am interested in a short scale ABG. scale length not less than 25.5” nor more than 29.5”. fretless unlined fingerboard with 4 strings (standard bass tuning) and a pinless bridge. those are the basic requirements I am looking for.
seems both the pinless bridge and the fretless fingerboard are quite problematic. I have checked with a few manufacturers and the ones I checked do not make a fretless, or its a pinbridge model. I had a very bad experience during a gig years ago with a pinbridge guitar and I do not play pinbridge instruments.
I think a custom would be my only option….so I am hoping someone here will be able to point me towards someone who will build such an ABG.
thanks in advance
seems both the pinless bridge and the fretless fingerboard are quite problematic. I have checked with a few manufacturers and the ones I checked do not make a fretless, or its a pinbridge model. I had a very bad experience during a gig years ago with a pinbridge guitar and I do not play pinbridge instruments.
I think a custom would be my only option….so I am hoping someone here will be able to point me towards someone who will build such an ABG.
thanks in advance
Thanks for your question! I love arch top and gypsy jazz guitars and I mourn the passing of master arch top builder Ken Parker. I really love anyone who is willing to step off the worn path and try something new and different! An archtop fretless bass would be stunning! My Hofner is about 1/2 way from acoustic to a true archtop. Tell me more please…pics?
It's based on the following plans, but without the single cut
Liutaio Mottola Lutherie Information Website
With credit and respect to the designer who shares it, R.M. Mottola
Liutaio Mottola Lutherie Information Website
With credit and respect to the designer who shares it, R.M. Mottola
Actually having so much fun in the higher register that I’m looking at g*****S now! But back on the low end, what other (normal, bass register) strings have people tried on their cordoba mini bass ll? I’ve become interested in theukebass sound…
Thanks
that design is to my eyes a spectacularly beautiful take on the Archtop acoustic bass guitar!
Thanks @dlmarquez
Here's one that's a little different. The body is flat top and the size of a Les Paul Jr. It has a baritone neck, but just as easily could have been a guitar or bass. It's hollow and very light.
Here's the build thread: 2025 BB hollow single cut
Here's one that's a little different. The body is flat top and the size of a Les Paul Jr. It has a baritone neck, but just as easily could have been a guitar or bass. It's hollow and very light.
Here's the build thread: 2025 BB hollow single cut
I can see strings aren’t currently being discussed in this thread, but it’s one of the threads I come to when looking for info on acoustic Uke Bass, acoustic guitar scale bass, acoustic short scale bass, acoustic sub-short scale bass, etc, so I’m gonna stick a string review in here.
I bought a used Ibanez PNB14E last week and it needed strings. I saw where the D’Adderio strings for the Taylor GS Mini Bass was a common string for them (maybe comes with the PNB14 when new?), but that string set is pushing $40, so I found what seemed to be a similar set for $30, the Martin coated acoustic bass 24” scale strings.
I don’t know how the D’Adderio strings are, but the Martins were a big disappointment. First, I think my set had a defective “E” string. It was noticeably dead when compared to the other three strings. I returned them for that reason.
However, the other three strings were not much better. I’ve owned one or more acoustic basses since 1993 (currently own 4) and I’ve tried about every kind of string you can think of. I know how acoustic basses are pretty much for practice only when un-amplified. I know the Kala, Gold Tone, Taylor, Martin, etc. shorties are not designed for electric bass / steel core strings (although my Sigma STB-R fretless has has D’Adderio Chromes on it for years).
The Martins were OK amplified, but they were about as dead as any new string I’ve ever tried acoustically. I know a nylon core string isn’t going to ring like a steel core phosphor bronze string, but LaBella silverbacks on my 23” scale Gold Tone Micro Bass seemed literally double the volume compared to the Ibanez PNB14 with the Martins. Maybe just the PNB14 has a thick dead top? It was fairly loud with whatever string it had on it when I bought it, which I think were common nickel wound 34” scale steel core strings cut down to fit, and those strings were far from fresh.
Just thought I let those who have a guitar-scale bass know the Martins might seem like the perfect string for practicing acoustically, but you’ll need to practice in a very quiet environment to hear them if you have Ibanez PNB14E…
I bought a used Ibanez PNB14E last week and it needed strings. I saw where the D’Adderio strings for the Taylor GS Mini Bass was a common string for them (maybe comes with the PNB14 when new?), but that string set is pushing $40, so I found what seemed to be a similar set for $30, the Martin coated acoustic bass 24” scale strings.
I don’t know how the D’Adderio strings are, but the Martins were a big disappointment. First, I think my set had a defective “E” string. It was noticeably dead when compared to the other three strings. I returned them for that reason.
However, the other three strings were not much better. I’ve owned one or more acoustic basses since 1993 (currently own 4) and I’ve tried about every kind of string you can think of. I know how acoustic basses are pretty much for practice only when un-amplified. I know the Kala, Gold Tone, Taylor, Martin, etc. shorties are not designed for electric bass / steel core strings (although my Sigma STB-R fretless has has D’Adderio Chromes on it for years).
The Martins were OK amplified, but they were about as dead as any new string I’ve ever tried acoustically. I know a nylon core string isn’t going to ring like a steel core phosphor bronze string, but LaBella silverbacks on my 23” scale Gold Tone Micro Bass seemed literally double the volume compared to the Ibanez PNB14 with the Martins. Maybe just the PNB14 has a thick dead top? It was fairly loud with whatever string it had on it when I bought it, which I think were common nickel wound 34” scale steel core strings cut down to fit, and those strings were far from fresh.
Just thought I let those who have a guitar-scale bass know the Martins might seem like the perfect string for practicing acoustically, but you’ll need to practice in a very quiet environment to hear them if you have Ibanez PNB14E…
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In addition to trying a piccolo set on my cordoba mini bass,(VERY fun) I’ve recently put on a set of labella CB 40 strings and they are a significant upgrade from the original bass strings.
I started this thread in 2018, and I haven't been on in a long time. I've really reduced my online activity. I came back to start another thread, and this then appeared in my queue with updates. Glad to see it still active.
Who can summarize for me the current state of affairs in guitar scale acoustic basses? It's my perception - hopefully incorrect - that there are Less models, not more, today than when this all broke. Any New versions of a guitar scale acoustic bass come out recently?
These days, I'm trying to wrangle my guitar scale acoustic - C-Bass
- in my avatar. I created a separate C-Bass thread if you are interested in what that is all about.
Who can summarize for me the current state of affairs in guitar scale acoustic basses? It's my perception - hopefully incorrect - that there are Less models, not more, today than when this all broke. Any New versions of a guitar scale acoustic bass come out recently?
These days, I'm trying to wrangle my guitar scale acoustic - C-Bass
- in my avatar. I created a separate C-Bass thread if you are interested in what that is all about.
No one following this thread anymore? Nothing new in the GSAB world? New models, new strings?
How about this?
Converting a acoustic electric classical guitar to a 6 string bass. If you were given the challenge, what strings would you try?
Converting a acoustic electric classical guitar to a 6 string bass. If you were given the challenge, what strings would you try?
I see about 2 years ago here, there was some dialog about Aquila 143C Low E tuning strings.
Anyone here try them?
Super tempted to give them a spin.
Here's one I made earlier.....28.6", Italian spruce top, Italian walnut and ebony fretboard. Strings are custom from Newtone. In case anyone happens to be going to the Guitar Show Italy in Bologna, 15th-17th May it will be there with a couple of my other larger scale guitars. Pavillion 3, Stand 3045. It's a long shot, but if you are going please stop by to say hello.
Thanks Frank, I appreciate the compliment. And the pointsIt's gorgeous. Triple bonus points for the pinless bridge.
Make me one.
Though generally I only accept cash....
Pointer to new thread: 6 String Classical Guitar Scale Contrabass:
