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Guitar Scale Acoustic Basses

#961
hushnel said:
Steve, rediscovering old equipment is always a good feeling. Fairly often when I start Jonesing for something new I just start pulling out the stuff at the back of the closet. It’s one of the unlisted advantages of buying the good stuff in the first place. Plus it severely interferes with the whole acquisition syndrome thing “o)
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Ironically, I made a big purchase just a few hours after you posted that advice...

Prime considerations:
  • Unobtrusive and extremely compact.
  • Lightweight.
  • Suitable for grab-and-go situations, acoustic jams, patio parties, hospital visits, etc.
  • Flexible (useable with 5-string EB, guitar, light PA use, etc.).
I was quite impressed by a couple of affordable powered PA bins (QSC CP8 and Headrush FRFR-108). I also checked out a sort of heavy-duty boombox (Mackie FreePlay Live).

But in the end, I fell hard for the Bose S1 Pro. I hadn't really thought about a battery-powered amp until @OtherLisa mentioned it, but there are a lot of benefits with an acoustic bass.

The Bose sounds warn and natural, and it's quite unobtrusive- only a square foot of real estate. It gets 11 hours of playing time on battery. It sounds better and plays louder than the Mackie, and uses a normal AC cord to recharge. It can be used while recharging.

The Tonematch settings for acoustic guitar and vocals are a nice bonus. Two-band EQ and Reverb on both inputs, two combo XLR's plus separate channel for 3.5mm or bluetooth streaming from my phone or iPad. The EQ is important if you have a Taylor or the Guild- with only volume and tone onboard, they both need external EQ for best reults.

The S1 Pro only weighs 15lb, and balances nicely from the built-in top handle. Last but not least, it has two different tilt angles for use as a stage monitor.
 
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#963
OtherLisa said:
@steve_rolfeca , adding that to my list! I have an old Bose MP3 speaker (pre-Bluetooth) and it really does sound great. I tried to get a cheaper one back in the day and after hearing this one I just couldn't. Still works great too!
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If you're committed to being able to use your amp without pedals or other add-ons, and if you're heart-attack serious about small size and battery power, then the Bose does seem to be the ticket at the moment. The PJB Suitcase is a quality piece, but I prefer the Bose soundwise, especially given the lithium battery and lower weight.

Still, you pay a pretty stiff premium for battery power. You can get three Headrush FRFR 108's for the same price at Sweetwater, and each one will have a bunch more headroom! The price gap is a little tighter in Canada, but it still took me a while to make up my mind...
 
#964
steve_rolfeca said:
If you're committed to being able to use your amp without pedals or other add-ons, and if you're heart-attack serious about small size and battery power, then the Bose does seem to be the ticket at the moment. The PJB Suitcase is a quality piece, but I prefer the Bose soundwise, especially given the lithium battery and lower weight.

Still, you pay a pretty stiff premium for battery power. You can get three Headrush FRFR 108's for the same price at Sweetwater, and each one will have a bunch more headroom! The price gap is a little tighter in Canada, but it still took me a while to make up my mind...
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I haven't been keeping up with this thread and missed that you picked up the Jumbo Jr. Are you hanging on to both short scale basses or are you letting the AVN go? I don't see it on your sig.
I really love the Guild JJ as well and it was between it and the AVN when I went with the Ibby.
 
#965
skycruiser said:
I haven't been keeping up with this thread and missed that you picked up the Jumbo Jr. Are you hanging on to both short scale basses or are you letting the AVN go? I don't see it on your sig.
I really love the Guild JJ as well and it was between it and the AVN when I went with the Ibby.
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It was a tough choice, as they are surprisingly close, and the Ibanez is more self-contained- tuner, 2-band EQ, XLR out, higher output. I also prefer the longer scale.

In the end, there was just something about the tone of the Guild that I preferred. It sounds silly, but the 2 extra frets before the body made a difference as well. We're talking two sub-$1K Chinese-made instruments though, so with two different samples, it might have swung the other way.

The fact that the Guild was a birthday gift from my long-suffering wife might have played a small part in the decision...
 
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#966
Geez.

Ever pick up an interesting new toy, then turn around to the realization that the situation has completely gotten away from you?

This journey started a year ago, with me looking for an alternative to Uke basses after a back flareup. Finding the Ibanez AVNB1E seemed innocent enough, but then I got the Guild, and realized that both basses sounded better through an FRFR setup. My AudioKinesis/MB Fusion/FDeck/Diamond rig sounds amazing. Job done.

...Except it’s a lot to set up for practice and acoustic sets. I also wanted weight commensurate with a baby ABG, and the Rumble 100 combo wasn’t cutting it. Battery power seemed like a good idea too.

Over the last two weeks, I’ve traded the Fender for a Bose S1, and picked up a Line 6 HX Stomp.

My silent stage rig is now down to the Stomp for The Guild and EB. It will also do double duty for acoustic and electric guitars. My grab and go rig will be the S1, sometimes augmented by the Stomp.

Overall, my setup is going to end up smaller, better-sounding and simpler. I’ve also added the ability to go busking, play unplugged at parties, etc. But even after selling off a bunch of leftovers, I will still be out about $1,200 (Canadian/US exchange is brutal at the moment).

Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful that I have the resources to pull this off. But it all seems a far cry from that first trip to pick up the Ibanez a year ago.
 
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#971
steve_rolfeca said:
Geez.

Ever pick up an interesting new toy, then turn around to the realization that the situation has completely gotten away from you?

This journey started a year ago, with me looking for an alternative to Uke basses after a back flareup. Finding the Ibanez AVNB1E seemed innocent enough, but then I got the Guild, and realized that both basses sounded better through an FRFR setup. My AudioKinesis/MB Fusion/FDeck/Diamond rig sounds amazing. Job done.

...Except it’s a lot to set up for practice and acoustic sets. I also wanted weight commensurate with a baby ABG, and the Rumble 100 combo wasn’t cutting it. Battery power seemed like a good idea too.

Over the last two weeks, I’ve traded the Fender for a Bose S1, and picked up a Line 6 HX Stomp.

My silent stage rig is now down to the Stomp for The Guild and EB. It will also do double duty for acoustic and electric guitars. My grab and go rig will be the S1, sometimes augmented by the Stomp.

Overall, my setup is going to end up smaller, better-sounding and simpler. I’ve also added the ability to go busking, play unplugged at parties, etc. But even after selling off a bunch of leftovers, I will still be out about $1,200 (Canadian/US exchange is brutal at the moment).

Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful that I have the resources to pull this off. But it all seems a far cry from that first trip to pick up the Ibanez a year ago.
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Interesting... we started out looking for an alternative to uke basses at about the same time, but for different reasons and with ultimately different approaches.
I picked up an Ibanez PNB14E just over a year ago to use for my band's acoustic gigs and it has filled the bill in just about every possible way. I play my sub-shorty almost exclusively through a Fender Rumble 40 for both gigs and practice and I've been able to dial in a tone which works very well. Like you, I found the Rumble 100 to be too big to comfortably haul, despite the light weight, but the 40 is both compact and ridiculously light (mine weighs just under 15 lbs). As the little Ibanez replaced a much beloved Guild B30E for our band's acoustic gigs, I do have to say the Guild sub short scale was - and still is - awfully tempting.
I think you've done well Steve with your gear upgrades. Most of the changes you've made are not because of the sub short scale bass, but because of personal preference. Let's face it, you just wanted the Guild, which is why you bought it LOL! And then you wanted a smaller, easier to transport rig that could also run when power is not available and now you've got it. It sounds better not just with your Guild, but with probably anything else and will double duty for guitars. You bought quality and should be set for years. I'd say money well spent. Nicely done.
 
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#972
Regarding the LaBella CB40 strings,...I ordered a set from Strings and Beyond back in Feb. as a future replacement for my sweet little PNB. I had been shipped CB40PE (plain end). Not only that but the E string was unraveled 8" on one end and 4" on the other.
IMG_1849.JPG
I contacted S&B and they talked to LaBella and are shipping me the proper strings as the PE are by special request per their website...[This invalid link has been removed]
They said that LaBella will not guarantee the strings for the PNB and the E string has a tail on one end to fit the tuner posts.
S&B acted very promptly on this issue. Kudos to them.
I have read here that folks have used the CB40s with success and don't see a problem with the tuner posts.
Any thoughts, Guys and Gals??
 
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#973
screefer said:
Regarding the LaBella CB40 strings,...I ordered a set from Strings and Beyond back in Feb. as a future replacement for my sweet little PNB. When I received them, I foolishly didn't inspect them and just tossed them into the string drawer for futures.
I got them out yesterday and to my surprise, I had been shipped CB40PE (plain end). Not only that but the E string was unraveled 8" on one end and 4" on the other.
View attachment 3613718
I contacted S&B and they talked to LaBella and are shipping me the proper strings as the PE are by special request per their website...[This invalid link has been removed]
They said that LaBella will not guarantee the strings for the PNB and the E string has a tail on one end to fit the tuner posts.
S&B acted very promptly on this issue. Kudos to them.
I have read here that folks have used the CB40s with success and don't see a problem with the tuner posts.
Any thoughts, Guys and Gals??
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I am following LaBella or you regarding the tuner posts. I have purchased many CB40 sets, and I never noticed anything about the post end.

The strings are soft, and they will insert in the PNB tuners just fine.
 
#974
screefer said:
Regarding the LaBella CB40 strings,...I ordered a set from Strings and Beyond back in Feb. as a future replacement for my sweet little PNB. I had been shipped CB40PE (plain end). Not only that but the E string was unraveled 8" on one end and 4" on the other.

I have read here that folks have used the CB40s with success and don't see a problem with the tuner posts.
Click to expand...
Those strings aren’t unravelled. Remember that the tensile strength comes from the nylon core, not the windings. The metal is there to provide mass, not longitudinal strength.

The short, skinny tail on the one end, is the same as the ball-end version. It goes into the tuning post. The long tail on the other end, is presumably to facilitate tying the string through the bridge on a true classical contrabass.

I’ve bought two sets of ball-end CB40’s, one for the Ibanez and one for the Guild:
  • Thanks to the nearly 25” scale on the AVN1BE, the tail inserted into the tuner no problem The wound portion of the string was long enough to reach the nut, but short enough that it didn’t interferie with the tuning peg. That’s pretty cool, when you consider the scale length difference.
  • The Guild was a little different, in that the tail just barely fits the hole in the peg. Also the string just barely fits lengthwise, because of the shorter scale on the Guild. Still, no problems on initial installation.
I didn’t report on this before, but I did run into an issue when I went to re-install the strings after polishing the bridge on the Guild.

I just filed a report on this in my NBD thread about the Guild: NBD- Guild Jumbo Junior acoustic bass

Short version- the hole in the E string tuner on the Guild is very tight. The tail got bent a little during removal, which caused me a bit of grief on reinstallation.

Rather than futzing around with the string and maybe loosening the windings, I chose to modify/fix the tuner.

This does raise another issue about the CB40’s- they may be a little long for some mini basses.

They fit fine on the Ibanez, with its nearly 25” scale. The E string just barely squeaked it on the Guild.

Depending on the length of the headstock and how close the nut is to the E string tuner on the Taylor, for instance, it might be necessary to add a spacer at the bridge end of the string in order to shorten it.

Those of you that have bought a set of La Bella’s, know that they come fitted with miniature numbered dice, in order to identify the strings.

These can also be re-used for that purpose.
 
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#979
The CB40’s arrived today. I don’t know what I was expecting but surprised at the appearance of these strings. They look “clear”. Bass comes tomorrow.
 
#980
First impressions of the bass are favorable. Fun to play. Volume is enough for what I want. The stock strings are pretty dead, not much finger squeak, so that’s good.
I’ll put the CB40 set on sometime this weekend.
I bought it from Chicago Music Exchange, great to deal with.
 
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