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Double Bass headstock/scroll question

S

SotR59

Feb 24, 2011
5
0
deadshotoutlaws.com
#1
Hi. New to this forum. Long time semi-pro musician and electric bassist.
I'm basically new to AUB also. I did own one for about 7 months and was learning but sold it a couple of months ago because the particular bass didn't really suit me. Looking to get another one this weekend.
Anyway, I was wondering if the scroll on the headstock has any function other than ornamental? If it was broken off or cut off would it have an negative effect on the sound? I know headstock mass on electric basses do have some effect on sustain and tone but does this apply to the amount of wood in the scroll an on AUB?
Thanks
George
 
#2
Hi SotR59 / George. Welcome to TalkBass!

The scroll on the headstock of an acoustic upright bass is purely ornamental. You can feel free to cut it off without effect on the sound. You could even replace it with something cool like this:

Devilgirlbaseblue.jpg
 
#3
I saw the pics of the process of your new headstock crest. That is really cool. Personally I was thinking about space. The scroll takes up "just" that much more room when you are trying to fit the bass into your vehicle. The bass I am looking at getting though actually quite a nice bass, the neck was broken off and then "jimmy rigged" as the seller stated. The repair job looks solid and for my purposes that is ok. And for the price I won't complain. But also I thought taking off the scroll might look weird and more Rock and Roll.
Thanks for the welcome and answer to my question.
Keep it low....
Geo
 
#4
Bass said:
Hi SotR59 / George. Welcome to TalkBass!

The scroll on the headstock of an acoustic upright bass is purely ornamental. You can feel free to cut it off without effect on the sound. You could even replace it with something cool like this:
Click to expand...


??? The shape itself is ornamental, but the mass definitely matters. This is going to be a fun thread!
 
#5
robobass said:
??? The shape itself is ornamental, but the mass definitely matters. This is going to be a fun thread!
Click to expand...

Absolutely. Some even claim that switching from metal to ebony (hatpeg) tuning rollers makes a substantial difference. In any case, I sure wouldn't assume that lopping off all that mass makes no difference.
 
#9
Speaking of scrolls, personal rant opinion: C extensions are great, but to me they look hideous. There should be a way to re-design a neck and scroll for a 4-string C-extension bass, as an original build, not an add-on, so that possibly the G, D & A tuners are on one side, the extension on the other, and the actual aesthetics of the traditional spiral scroll be redone to something more aesthetic and integrated without being top-heavy.

OK, I know, after a statement like that, it should be my turn to buy the next round....
 

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