Help Design an Acoustic Electric Bass

[SBassman]

I recently explored Aquila Low E tuning classical strings combined with a chambered acoustic-electric classical 6 string by Wishmade. The details are in the linked thread.

I found the tone to be astounding. The fundamentals of the lower strings are so strong and tight. I was active in the sub-short and guitar scale acoustic bass threads here. I started them many years ago, and we had lots of people participating. I mentioned the strings in those threads because I think the sub-short/guitar scale bass enthusiasts here probably don't know about those strings and would be very interested in hearing about them.

This recent exploration led to dialog with Wishmade, and we now have an opportunity to give input into a future AE bass. They are starting with the chambered body design they have. It's the guitar I post about in the linked thread below, and the body is now my profile pic.

Starting with that body, which would you prefer - a 30" short scale design, or, a 25.6" sub-short guitar scale design - for 4 and 5 string bass models.
This input will go back to Wishmade, and they will consider it in the next acoustic-electric bass they bring to market.

Thread '6 String Guitar Scale Classical Bass'

May 11, 2026

I was super active in the subshort and guitar scale acoustic bass dialog in the past.
I created a couple of big threads on the subject.

I am just returning to bass and TB after a bit of an absence.
I never knew until this week that there actually have been classical guitar strings for Low E tuning at 25.6" scale.
Had I known, I would have been all over it already. Those of us looking for string options for guitar scale acoustic basses could have checked them out.
I had no idea they were out there.
I doubt lots dwelling in the GSAB universe know they exist.

There are a couple of...

• SBassman
• Replies: 27
• Forum: Strings [BG]

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[REV]

I use Thomastik Acousticore bass strings on my Martin B-1 bass. It sounds very much like a classical bass guitar.

 

[plorperels]

I can't say this is an area I have any real expertise or experience with, aside from having played a fair number of basses and classical guitars, but this sounds very cool. My gut says 30" scale would still be quite playable and offer better tension/tone. If I was looking to purchase an instrument like this, that's what I'd be looking for. Plus I suspect it would pull a little more volume. obviously not essential for an acoustic/electric instrument, but could be nice for practicing unplugged.

 

[SBassman]

I can't say this is an area I have any real expertise or experience with, aside from having played a fair number of basses and classical guitars, but this sounds very cool. My gut says 30" scale would still be quite playable and offer better tension/tone. If I was looking to purchase an instrument like this, that's what I'd be looking for. Plus I suspect it would pull a little more volume. obviously not essential for an acoustic/electric instrument, but could be nice for practicing unplugged.

Thanks. That's very helpful. That's what we want to hear - are there more people these days who'd want a 30" scale or more that would want a 25.6" guitar scale bass. The body, IMO, is a great pick. This will make a great stage bass - kind of like the Ovation shallow body or Godin of small basses.

 

[TomB]

I think those are two really distinct directions, and I think both have promise.

First thoughts:

The shorter one would lean towards the uke bass concept that uses thick strings at very short (20-25”) scale lengths, a la Kala and Gold Tone, etc. I’m wonder if the strings that deliver that unique “upright-like” uke tone would work at a scale longer than the 25” of the longer Gold Tone? If it did I think there would be niche buyers in that genre looking for the longer scale - not sure how many at a higher price point. If fretted, it would need to intonate better than those 23 & 25’s. Maybe an intonatable bridge would add some high-end value for frustrated fretted players - not an easy fit for these aesthetics I guess.

It’s worth noting that 26.5” gets you into Squier mini P-bass territory, just based on length. …night and day comparison of course, beyond scale length.

As you get up to 30” I think you’re looking at a different sound and a different player, often fretless, something more akin to a Rob Allen or a Godin, with quite a price spread there. That seems like a potentially successful niche at the higher end, particularly as Allen Mouse(s) seem pretty rare. I think there would be considerably less competition at that length in anything as beautiful as your pics.

 

[funkinbottom]

Personally, I would say 30" scale. I don't own, but have played friends Uke basses and the Goldtone 25" scale. Way too cramped for me. They sound good, but the sub 30" is what has kept me from buying one. I've also fooled around on the mini P. Don't care for it at all.

 

[Wannabebass]

What they said: 30” to 32” scale, for the reasons listed. I don’t know the pros and cons of 30 vs 32.

 

[SBassman]

Personally, I would say 30" scale. I don't own, but have played friends Uke basses and the Goldtone 25" scale. Way too cramped for me. They sound good, but the sub 30" is what has kept me from buying one. I've also fooled around on the mini P. Don't care for it at all.

If you spend more time with 25" scale basses, you might change your mind. I think many people, including me, came to the same conclusion for the Uke basses - which are usually 20 - 21" - there's such a thing as Too small, and That's it. But, with a legit guitar sized instrument, after a while, you might find it Doesn't feel cramped and actually feels really good - and fun to play. Everyone's mileage will vary.

Good feedback. Ty.

 

[funkinbottom]

If you spend more time with 25" scale basses, you might change your mind.

Yeah , possibly so. I only play one rarely when I visit a friend of mine. He has offered to lend it to me before. Maybe I should take him up on the the offer and spend a week or two with it to give more time to acclimate.

 

[KohanMike]

I started playing bass uke in mid 2014, a year after joining a ukulele group. I played rhythm guitar for almost 50 years before, often told I should play bass because I had good tempo and feel (I've always had a natural sense of rhythm), but I didn't want to be encumbered by a large electric bass, forget a standup.

When the leader of the uke group asked if anyone would like to take up the bass to fill the sound of our 35 members, I went online and discovered bass ukes, and I went for it. I'm on the sub-short scale thread. The scale is so comfortable, easy to reach the frets without having to slide up and down the neck so far. I've tried 30" and standard scale and can't even get close to working them.

In 2021, I had this acoustic 22" scale bass uke made, gypsy jazz solid curly walnut, by my go to builder in Vietnam, Bruce Wei for $860 including express shipping. It's light weight enough for me at 76 to walk around UCLA/Mattel Children's Hospital with a few members of my uke group, playing for the kids and giving away ukuleles. It has Kala/Galli 23" scale flat wound nylon core strings.

 

[TomB]

If you spend more time with 25" scale basses, you might change your mind. I think many people, including me, came to the same conclusion for the Uke basses - which are usually 20 - 21" - there's such a thing as Too small, and That's it. But, with a legit guitar sized instrument, after a while, you might find it Doesn't feel cramped and actually feels really good - and fun to play. Everyone's mileage will vary.

Good feedback. Ty.

Since I commented about 20-something vs 30+, I’ll share my experiences. I own a 23” GoldTone 4. I kept (and I love) the Aquila rubber strings - many don’t. My first purchase had frets. I found intonation hopeless and quickly swapped it for a fretless. Now that I can roll my own I’m very happy with this bass and I use it for all my senior ctr duo-type gigs. It really sounds a lot like an upright - those strings are key.

I also have an Allen Mouse 30”. It plays and sounds like a short scale electric fretless bass. To me it does not easily cop the upright sound, but it does have its own unique take on fretless. It is beautifully made and plays flawlessly.

As I said earlier, each has its own place in the bass universe. There’s room one hopes for more entrants who can provide a unique feature at a reasonable price.

 

[SBassman]

I started playing bass uke in mid 2014, a year after joining a ukulele group. I played rhythm guitar for almost 50 years before, often told I should play bass because I had good tempo and feel (I've always had a natural sense of rhythm), but I didn't want to be encumbered by a large electric bass, forget a standup.

When the leader of the uke group asked if anyone would like to take up the bass to fill the sound of our 35 members, I went online and discovered bass ukes, and I went for it. I'm on the sub-short scale thread. The scale is so comfortable, easy to reach the frets without having to slide up and down the neck so far. I've tried 30" and standard scale and can't even get close to working them.

In 2021, I had this acoustic 22" scale bass uke made, gypsy jazz solid curly walnut, by my go to builder in Vietnam, Bruce Wei for $860 including express shipping. It's light weight enough for me at 76 to walk around UCLA/Mattel Children's Hospital with a few members of my uke group, playing for the kids and giving away ukuleles. It has Kala/Galli 23" scale flat wound nylon core strings.

View attachment 7504238

I love it.

 

[SBassman]

Any other thoughts?

 

[dunderwovvy]

I guess I'd go with 25" scale, but I'm not really interested in an "acoustic" bass that I have to plug in to hear over room noise. Might be nice as a travel/roadtrip bass.

I like U-basses because I can play it on the couch while watching TV and still hear the bass. I feel like the average player will be less skeptical of of a 30" scale.

I'd also only buy an unlined fretless just because fretless is my preference for acoustic basses, and unlined is my preference for fretless basses. Sooooo... I don't know if my opinions are particularly helpful.

 

[SBassman]

I guess I'd go with 25" scale, but I'm not really interested in an "acoustic" bass that I have to plug in to hear over room noise. Might be nice as a travel/roadtrip bass.

I like U-basses because I can play it on the couch while watching TV and still hear the bass. I feel like the average player will be less skeptical of of a 30" scale.

I'd also only buy an unlined fretless just because fretless is my preference for acoustic basses, and unlined is my preference for fretless basses. Sooooo... I don't know if my opinions are particularly helpful.

They are very helpful. Thank you.

This body Does conjure enough volume to hear over typical room noise. Not enough to play with other instruments, but definitely enough to noodle while watching Netflix with the fam.

The company does fretless, too, so anything is possible. What I Can say is - the builds coming of out of the factory for Wishmade are quite impressive at the price point. Well, I can say that for this body with actual experience. It's stunning. The fretboard feels and looks fantastic.