I was wondering if someone makes a bass with the same idea as the martin Backpacker in mind. I just want something small to take out on the road in the bus or where ever.
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Is there a Bass like the Martin Backpacker?
- Thread starter Bass for Beef
- Start date
Not trying to be tooooo sarcastic about it, but do you mean....
Unbalanced?
Almost inaudible?
Tinny tone?
Lousy action?
Body turns fingerprints and turns them into permanent stains?
I hope not.
Could you tell I'm an EX Backpacker owner?
I'd say you're better off with an inexpensive (SX/essex) short-scale with a headphone amp.
Unbalanced?
Almost inaudible?
Tinny tone?
Lousy action?
Body turns fingerprints and turns them into permanent stains?
I hope not.
Could you tell I'm an EX Backpacker owner?
I'd say you're better off with an inexpensive (SX/essex) short-scale with a headphone amp.
Fernandes make a funny little bass with a built-in amp.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
It comes with all the features Tim points out.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
It comes with all the features Tim points out.
Aussie Mark
I come from a land down under
- Oct 26, 2002
- 1,161
- 206
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- Endorsing Artist: Fender; O'Neill Amps; Cave Passive Pedals
I messed around with one of these at NAMM for a bit.
http://www.activemusician.com/item--EM.AS-690B
It folds down into a gig bag that's about 7" wide. They don't sound too bad either.
I think they're sort of a knockoff of the Soloette travel guitar (which a guitarist friend of mine said are much better than the Aria), but it doesn't look like Soloette makes a bass.
-b
http://www.activemusician.com/item--EM.AS-690B
It folds down into a gig bag that's about 7" wide. They don't sound too bad either.
I think they're sort of a knockoff of the Soloette travel guitar (which a guitarist friend of mine said are much better than the Aria), but it doesn't look like Soloette makes a bass.
-b
there are those ashbory things... i always wanan try one out.
a supposed upright-esque sound from a thing thing about the size as that jelly bean bass there.
silcon strings and fretless. needs to be plugge din i believe.
a supposed upright-esque sound from a thing thing about the size as that jelly bean bass there.
silcon strings and fretless. needs to be plugge din i believe.
Couple a years ago on tour I bought a 30" scale Jerry Jones as a bus bass and it plays and sounds so good it's now also a gig bass. If you're around NYC I played a killer red Jerry Jones Longhorn three weeks ago at Carmine St Guitars down in the Village. If I'd had the money I woulda bought it and sold the one I have.
Oh yeah, since these things are hollow they're loud enough acoustically to practice no problem.
Oh yeah, since these things are hollow they're loud enough acoustically to practice no problem.
Like that martin backpacker? That would be the kinal kompact.
I don't recommend going the abg route tho. Unless you aren't trying to jam with anyone, then yes its gold. What I recommend is getting a pignose hog 30.
Our van pulled into the middle of downtown two weekends ago of a random city, banjo mandolin players and myself get out, I got my p bass and the hog 30, we played for about 45 minutes, sold a bunch of cds, and boom, gone. setup time was less than 2 minutes, and so was loadout.
I don't recommend going the abg route tho. Unless you aren't trying to jam with anyone, then yes its gold. What I recommend is getting a pignose hog 30.
Our van pulled into the middle of downtown two weekends ago of a random city, banjo mandolin players and myself get out, I got my p bass and the hog 30, we played for about 45 minutes, sold a bunch of cds, and boom, gone. setup time was less than 2 minutes, and so was loadout.
Also there is the Traveler Escape
Invalid Link Removed
32" scale and comes with a built in headphone amp. Haven't ever played one, so can't give a review.
edit: newer model:
Invalid Link Removed
32" scale and comes with a built in headphone amp. Haven't ever played one, so can't give a review.
edit: newer model:
There is simply no way you could make an acoustic bass that small and have it sound worth anything at all. The laws of physics just won't allow it.
The earlier suggestions about using an electric instrument (Aria, Traveller, etc.) are right. There are quite a few possibilities to choose from.
Back in the day when I travelled the world, I always carried with me a cheapo Steinberger copy made by Cort and a tiny little headphone amplifier. Worked great. The whole package (bass, amp, headphones, gig bag) was about the same size as a Martin Backpacker (a little heavier yes). I could play anywhere, including sitting on a train or a bus. These days, I use earbuds, a homemade headphone amp made from Altoids can, and a solar rechargeable battery pack (Solio) so I'm even better off. I still have the Cort. The cool thing is, that the bass is actually usable in a band situation as well so I can sit in and jam with a full band (providing they have an amp) when the situation arises.
This pic is from about 18 years ago, me playing on the helicopter deck of a ship I worked on in Antarctica.
The earlier suggestions about using an electric instrument (Aria, Traveller, etc.) are right. There are quite a few possibilities to choose from.
Back in the day when I travelled the world, I always carried with me a cheapo Steinberger copy made by Cort and a tiny little headphone amplifier. Worked great. The whole package (bass, amp, headphones, gig bag) was about the same size as a Martin Backpacker (a little heavier yes). I could play anywhere, including sitting on a train or a bus. These days, I use earbuds, a homemade headphone amp made from Altoids can, and a solar rechargeable battery pack (Solio) so I'm even better off. I still have the Cort. The cool thing is, that the bass is actually usable in a band situation as well so I can sit in and jam with a full band (providing they have an amp) when the situation arises.
This pic is from about 18 years ago, me playing on the helicopter deck of a ship I worked on in Antarctica.
How about the Alvarez MSB1 short scale bass? I think it's about 34 inches long. I want to get one myself.
One on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Alvarez-MSB1-Ac...oryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
or $439 at MF:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...ks-Series-MSB1-Small-Acoustic-Bass?sku=518826
BTW, I had an Ashbory and did not like it, but the guy I sold it to was happy.
One on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Alvarez-MSB1-Ac...oryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
or $439 at MF:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...ks-Series-MSB1-Small-Acoustic-Bass?sku=518826
BTW, I had an Ashbory and did not like it, but the guy I sold it to was happy.
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I'm not sure if I'd really wanna take an ABG on a camping trip. The cheap ones are gonna sound like crap. The expensive ones are a bit too pricey to be lugging around in a case and exposing to mother nature's weather/wrath.
I’m dredging this up from the depths. I just had the same idea last night. I’ve got a Martin Backscratcher that I don’t know what to do with. Got it cheap, made it playable. Well, physically playable. The way it sounds and the way it sits doesn’t make you want to play it.
There’s only 1/32” of saddle sticking out. The neck angle is not good, as most are eventually. IF I decide to accept this mission, I’d have to take the fretboard off and machine the neck flat with a slight back angle.
The bridge would have to be replaced.
The sound hole is very small, making access to the inside next to impossible.
Changing the tuners will make the already top heavy design even worse.
Will it sound like crap?? More than likely.
The big question is WHY???? WHY NOT??? I’ve got nothing to lose except for the cost of a set of strings and tuners, probably about as much as the guitar is worth.
There’s only 1/32” of saddle sticking out. The neck angle is not good, as most are eventually. IF I decide to accept this mission, I’d have to take the fretboard off and machine the neck flat with a slight back angle.
The bridge would have to be replaced.
The sound hole is very small, making access to the inside next to impossible.
Changing the tuners will make the already top heavy design even worse.
Will it sound like crap?? More than likely.
The big question is WHY???? WHY NOT??? I’ve got nothing to lose except for the cost of a set of strings and tuners, probably about as much as the guitar is worth.
Taylor, Guild and Ibanez are all making small acoustic basses now. They are using a new string that seems to defy the laws of physics. I bought the Guild and love it. I got it at Guitar center for $400. The Taylor is $699. The Ibanez is only $200 but ya get what ya pay for. My bet is this is what you are looking for. I tried the Uke basses with rubber strings but just didn't like them. I think they are rubber strings with a brass winding. The feel like a bass strings should. I find these basses are as loud or louder that other acoustic basses at half the size.
What I'm looking for is another project. Making something out of nothing is more satisfying than buying it. And I'll probably learn something. And I can't justify spending the money. Wife would kill me!
The Backscratcher is a novelty. So would a bass version.
It actually sounds OK until you get to the high B string. Then it sounds like a banjo. So lowering it an octave might be OK. I'll never know until I try.
I'm definitely staying away from the rubber/silicone strings. I hear they're tough to tune because they stick in the nut. Metal would on nylon strings seem to be the way to go.
Of course, I haven't finished the last 2 projects! So, this is just a thought at the moment. Now that I actually look at the Backscratcher I can see it's slightly folding in on itself. Probably not the best candidate.
I also see there's no fretboard radius. Dead flat!!
I could pull all the frets and sand a backtaper on the fretboard essentially tip it back, changing the neck angle. Unfortunately, the fretboard is only 1/4" thick. Sanding a radius into it might not be a good idea.
Replacing the bridge would probably be the hardest part since I don't really have access to the inside thru that little sound hole. Am I crazy enough to try and remove the back? I thought these were solid mahogany with a spruce top, but now I see it's made of pieces. Or maybe cut an access hole in the back and add a cover plate, like an electric guitar?
I'd like to give it a go, but I'll put it on the back burner for now. Too many other projects at the moment.
The Backscratcher is a novelty. So would a bass version.
It actually sounds OK until you get to the high B string. Then it sounds like a banjo. So lowering it an octave might be OK. I'll never know until I try.
I'm definitely staying away from the rubber/silicone strings. I hear they're tough to tune because they stick in the nut. Metal would on nylon strings seem to be the way to go.
Of course, I haven't finished the last 2 projects! So, this is just a thought at the moment. Now that I actually look at the Backscratcher I can see it's slightly folding in on itself. Probably not the best candidate.
I also see there's no fretboard radius. Dead flat!!
I could pull all the frets and sand a backtaper on the fretboard essentially tip it back, changing the neck angle. Unfortunately, the fretboard is only 1/4" thick. Sanding a radius into it might not be a good idea.
Replacing the bridge would probably be the hardest part since I don't really have access to the inside thru that little sound hole. Am I crazy enough to try and remove the back? I thought these were solid mahogany with a spruce top, but now I see it's made of pieces. Or maybe cut an access hole in the back and add a cover plate, like an electric guitar?
I'd like to give it a go, but I'll put it on the back burner for now. Too many other projects at the moment.
