Large Bass (44 inch scale Jazz)

[Single Coil]

I recently read a thread on here about large basses and remembered playing a particularly large jazz copy at Pogo Studios in Champaign, IL about ten years ago. I recently found a picture of it and thought I would amuse you all by posting the beast.

The bass was owned by Mark Rubel, who also owned Pogo. I've recorded there several times over the years and had a chance to play this thing.

I can tell you it was very heavy and not very comfortable due to the scale. No surprises there.

For reference, I am 5'10".

 

[MMiller28]

 

[rufus.K]

How did the bass sound and play?

 

[bholder]

...and what did they string it with? Telephone post guy wire?

 

[dje31]

I have pics of my kid as a toddler playing one of my basses...similar scale / perspective going on there.

I'd guess it uses upright bass strings / contrabass.

 

[Immigrant]

That's the stupidest thing I've seen so far today. But it's funny and interesting, so bonus points.

 

[Herrick]

I'd like to see the person it was made for.

 

[AndreasR]

Why?

 

[kkaarrll]

I'd like to see the person it was made for.

shaq bass

 

[bridgecables]

I bet the guys at Kalium would have a field day with that thing. Finally, a scale length that gets a pure tone for their 10hz G00 strings.

Funny part of that pic is that the strings don't appear to even fit, the end-ribbon extends well past the saddles into the speaking length

Thank you for sharing, this is awesome.

 

[bholder]

That's just ridiculous. On the other hand, mine is awesome:

39.5" scale, perfectly playable.

 

[Flaked Beans]

I bet the guys at Kalium would have a field day with that thing. Finally, a scale length that gets a pure tone for their 10hz G00 strings.

Funny part of that pic is that the strings don't appear to even fit, the end-ribbon extends well past the saddles into the speaking length

Thank you for sharing, this is awesome.

Double bass strings sir, they're just fine but the 44" scale jazz bass doesn't have a tailpiece under the bridge. just saying.

That's just ridiculous. On the other hand, mine is awesome:
View attachment 1003084
39.5" scale, perfectly playable.

Beautiful bass!

Here's my 42" scale bass:

 

[lowfreqgeek]

If this thing has anywhere near the fundamental, sustain, and note clarity of my 150 year old upright, I'd bet it sounds killer. Playability is subjective, as I have no problem playing a 42" scale.

 

[ofajen]

Was there a bass in that photo? I just wanna know if he still has the M-79-24 and if he'd sell it for a reasonable price.

Otto

 

[CryingBass]

 

[lz4005]

If this thing has anywhere near the fundamental, sustain, and note clarity of my 150 year old upright, I'd bet it sounds killer. Playability is subjective, as I have no problem playing a 42" scale.

42" vertically is doable.
44" horizontally is ridiculous.

Reminds me of the time I got to play a 42" scale bass at NAMM. It had a normal sized Hoffner Beatle Bass-style body. Some company or other had it as a prop to draw attention to the booth, not for sale.

 

[okcrum]

...and what did they string it with? Telephone post guy wire?

They look like Thomastik Spirocore DB strings to me. A set costs more than some Squiers.

 

[TonyP-]

Ok I will say...

Awesome

I want one...

 

[D M C]

Can't fool me, that's a midget.

Edit: Who made the PUs?

 

[okcrum]

Can't fool me, that's a midget.

Edit: Who made the PUs?

It's hard to see from the pic, but they look like P bass pickups (2 sets), set up as single coils.