Large Basses

[40Hz]

For kicks I measure my Rick's thickness:

2013 & 2015 4004L - 1 1/4"
1973 4001 - 1 3/16" (FTW!)

Thx for posting that! I always seemed to remember that the Rics were thinner too. Glad to know that at least that bit of my memory is still accurate.

But FTW? Are thinner bodies something to aspire to? I just thought they were the thickness they were. As long as they're deep enought to be routed for a pickup, and don't buckle under the string tension, it's all seems moot to me.

 

[wideload]

The Gibson RD Artist is a large chunk of maple, and the scale seems long because the bridge is not at the end of the body. And they sound great, too! I had to stretch for 1st position notes.

 

[cdef]

Sizewise, this Greco might fit the bill...

 

[Brendan]

Ibanez ATks have a fairly large perimeter, larger than a Fender P/J. I think they're 1 & 5/8ths thick, instead of the Fender 1 & 3/4ths, but they feel bigger overall. I've had one at the same time as a Stingray, and it felt significantly bigger. At least, the three ATKs I've owned have been, dunno about the current crop of 'em.

They also have chunky, p-style necks, which may or may not be your jam.

 

[CryingBass]

While not necessarily a late model: When size matters...

 

[knumbskull]

I'm glad the bodies aren't too thick,that helps.
I seem to remember Gibson Rippers being pretty fat,in addition to having large bodies.

34.5" scale too. Unless i'm thinking of the Grabber?

EDIT i once saw a band where the bassist was using one of these. He was a smallish skinny guy and it looked like the bass was playing him.

 

[Ric5]

 

[Ric5]

I love this guy's grin

 

[Ric5]

 

[Ric5]

 

[Ric5]

 

[thomas-k]

Surprised no one mentioned it yet : hollow, large body, long scale and bridge far from the lower bout, making the reach to the upper frets a long one : the mighty falcon!

 

[NortyFiner]

Alternately to the huge bass, the OP could go the Stanley Clarke route and use his size to physically dominate the instrument in ways smaller players can't.

 

[Honch]

Okay hear me out here...
I'm a biggish guy, around 6'2" with a husky body. Most guitars have always looked smallish and awkward on me, and now basses are starting to feel that way too. The neck on my jazz bass feels so puny and short now, and I miss the days where it felt like I was playing this big, 34" scale instrument. I'm looking into semi-hollow basses, because I love the way they look and sound, but most of them have a 30" scale and i feel like they wouldn't be much larger overall than my jazz bass. So essentially what I'm looking for is a bass larger than my jazz (bonus points for semi-hollow and or extra long scale). Thank you!

Why don't you get a 6 string full scale fanned fret from Dingwall? 35" at low B-string, and 33,25 at C-string? If that ain't large enough for you I don't know what is. I reckon headless 4 string with narrow string spacing and no body is NOT for you...

 

[Mr.Fingers]

If you can find them: Greco SAB

Me being a tall guy as well (6'5"), I found that Gibson Rippers work extremely well. But they're not semi-hollow.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Warwick Starbass or Stingray 5, and Lakland 55-01/55-02 come to mind.

If you are specifically looking for extra long scale, Dingwall is a great choice, but the extra long scale model bodies are not that big.

 

[snarebear]

Had an Gibson Explorer for awhile and it might fit your needs. It kinda hung on the strap a bit to the left (righty player) and it felt to me like a longer scale than it was. Dean Demonator was the same way. I was 6 ft nd 275 at the time. I also played a dean Razor NT with a smaller body and it fit me well. Play em all and you will find a fit.

 

[Eilif]

I'm a 6'3" guy and I also often enjoy a larger instrument sometimes. A couple of suggestions below. These have the slightly wider P-bass'ish nut, around 1.75", though you mentioned that it's not the width that you are concerned about.

-An Ibanez Jack Casady or a first generation Ibanez Artcore (ASB140 doublecut or AGB140 singlecut). These are 34" semi-hollows with big bodies (not thick, but wide and long). The Artcores especially have a neck that sticks out a bit more than usual. Almost feels like playing a 35" bass.

-Peavey t-40. It's a heavy monster, but it's got a somewhat bigger body and oodles of tone. Probably the best USA made bass that $500 will buy you. I've never seen a person playing a T-40 where the T-40 looked small. The abundance of chrome helps also.

-Lakland 55-01 doesn't have a particularly huge body, but it's big enough and the 35' scale and wider neck looks bigger.

 

[Chris 'Wighat' Jordan]

Reverend Rumblefish. There are a few for sale on eBay.

 

[Feral Feline]

Maybe, this could work for the OP.

View attachment 978694

This looks great !
(well, bodywise, not keen on the headstock).



[RANT]
I do NOT understand manufacturers' strict adherence to single-cut basses with an upper bout that only extends to the 16th fret.

C'mon you butthead designers, stretch the upper bout to the 12th fret to GET RID OF THE NECK DIVE.

I like classic looking basses, but FFS GRETSCH ET AL, GET WITH THE PROGRAMME – MODERN BASS DESIGN WITH OL'SCHOOL CHARM – no need to slavishly follow outdated poorly designed archetypes.

[/RANT]


Another one I'm surprised hasn't been mentioned (unless I missed it) ...

Toby Chennell's acoustibassthingy

It's bigger than a breadbox (and a cello) but smaller than a car.