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Double Bass NBD!!

rknea

rknea

Jan 16, 2007
258
232
Nampa, Idaho
#1
I've been looking for a bass with a bit bigger neck than my '39 Kay and had a line on a great one up in Seattle...but this afternoon a sweet old lady posted this 1960 King on the local FB Marketplace! It needs a good setup which will come soon but with the guts on it it's LOUD!! Holy Moly!! So...doing a bit of a happy dance tonight! As a side note, can someone help me identify the guts on it?
 

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#4
There's a King for sale here in Phoenix. Lord knows I don't need another bass, but I've heard great things about their sound and volume. Are you at all concerned about the 43" scale length? I went as far as asking my luthier if, hypothetically, he could install a false nut to bring the length down to 41.5" and he said yes.
 
#7
marcox said:
Are you at all concerned about the 43" scale length?
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When I first tried my bass (not a King) at the Upton shop I played for about an hour. Loved it, talked it over, packed it up . . . Jack says, "So, 43 inches wasn't a factor, eh?"

I didn't even notice 43". It's 3.6% longer, exactly like a Strat is to a Les Paul. It's something but it's not a big deal unless you want it to be.
 
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#11
rknea said:
Thanks! I've never been a huge fan of blondes but this one is growing on me!!
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For new looking finish I like a blonde more than the orange or red. I like a dark older looking finish best. With a cheaper carved top, I have heard it said blonde is best because they tend to pick a nicer piece of wood. I waited 6 extra weeks for my Chadwick to be blonde, and it does seem a bit nicer than the cheap hybrid it is.
 
#13
eh_train said:
That looks close to 'museum quality' (though who would want to do that to an instrument?)!

Great to see that there are still instruments like this around!
Click to expand...

Thanks, yes it's amazing! There are a couple of seams that need reglued, a new endpin, & adjustable bridge...but that's going to be with most any 60 yr old plywood bass. I heard the sound would be better than my Kay and it certainly is and will get better with a good setup!
 
#15
marcox said:
There's a King for sale here in Phoenix. Lord knows I don't need another bass, but I've heard great things about their sound and volume. Are you at all concerned about the 43" scale length? I went as far as asking my luthier if, hypothetically, he could install a false nut to bring the length down to 41.5" and he said yes.
Click to expand...

Interestingly enough, when I picked it up and played it last night I didn't notice that at all.
 
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#17
I’ve got a bass that’s 44” and there are three things that can be a little tough: octaves in lower positions, F to the 2nd partial using first and third finger, and certain larger interval stretches when using thumb technique.

But it’s not really a big deal once you get a feel for it.
 

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