• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Short Scale Basses

#21
ZippyButton said:
A short scale Stingray is genius!

I'm in the planning phases for for my first build (decent woodworking experience, but no instruments), and I really want to build a short scale. I'm having trouble understanding how to plan out the neck and fretboard. Did you have a "go-by" for the short scale neck, or did you figure it out another way?
Click to expand...

I missed the point about a fingerboard. I calculate fret position and mark on the fingerboard. Then slot with fret saw. Yes, it is a ordinary way.

138352651961569094227_image_20131104095519.jpg
 
#22
I like what you're doing. I've built 4 short scale basses so far...

rocknroll.jpg

27" scale Muffinman Simray for my son. My first build.


fballfinished_zpsc4592def.gif


Bass VI in the shape of the flower for my Sis inlaw.

007fin01_zpse1ce92da.jpg


006fin06_zpsd9528a89.jpg


More recently a pair of 32" non-reverse style birds from recycled/native timbers.

Not sure if you call 32" short scale, but my preference is for 32" scale because you can still tune down to dropped D and have good string tension. I also find that you get that extra ease of playing with the shorter scale. I'm in the throws of dreaming something new with shorter scale at the mo.

With your 27" bass, what you need to do is order some heavier gauge strings from Circle K or similar. Either that or put flatwounds on it. I found the super old strings I put on the 27" 2 string (E & A) had the extra tension and the bass sounds and plays well. Here's a sound sample of it...

https://soundcloud.com/simpleinnovation/simray-sound-test?in=simpleinnovation/sets/bass-stuff
 
#23
reverendrally said:
Not sure if you call 32" short scale, but my preference is for 32" scale because you can still tune down to dropped D and have good string tension. I also find that you get that extra ease of playing with the shorter scale. I'm in the throws of dreaming something new with shorter scale at the mo.

With your 27" bass, what you need to do is order some heavier gauge strings from Circle K or similar. Either that or put flatwounds on it. I found the super old strings I put on the 27" 2 string (E & A) had the extra tension and the bass sounds and plays well. Here's a sound sample of it...

https://soundcloud.com/simpleinnovation/simray-sound-test?in=simpleinnovation/sets/bass-stuff
Click to expand...

Wow, your basses are so beautiful!
Yes, I too like 32" for 4 strings. For 5 to 6 strings basses I will have to go 34" I think.

Re: my 28" bass I will try to use "a 5 strings set" and to put low B string as E string. Will see how it goes.
 
#32
Hi!! I am Facundo from Argentina. How are you? First of all i want to advise you that my english is not perfect so please if you dont understand something make me know.
I am contacting you because i am building my first bass, this bass will be an alembic stanley clarke signature. The problem is that here in argentina is impossible to find some one that's owns one. So is impossible for me to know the measurements of the bass ( body shape length and width etc...)
I saw that you builded a copy of an alembic bass. Can you share with me the measurements of it? so i can build my own copy.

Thank you very much for your time.
.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back