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Short-Scale Piccolo Bass on a Tight Budget?

Matthew_84

Matthew_84

Nov 7, 2010
6,497
5,101
Greater Toronto Area, Canada
#1
I'm looking for a 5 string short-scale bass (30" or less) with bridge and neck humbuckers to defret and turn into a fretless that is tuned at least one octave higher than my fretted 34" scale.

In an ideal world, I get a custom made instrument to my ideal specs, but I'm on a budget and looking to spend somewhere around $300 CAD or even less. I'll probably have to make some compromises somewhere, and I'll likely have to buy something used and modify the hell out of it.

There are a couple 30" 4 stringers on my local classifieds for $300 or less, but they are 4 stringers and don't have bridge pickups. There are also some 7 string guitars with a 25.5" scale within the $200 - $300 range, but I have no idea how I'd turn a 7 string guitar into a 5 string (with even string spacing) without a custom bridge. I'd also like something a bit longer if possible (like 27" scale or more). I could probably just defret a normal guitar, but ideally would have something with wider string spacing.

Again, I am sure I'll likely have to make some compromises, but I'm not in a rush and I don't mind waiting for a year or so to find the right candidate.

We have a lot of creative people here and I just thought I'd plant the seed to see if anyone has any ideas or can list some things for me to look out for. Thanks in advance.
 
#5
Thanks guys! The SX Ursa is definitely closer to my budget after I factor in conversion, shipping and related fees and taxes.

Do they make these in fretless at all?

I think the models shown on Rondo are typically based on stock so I don't know if they get them in periodically.

Also @eJake are the pickups a typical size allowing for an easy swap?
 
#6
Also, it looks like if I were to replace a 7 string guitars bridge with a 5 string Hipshot A bridge and slide the string spacing inwards a little bit, then I could make that work... I'd need to change the nut and maybe fill the tuner holes for strings 2-3 and 5-6, drill a new hole in between, and paint, but it's doable.

Unless I get the guitar for free though, this mod would likely push me over my budget (the bridge alone would eat most of my budget).

This is also definitely a lot more work than just finding a short scale 5 string bass though.
 
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#7
Rondo has had fretless Ursas in the past, 4, 5 and 6 string, but I couldn't say if they ever had any that were short scale.

They have their stuff manufactured overseas, and seem to receive bulk shipments from time to time. Their stock of Ursa 5 and 6 strings has been dwindling down to nearly none over the past 6 months or so. They've had a pretty decent selection in the past, multiple colors, rosewood fretboards, USA ash bodies, etc. So maybe they're due some new stock. I suppose you could try contacting them to see.
 
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#8
Will do. I appreciate the tip!

I also don't mind defretting a bass, so I wouldn't be opposed to getting a fretted one and going to town. I'd be more comfortable defretting a raw wood fretboard though, like rosewood.

Has anyone had any luck defretting a finished maple fingerboard with block inlays/paint?
 
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#12
Matthew_84 said:
Around $300 CAD.

I don't mind going over the budget slightly to do mods and stuff as I can do that over time, but I'd like to spend less than that on the core instrument.
Click to expand...

A really nice little short-scale that's not expensive ($299 USD new, much less used) is the Gretsch Junior Jet Bass. It only comes as a 4-string however so I don't know if that'd be a dealbreaker for you. Huge sound and a build quality that is far superior to what you might expect at that price point.

Scott Whitley has a video on his piccolo bass which was created using an ordinary short scale bass. The only difference was the picolo string set.



You might want to consider going with a baritone guitar. On the staff, it falls between a guitar and a bass. You can sometimes find a used one in your price range. If you're not familiar with the sound of a baritone guitar look below:

 
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#13
Awesome! Thanks 40Hz, I appreciate the suggestions.

Before being a stickler about 5 strings, I should probably look into my string options and make sure there's even something for me and if I am restricted to a certain scale length or something. FWIW, I was looking to tune it to D-G-C-F-Bb. If anyone has any knowledge about this, I'd appreciate it! I'll do some research this weekend though.
 
#14
Matthew_84 said:
Awesome! Thanks 40Hz, I appreciate the suggestions.

Before being a stickler about 5 strings, I should probably look into my string options and make sure there's even something for me and if I am restricted to a certain scale length or something. FWIW, I was looking to tune it to D-G-C-F-Bb. If anyone has any knowledge about this, I'd appreciate it! I'll do some research this weekend though.
Click to expand...

Its called drop tuning. Looks to be only a step down from standard tuning so it shouldn't pose a problem from a physics perspective. Tuning up is far more problematic due to the increased tension.

If you'r into alternate tunings I've found open-G or "Spanish" guitar tuning very versatile and it can be adapted for use on a bass. (In case you're not familiar with it It's DGDGBD or the 515135 intervals of a G major chord. So going in triads starting on the 6th string you get a 515 G power chord, another 151 G power chord, a 513 G major second inversion chord and a 135 G major chord in the root position. And all on the same fret which is pretty handy. )
 
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#15
40Hz said:
Its called drop tuning. Looks to be only a step down from standard tuning so it shouldn't pose a problem from a physics perspective. Tuning up is far more problematic due to the increased tension.

If you'r into alternate tunings I've found open-G or "Spanish" guitar tuning very versatile and it can be adapted for use on a bass. (In case you're not familiar with it It's DGDGBD or the 515135 intervals of a G major chord. So going in triads starting on the 6th string you get a 515 G power chord, another 151 G power chord, a 513 G major second inversion chord and a 135 G major chord in the root position. And all on the same fret which is pretty handy. )
Click to expand...

Thanks again @40Hz! I'm not really into alternative tunings that much. I've tried tuning in 5ths a few times, but I don't like the extra shifts involved, and would especially hate it on a fretless.

I tune my 4 string bass to D Standard because I often need below E, but rarely need below D, and I wanted to keep all strings tuned in 4ths.

It never occurred to me that an intricate tuning system like the one you mentioned is a thing. That would just make my head hurt, lol.

Also, I looked into Baritone guitars and I appreciate the tip! I'm not opposed to a 6 string instrument, but the string spacing looks a little too narrow for my fat fingers, but I'll look into a bit more.

I appreciate it again!
 

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