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Suggestions for a good Piccolo Bass

#2
Well I've used my fretless as a piccolo and found it to be of no problem. I found through my research that most people think in a piccolo bass you need a few adjustments.

1. A short scale bass (30")
2. new nut
3. new bridge
4. neck adjustment
5. piccolo strings

I guess if you first get the short scale bass everything is taken care of but they dont ususually make piccolo bass for sale at your local music shop. To me its much easier to grab a set of strings and maybe a new nut and your allen to adjust your neck. VOILA! you have your piccolo bass. Hope this helps.
 
#3
I just restrung one of my 5'ers with piccolo strings with no problems. had to adjust the action and intonation a bit but no major issues at all.

I used to have a shorter scale piccolo (31" to be exact) but I found that since I would practice a lot on it, it worked better to have it 34" and the same spacing as my other basses (17mm) so everything felt consistent.
 
#8
Marcus Willett said:
I just restrung one of my 5'ers with piccolo strings with no problems. had to adjust the action and intonation a bit but no major issues at all.

I used to have a shorter scale piccolo (31" to be exact) but I found that since I would practice a lot on it, it worked better to have it 34" and the same spacing as my other basses (17mm) so everything felt consistent.
Click to expand...

Back in the late 80's I put piccolo strings on a 34" scale bass and it felt like the tips of my fingers were on razor blades. The string tension was a killer. I think for feel I would need a short scale.

I'm also not sure about going the cheeper 30' bass. Neck angle and pickups have to be subpar in my opinion. Plus I never seen one of the lower priced basses that could stay in tune.

I could go to a builder like Joe Veillette. I'm sure he could make a great piccolo but I'm also sure the price would be up there as well.

What to do? ? ? :help:
 
#11
i am curious about what would be the "role" of a piccolo or a "tenor" bass? this is the first time i hear of the concept. i've heard of baritone guitars, though.

also heard of upright bass players sometimes using a higher "solo" tuning.

interesting.
 
#12
Gear_Junky said:
i am curious about what would be the "role" of a piccolo or a "tenor" bass? this is the first time i hear of the concept. i've heard of baritone guitars, though.

also heard of upright bass players sometimes using a higher "solo" tuning.

interesting.
Click to expand...

A piccolo bass is tuned one octave higher then a standard bass. So you would play it in the treble clef. A tenor is also tuned higher but played in the tenor clef. The advantage is that you can play in that range "treble or tenor" and still have the feel "or somewhat" of a bass. Also the tone is not the same as a guitar. Has a tone all it's owen.

Not sure about the double bass question, someone else with have to help you with that one.
 
#15
Gear_Junky said:
so, what's the point, though (i am not bashing, just wondering)?

is this a "guitar-like instrument" for bassists to play lead? :) for someone not used to thin strings?
Click to expand...

Well, yes and no. Some people just put piccolo strings on a 34" bass for the tone of the higher octave. In other words think of an 8 string bass with the thicker strings remover and only the thinner ones left on. The thinner ones would be the piccolo strings. They are tuned one octave higher then the standard or thicker strings. In my case I am looking for a short scale bass "30 inch" so that the strings will have less tension on them then if they were on a long scale bass. This way it will feel more like a bass as well. To me anyway.

It's really not like a bass that sounds like a guitar. It has a different tone. It is still using bass pickups and the strings are different the guitar strings.

Here is an example of a fretless piccolo bass that is played more like a guitar. By a guitar player.



You can see "or maybe not" that it has it's owen thing going on in the way of tone. Plus you approach as you would as a bass played would. Or I would anyway.

Hope this helped
 
#16
NYCBass said:
Back in the late 80's I put piccolo strings on a 34" scale bass and it felt like the tips of my fingers were on razor blades. The string tension was a killer. I think for feel I would need a short scale.
Click to expand...

I use a set @ 17/22/34/46/60 and the tension works just fine. Only slightly tighter than my regular 5s.


NYCBass said:
It's really not like a bass that sounds like a guitar. It has a different tone. It is still using bass pickups and the strings are different the guitar strings.
Click to expand...
(Semi-shameless plug): Folks can hear mine on my myspace page to give you an idea.
 
#17
Marcus, nothing wrong with a Semi-shameless plug when it sounds good. Nice stuff BPB,
thats "Bass Playing Brother" was that the regular 5 on the track the one you were talking about? If it is or it's not, what bass were you using as a piccolo?
 
#18
NYCBass said:
Hi All,

I'm looking to get a Piccolo Bass for some recordings I'm working on. Any suggestions on a good one?
Click to expand...


Just incase you'd be interested there is a nice piccolo on the available intruments page at FBass.com
 
#20
NYCBass said:
Marcus, nothing wrong with a Semi-shameless plug when it sounds good. Nice stuff BPB,
thats "Bass Playing Brother" was that the regular 5 on the track the one you were talking about? If it is or it's not, what bass were you using as a piccolo?
Click to expand...

Thanks for the kind words!

Yeah, that's a Jazz Plus 5 with Bill Lawrence pups. Couple other basses used for the "regular" bass tracks.
 

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