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[quote name='Soul-Fi Steve' timestamp='1428539786' post='2742322'] Excellent - found your video on Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick very useful a while back Scott [/quote] Cheers :-) As it happens I've literally just uploaded part three of that lol!!!...... [media]http://youtu.be/15OvXeWd9wQ[/media]

It's finally here!! :-D This 3rd and final installment looks at the chorus which (thankfully) is considerably easier than the previous lesson. As usual, have fun with it & I hope you find it useful... [media]http://youtu.be/15OvXeWd9wQ[/media]

Hi Basschatters!!!! Just completed a new free video bass lesson. This one's on a Larry Graham-style lick and I reckon is a lot of fun! :-) Hope you enjoy it.... [media]http://youtu.be/ks-eCm4lLG4[/media]

Well today is the day I send the full detailed plans off for the first SWB-1 Standard sample to be built! Below are detailed the main differences between the existing hand-built SWB-1 pro and the planned production model. As I said earlier, there will be several options available in terms of pickups/bridge etc. More concrete details to follow. The 'base' of the SWB-1 Standard will be the same exact body shape & dimensions as the original hand-built SWB-1 Pro but a simpler construction of solid ash with a figured maple cap. The neck will be maple (no matching cap) with the same shaped headstock as the SWB-1 Pro. The neck profile is near to 'D' shaped. Nice & narrow but not too slim. The bridge will be a solid hipshot-style affair rather than than the Kahler Tremolo. On production models of the Standard, the Kalher will be offered as an option. The pickups will be passive in the first sample leaving me free to try other options here. Again, when in production active pickups will be an available option!

[quote name='ikay' timestamp='1426683160' post='2720689'] Thanks for reply re the issue of balance. I guess that depends on having quite a dense body then. Out of interest what does your custom SWB-1 weigh? On the question of reach though, with so much neck to the left of the upper strap button doesn't it feel much the same as a 34" for the left hand? Sorry to labour the point, I'm not trying to be awkward. I really like the idea of the SWB-1 but one of the things that attracts me to a short scale is having to stretch less for the lower frets. [/quote] No worries - thanks for the questions. In reality it certainly feels to me the 1st fret is still much more in reach than on most long scale basses, but there's easy access to upper frets too! A few of my fav' short scale basses I have to physically push out of the way to play high up. You can see this shifting the bass around shenanigans going on at about 38 seconds in on this video [media]http://youtu.be/YHrre8loZi8[/media] Although not obvious, I'm pretty much pushing the bass to my left with my right elbow MOST of the time! None if this pushing the bass around is needed with the SWB-1 lol. If you (or any other bass chatters for that matter) would like to come and try the SWB-1 you're always more than welcome. I have a decent coffee machine here to :-D

Hi Basschatters! I'm running a limited promotion on 1-2-1 bass lessons after moving into my dedicated teaching studio. Simply pay securely for 5 lessons and get a 6th full 1-hour lesson completely free! This is a limited offer so please don't miss out. More information here - [url="http://www.burnley-bass-lessons.com/offers/"]http://www.burnley-b...ons.com/offers/[/url] Thanks for taking a look!! :-) Scott.

[quote name='ikay' timestamp='1426599707' post='2719682'] Scott, like everyone else I'm interested in the SWB-1 but I'm a bit curious about how it balances on a strap. With such a short top horn the strap pin looks to be around the 17th fret compared with the 12th fret on a regular jazz type. Doesn't this make it a bit neck heavy and mean the reach to the lower frets feels much the same as playing a long scale? Will the production model have exactly the same body shape or do you have any thoughts to extend the top horn a bit? It looks great as it is, just wondering about the ergonomics. [/quote] [quote name='PlungerModerno' timestamp='1426601929' post='2719725'] I'm in the same boat as ikay - I like a lot about the SWB-1 design - especially the tone with those DiMarzios. However I have a question about the upper horn. If the SWB-1 is to produced at a modest cost - wood weight consistency will have to be more flexible than the Eastwood beaut. I know the look might be compromised, but a "long horn" or extended upper horn version, or option, might allow for lighter woods in the body (or greater ranges of body weights) without compromising either the ergonomics, fret access, or the instruments balance. My 2c. [/quote] I can see what you're thinking, but it does actual balance perfectly! :-) The main reason for this is that there's quite a lot of body behind the bridge compared to most basses and it's pretty wide here with no contouring (see pics here - https://plus.google.com/photos/101842369164677848079/albums/6127523475361234225). In fact I can honestly say the bass 'fits' and balances better than almost anything else I've owned! :-)

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1426542103' post='2719223'] So how close will the production model be to the "prototype"? I like the fact that it's not really like any of the traditional bass models. I would't be particularly bothered about the fancy top woods, but would definitely be interested in a model with the vibrato! [/quote] The cheaper end would be a solid alder or basswood painted or lacquered solid body. Higher up the range would be an ash body with maple cap. The 5-layer body on the hand made version would escalate costs too much and for me is more of an aesthetic thing tbh. I'm looking into alternative trem bridge options for those who'd like one fitted. The Kahler is fabulous but costs around £200!!

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1426441891' post='2718097'] Liked it. The SWB-1 looks good value. [/quote] Thanks! The hand-made model Brian Eastwood builds for £2,200 which is about right I think. However my real dream has been to have a 'Standard' version of the bass produced at a price pretty much [u]anyone can afford[/u], yet it still be a genuinely [u]professional-quality instrument[/u]. Brands like Farida have proved it's possible to achieve high quality at the right price but there's still not a 'modern', 'grown up' short scale available that fit's this bill (i.e. is a joy to play; doesn't look like a toy/kid's bass; has 24 frets; active electronics option; balances perfectly; sounds just as good as any long scale; isn't seen as a 'budget' brand but IS affordable!). The nearest I guess would be the Squier Short Scale Jaguar but some folks (sadly) will be put off by the 'it's not a proper Fender' thing (not me of course - I own a Jaguar lol). The Squier Mustangs, Broncos etc are fabulous little basses too but are essentially like small P-basses which don't fit the bill for everyone. Maybe a bold statement but I'm hoping to change that! :-)

Thanks very much for the likes. I'm really hoping to create a right little buzz about all things short scale lol!

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1426450165' post='2718184'] Liked! Noticed that the link to the website doesn't worked. Think there's an extra c in there. [/quote] Thanks for the heads-up!! :-)

I've recently made a start on a new Facebook page dedicated to Short Scale Basses! I've got a small collection myself now including a Fender Mustang, Fender Jazz Short Scale, Scott Whitley SWB-1, Kala Ubass, Squier Jaguar Short Scale, several Richwoods, a Revelation SG style bass etc. Over time I'll shoot video reviews of each of my basses & talk about the various pros of using short scale. Not a great deal on the page just now but probably worth 'liking' so you can follow it as things take shape. I'm also currently working on getting a Standard version of my SWB-1 produced at a starting price of £199 details of which will be posted on the Short Scale Bass page as they develop. Here's the link - https://www.facebook.com/shortscalebass Many thanks in advance for dropping by!! :-) Scott.

Just having a play about with my new Squier Jaguar fretless bass. The fingerboard was made for me by Brian Eastwood. The sound is just recorded using the camera's built in mic so not the best, but the bass's tone still comes though I think! :-) http://youtu.be/AGEiJnCUSOU

Just an update - I think the video is now playing again. Please give it another go :-) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdLabx79V2Y Many thanks, Scott.

Scott Whitley here! Really excited to announce that I now have a fab new teaching studio in Burnley with great facilities. There's my 1000 watt Warwick stack on hand, a good selection of basses, an active JBL pa system, fast PC with full internet access hooked up to the PA, printer, recording equipment, Also free car parking, hot & cold drinks/snacks available. I charge £20 per 1 hour lesson and am pretty handy if you live in Burnley, Nelson, Accrington, Colne, Blackburn, Barnoldswick, Earby and surrounding areas. PM or drop me an email on [email protected] for more information. :-) [url="http://www.burnley-bass-lessons.com"]www.burnley-bass-lessons.com[/url]

[quote name='Osiris' timestamp='1418475634' post='2630488'] Fantastic lessons, Scott. Very clear and easy to understand. And full marks for not going off on a needlessly flash 'look-what-I-can-do' moment or two like many of the on-line instructors tend to [/quote] Cheer Osiris! :-)

[quote name='philparker' timestamp='1418560866' post='2631136'] Great lesson, Scott ,you've made it very easy to follow and understand - I can't wait for lesson 3! [/quote] Thanks philparker! Won't be long with part 3!! :-)

[quote name='6feet7' timestamp='1418308748' post='2629014'] That's just made me decide to pack it all in. There I was quite happy playing root, 5th, 7th and now I see this knowing I'll never have the time (or ability) to get anywhere near it [/quote] I hope you joking! :-) Just in case you're not.... ...I've felt like that a LOT when I watch some of the players there are out there on YouTube etc. BUT I've come to accept (and enjoy) that we all have different aptitudes (keeping it bass related) for different aspects of playing and that's what makes us all different. All the time I hear other bassists and think, "I couldn't do that - ever", but I'll have a go, even if I get nowhere near! My understanding of jazz harmony for example is no-where near where I'd like it to be, but on the on the other hand I've seen one of the most accomplished jazz bassists in the country struggle to play 'That's Alright Mama' where I know I'd have nailed it! Honestly - keep doing and ENJOYING what you're doing! Try and stretch yourself by all means, but never give up - it's all about having fun. Some of the best bass playing, and music in general, is technically unbelievably simple - but it is steeped in emotion and conviction, that's where it's at!

Part 2!!! http://youtu.be/x_FctkjX5SQ

Hi basschatters! It's been a while as I've been touring a lot the past few months but back behind the camera now! :-D Here's part 2 of the 'Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick' bass lessons. Part 3 to follow very soon! Hope it 'works' for you :-) http://youtu.be/x_FctkjX5SQ