Owen Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 Due to my truly stellar woodworking skills I fancy building a short scale Rob Allen Mouse-esque headless 5 string. One of those those statments is not true. Anyway, never one to let details get in my way, I know that there are a few shorter scale 5 strings around. The RA Mouse (a 4 string) is 30". Has anyone any experience of a 30" B? I'm guessing it would be way too floppy and I am wondering perhaps about a 31" or 32". Comments? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count Bassy Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 I also fancy building a medium scale 5 string headless, with 16 - 17mm spacing, but I don't suppose it'll ever happen. There was a steinberger spirit on Ebay a few weeks ago and had everything I wanted except for the scale length. (I did think about buying it and lopping the top two frets off). I don't have the woodworking skills so it'd have to be mostly CNC for me. Besides if I messed one up I could mod the program and knock out another - and if I didn't mess up I could knock out a headless version as well. I'd probably want to use the individual tuning bridge pieces, like status use, but wouldn't know where to get them. Landing make a 32" 5 string and Birdsong make a 30.5" fiver, but I've never tried one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 [quote name='owen' post='685906' date='Dec 15 2009, 11:32 PM']Due to my truly stellar woodworking skills I fancy building a short scale Rob Allen Mouse-esque headless 5 string. One of those those statments is not true. Anyway, never one to let details get in my way, I know that there are a few shorter scale 5 strings around. The RA Mouse (a 4 string) is 30". Has anyone any experience of a 30" B? I'm guessing it would be way too floppy and I am wondering perhaps about a 31" or 32". Comments?[/quote] Just a thought... How about an inventive compromise? Like this... Double Bass with a low C extension on the E & preset Capos. Just an E capo ought to be enough provided it doesn't foul your hand when disengaged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 So not just woodworking then - Owen also needs an MSc in Engineering! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted December 16, 2009 Author Share Posted December 16, 2009 I think that the considered response should have been "Owen, it's late and you are obviously tired and you have not though this whole thing through. Given your total lack of woodworking skills you might as well go and light a fire with £20 notes. Get a grip on yourself" This thread is now defunkt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul h Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 I would like to build a hollowbody, shortscale three string with an onboard distortion circuit thingy. I can barely dress myself without hitting my thumb with a hammer so it's not really likely to happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 IME getting a decent low B is more about construction of the bass than the scale length. However, I notice that Rob Allen doesn't actually offer a 5-string version of the Mouse 30 Bass, and the 5-string versions of his other models are 35" scale. Birdsong do a 31" 5-string, but they are specialists in the production of short-scale basses. Therefore in theory it can be done. Although as a first build by someone who confesses to have limited woodworking skills, I suspect that you may be disappointed by the end result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tait Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 shuker course? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted December 16, 2009 Share Posted December 16, 2009 [quote name='BigRedX' post='686094' date='Dec 16 2009, 10:53 AM']IME getting a decent low B is more about construction of the bass than the scale length. However, I notice that Rob Allen doesn't actually offer a 5-string version of the Mouse 30 Bass, and the 5-string versions of his other models are 35" scale. Birdsong do a 31" 5-string, but they are specialists in the production of short-scale basses. Therefore in theory it can be done. Although as a first build by someone who confesses to have limited woodworking skills, I suspect that you may be disappointed by the end result.[/quote] Yes I've read some good reports on the Birdsong 5 string (all on their website I might add ). They use a weird string through fixing for the low B that folds it back on itself. I'm not sure what difference it makes in the real world but they've patented it so I guess it must have some effect. The major problem with most short scales is they're either cheapest of the cheap budget basses or quirky relics from a bygone era like Gibson EBs, so the average short scale will always be a bit 'challenging' soundwise. All Birdsong have done is built well made, nicely specced basses that happen to be short scale, proving the wood and pickups count as much as the scale length - I'm surprised nobody did it before. I'm looking at building a couple semi hollow basses with a 31" scale once I've finished my current project - I might just try a low B.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixingwithtom Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 re the Birdsong 5str ... I think the string folding back on itself is to do with Compliance (or perceived tension to the player?) but would be ace to hear if anyone has tried one or knows any more. Main thing I can't get my head around is why they do that with the B but not across the board, I would have thought the extra tension would help on all 5 strings but suppose it depends what you're going for ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 Kubicki Factor bass - didn't that have an extra 2 frets on the E-string that you could bring into play with a cunning lever? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertbass Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 Get one of these and give it a go. I did and it's easier than you might think. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Make-Your-Own-Electric-Guitar/dp/0953104907 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.gif.9ad672bb8b84505709f76b39c8c256ec.gif)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.