Hi
Those who have followed some of my other build threads will know that our old-gits-band's bassist is a bit odd, in that he keeps asking me to make him various instruments. I can only think it's some sort of Ponzi-type of pyramid selling scam !
Anyway, what he's asked me to build him is a piccolo bass.
Have any idea what one of those is? No - nor did I. And then I found out that there are a number of interpretations as to what one is:
- A full sized bass with special strings allowing them to be tuned to the same pitch as the bottom 4 strings of an electric
- An electric guitar-sized bass, dropped down to bass guitar pitch
- A four string electric guitar - EADG
After lots of confused and confusing discussions, I've established that it's that last one which Pete is actually after
So here is what I'm going to build him:
This is going to be the spec, as far as I've got:
- a tear-drop 'f' hole with a routed chamber in the rear upper bout.
- 24 to 25" (or something in that general range...maybe 25 to 26) scale fanned fretted
- The above bookmatched walnut top, left natural
- Through neck, probably maple, with central dark centre splice
- Not sure yet about the top carve. Maybe just a smooth, shallow curve
- Individual bridge anchors (pretty essential with the fan fretting). The above normal bridge is just a 'bits drawer' one to give a feel of the look
- 4 string - EADG at electric guitar pitch (ie 1 octave higher than a bass)
- Probably a conventional pickup of some sort (still to be determined) but set well forward, jazz-style.
The fretboard - which I'm sure is going to be a pig to do - is going to use this piece of snakewood I've been saving for the right project:
Wish me luck, folks...I think I'm going to need it!
Andy
Comments
Stanley Clarke is the only player I associate with the piccolo bass. Option one in your list for him.
Your build is quite close to being a tenor guitar, the Eastwood Warren Ellis one is the only commercially available electric one that I know of, 23" scale so probably not tuned EADG. There's a single pickup and a double pickup version.
This one will be pitched exactly the same as an electric (bottom 4 strings only) but hopefully with a smoother warmer tone
I enjoy your builds...
Don't you just hate that!
After doing a bit of a series of full-size basses, this feels SO small. It is actually quite a bit smaller than a standard 6 string body so it will be interesting to see if I end up with any neck-heavy tendencies!
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
The scale is going to be 26" at the bass side and 25" at the treble and 24 frets. With one change, this is broadly what I have planned:
The change is that, because there is plenty of room at the back of the bridge, I will make the angle at the nut a touch less acute and have a greater angle at the bridge.
This has allowed me to cut the side profiles for the through-neck splices. Here are the main components:
And it's never too early for a mockup! :
Pete might find the mahogany wings a bit uncomfortable, but I can always chamfer them
The ebony faceplate isn't probably going to happen. I'll decide when the neck and fretboard are slimmed down to final sizes.
I've decided to go for a single SD Cool Rails in the neck position, by the way - while it's heavily mid-toned it gets a thumbs up from many of the Jazz players in the various specialist forums - and flatwound strings. I'll probably also wire it up 50's style to get the interaction of the tone and volume pots.
Next job is gluing the neck blanks and planing down the mahogany wings...