eude

[quote name='LZD56' timestamp='1463484316' post='3051671'] I've also just seen the M Bass 500 Mini Head on their site, which also looks very nice. Not sure if it's shipping yet, but looks like they're taking orders. GAS!!! [/quote] I quite like the look of that too, however I think I'd prefer that front end with the back end of WoT's head Eude

[quote name='bassist_lewis' timestamp='1463483283' post='3051655'] I have a Callowhill MPB short scale 5 string and, to my ears, it's the best low B I've played. its one of the few Bs IME that's useable beyond the 4th fret. There's nothing special about the neck construction (one piece maple, maybe quartersawn?), the luthier said it was to do with angles at the bridge and nut. The only thing I've done is test a few gauges of low B (125, 130, 135) and, not surprisingly, the 135 was the best. [/quote] Hey mate, have you got any sound/video clips of the bass in use, especially the low B? Also, what strings are you using, have you gone custom, or are you going off the shelf? Cheers, Eude

[quote name='MacDaddy' timestamp='1463138963' post='3048898'] No examples, it's a bit of a leap of faith, but I trust Jon. The decals for the finish are coming from a custom car parts firm. I want a matt finish (with a black volume knob on a black strip) . The ramp will be a bit simpler, probably smaller, with the thumb rest part a tad nearer to the strings. [/quote] Nice one mate. I can see what you mean about the ramp. Having it feel a bit more like a regular pickup position would be more useful. Eude

Very cool mate, I'll be watching this one with interest! Any examples of how the finish will look? Oh, and what are you changing about the ramp? I think the current one looks pretty cool! Eude

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1462867288' post='3046316'] Am I right in thinking the longer the scale, the tighter the B? [/quote] Indeed, that's the basic physics of it, but there's lots of other things in play that can also effect it. A badly designed, assembled and setup 36" bass could end up having a worse low B than a 30" one in that respect. Eude

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1462795867' post='3045662'] Agreed. Also, I'm pretty sure the Ibanez production 33" scale bass (BTB33) is tuned E-C, so the low B wouldn't be applicable :-) So basically, if you want a nice 33" scale bass with a good low B, custom build is your only option! [/quote] Yup, I think you're probably right, however I wonder if anyone has tried stringing up that BTB33 with a low B? I'm fairly sure it'd be OK, but yeah a custom build would most likely be better. Eude

[quote name='Sammers' timestamp='1462782459' post='3045547'] Out of curiosity how do you string the B, through body or normal? OT: I've only ever played 1 5 string, my 35" Lull, and the B sounds good to me! I do find that the G sounds a little uneven though, so i'd like to try a 34" Lull to see how it compares. [/quote] Long scale gets the best out of low strings and shorter scale suits the higher strings, which is why the Novak(x?) Fanned Fret system makes so much sense, shame it's used to make such enormous basses! Having played some 35" and 36" basses, particularly on 6 string basses, the high C ends up pretty much unusable. Eude

[quote name='SICbass' timestamp='1462774367' post='3045491'] As you mention that, I was curious as to how viable a 33" or even 32" scale low B might be. Does anyone have any info/experiences to share here? [/quote] I've been playing 33" basses for a long ol' time now, and I've not found the low B to be any worse than on any 34" basses I've played. Part of it will be that you can't really get a 33" bass with a low B without getting one made by a proper luthier as a custom bass, so they're likely to always outperform any production line bass, although Ibanez do one now. The only slight issue is that some low B strings are wound a bit longer for long extra long scales and you can end up with a bit of the fully wound string on the tuning post, rather than just the tapered bit. Having said that though, it makes no difference to the playability and sound of the string, it's just a visual thing. I now also have a 31.5" 6 string bass, tuned B to C and the low B on it is ridiculous considering the scale length! It's not going to be as good as a 33", 34" or 35" low B, but it punches well above it's weight and is absolutely useable. Here's a quick sample I recorded just after I got the bass to demo the low B string >> https://soundcloud.com/eudeboy/low-b-noodle I've since swapped the 130 B for a taperwound 120 and the definition is even better, although I may split the difference and try a 125 next for a slightly better feel. [quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1462774767' post='3045498'] Does a different scale length make a fundamental difference to the quality of the B? If it doesn't then why bother making long scale basses? [/quote] Scale length does mate, it's certainly something that can be countered to a certain degree by a talented luthier, but you can't defy physics. The other issue is strings, almost all string manufacturers make strings to suit 34" and 35" basses, certainly when you're talking about low B strings. Not so much of an issue on a 33" bass, but if you go much shorter you can encounter issues. My 31.5" 6 string has strings custom wound by Newtone, to try and get the feel of a 34" scale on the shorter scale, using heavier cores. I have to add though, I have tried some regular strings on the bass and they felt pretty darned good, so if Newtone weren't able to make me strings any more it would not be a deal breaker. Callowhill make short scale 5 and 6 string basses which are incredibly well received and he strings them up with regular scale Dunlops. A lot more luthiers are building shorter scale instruments with extended ranges these days, but I imagine it'll take a VERY long time before it would become mainstream, if ever. Cheers, Eude

[quote name='Bass Culture' timestamp='1462529346' post='3043765'] We also had a discussion about a blend as this will be a passive bass and I wanted to avoid the dual volume approach in favour of a master volume. Mike was saying there would likely be a volume drop in the centre position if we installed a blend, which could be avoided with a simpler, three way, rotary selector to give bridge/both/neck. However this doesn't really do it for me as I tend to favour the bridge pickup with a touch of neck added in to give the tone some depth and a bit more weight. Anyway, we kicked this ball around for a while before eventually hit upon a potential solution which Mike thinks might be do-able by employing a 5-way selector instead of the 3-way. I'm crossing my fingers... [/quote] If you're not adverse to having a battery, I know John East has a solution, using an active blend, but keeping the rest of the signal chain passive. Might be worth shooting him an email? Merton has one in his ACG Finn 5er. Eude

[quote name='keefbaker' timestamp='1462528243' post='3043752'] I dropped interest at singlecut. I've no idea why but I can never get past singlecut, I just don't like that look. [/quote] I guess it can't get more Marmite than a singlecut headless short scale!

[quote name='project_c' timestamp='1462480693' post='3043480'] That's a 4 string But yeah, very nice regardless of that, the design makes a lot more sense without a headstock. I do think the only reason Fodera put a headstock on that bass is to accommodate the d-tuner. [/quote] I think you're right. Personally, I don't mind the mini headstock on the Fodera. How about short(ish) scale, 31.5"? Here's my 6 string, not quite as compact, but it does fit in a guitar gigbag... [url="https://www.instagram.com/p/_YgLzosaTO/?taken-by=eudeboy"]https://www.instagra...aken-by=eudeboy[/url] Eude

[quote name='project_c' timestamp='1462474388' post='3043393'] Not a short scale though. Medium maybe. Looks nice, sure. [/quote] OK, well how about this one?... http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/portfolio/0233-border-reiver-4-for-sale/

I'm just going to leave this here... http://www.acguitars.co.uk/acg_admin/wordpress/portfolio/0241-border-reiver-5/ Eude

[quote name='Merton' timestamp='1461060360' post='3030979'] Do it, or wait for the Merton Signature Ashdown which I think I may have sold to Mark Gooday enough yesterday.... [/quote] I repeat, we're all doomed!

[quote name='Matt P' timestamp='1461057999' post='3030956'] when I checked the prices and used google to convert it they ran about £480 ish (give or take a bit) pretty sure it's under 500 though (plus a bit for shipping I guess) I think my piggy bank is definitely in danger! Time to try it out I think! Matt [/quote] Oh dear, we're all doomed! DOOMED! Eude

[quote name='Matt P' timestamp='1461057152' post='3030940'] The last one for me, but with the black faceplate surround, is it possible to have a footswitch for the drive? Matt [/quote] Same for me, although I like the side mounted handle. Their bloomin website is STILL down! How much do these run for again mate? Eude