Andyjr1515 Posted April 14, 2018 Share Posted April 14, 2018 Hi Having borrowed Pete's piccolo bass for the SW Bass Bash and having not yet delivered the 6-string electric I've just finished for my sister-in-law, I had a once-off opportunity to photo the three related lightweight builds together. Here they are: Left to right: The piccolo bass designed and built for our band's bassist Pete. Tuned to guitar pitch but sounds much more like a bass. Multi scale from 25" to 26" Total playing weight 5 1/2lb The 6-string electric built for me. The piccolo was so comfortable to play and sounded so good, I thought I'd try a 6-string version for my own use. 25" scale Total playing weight just under 6lb The 6 string electric just finished for my sister in law. Slightly slimmer (they are all around 1" thick) and designed for full fret access and thumb anchor up to the 24th fret for playing lead. 25" scale Total playing weight 5 1/4lb They are all through neck and feature a convex top and concave back: Those who tried the piccolo at the bash will know that, although it is at guitar pitch, it doesn't sound at all like the bottom 4 strings of a 6-string...it very much has it's very own bassy sound. For the electric 6 strings, I was curious whether 'lightweight and thin' would affect tone at all so I lent the middle one to a number of regular giggers I know. The general consensus is that it cuts through just as well as any of the strats and Les Pauls they would usually be using. Not at all scientific, of course, but there is no apparent loss of clarity or gravitas. The new one on the right hand side of the pic sounds brighter acoustically, but exactly the same through an amp. They are, of course, much lighter on the neck strap than most electrics and when the guinea-pigs later strapped their normal guitars back on, they all reported thinking various combinations of 'WHAT THE ****??' And they were trying out the heavier one of the three It's been a great experiment that may well continue to evolve Andy 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted April 14, 2018 Share Posted April 14, 2018 Spectacular work as always Andy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted April 14, 2018 Author Share Posted April 14, 2018 15 minutes ago, gary mac said: Spectacular work as always Andy. Thanks, Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BreadBin Posted April 14, 2018 Share Posted April 14, 2018 Loved my little tryout of the piccolo Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted April 14, 2018 Share Posted April 14, 2018 All three look stunning mate!!!! I thought my Jazz bass was light at just under 7 1/4lb it must feel like you playing air being that light....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted April 14, 2018 Author Share Posted April 14, 2018 2 hours ago, BreadBin said: Loved my little tryout of the piccolo Andy Excellent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted April 14, 2018 Author Share Posted April 14, 2018 2 hours ago, Jimothey said: All three look stunning mate!!!! I thought my Jazz bass was light at just under 7 1/4lb it must feel like you playing air being that light....... Thanks, @Jimothey. It's certainly a bit of a shocker when I strap one of my other guitars on...espcially the 10 1/2lb Indie Les Paul! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W1_Pro Posted April 14, 2018 Share Posted April 14, 2018 Lovely work Andy. Are they all rub on finishes? I really like that six string you built for yourself. Nicely put together..;0) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted April 14, 2018 Share Posted April 14, 2018 Lovely work. Very impressive looking instruments. You’ve developed a really special signature shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share Posted April 15, 2018 15 hours ago, W1_Pro said: Lovely work Andy. Are they all rub on finishes? I really like that six string you built for yourself. Nicely put together..;0) Thanks, Stuart Yes - all basically wipe on: The piccolo bass is tru-oil slurry-and-buffed; the middle 6-string is Osmo Polyx wiped on and brushed on - this one is my first try at their 'glossy' version. Not so sure about that particular product (hence trying wipe and brush) although their satins and matts are excellent; the right hand 6-string is Ronseal Hardglazed wiped on . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share Posted April 15, 2018 16 hours ago, ped said: Lovely work. Very impressive looking instruments. You’ve developed a really special signature shape. Thanks, ped My next build (and maybe next two) will be back to the more conventional (but they will be basses!) but I will come back to these principles. The latest one, on the right in the picture actually, to my eyes, does look like a scaled down bass - which is interesting because it came about from purely practical requirements - so it would be nice to try a lightweight bass in the same style... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 1 hour ago, Andyjr1515 said: My next build (and maybe next two) will be back to the more conventional (but they will be basses!) Oooohh new builds coming up I’m excited already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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