Short scale basses: "So good" or "no good"??

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Re: Short scale basses: "So good" or "no good"??

Post by Nelson Instruments »

Yup my two scale lengths or basses are 33.25" and 30.5".

I'm currently refining the Paramount bass a bit but that's my long scale neck-through bass. I have the new Coquette bass which can be had in either scale and there is a nice full sized semi hollow bass, I'll be making a prototype for a Cosmonaut bass which will be a solid body bolt neck, and I'm thinking of doing a dedicated smaller short scale bass and possibly making it in a more affordable solid body set- neck and a fancier semi hollow set neck.
I think with those 4 offerings I'll have a strong lineup in the realm of basses.
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Re: Short scale basses: "So good" or "no good"??

Post by ChetMagongalo »

blindrabbit wrote:33" is the ideal scale for me, I'll only play 32" or 33" now. Less than 32" just feels too short, and over 33" (well, 33.25" is allowed...) isn't comfortable either.

If you make basses in this scale range, you're going on my list for future consideration. :)
you wouldn't regret it, I love my paramount bass. I prefer it to all the rics i've played, and it looks cooler :) Bobby's pickups sounds amazing so you're probably good with any model you would potentially choose. I had a very long but great experience buying a bass from Bobby.
Nelson Instruments wrote:Yup my two scale lengths or basses are 33.25" and 30.5".

I'm currently refining the Paramount bass a bit but that's my long scale neck-through bass. I have the new Coquette bass which can be had in either scale and there is a nice full sized semi hollow bass, I'll be making a prototype for a Cosmonaut bass which will be a solid body bolt neck, and I'm thinking of doing a dedicated smaller short scale bass and possibly making it in a more affordable solid body set- neck and a fancier semi hollow set neck.
I think with those 4 offerings I'll have a strong lineup in the realm of basses.
What are you changing on the Paramount?
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Re: Short scale basses: "So good" or "no good"??

Post by Nelson Instruments »

Thanks for the comments regarding your bass!
I do apologize for the extended delay you experienced. Really it all comes back to cash flow. When sales are slow the money just isn't there to have a batch of parts made etc.
BUT looking forward I am finding ways to get rid of that problem and keep wait times reasonable.

As for what I am changing let me explain the story behind the paramount.
That bass was designed by me and a friend who is a graphics guy (and my web developer). We drew it in his computer and played with the shape until we thought it looked good.
We scaled the image and I printed it off to make patterns/ templates.


This is that first batch of basses. Seeing something on a screen and then building it/holding it are different experiences.
So the changes I'm making are two- fold. Some details I've decided are a pain to deal with in the building process.
A couple details I've decided I wanted to refine just to give it a bit more of a polished look.

So the changes are minor tweaks to the outline of the body, some edge contours for added comfort, and I'm toying with the idea of a side mounted jack.

I'm also tinkering with the idea of finding a way to use the tailpiece I designed for the new Coquette bass. Doing that would mean raising the fingerboard up off the body a bit so I'll need to figure out how high I could raise that wihout making the strings too high.
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Re: Short scale basses: "So good" or "no good"??

Post by DarkAxel »

ChetMagongalo wrote:
blindrabbit wrote:33" is the ideal scale for me, I'll only play 32" or 33" now. Less than 32" just feels too short, and over 33" (well, 33.25" is allowed...) isn't comfortable either.

If you make basses in this scale range, you're going on my list for future consideration. :)
you wouldn't regret it, I love my paramount bass. I prefer it to all the rics i've played, and it looks cooler :) Bobby's pickups sounds amazing so you're probably good with any model you would potentially choose. I had a very long but great experience buying a bass from Bobby.
could you please start a more detailed thread about your bass? with photos etc.? :) :hug:
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Re: Short scale basses: "So good" or "no good"??

Post by kbit »

I also vote for a thread, Chet :thumb:
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Re: Short scale basses: "So good" or "no good"??

Post by ChetMagongalo »

Okay, I could write up some stuff and take pics, send me a pm of all the questions you have so we don't have to derail the thread :)
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Re: Short scale basses: "So good" or "no good"??

Post by DarkAxel »

Nah dude, tell us a story :hug: General info, what was the process like, how it plays, sounds... let your excitement fly though
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Re: Short scale basses: "So good" or "no good"??

Post by Nelson Instruments »

Well I can chime in on the process. It took far longer than it should have due to slow sales/poor cash flow on my end.
That caused a bottle neck where it was impossible to get the pickguards and other parts made.
(I'm happy to report that I'm just about caught up on everyone's orders and moving forward)
This bass wasn't specially ordered but was selected from some instruments I had alreay built but was waiting to finish.
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Re: Short scale basses: "So good" or "no good"??

Post by Chuckchuck »

Answer: so good.
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Re: Short scale basses: "So good" or "no good"??

Post by GardenoftheDead »

Personally i like the idea of them because my wrists are a fucking disaster
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Re: Short scale basses: "So good" or "no good"??

Post by Chuckchuck »

Try a violin bass. Tiny necks,light, very easy to play.
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Re: Short scale basses: "So good" or "no good"??

Post by Chankgeez »

Good for playing Reggae:

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Re: Short scale basses: "So good" or "no good"??

Post by theAntihero »

My bassist has used it for rock a lot too.
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Re: Short scale basses: "So good" or "no good"??

Post by Chuckchuck »

Said John Lennon.
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Re: Short scale basses: "So good" or "no good"??

Post by theAntihero »

Paul McCartney maybe?

He's used it for heavier stuff then the Beatles too though
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