Short scale/ tuning Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive: 2003 » Archive through April 29, 2003 » Short scale/ tuning « Previous Next »

Author Message
carlos shilinsky (shilinsky)
Junior
Username: shilinsky

Post Number: 17
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2003 - 2:54 pm:   Edit Post


Due to the short scale of the Stanley Clarke, Im wondering if this bass comes as a normal bass(E A D G ) or as a tenor bass (A D G C).

Thanks
Jonathan Johnstone (stoney)
Intermediate Member
Username: stoney

Post Number: 141
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Wednesday, April 02, 2003 - 8:27 am:   Edit Post

All of them that I have had (3) come tuned standard EADG. However, if you're having one made and want the tenor tuning, you might want to inform Alembic so they can tweek the neck at set-up.

Stoney
Mica Wickersham (mica)
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 808
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Wednesday, April 02, 2003 - 1:10 pm:   Edit Post

4-string basses are all supplied with standard E A D G tuning unless otherwise requested at the time of order.
Michael Walker (rockandroller)
Junior
Username: rockandroller

Post Number: 49
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 6:24 am:   Edit Post

Has Alembic ever built a short scale B - E - A - D ??


Bob Novy (bob)
Junior
Username: bob

Post Number: 38
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 6:48 pm:   Edit Post

Hmmm... I'm certainly not in a position to say whether they've ever "built" one, but I think I can give you a few things to think about.

The only things that would really be different in terms of construction would be the width of the grooves in the nut and the bridge saddles, to accomodate the larger strings.

Sure, the neck setup might need tweaking, but that's more dependent on the brand and gauges of the strings you choose to use - assuming same brand and range of gauges, the EAD are going to be the same tension whether you string it BEAD or EADG, right?

I suspect the biggest issue is whether you could actually find a string to use for the B, that wouldn't be incredibly floppy. My guess is you probably won't find one short enough to have just the nice tapered bit wrapped around the tuning post, but even if you're willing to live with that I suspect you won't be able to get playable tension with anything being sold today.

(Others should jump in here if I'm mistaken, of course.)

If you haven't already done so, you might want to use the Search function to look for previous discussions on either short or medium scale instruments and strings - I think there was some talk about this a while back for mediums, at least.
Valentino Villevieille (valvil)
Moderator
Username: valvil

Post Number: 121
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 7:12 pm:   Edit Post

I don't know if Alembic ever built a short scale 4 string with BEAD tuning, but I do know that they built at least one short scale 6 string tuned BEADGC. Here's the link: http://www.alembic.com/info/FC_buckeye.html
Michael Walker (rockandroller)
Junior
Username: rockandroller

Post Number: 50
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Monday, April 07, 2003 - 11:09 am:   Edit Post

I had a short-scale (30.0 inch) set up to "contrabass" once (about 20 years ago!) and it wasnt "floppy" with a .130 B string installed. I cant remember what brand of string it was, probably a rotosound.
Daniel Tracey (dannobasso)
Junior
Username: dannobasso

Post Number: 42
Registered: 7-2002
Posted on Monday, April 07, 2003 - 1:14 pm:   Edit Post

I just had my 83 Spoiler refinished in black and set up BEAD. Plays well, sounds great. Just recorded with it and the F1X into protools. Whatever they set it up with is what I played. Even after 20 years of beating and a new set up, the refinish was fantastic and the bass was like new. Prompted me to order an new bass with Spoiler guts. Order now before the price increase!
carlos shilinsky (shilinsky)
Junior
Username: shilinsky

Post Number: 18
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 11:06 pm:   Edit Post

Hey Mike (Rockandroller), You´re telling about a contrabass set up,i notice the same term in the anthony jackson contrabass (fodera), but what does that mean?
Michael Walker (rockandroller)
Member
Username: rockandroller

Post Number: 51
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 9:25 am:   Edit Post

well, what it means to me is a 4 string bass thats tuned a fourth lower than normal (B E A D)

I'm not sure if thats the 'classical' use of the term, but thats what i think of when i hear contrabass...

You might check out http://www.contrabass.com for their take on all things bassy...
bigbass
New
Username: bigbass

Post Number: 3
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Sunday, April 20, 2003 - 11:33 am:   Edit Post

With reguards to low B strings on short scale basses, I own a fretless Stanley Clarke six string-late 80's vintage. Hearsay says this is one of two they ever made. Got a very old set (perhaps the original set) of Ken Smith strings that I have boiled at least six times on this instrument. While acoustically the bass may not have as much definition on the B string as my 36" series II, plugged into a serious amp, one would have to look twice to tell the difference between the two basses.

Alembic is about to ship back my short scale SC after getting a new fingerboard (I played it hard) and LED's. Wonder if Mica can get a shot or two of this on this site before it goes out?
palembic
Advanced Member
Username: palembic

Post Number: 381
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Monday, April 21, 2003 - 1:06 am:   Edit Post

Hythere Bigbass,

a SS SC six (6!) string¿?¿?
Wew.
I really like to see that one too!

Paul

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration