| Author | Message | ||
| adimanto
Junior Username: adimanto Post Number: 15 Registered: 5-2008 |
hi there i'm Alan from italy,i'm lefty sigh  ,i'm plan to buy an alembic soon,but i have to choose between balance k or brown bass,i have never tried a small scale,it's similiar to play as a normal bass?i need special strings?it sound deep like a normal bass,help me!i have fear of the short scale! | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 1446 Registered: 6-2002 |
I believe the short scale is 30.75", the same as a Guild Starfire or Gibson EB2. It's still in the same register as a Fender or long (longer) scale instrument. I played a Guild Starfire for many years, nobody ever accused me of sounding thin or "tinny". Try one at a store. If your hands are smaller, you'll appreciate the shorter scale, it's a much easier reach than 34" or more. Also the balance K is a body style, and could be ordered with a short scale neck. The "Brown Bass" typically means an Alembic small standard body with a walnut top and neck laminates and a short scale neck, like Stanley's Alembics. Mike | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2029 Registered: 6-2002 |
HI Admanto, I have both long scale and short scale basses from alembic and to me the difference in the length of the neck does not feel great. There is less string tension on the short scale so they are a bit more flexible and smaller frets make it easier to play. You do need short scale strings for basses which I have only been able to order on-line. As for the sound, I think my short scale bass has a richer sound than my other alembics and the deep bass sound seems more powerful than the E string on any of my long scale basses. Overall I prefer the sound of my SC short scale signature bass to any of the others. Short in scale length does not mean short in sound. Jazzyvee | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 638 Registered: 11-2006 |
Hi Adimanto, I live in Geneva, Svizzera, I have all what you need. Come and try it, feel the difference but... I'm righty | ||
| slammin
Member Username: slammin Post Number: 51 Registered: 10-2009 |
I think the biggest difference besides the frets being closer together, which btw is probably not too hard to get used to (wasn't for me) and I have 34" and 35" basses, is the string tension. Do not underestimate the fact that lower string tension can affect not only your sound, but more importantly, it will have an effect on the way you HAVE to play the instrument. As you adjust your playing technique to the shorter scale, you might be amazed at the new dynamics you are able to get out of your bass. You really cannot play a 32" bass with the same force you would play a 35". This is assuming you like low action and have your basses setup with low action. I love my 32" Persuader and am saving up for my 30" dream base! Alembic, of course. I love stretching notes. I probably over-do it sometimes, but I am so looking forward to 30" scale! | ||
| xlrogue6
Intermediate Member Username: xlrogue6 Post Number: 171 Registered: 8-2002 |
Set up a Stanley Deluxe for a customer yesterday. Man, that thing was too much fun. The E string on an Alembic short scale is unlike the E on any other short scale bass I've played. Most short scales have a kind of middy, floppy sounding low register--not the Alembic. Fat, tight, and present are the words that come to mind. Not sure if I'd want a short scale as my primary axe, but I'd sure like to give it a try. Too bad my bank balance won't facilitate that... | ||
| dlbydgtl
Member Username: dlbydgtl Post Number: 90 Registered: 7-2008 |
Anybody use a 5 string short scale that they could comment on? Really struggling with my next Alembic body shape. I like the s.c. body shape but, concerned about low b on neck length. Thanks. John | ||
| benson_murrensun
Advanced Member Username: benson_murrensun Post Number: 307 Registered: 5-2007 |
FWIW, I can tell the difference in tension of the low B string between a 34" scale and a 35" scale. I would imagine that a short scale (30") low B would tend to be really floppy. When I play the 34" scale I pluck the B string closer to the bridge so it feels tighter. | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1209 Registered: 11-2004 |
I am going to completely expose my ignorance here, but oh well I've never owned a bass that wasn't a 34" or 35" scale. Aren't the short scale strings designed differently to address the shorter scale? I figured that as a result, the tension of short scale strings on a short scale neck would be roughly similar to what you'd expect to find on a medium or long scale neck. please educate me. | ||
| adimanto
Junior Username: adimanto Post Number: 16 Registered: 5-2008 |
seem that i have started an interesting question!i feel my self much more clear to the question,what do you think about the way to buy a right handed small body and turn it upside down for a lefty?it's expensive to do,and difficult to do? we have to change birdge tail pice and nut ....info please and suggestion,mica probably could answer,thank you | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 9453 Registered: 5-2002 |
I would think that having your left arm resting on the controls would be a bit of a problem. | ||
| crgaston
Senior Member Username: crgaston Post Number: 601 Registered: 11-2005 |
Hi Toby! Tension at a specific pitch and scale length is a function of the mass of the string between the bridge and nut. So to get the same tension with a short-scale you would have to use more massive strings. So string construction methods and alloys play a part in addition to string gauge. An easy and obvious example of this is steel vs. nylon guitar strings. Practically, though, I can't make any observations about who has the highest-tension short-scale strings. I use Pyramid Gold flats on my short-scale and they sound and feel fantastic, but haven't really compared them to anything else. Also I would confirm the observation that short scale basses have plenty of bottom. If anything, you lose some of the upper harmonic content compared to a 34" or 35" scale. | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1211 Registered: 11-2004 |
Thanks Charles- that's about what I thought, but you helped clarify things for me. I've been meaning to shoot you an email lately- just haven't gotten around to it. Hope all is well. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2031 Registered: 6-2002 |
Benson_murrensun, I would imagine if someone had a 5 string short scale it would be tuned E to high C rather than B to G for that very reason. Jazzyvee | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 799 Registered: 1-2005 |
And I would be one of those people! I bought a Stanley Clarke 5-string with the intention of converting it to E-C tuning. Here's my showcase thread, with links near the top to earlier threads that might give some indirect insight into 30" scale low-B strings. I think that Alembic may not offer them anymore... As far as converting a righty-bass to lefty, you might want to check out Mica's comments in this thread. | ||
| rusty_the_scoob
Junior Username: rusty_the_scoob Post Number: 50 Registered: 6-2008 |
I played my new shortscale Starfire reissue at my gig on Saturday and loved it. It sounded huge on stage and is very expressive. The band loved it too. Huge bottom, and getting enough top end is no problem too. I'm a shortscale convert after 13 years of nothing but 34". | ||
| adimanto
Junior Username: adimanto Post Number: 17 Registered: 5-2008 |
hi pierre my moyher also from switzerland,solothurn ,biberist,we can meet if you wnat! | ||
| adimanto
Junior Username: adimanto Post Number: 18 Registered: 5-2008 |
a short scale or not a short scale... i have to say that that sound amazing me,but i', afraid to make the wrong choose,30.75 or 34 mmmm that's the question...someone have say to me that the small body have problem of balance and neck dive,is this true? | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 803 Registered: 1-2005 |
I haven't experienced any neckdive problems with mine - I use a thick Alembic leather strap. I find it very comfortable:  The previous owner also said he thought the balance was fine both standing and sitting. Mine is a 5-string, but I don't think the difference would be significant. Wait for some more responses... While I'm at it, thought I'd post some soundclips: bass & turntable jam isolated bass track - both tracks through MXR M-82 bass envelope filter another bass & turntable jam - played with a pick and a video played fingerstyle (Message edited by hieronymous on July 22, 2010) (Message edited by hieronymous on July 22, 2010) | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 601 Registered: 1-2008 |
I have a short scale SC, medium scale Spoiler, and long scale SI. I prefer the short and medium scale: you can really motor scooter around on them. The neck dive issue depends on the body style... it's a problem with a small body (SC), but wouldn't be an issue with a body style incorporating a longer upper horn. You learn to make adjustments which will compensate for the neck dive, but it's there. I have the same issue with my Standard Point Series I (they have a short upper horn as well). If/When I ever have one built, I'll go with a short or medium scale with a Balance K body. | ||
| pierreyves
Senior Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 642 Registered: 11-2006 |
hi adimanto, I did a proposition, did you read it ? | ||
| svlilioukalani
Member Username: svlilioukalani Post Number: 75 Registered: 6-2008 |
Something to consider when looking for a short scale Alembic is the string spacing. I never had a problem with the shorter neck. It just makes it easier to get around. I never found that big of an issue with string tension. Yet there is a difference. Complicated right hand techniques, are much more difficult with the tighter string spacing. For a pick player this may be an acet. But it’s difficult to double thumb when the strings are too close together. I only use my Persuader Vector, 32 inch scale, for studio work. Of all my 24 basses I like its sound the most. But I can’t funk on it as well as the others Alembics. Don’t fear the short scale. I have 8 of em. Fear the bad sounding Basses Like the basses that gave the short scale basses a bad name. Exambles I own of this are the Gibson EB-0, stock fender Mustang or Musicmaster, or old Guild basses. On a side note, would new or better tone pots save the dead muddy sound of a Gibson EB-O? | ||
| adriaan
Moderator Username: adriaan Post Number: 2547 Registered: 6-2002 |
As far as I'm aware, string spacing will be the same for long, medium or short scale. If you do a lot of slapping, the comfort taper option(vs. classic taper) probably best suits your requirements. We have seen the odd Alembic with extremely narrow string spacing. | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 602 Registered: 1-2008 |
I love that 6 string Spoiler. It's one of the 1st instruments I really lusted after when I first joined the Club. I think Danno has a similar instrument. I wonder how the "B" feels on a 32"? Going back to the small bodied short scale: in addition to neck dive, mine "hangs" nearly upside-down if I take my hands off of it. I've thought about somehow weighting the rear strap button area. All that being said... I love the bass. Hell, I have a tattoo of it on my arm!!! http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30752435&l=cc7aae66cf&id=1617812050 | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 1280 Registered: 3-2004 |
The b is fine. You find that when you play shorter scales you can really fly. Alembic can do whatever scale and width you want. I traded my SC deluxe but I have Alembics in 31, 32 and 34 scale with al types of spacing and can move rather easily between them. Here an even narrower spacing. http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/12244.html?1259637800 | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 604 Registered: 1-2008 |
That's the one... do you still have that bass? | ||
| dannobasso
Senior Member Username: dannobasso Post Number: 1281 Registered: 3-2004 |
Yep. had it since 87. Play it in rotation at home, not black enough for my gigs. | ||
| mike1762
Senior Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 606 Registered: 1-2008 |
LOL!!! It's a beauty. 2 guys at a music store (actual conversation): 1st guy: Hey man, what kind of guitar do you play? 2nd guy: Red. | ||
| dlbydgtl
Member Username: dlbydgtl Post Number: 92 Registered: 7-2008 |
Very cool! Thanks for the input. someday i hope i can meet one of you with a 5 string short scale so, i can try it out; if you would be so kind. lol John Mike. A drummer and a bass player both get in the same cab. who's the musician? .... The cab driver (not a True story.) btw i decided upon another 34" scale. (Message edited by dlbydgtl on July 26, 2010) |
