string length lengthening in relation to the D

[Tomas Bouda]

i have a half sized bass with a removeable neck, i want the string length to be longer than what it is right now - its 38.5" - and i wish it was at least 40".
lots of questions here. if i inserted a shim into the neck block, how would it affect the placement of the D on the G string, in terms of the heel of the neck?

[Arnold Schnitzer]

The D note is at 1/3 the string length. So, figure out your new string length, and mark the fingerboard at 1/3 of that. See where it lays under your hand.

[Calvin Marks]

Hey Tomas, considering that the bass already has a removable neck (I hope it's not the Chandler though), why don't you just get a new neck made? It's going to be expensive but I don't really see how else you could increase the string length? I've DECREASED the length on one of my basses and that was easy, I just had a small false nut made and then moved the bridge up accordingly, so all the notes lay in the same spot.

It's not like you can move the nut further back and if you move the bridge further down it will shift all the notes down accordingly.

You're a big guy, you should be playing on 41" minimum.

[Tomas Bouda]

thanks arnold - seriously, a gem.

[Calvin Marks]

So, is this the Chandler bass you posted about earlier?

[Tomas Bouda]

yes, this is a peter chandler bass. this bass is awesome because it is so small and light. i have been suffering from both a slipped disc and sciatica for nearly the past 6 months. this little bass means the world to me in that i can travel with it unlike my full sized bass, which is a great deal heavier. my only complaint is that i wished the string length was more similar to my other bass, so that switching back and forth wouldn't be so offensively difficult.

awesome√

[Calvin Marks]

It must be pretty amazing to have a bass with a removable neck, is that how you usually travel with it? Why not get another neck made? It's going to be expensive but probably worth it in the long run. You can still keep the other neck as well. I remember this bass had some structural problems - ie. the top was caving in; is that still an issue?

It's not to say that there aren't people out there that play with that short a string length but they're few and far between in the professional classical scene. One of the Principal bassists in a major U.S. orchestra uses an old lovely Italian bass with a 39" string length. That bass sounds incredible and HE'S incredible so I think it works for him.

I personally haven't found anything under 41" that can really belt out the low notes clearly, but I'm sure there are wonderfully built old basses out there that accomplish this task well.

[Tomas Bouda]

yes, i use this bass while traveling. it comes in an awesome roadcase that is built by the same company that built the stanley cup's case. not only that, i don't have a hatchback, so the box fits nicely in my volvo's trunk! again, i only want to have a longer string length because i don't want to have to re-learn bass every time i switch back and forth. yes, the bassbar is coming off, which caused the top to sink in a little bit under the bridge. it will get fixed and it will be killer!

[Calvin Marks]

Hmmm, well if you like the sound/feel of the shorter string length then have you considered shortening your other basses string length? That would be an easier procedure that trying to lengthen your current one. Then again, your big bass could sound terrible with the short length.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Charles Stark

Hmmm, well if you like the sound/feel of the shorter string length then have you considered shortening your other basses string length? That would be an easier procedure that trying to lengthen your current one. Then again, your big bass could sound terrible with the short length.

Really? Changing it either way is the same more or less depending on by how much and to what degree of 'permanent' or 'invisible' you want the job to look.

I suggest that to get the best and REAL answers for YOU the Poster asking that you consult the actual Person/Bass Luthier 'specialist' that HAS done this before and will be doing your bass.

[Tomas Bouda]

thanks! that certainly is wise advice!