Decisions

[Melissa Washburn]

Hello all!
I am new to the forum and am looking for advice (who isn't here right?). I am new to the bass world. Started about 8 months ago. Purchased a '48 Kay Junior Bass. I am only 4'11" thus the reason for a small bass. The purchase was very hasty and I realized after bringing her home that it had major issues and a local luthier asked me if it were at all possible to get my money back. A few days later my sweetheart found a 1/4 size Corelli and gave it to me for my Birthday. It was used but looks brand new but the sound is just not to my liking. Too quiet, due to the size and/or quality. Englehardt seems to be what people like around where I am at. However, I have some questions. I have been around and played enough music with this instrument and others to know that spending a few extra bucks to get a good instrument is so worth it. Especially if it's something that I can grow into with experience. So...tell me about 1/2 size basses and who makes good ones as I am not sure I will get what I am looking for in a 1/4. I was checking out the 3/4 Englehardts and New Americans. The ES-1 & 9 are advertising as better quality woods. How is that so if it's laminate. Are all laminates pretty much the same. How are New American's different from the Englehardts being both laminates. There's a significant difference in price. I would love some advice and and thank you in advance.

[Ken Smith]

Ok, your height and reach will make it difficult to play some 3/4 sized basses but some smaller 3/4s or what they now call 5/8ths sized instruments (Europe's old 1/2 size or small 3/4s) might fit you better.

What is the string length of that 1/2 sized Kay bass and what is wrong with it? Maybe a few pictures posted will shed more light on it and maybe get a second opinion here, for free!

Shorter length basses (1/2, 1/4), real carved or plywood will have less 'bass' sound than the same basses in a full 3/4 size. That being the case from my experience, you might end up playing harder to get the sound out on a smaller bass than a larger one like a 34/4 variety.

In reading your profile about what music you play, I think a modern laminate bass would fit you best. Maybe a 1/2 or 3/4 size depending on the specs of the bass. There are American brands available new and old, Chinese brands and Romanian brands that come in these sizes.

The best shop to buy from is a bass specialty shop nearest your location so you can get service and a proper 'easy-to-play set-up. Still, I would like to see that old 1/2 sized Kay because, fixing that might be your best option.

For the Kay, I suggest you contact Jerry Fretwell as Fretwellbass.com as he IS a KAY specialist in buying, selling and repairing. He can also play bass besides being I nice gentleman to deal with. I have had him here in my shop before picking up Kay basses that came thru so he is my go-to guy for anything Kay. He also travels around so contact him and go from there.

[Melissa Washburn]

Thank you Ken for you input. Tomorrow when I get a chance I will send you some pictures. As for the string length how do I measure or where do I start and end the measurement on the strings? Thanks for pointing me to Jerry. There's a lot to think about and learn.

As for that Kay...it seems to have water damage. There's a crack down the middle of the back, cracks on either side of the saddle, a screw has been put in place through the base of the neck. It's very dried out and you can separate the layers in the f-holes. I spent money on strings, bridge, saddle and tailpiece cable but after all the parts arrive I feared that putting the new strings on might collapse the front. So it's been sitting. I believe that it could be a great sounding bass just from plucking the strings it came with (cat gut).

Pictures will follow tomorrow. Thank you again.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Melissa Washburn

Thank you Ken for you input. Tomorrow when I get a chance I will send you some pictures. As for the string length how do I measure or where do I start and end the measurement on the strings? Thanks for pointing me to Jerry. There's a lot to think about and learn.

As for that Kay...it seems to have water damage. There's a crack down the middle of the back, cracks on either side of the saddle, a screw has been put in place through the base of the neck. It's very dried out and you can separate the layers in the f-holes. I spent money on strings, bridge, saddle and tailpiece cable but after all the parts arrive I feared that putting the new strings on might collapse the front. So it's been sitting. I believe that it could be a great sounding bass just from plucking the strings it came with (cat gut).

Pictures will follow tomorrow. Thank you again.

String length is the vibrating string. Nut to bridge. And, it's not cat cut. There are no cats big enough unless you mean tigers and lions. It is sheep gut.. lol

[Eric Hochberg]

You could also try James Condino in Asheville. http://kaybassrepair.com
Very knowledgeable and builds great looking instruments, too.

I see he has a neckless M1 for sale. Maybe he could customize a neck with shorter string length for you...

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

You could also try James Condino in Asheville. http://kaybassrepair.com
Very knowledgeable and builds great looking instruments, too.

I see he has a neckless M1 for sale. Maybe he could customize a neck with shorter string length for you...

Shortening the neck could push the note down into the body making the upper notes near the heel harder to reach. This is usually not a good idea unless the neck is an Eb or more already.