Bass Scale Length

[TeiscosRock]

Okay, so I'm tossing the idea of an EUB (electric upright bass) around in my head, as it seems like it would be great practice for neck building (seeing as its basically a neckthrough without wings), and I've run into a problem: Scale length. 34" is average scale for electric basses, yes? And 44" is what i've read that double basses are... I would love to build the thing with a full double bass scale, but that would require me to buy upright bass strings, which seem to cost $100 a pack

So what I'm asking, is what do you think would be the longest scale length I could use and still be able to use regular electric bass strings? I cant seem to find anything

[KeithHowell]

Have a look here: Dennis Havlena

He has a project making a 40" bass and somewhere an article on making your own strings as well.

[Odin]

I would go for the upright scale. Huge sound. You dont have to change the string that often...I play upright myself, and i change strings once a year, at the most.

[erikbojerik]

Standard DR bass strings will accomodate a scale length of up to 37". But as was already said, you'll be using your bass strings for a much longer time than your guitar strings.

[TeiscosRock]

I realize that bass strings do not need to replaced nearly as often as guitar strings, however, I do not feel the strongest urge in the world to spend $100 on upright bass strings. I just don't :\

I was thinking, though, that If i could build this thing at the longest scale I can and still be able to use electric bass strings, I might could get a little bit closer to the 'feel' of an upright. It actually all depends on my friend, really. She'll be playing it more often than me :\

[WezV]

Have you checked out the barker vertical bass:

Barker Bass

They are a standard scale bass thats played upright and look fairly simple to build so you should check them out.

As far as scale length goes, if you want to keep costs down you need to keep within that 37". If you get hold of the set of bass strings you want to use first then you can check your measurements to get it as long as possible. As far as design goes, using a bridge that doesnt pass the strings all the way thru the body and having a short 2 x 2 headstock will give you a couple of extra inches to play with

[Primal]

You really won't get the feel or sound of an upright unless you use upright scale. Think about it, even if you change your regular bass strings every 3 months, that is 4 times a year. At a cost of $30ish dollars per set of strings (for good strings - DRs), that would still be $120 per year. If you go with upright strings, you save $20.

If you go with 44" scale, please make sure you research the string tension. I dunno if you have ever played an upright bass, but the necks are absolutely massive (about 2" think, but don't quote me on that). Nearly 225ish pounds. ;-)

[TeiscosRock]

Yeah I would be making the neck as close to upright specs as possible. Theres a few at my highschool that i can use for measurements and comparisons and whatnot. CF rods and such would be in the mix as well.

[Primal]

You wouldn't need any trust rod or CF rod for an upright neck. All the adjustments are made via the bridge and sanding down the fingerboard. With an over an inch of neck wood and a 3/4" fingerboard, there isn't much a truss rod could do. Something that big is gonna be like a rock.