I'm making my first stand up bass how do I set the scale for it????

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Yellowbelly Flatt on February 10, 2012 at 7:07am

Well, the common standard for a stand up bass is a scale of 3/4 size. This would result 

in a nut to bridge dimension of around 109 cm. The other useful thing about this scale length is that bass strings are readily available. These strings could be the standard steel type strings, gut strings or the more modern "Weedwacker" type strings. A third bonus is that at 3/4 size - although it produces a large instrument - it is just about transportable in the real world.

n.b. I also play a 3/4 size electric stand up in a local band.

Permalink Reply by Sid Workman on February 10, 2012 at 7:26am

I measured a double stand up and used its scale of 41inches

Permalink Reply by Richard Sanabia on February 10, 2012 at 7:49am

I got a set of the strings on ebay, and they work great. Nylon strings, very reasonable, and nice feel. 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/280817702465?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_...

Permalink Reply by Richard Sanabia on February 10, 2012 at 7:56am

PS, Here is my stand-up with a 34 inch electric bass scale, and flatwound strings. The next is a 41 inch with piezos. 

Permalink Reply by Nardcore714 on February 10, 2012 at 10:37am

Thanx guys I saw those plastic strings they are pretty close to my house from around Pasadena I think? They were 28 bucks a set I think and like 25 colors haha.. I was scared Hank III's stand up bass player was telling me his strings were $900 bucks or some shit and I was dizzy! haha I'd say mine all said and done is about 5 foot 7 inches I'll double check but the neck is off so I can put a steel rod in it but I just saw carbon fiber rods for I want to say about 12 bucks a pop is that good or average?

Thanks again,

Ian 

Permalink Reply by Richard Sanabia on February 10, 2012 at 11:54am

Use steel. Cheap, and adds nice "heft" to the bass. At first the bass would try to swing around, it needs to rest around against your body to stay put, like a real stand-up does. I put a little "foot" on mine so I can step on it to steady it. 

Permalink Reply by Nardcore714 on February 10, 2012 at 12:45pm

Gotcha it's about 7 bucks here for a 3/8 square steel rod they were out of round so square it is and I used this thing as my base for it but am going to put some wetsuit rubber on the bottom so it won't slide!

Permalink Reply by PhilUSAFRet on March 31, 2012 at 1:58pm

Google Fretboard Calculator.....you'll get several sites

Permalink Reply by Richard Sanabia on March 31, 2012 at 3:16pm

Hello. The scale is the distance from the nut to the bridge. 41" is the scale normally used for a standup. but 34" is used a lot also. Most electric guitars are 34". You will have to use a commonly used scale because of the strings. Anything over 34" and the strings get very expensive. 

Richard in Tennessee.