Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jim Morris on May 17, 2017 at 8:49am

That short 23" scale is gonna be tough to get down to standard bass frequencies. Even on my 39" scale bass I ended up using plastic coated wire clothesline from WalMart  to get decent tension on the low E. I think your idea of going up to a higher pitch bass may be the best way to go. Not a whole octave for sure but maybe bring that low E string up to a G and if that's not enough tension try A. Then you'd have A,D G, C as the 4 strings and still have a pretty bassy sound.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Patrick on May 17, 2017 at 9:02am

That's what I'm thinking too Jim.  I may have to tune it up a few steps. 

thanks

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Lane Martin on May 22, 2017 at 3:30am

I tried to build a Ubass also. 21.5" scale. I used .095 for the E string without any trouble (I guess it's an octave higher than a real bass, but it worked). Trouble was that I couldn't get the high G string up to that note, even with smaller trimmer cord.

Ended up just building a ~34" scale bass canjo. Repurposing the Ubass build into a long-scale baritone uke.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Patrick on May 22, 2017 at 7:23am

I was able to get the E with .095 string but it was a little loose. I changed to .130 and I worked much better. The G I got with .050 string.

So I got it working and I took it all apart so I could stain it. Hopefully I'll have some finished pictures this week. Then I just have to learn how to play it.

• ▶ Reply