Is It Feasible

[Chistopher]

To take an Epi Viola bass and:

• Convert it to fretless
• Give the fretboard a radius similar to a cello
• Tune it like a cello
• String it up with strings that work with a bow (maybe tapewound?)
• Perhaps get the pickups rewound by the SD Custom Shop

This would basically give me an electric cello. However, my biggest concern is that you need quite a small radius to make this work. The shape and scale of the Viola is why I suggested it, but I'd be open to any bass that could fit a bow

 

[ICTGoober]

Yes, possible. You're talking cubic money, however.

 

[Chistopher]

Fretboard radius on a cello is 2.75", I don't believe it would be practical to go that crazy, but I don't know how to check what a good compromised would be

 

[Chistopher]

Thats

Yes, possible. You're talking cubic money, however.

That's what I was concerned about. The obvious ends of the cheap versus quality spectrum are a full custom build on one end and just retuning a bass in cello tuning an use an ebow on the other end

 

[Mincer]

Maybe it is cheaper to get a Gizmotron?

 

[Chistopher]

That's a cool little gadget.

Another tough issue, how am I gonna get a short scale fretless bass with no inlays?

 

[ICTGoober]

Warmoth.

 

[NotDemanic]

I know that they make electric double basses, doesn't someone make an electric cello?

 

[Chistopher]

Warmoth.

Warmoths bass necks are actually pretty limited. The only short scale you can get has their weird 2x2 headstock

 

[Chistopher]

I know that they make electric double basses, doesn't someone make an electric cello?

Yeah, but they all sound like cellos. I want something that sounds like a bass but is tuned like a cello and can be played with a bow

 

[zionstrat]

There's lots of electric cellos out there.. I've had the cheapest and the most expensiveand definitely recommend them as a easier way to get this done...

Another direction is literally by a student cello, I've picked them up for 100 bucks in a pawn shop before and make it your own..

On a sidebar, it can be fun to tune in force instead of fifth to keep your base scales working, but you get more string flexibility if you go with fifth..

Would love to hear how this turns out!

 

[ICTGoober]

Warmoths bass necks are actually pretty limited. The only short scale you can get has their weird 2x2 headstock

Incorrect. They offer Fender style pegheads on their 32" and 30" scale necks.