New Bass Day W/ All Sorts of Fun Stuff (Bassline Pickup Content)

synzzzer

synzzzer

New member
I did something that I wanted to do 20 years ago, and finally got around to it. It was just coming up with the right information to get it done. I started playing cello when I was 12. I thought, "What if I can play my cello, but on a bass guitar?" Well after much research I found out I needed a Short Scale Bass. I also needed different strings as well.

So, I found the exact bass I wanted on Craigslist, from a guy not far from me. (It must be fate right?) A Fender Squier SS Jaguar Bass. I wanted a short scale bass with a PJ configuration and the Jaguar is it. There's actually not that many short scale PJ basses on the market, and even less within my price range.

So here's what I did:

1. Fret Dress, (It's a Squier, enough said.)
2. Added S.D. Quarter Pound pickups. (Woo Hoo!)
3. Moved the output jack. I hated the spot it was in. I was going to break the jack if I left it there.
4. Strung it with Ernie Ball strings. .040, .055, .085, .135 for tuning A-D-G-C Tuning.
5. Set-up (duh.)

And here's the photos:





I have a strap and strap locks coming in the mail. I have to admit, I am having fun with her. It's neat to play all those old Orchestra pieces on a bass. I am playing through my Sunn 212 Alpha. I do want to get a Bass specific amp later on down the road like a Hartke. They are known for being bright, so it will fill that spot between a guitar and bass, tone wise.

I am pretty content except for one thing. If only I could travel back in time, and let 17 year old me play my cello/bass during orchestra practice. That would just kill. But for the time being, let me know what you think.
 
Re: New Bass Day W/ All Sorts of Fun Stuff (Bassline Pickup Content)

Nice!

I'd love to hear your impressions of the QPs, before and after.
 
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Re: New Bass Day W/ All Sorts of Fun Stuff (Bassline Pickup Content)

I'm wondering how much you are going to actually use your bridge pickup -- or when you do, how much noise you are going to have to deal with.

Other than that, I like it. Nicely done!
 
Re: New Bass Day W/ All Sorts of Fun Stuff (Bassline Pickup Content)

Please post a clip or a vid. It won't be like standing in the room with you, but it's as close as we'll get.

The Song Just Got Different.
 
Re: New Bass Day W/ All Sorts of Fun Stuff (Bassline Pickup Content)

It's kind of funny, I posted this back on May 20th, and didn't get a response about it until three weeks later. But then they started pouring in. I'll try to answer all questions.

1. Frets? Yes, it really is cheating. My cellos are giving it the dirty look.
2. I like the Quarter Pounders. The neck one really surprised me with how fat it was. I love them both.
3. I haven't noticed any extra noise with the bridge pickup. They are both nicely balanced.
4. I don't really have any recording equipment for clips. Sorry.
5. Thanks. I appreciate it.

And thanks to everyone. I was ready for this thread to fall off the main page. I didn't realize anyone had responded to it. Take care.
 
Re: New Bass Day W/ All Sorts of Fun Stuff (Bassline Pickup Content)

synzzzer said:
I was ready for this thread to fall off the main page. I didn't realize anyone had responded to it.
Click to expand...

Log in more frequently, already! ;)

Whilst short scale, fretted bass guitars and QP pickups might not be to all tastes, I think that there will always be appreciation for the cross-fertilisation of ideas from one instrument to another. If you have a bunch of figures and phrases in muscle memory, you might as well exploit them. This should make a change from the usual Rock Bass clichés.
 
Re: New Bass Day W/ All Sorts of Fun Stuff (Bassline Pickup Content)

Funkfingers said:
Log in more frequently, already! ;)

Whilst short scale, fretted bass guitars and QP pickups might not be to all tastes, I think that there will always be appreciation for the cross-fertilisation of ideas from one instrument to another. If you have a bunch of figures and phrases in muscle memory, you might as well exploit them. This should make a change from the usual Rock Bass clichés.
Click to expand...

Yes, it is a little weird to play all that orchestra music I know through my cello/bass guitar. Hearing it come out of my SUNN amp is just beyond my dreams. I only wish I had done this 20, even 25 years ago.
 
Re: New Bass Day W/ All Sorts of Fun Stuff (Bassline Pickup Content)

Cello was my first instrument also. I kinda wonder how my bass playing life would have been different if I'd have started off by tuning a bass guitar to cello tuning. I'd have more range on a bass, but getting strings would have been tricky, trying out basses in stores would have been problematic, showing something to a guitar player would have been impossible...
 
Re: New Bass Day W/ All Sorts of Fun Stuff (Bassline Pickup Content)

If you can cope with bass register strings tuned in fifths, you are one step away from Chapman Stick playing.
 
Re: New Bass Day W/ All Sorts of Fun Stuff (Bassline Pickup Content)

BlueTalon said:
Cello was my first instrument also. I kinda wonder how my bass playing life would have been different if I'd have started off by tuning a bass guitar to cello tuning. I'd have more range on a bass, but getting strings would have been tricky, trying out basses in stores would have been problematic, showing something to a guitar player would have been impossible...
Click to expand...

As a cello player I always wanted an electric cello. Then I saw the Yamaha Electric Cello, and thought, "Wow, that's exactly what I'm thinking!" But then I saw the price tag, and thought, "Okay, I wasn't thinking that much." So then I decided to build an electric cello. Really.



Check out this folder for the build:

http://s281.photobucket.com/user/synzzzer/library/Electric Cello?sort=2&page=1
 
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