Little Darling body - 35" 5-string bass

[briant]

Just to satisfy my curiosity: is this doable? (Mica and gang?)
 
I've (sadly?) already got thoughts knocking around in my head about custom #3.  I really dig the LD body shape.
 
Basics in my head currently:
fretted 35 scale w/Little Darling body
buckeye burl bookmatched to center top
maple body
maple and purpleheart neck
Essence or Signature electronics
 
After playing my custom Rogue for some time I believe I have come to the conclusion that it would be happier living its life permanently with flat or tapewound strings for that Motown vibe.  Or possibly as a fretless.

[hifiguy]

That sounds absolutely delicious.  The Balance K Omega or Heart Omega isn't too far from the LD shape.  Can't imagine why this wouldn't turn out to be a beauty!

[lidon2001]

Have you seen this short scale LD bass?
 
http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/73665.html?1260465070  
 
Might have to lose the omega and move the bridge back a few inches to accomodate the scale.

[tmoney61092]

only concern i have is that the long scale length would throw off the balance making it neck heavy unless you went with Tom's suggestion and moved the bridge farther back, either way this would be a sweet bass!
 
~Taylor

[briant]

The balance/tendency to neck-dive was my biggest fear ? which is why I wanted to ask*.  I had seen that short scale LD previously.  It was actually the thing that got me thinking about this.
 
I?d hate to lose the omega.  Especially since I was thinking about doing a stinger omega as I?ve seen on a few LD guitars.
 
*if I were actually closer to really ordering this I would have called Susan/Mica and just asked on the phone.  Since I?m in no rush on this I figured I?d ask here.  That way there is a record and if anyone else comes along they can search and get their answer.
 
I?d have to go with a crown 5 headstock on this one.

[tmoney61092]

well you could get a short/medium scale 5 string made, i've read in a couple threads that talk about only being able to use EADGC tuning but someone(name escapes me) tunes BEADG and it works just fine with the short scale 5'ers, i know for a fact that most of danno's basses are 32 and he says they work fine for him(most of which have 5 or more strings)
 
so basically you'd be sacrificing the scale length, but if the shorter scale length is not that big of a deal to you and you just want an LD bass then i say go for it :-)
 
~Taylor

[briant]

Unfortunately for me scale length is a big deal.  I prefer 35 scale but don't balk at 34.  Anything shorter is out of the question at this time.
 
There are few 34 scale low B strings that sound right for lack of better term.  Most of them sound like a string from another instrument.  Meaning the E A D and G strings all sound consistent and similar in tone.  And then there is that low B sitting there that tonally sounds varying degrees of different than the rest of the instrument.  I also find the low B feels a little too sloppy on 34 scale; at least with the .130 - .45 strings I usually play on.  There isn?t as much punch/attack.  I can't imagine that an even shorter scale low B would be any different in all these areas.  Not to take anything away from a shorter scale instrument with a low B.  I?m sure they sound fine.  They?re just not for me.
 
Mica?  Thoughts on neck dive (or lack there of) with this?

[tmoney61092]

Oh ok, I've only played 34s and 35s so I can't relate to the length issue, anyway the best of luck to you, I hope we can see a FTC on this one day for you :-)
 
~Taylor

[briant]

FYI - Mica is investigating the feasibility of this.  I'll be sure to share the results if she doesn't!  
 
Please stand by.