Author Topic: Stanley Clarke's New 5-string Short Scale Bass (Read 1284 times)

mica · « **on:** July 12, 2012, 03:23:33 PM »

This is what UPS delivered to Stanley Clarke about a week ago:

Series I 5-string EADGC (.090-.075-.060-.035-.025) Indian Rosewood top and back Wide Maple accent laminate Vermilion body Maple, Vermilion, and Ebony short scale (30.75") neck Ebony fingerboard 1.68 x 2.68 Mother of pearl lotus flower inlays Red side LEDs Small 2+3 Crown peghead with inlaid logo Hipshot Ultralight tuners Continuous wood backplates The inlays are lotus flowers:

And the back:

No straplocks for Stan... we just drill pilot holes and he uses a large washer and wood screw to attach the strap.

David Houck · « **Reply #1 on:** July 12, 2012, 03:29:56 PM »

Wonderful bass! And great pics!

pierreyves · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2012, 03:32:23 PM »

He was jalous of some parts of mine ? LOL !!! I was first to try EADGC tune ;-)) Anyway, very nice instrument, and standard pickup position, for easier slapping ?

hieronymous · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2012, 03:38:31 PM »

Awesome! This is pretty monumental isn't it? SC using a 5-string? It fits him perfectly, since he seems to switch between the regular & tenor basses - now he doesn't have to!

mica · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2012, 03:41:10 PM »

The pickup placement is split between the traditional very close placement that he's used to and the current standard... it's custom.

This isn't the first short scale we've made with this tuning, but it's the first time for Stanley. He didn't like the wide necks on the 5-string basses he tried, so he asked me to figure out something that would work for him. I wanted the nut to be quite narrow and then to spread out at the bridge so the spacing was just a little tighter than the 4-strings we make for him.

pierreyves · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2012, 04:27:48 PM »

I see that his (bass) body is thinner than my blackwood ? because 3 backplates ?

mica · « **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2012, 04:49:49 PM »

I know, right Harry?! He has been thinking about music that needed more range, and was ready to explore this possibility. Everything in its own time and ne dis jamais jamais.

It is thinner, Pierre-Yves. So that's why it has 3 backplates.

811952 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 13, 2012, 05:04:40 AM »

Pretty. Nice to see someone at the top of his game trying something new!

John

pauldo · « **Reply #8 on:** July 13, 2012, 08:12:48 AM »

So Stanley uses Series I electronics and not Signature electronics?
I thought the SC bass in Chicago in 2009 was Signature?

pierreyves · « **Reply #9 on:** July 13, 2012, 08:16:07 AM »

Stanley had always used series I electronics, until he left mother's milk ;-))

rjmsteel · « **Reply #10 on:** July 13, 2012, 08:52:49 AM »

Ebony neck laminate too! Just stunning. I hope we will hear him playing this instrument soon.

hieronymous · « **Reply #11 on:** July 13, 2012, 09:16:09 AM »

This was the first evidence: http://club.alembic.com/Images/449/135672.html?1342140970

hb3 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 15, 2012, 05:58:13 PM »

That's quite interesting!

Something I've definitely been thinking a lot of lately.

How's the balance?

wfmandmusic · « **Reply #13 on:** July 27, 2012, 04:53:23 PM »

Wow Mica what beautiful work!
Ken

jon_jackson · « **Reply #14 on:** July 29, 2012, 04:02:47 PM »

This makes me think of converting Scarlet to that configuration. Where does one get a C string of the right diameter or such a string set? Although, I would probably look for one closer to .030.
Jon