Two semi-hollow bass guitars, both with Curtis Novak Lipstick pickups and flat wound strings. Only difference is 30" vs 34" scale length. Both available at www.grezguitars.com
This is an interesting comparison but one important factor wasn't mentioned. The shorty's bridge is nearer the bottom of the body (the 18 fret fingerboard terminates in about the same place which visually disguises this a little). This means the shorty's body is relatively closer to the centre of the string and as the pickups are in the same position on both bodies, this places the shorty's pickups relatively closer to the centre of the strings which has a marked effect on the tone. Basically both the shorties pickups are more 'necky' and less 'bridgy' contributing to the deeper, more hollow tone (I'm guessing more fundamental / less harmonics but I haven't tested this). It would be interesting to hear the 34" version with the pickups positioned proportionally identically (or vice versa) or to analyse the difference acoustically.. Both lovely basses by the way :) and thanks for the demo
I completely agree with your point and was of course aware, but these are the two versions I make and a person might choose between so I think it's a useful comparison between the things that exist vs a scientific experiment where all aspects remain exactly the same with only one variable changed (scale length). Would be a fun experiment though!
@@GrezGuitars Hi, I failed to check the channel name so didn't realise you were the luthier when I posted earlier! I went straight to your website after seeing this video and so have a better appreciation of your work. With these things in mind, I'm 100% with you on the purpose/scope of the video which I think is pitched just right for potential customers. So.. when you positioned the bridge on the short scale version, was that primarily for packaging compactness reasons, aesthetics, tone.. or any other reason/combination of reasons..? I realise sometimes things just design themselves and we just tag along but I'm curious because as a design concept, the instruments as a pair appear more than the sum of both, if that makes sense..? I like that the pickups are in the same position on both - it's a beautifully [visually] balanced design and I wouldn't have messed with it either. I can't help thinking though that, from my limited exposure, all the design decisions you made (and changes you have not made) have collectively brought out the best qualities and character of each instrument. While they look obviously very similar, they are less obviously optimised separate designs which is pretty cool. I'm not 100% sure I'm making any sense outside of my own head but if I was shopping for a bass right now, I would be seriously tempted by either; or even both.
@@flannel2699 The short scale was first and it was inspired by the Danelectro Short Horn Bass so that set up some of the size/scale length/bridge position details. In the end it doesn't sound exactly like the Dano but it hopefully invokes that vibe. When the long scale came, keeping the body, pickup position and string anchor in the same place, works visually and, it creates a slightly more "bridgy" sound as you point out. This lets me double down on the more articulate sound from the longer scale and from the pickup positions in relation to that scale.
@@GrezGuitars Ah, I got it half right/wrong and backwards but it makes sense either way. I wasn't familiar with the Dano bass until just now and I think I prefer the body shape of your's and the cleaner no-scratch-plate look. Also your's both sound great back to back.. If I had to pick one though I think I'd go for the shorty, both for the tone and the ease of playing. Thanks for your time..
Actually the opposite. Short scales have more fundamentals and less overtones, which is why they sound more bassy. Long scales have a higher proportion of overtones, so the tone is more balanced towards high end, sounding less bassy but richer and fuller.
