Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Paul, did you have any particular reason for using the 30", instead of the 33 1/4", scale length?

Thanks in advance for your enlightment.

Three reasons. In order of importance, balance, neck strength, and aesthetics.

With a 30" scale, balance is near perfect. A "standard" Rick bass scale would cause some discomfort and neck dive.

The neck as it stands is a great compromise between strength and adjustability with the tapered carbon fiber spline. A longer neck would have to be a thicker neck or would require a redesign to accommodate a thicker spline.

This body with a standard scale would also look woefully awkward. As it is, it functions well and sounds terrific.

I think the short scale is perfect for the bass - in addition to Paul's reasoning, the fact that a long scale acoustic bass requires the bridge to be located near the butt of the body (unless the bass is going to be bigger than an aircraft carrier) compromises the quality of tone when played acoustically, in addition to being aesthetically awkward.

Evan, you're right--I neglected to mention that the location of the bridge--and the fact that the neck joins the body at the 15th fret--coupled with the scale length, were plotted to place the bridge right over the "sweet spot" on the bass' lower bout, in an effort to extract every last bit of volume reinforcement possible from the body of the bass, acoustically speaking. This is a major reason why it expresses such authority under amplification.

So, correction: FOUR reasons.

[quote="antipodean"unless the bass is going to be bigger than an aircraft carrier[/quote]

Ugg..I had a Taylor bass for a while...sounded pretty good, but definitely bigger than an aircraft carrier. Almost unplayable, even for someone of my size.

Thanks for the enlightment, Paul!

Some new pics, wav files soon! I promise

some more

Who's choice were the Sperzels? They are made not too far from my lab! I have been to their shop to have custom bushings made a few years ago for an Alembic I had put them on.

jps wrote:Who's choice were the Sperzels? They are made not too far from my lab! I have been to their shop to have custom bushings made a few years ago for an Alembic I had put them on.

PW, and an excellent choice if I may say! I'm not a big fan of gold hardware, but I have to say, I really like the brushed gold on this bass!

Andy, If you're having problems with storage of the bass. I can handle it, and I'm not too far away

It's a beaut

Thanks, Marc! Let me know where to make the drop

gellkeller wrote: Paul, bellissimo. Or is that bellissima?

If you wanna talk Italian, then bellissimo

bass guitar, in italian, is a "he"

and yes, it is bellissimo

So, would this be bellissimo or bellissima?

La Ferrari....bellissimA