Very shortscale electric (double)bass with silicone strings

[Mogens V.]

Just came to think of a very small shortscale electric bass with
silicone strings I saw a few years ago. Was supposed to mimic a double
bass. Never tried it then, as I didn't play bass.
I was thinking of it as a compact thingie for my home studio, for the
gipzy jass stuff I expect to be doing later on...

Anyone know of those, brands/models, quality...? Strings, when needed?

--
Kind regards,
Mogens V.

[TonyPhiz]

Mogens V. wrote:
> Just came to think of a very small shortscale electric bass with
> silicone strings I saw a few years ago. Was supposed to mimic a double
> bass. Never tried it then, as I didn't play bass.
> I was thinking of it as a compact thingie for my home studio, for the
> gipzy jass stuff I expect to be doing later on...
>
> Anyone know of those, brands/models, quality...? Strings, when needed?
>


Sounds to me like an Ashbory. I've had one a few years, and it's great
fun, even if a bit of an acquired taste. Very short scale, thick
silicone strings and no frets... a big fat round sound, and as I said, a
lot of fun. Fender (Dearmond) market them these days I think. Have a
look at these sites...

http://www.algonet.se/~ashbory/home.html

http://www.largesound.com/

Good luck
TonyPhiz

[Neil N]

On May 9, 12:18 pm, "Mogens V." <moge...@NOYOUDONTvip.cybercity.dk>
wrote:
> Just came to think of a very small shortscale electric bass with
> silicone strings I saw a few years ago. Was supposed to mimic a double
> bass. Never tried it then, as I didn't play bass.
> I was thinking of it as a compact thingie for my home studio, for the
> gipzy jass stuff I expect to be doing later on...
>
> Anyone know of those, brands/models, quality...? Strings, when needed?
>
> --
> Kind regards,
> Mogens V.

De Armond Ashbury. I don't know if they're still available. I've had
one for a while, and actually used it recently on a track. Interesting
quasi acoustic sound, great for dub and reggae songs, the short scale
makes intonation tougher than usual.

Definitely fun, and a freaky instrument to pull out in front of
people. The silicone strings are odd to play, I think I've heard of
some people powdering up their hands with talcum.

G string always breaks.

Here's a pic of mine

http://neilnumminen.com/Remote%20sessions/Bass%20Gallery/Ashbury.htm

[Mogens V.]

TonyPhiz wrote:
> Mogens V. wrote:
>
>> Just came to think of a very small shortscale electric bass with
>> silicone strings I saw a few years ago. Was supposed to mimic a double
>> bass. Never tried it then, as I didn't play bass.
>> I was thinking of it as a compact thingie for my home studio, for the
>> gipzy jass stuff I expect to be doing later on...
>>
>> Anyone know of those, brands/models, quality...? Strings, when needed?
>>
>
>
> Sounds to me like an Ashbory. I've had one a few years, and it's great
> fun, even if a bit of an acquired taste. Very short scale, thick
> silicone strings and no frets... a big fat round sound, and as I said, a
> lot of fun. Fender (Dearmond) market them these days I think. Have a
> look at these sites...
>
> http://www.algonet.se/~ashbory/home.html
>
> http://www.largesound.com/

Yup, that's the one. Not going to shop right now, just needed to know..

--
Kind regards,
Mogens V.

[Mike Fleming]

In article <1178735703.544816.317350@y80g2000hsf.googlegroups. com>,
Neil N <daltonmusic@rogers.com> writes:

> De Armond Ashbury. I don't know if they're still available.

Indeed they are. Keep thinking about one, especially as they're about
two and a half of Her Majesty's pounds these days. Have a look on
ebay, $250 or so. Might even get round to finishing the Maplebory I
started ages ago sometime.

--
Mike Fleming

[Frederic Gelinas]

Mogens V. wrote:

> Was supposed to mimic a double bass.

Yeah, right. The Ashbory can sound similar to a double bass, but it is
not. It really sounds like an ashbory. I sold mine through eBay a
couple of month ago. I wasn't able to play it with good enough
intonation. An I never was comfortable with the thing.

Some people like it. I don't. Lost around 150$ to know it.

--
Frederic Gelinas

[tho x. bui]

Neil N wrote:
> On May 9, 12:18 pm, "Mogens V." <moge...@NOYOUDONTvip.cybercity.dk>
> wrote:
>
>>Just came to think of a very small shortscale electric bass with
>>silicone strings I saw a few years ago. Was supposed to mimic a double
>>bass. Never tried it then, as I didn't play bass.
>>I was thinking of it as a compact thingie for my home studio, for the
>>gipzy jass stuff I expect to be doing later on...
>>
>>Anyone know of those, brands/models, quality...? Strings, when needed?
>>
>>--
>>Kind regards,
>>Mogens V.
>
>
> De Armond Ashbury. I don't know if they're still available. I've had
> one for a while, and actually used it recently on a track. Interesting
> quasi acoustic sound, great for dub and reggae songs, the short scale
> makes intonation tougher than usual.
>
> Definitely fun, and a freaky instrument to pull out in front of
> people. The silicone strings are odd to play, I think I've heard of
> some people powdering up their hands with talcum.
>
> G string always breaks.
>
> Here's a pic of mine
>
> http://neilnumminen.com/Remote%20sessions/Bass%20Gallery/Ashbury.htm
>


It's now a "Fender Ashbory." Currently being marketed by Fender.
it seems that the G string only breaks if you store it in the original
gigbag for some weird reason (it has been suggested that the
plastic/texture of the gig bag somehow attacks the string material.

I have had the same set of strings for the past 3,4 years. I built a
new body for it, and store it in a wooden case:
http://home.earthlink.net/~blahx3/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/ashbuirysmall.jpg

and the new one (will be done this weekend):
http://home.earthlink.net/~thoxbui2/shopblog/slides/IMG_0393.html

I like playing it a lot. Because of the short scale length, you can be
very fast, lighting fast; open up a lot of interesting options,
musically. Imagine playing at the speed of a piccolo bass, but with an
acoustic-ish bass sound.

Tho

[Stig Brun]

"Mogens V." <mogensv@NOYOUDONTvip.cybercity.dk

> Anyone know of those, brands/models, quality...? Strings, when needed?

Mine arrived at Copenhagen Airport yesterday - i´m waiting for it. If you
want to know more write in our own language to perlh@@@@@ jubii.dk

Per

[tho x. bui]

Frederic Gelinas wrote:
> Mogens V. wrote:
>
>
>>Was supposed to mimic a double bass.
>
>
> Yeah, right. The Ashbory can sound similar to a double bass, but it is
> not. It really sounds like an ashbory. I sold mine through eBay a
> couple of month ago. I wasn't able to play it with good enough
> intonation. An I never was comfortable with the thing.
>
> Some people like it. I don't. Lost around 150$ to know it.
>

I think people oversold the ashbory = upright thing. It is a pleasant,
complex, and rich bass sound with a hard attack, fast decay, and no
metallic sound. The closest thing that people can compare it to is an
upright pizz sound, but to me, they are two different instruments with
different plus and minuses. You can never play an upright as fast as
you can an Ashbory, and if you are a true 2x bass acoustic enthusiast,
you'd never agree that they're the same.

Good point regarding intonation. Many enthusiasts tend to understate
the fact that the 18" fretless scale is very different from what most
bass-guitar players normally experience. If you have never played a
short scale fretless instrument (e.g., violin, viola) it does demand
some devoted practice.

Being both a violin player and a bass guitar player, I got used to in
about 15 minutes, but if you have been playing the fretted instrument
primarily, expect a steep learning curve. If you have to play it with
your eyes open, you ain't there yet.

What I normally tell people is that if they want a 2xbass sound, learn
to play a 2xbass; but if they want a really great alternative sounding
bass instrument, give it a good, hard try.

Tho

[js]

Those kick ass. Neck angle on the first one is a nice touch.

I'm thinking about building one myself, right after I mount my original on a
cymbal stand. it's not balanced enough to play like a guitar, IMO.

Where did you source the parts for the bridge and tuners?

--
Check out my band, West Eats Meat http://www.myspace.com/westeatsmeat

My Homepage, Back By Popular Demand: http://www.jmsjazz.com

"I don't mean to sound bitter, cold, or cruel, but I am, so that's how it
comes out."

- Bill Hicks









"tho x. bui" <blahx3@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:p4q0i.281765$JN6.102895@newsfe17.phx...
> Neil N wrote:
> > On May 9, 12:18 pm, "Mogens V." <moge...@NOYOUDONTvip.cybercity.dk>
> > wrote:
> >
> >>Just came to think of a very small shortscale electric bass with
> >>silicone strings I saw a few years ago. Was supposed to mimic a double
> >>bass. Never tried it then, as I didn't play bass.
> >>I was thinking of it as a compact thingie for my home studio, for the
> >>gipzy jass stuff I expect to be doing later on...
> >>
> >>Anyone know of those, brands/models, quality...? Strings, when needed?
> >>
> >>--
> >>Kind regards,
> >>Mogens V.
> >
> >
> > De Armond Ashbury. I don't know if they're still available. I've had
> > one for a while, and actually used it recently on a track. Interesting
> > quasi acoustic sound, great for dub and reggae songs, the short scale
> > makes intonation tougher than usual.
> >
> > Definitely fun, and a freaky instrument to pull out in front of
> > people. The silicone strings are odd to play, I think I've heard of
> > some people powdering up their hands with talcum.
> >
> > G string always breaks.
> >
> > Here's a pic of mine
> >
> > http://neilnumminen.com/Remote%20sessions/Bass%20Gallery/Ashbury.htm
> >
>
>
> It's now a "Fender Ashbory." Currently being marketed by Fender.
> it seems that the G string only breaks if you store it in the original
> gigbag for some weird reason (it has been suggested that the
> plastic/texture of the gig bag somehow attacks the string material.
>
> I have had the same set of strings for the past 3,4 years. I built a
> new body for it, and store it in a wooden case:
>
http://home.earthlink.net/~blahx3/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/ashbuirysmall.jpg
>
> and the new one (will be done this weekend):
> http://home.earthlink.net/~thoxbui2/shopblog/slides/IMG_0393.html
>
> I like playing it a lot. Because of the short scale length, you can be
> very fast, lighting fast; open up a lot of interesting options,
> musically. Imagine playing at the speed of a piccolo bass, but with an
> acoustic-ish bass sound.
>
> Tho
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

[tho x. bui]

js wrote:
> Those kick ass. Neck angle on the first one is a nice touch.
>
> I'm thinking about building one myself, right after I mount my original on a
> cymbal stand. it's not balanced enough to play like a guitar, IMO.
>
> Where did you source the parts for the bridge and tuners?
>

The tuners for sure you'll need, and you can get them at Large Sound:
http://www.largesound.com/cart/agora.cgi?cart_id=5531694.21054*zh7QE8&product=Parts

The bridge is pricey, and I probably would just go with a conventional
piezo bridge on the next one. The preamp is actually quite a good deal
at 20$. I'll probably use it again on the acoustic bass guitar I'm
building.

It's a very easy project, compare to building a regular guitar. This
last Ashbory is taking about 3 weeks of evenings and weekends, total.
For, say, a Precision copy, it would take me twice or three times as
long. Drop an email if you have question.

Tho

[Neil N]

On May 9, 4:22 pm, "tho x. bui" <bla...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> Neil N wrote:
> > On May 9, 12:18 pm, "Mogens V." <moge...@NOYOUDONTvip.cybercity.dk>
> > wrote:
>
> >>Just came to think of a very small shortscale electric bass with
> >>silicone strings I saw a few years ago. Was supposed to mimic a double
> >>bass. Never tried it then, as I didn't play bass.
> >>I was thinking of it as a compact thingie for my home studio, for the
> >>gipzy jass stuff I expect to be doing later on...
>
> >>Anyone know of those, brands/models, quality...? Strings, when needed?
>
> >>--
> >>Kind regards,
> >>Mogens V.
>
> > De Armond Ashbury. I don't know if they're still available. I've had
> > one for a while, and actually used it recently on a track. Interesting
> > quasi acoustic sound, great for dub and reggae songs, the short scale
> > makes intonation tougher than usual.
>
> > Definitely fun, and a freaky instrument to pull out in front of
> > people. The silicone strings are odd to play, I think I've heard of
> > some people powdering up their hands with talcum.
>
> > G string always breaks.
>
> > Here's a pic of mine
>
> > http://neilnumminen.com/Remote%20sessions/Bass%20Gallery/Ashbury.htm
>
> It's now a "Fender Ashbory." Currently being marketed by Fender.
> it seems that the G string only breaks if you store it in the original
> gigbag for some weird reason (it has been suggested that the
> plastic/texture of the gig bag somehow attacks the string material.
>
> I have had the same set of strings for the past 3,4 years. I built a
> new body for it, and store it in a wooden case:http://home.earthlink.net/~blahx3/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictu...
>
> and the new one (will be done this weekend):http://home.earthlink.net/~thoxbui2/shopblog/slides/IMG_0393.html
>
> I like playing it a lot. Because of the short scale length, you can be
> very fast, lighting fast; open up a lot of interesting options,
> musically. Imagine playing at the speed of a piccolo bass, but with an
> acoustic-ish bass sound.
>
> Tho- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Interesting tip on the gig bag, and very nice building projects.

[TonyPhiz]

Neil N wrote:
> On May 9, 12:18 pm, "Mogens V." <moge...@NOYOUDONTvip.cybercity.dk>
> wrote:
>> Just came to think of a very small shortscale electric bass with
>> silicone strings I saw a few years ago. Was supposed to mimic a double
>> bass. Never tried it then, as I didn't play bass.
>> I was thinking of it as a compact thingie for my home studio, for the
>> gipzy jass stuff I expect to be doing later on...
>>
>> Anyone know of those, brands/models, quality...? Strings, when needed?
>>
>> --
>> Kind regards,
>> Mogens V.
>
> De Armond Ashbury. I don't know if they're still available. I've had
> one for a while, and actually used it recently on a track. Interesting
> quasi acoustic sound, great for dub and reggae songs, the short scale
> makes intonation tougher than usual.
>
> Definitely fun, and a freaky instrument to pull out in front of
> people. The silicone strings are odd to play, I think I've heard of
> some people powdering up their hands with talcum.
>
> G string always breaks.
>
> Here's a pic of mine
>
> http://neilnumminen.com/Remote%20sessions/Bass%20Gallery/Ashbury.htm
>

Yes, the talc (or chalk) is essential, although, samall bag or tin of
white powder brought out at a gig has led to a few raised eyebrows in
the audience.

TonyPhiz

[Mogens V.]

TonyPhiz wrote:
> Neil N wrote:
>
>> On May 9, 12:18 pm, "Mogens V." <moge...@NOYOUDONTvip.cybercity.dk>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Just came to think of a very small shortscale electric bass with
>>> silicone strings I saw a few years ago. Was supposed to mimic a double
>>> bass. Never tried it then, as I didn't play bass.
>>> I was thinking of it as a compact thingie for my home studio, for the
>>> gipzy jass stuff I expect to be doing later on...
>>>
>>> Anyone know of those, brands/models, quality...? Strings, when needed?
>>>
>>> --
>>> Kind regards,
>>> Mogens V.
>>
>>
>> De Armond Ashbury. I don't know if they're still available. I've had
>> one for a while, and actually used it recently on a track. Interesting
>> quasi acoustic sound, great for dub and reggae songs, the short scale
>> makes intonation tougher than usual.
>>
>> Definitely fun, and a freaky instrument to pull out in front of
>> people. The silicone strings are odd to play, I think I've heard of
>> some people powdering up their hands with talcum.
>>
>> G string always breaks.
>>
>> Here's a pic of mine
>>
>> http://neilnumminen.com/Remote%20sessions/Bass%20Gallery/Ashbury.htm
>>
>
> Yes, the talc (or chalk) is essential, although, samall bag or tin of
> white powder brought out at a gig has led to a few raised eyebrows in
> the audience.

Haha, I can imaging the looks after a sneeze and comforting the nose
with dusty fingers ;) Traveling and airport security with such a setup
may cause some 'interesting' situations...
Jokes aside, is moist fingers on those rubber hoses that problematic?

--
Kind regards,
Mogens V.


DRM cracking illegal in Colombia
Other crack OK
-- fun on theinquirer.net

[Mogens V.]

tho x. bui wrote:

> I have had the same set of strings for the past 3,4 years. I built a
> new body for it, and store it in a wooden case:
> http://home.earthlink.net/~blahx3/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/ashbuirysmall.jpg

I like that model, the carvings at the cutaways is a nice detail.
The fingerboard has quite a beatyful pattern. Which woods did you use?
Did you keep the original scale? - looks a bit longer on the pic..
How is tone, attack and sustain compared to the original?

--
Kind regards,
Mogens V.

[tho x. bui]

Mogens V. wrote:
> tho x. bui wrote:
>
>> I have had the same set of strings for the past 3,4 years. I built a
>> new body for it, and store it in a wooden case:
>> http://home.earthlink.net/~blahx3/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/ashbuirysmall.jpg
>
> I like that model, the carvings at the cutaways is a nice detail.
> The fingerboard has quite a beatyful pattern. Which woods did you use?
> Did you keep the original scale? - looks a bit longer on the pic..
> How is tone, attack and sustain compared to the original?
>
Thanks, the fretboard wood is one of my favorites, wenge. I normally
use a quartersawn slab for fretboard, because the wild slab sawn pattern
tend to get distracted by frets. But for a fretless, it's pretty cool
looking (it's bound by maple, btw).

I stayed with the original 18" scale. I find it to be perfect, although
there are quite a few players who seem to prefer something longer. I
pretty much like to keep everything the same as the original Ashbory. I
found it, in stock form, to be quite satisfactory except for the body
shape. I don't even use talc since my hands are always pretty dry.


Tho

[Llarry]

"TonyPhiz" <aph@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:XAT0i.3071$085.21@fe3.news.blueyonder.co.uk.. .
> Yes, the talc (or chalk) is essential, although, samall bag or tin of
> white powder brought out at a gig has led to a few raised eyebrows in
> the audience.
>

At one point my mother gave me a small solid chunk of Talc to carry with it.
When I wanted to play, I could scrape some off with a fingernail and use it,
but the rest of the time it was just a harmless block of mineral so law
enforcement wouldn't jump to conclusions.

Only problem I've ever had traveling with mine was one time driving into
Canada, the border guard told us to drive over to the customs building for
further search. The second agent came out, poked about for a couple of
minutes and could only guess that the bag looked enough like a weapon case
to the first guard. I explained what it was, and we went on our way.
Coming back into the US, I was in the passenger seat so I took it out and
had it in my lap. No problem.



--
--Llarry Amrose

This was the sort of time where people were prone to say
'God only knows'. However, it was generally conceded
that if there was anything God didn't know, this would most likely be it.

[blahx3@earthlink.net]

On May 11, 1:17 pm, "Llarry" <tghll...@msn.com> wrote:

> Only problem I've ever had traveling with mine was one time driving into
> Canada, the border guard told us to drive over to the customs building for
> further search. The second agent came out, poked about for a couple of
> minutes and could only guess that the bag looked enough like a weapon case
> to the first guard. I explained what it was, and we went on our way.
> Coming back into the US, I was in the passenger seat so I took it out and
> had it in my lap. No problem.

It's a Weapon of Mass Ear-ritation!

heh.

Tho

[TonyPhiz]

Mogens V. wrote:
>>>
>>
>> Yes, the talc (or chalk) is essential, although, samall bag or tin of
>> white powder brought out at a gig has led to a few raised eyebrows in
>> the audience.
>
> Haha, I can imaging the looks after a sneeze and comforting the nose
> with dusty fingers ;) Traveling and airport security with such a setup
> may cause some 'interesting' situations...
> Jokes aside, is moist fingers on those rubber hoses that problematic?
>

Yes, if I don't use the talc my fingers stick to the strings if they get
at all sweaty. The talc works fine though.

TonyPhiz