Short Scale Fretless "P" Bass Mods. Pete Carter.

I converted my fretless P bass to short scale 31 inches from long scale 34 Inches. Very pleased with the playability and sound. Forgot to mention that shortening the scale length will also mean less tension on the strings when tuning up to concert pitch ,equivalent to maybe detuning a tone and a half

[@jstemmlerbass]

Having the p style pickup so close to the bridge gives a pretty unique tone. Cool project

[@duendedude2345]

Thanks.

[@Ilikewomen43]

That bass its amazing 🗣🔥😎👍🏿

[@duendedude2345]

Thanks.

[@eyeball226]

As a bonus, you've got extra range on the fingerboard to use!

[@organatron]

26 frets... I loved this!

[@edwincancelii2917]

It sounds beautiful.

[@duendedude2345]

Thanks.

[@Tattoed_soul]

What a great idea. Thanks for the video

[@duendedude2345]

Thanks for watching.

[@mrtapping]

Sounds amazing and you have a great intonation

[@duendedude2345]

Thanks. Now suits my hand size perfectly.

[@mrtapping]

@duendedude2345 I also had built for myself a 32 Inch scale bass, headless. Way better for the joints and wrist

[@organatron]

brilliant...!

[@RobVespa]

Thanks for the commentary and wonderful playing. The sounds of a fretless bass are just something else. All the best.

[@duendedude2345]

Thanks

[@m.hughes2521]

Now that's thinking outside of the box. Kudos dude.

[@duendedude2345]

Thanks. works great.

[@daltonvanhorn5167]

brilliant, thank you

[@Mauronog1]

Amazing idea, sound and playing.
See if you can make another video without effects on the Bass sometime later on.

[@duendedude2345]

Thanks. There are no effects used on this video. just strait to the amp with some spring reverb. Check out more recent videos.

[@Mauronog1]

@@duendedude2345 ok . That's what I just noticed, a little reverb that added a nice flavour to the sound. You've inspired me to do the same on my Fretless too. Thanks!!

[@duendedude2345]

Remember that I bought this bass as a wreck and it has zero resale value . If you have a decent instrument , you could destroy its resale value by doing this. @@Mauronog1

[@Mauronog1]

@@duendedude2345 oh no sorry! I didn't express myself correctly. I was talking about using a bit of reverb effect while playing my Bass.
You have no idea what I did on my Fretless basses. I have three Fretless basses, all built by myself. The first one that I built back in the 80's I put a stainless steel non-adjustable rod inside the neck. It wasn't enough to invert the bend on it. Well, there are stories about the others that I'm sure you will laugh forever if I told you. But now, each one has its own sound and playing feel.

[@duendedude2345]

Wow ! Respect for building your own instruments.@@Mauronog1

[@raabdj]

Sounds fantastic. I have the same bass and similarly ripped out the fretless a while ago. The short sale conversion is very tempting. I’m assuming it still weighs a tonne? 😂

[@duendedude2345]

Thanks. Mine is an unmarked fretless. If yours has fret markings where the frets once were, you need to hide them somehow if you want to shorten the scale. And yes it weighs a tonne, but I don't gig anymore and only play it sitting down. Thanks for you interest.

[@ajadrew]

But what about the markers on the top of the neck, 5,7,9,12 etc? if they're still there they must throw you of course? Love the idea though as my hands are small so I spend as much time devoted to lh finger stretching exercises as I do to just playing music.

[@duendedude2345]

If you watched the whole video, you would see that I addressed this issue. You need to black out the original markers and paint on new ones using a tuner or by ear if you can do that.

[@ajadrew]

@@duendedude2345 Apoligies, I didn't watch the whole video as I immediatly started playing my bass imagining the difference if the scale length was shorter. I appreciate your response 👍😊

[@scottmatthews172]

🤨

[@jazzman1954]

Just get a short scale bass. Plenty of cheap options around.

[@duendedude2345]

I bought this bass for £ 20 and fixed it up. Would not do this to an inexpensive instrument.