Absolutely NO Mandolin content!!!

[G7MOF]

I'm building a bass guitar using a 1/2 size classical guitar and silicone strings. I'm hoping to avoid pitfalls and was wondering if anyone has done this type of conversion in the past.
I know I could buy a U bass but I need it to have a slightly larger scale and of course it's the challenge!
Any help would be appreciated.

[John Kelly]

I'd wonder whether the small scale length of the half-sized classical guitar would cause you problems with the sound, not allowing you to get deep enough notes for a bass? Another thing is that the classical guitar top, if fan-braced as a classical should be, would be unlikely to be able to take the pull of the strings, but then again I have no idea about silicone strings nor U basses, so I may well be away off here!
Keep us posted!

[Bill Snyder]

John, U basses are about the size of a baritone uke and I think fairly lightly braced as the strings are VERY floppy, or at least they appear to be in videos.

[Phil Goodson]

Take a look at this bass.
It's the Gold Tone Micro Bass with a 23 inch scale length. Sounds similar to your needs. The silicone strings work quite well.
The whole thing depends on the pickup. There is very little volume out of these instruments unless amplified properly.

I hope the link will give you some helpful info.
I have the fretless model and it really does work and sounds pretty good, considering its size and convenience.

Addendum: They are apparently also making a 25 inch model now.

[John Kelly]

So, an instrument I had not heard of previously! That's what I love about this forum - we constantly learn new things.

[Bernie Daniel]

I'm building a bass guitar using a 1/2 size classical guitar and silicone strings. I'm hoping to avoid pitfalls and was wondering if anyone has done this type of conversion in the past.
I know I could buy a U bass but I need it to have a slightly larger scale and of course it's the challenge!
Any help would be appreciated.

Hey I suggest you take a look at a Kala U-bass!

[G7MOF]

Found a massive problem with stringing the "E" string. The thickness of the rubber string won't wind round the horizontal tuner enough to make it a stable tuning as there just isn't enough width. This stripped the tuners thread when under tension!
It looks like I'll be playing my Kala U Bass for a long time yet.

[Ray(T)]

Or one of these - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashbory_bass

Once found one of the originals in a shop in Nottingham. Sounded awful (quiet and no punch) but later learned that the originals had low impedance pickups.

[allenhopkins]

Once found one of the originals in a shop in Nottingham. Sounded awful (quiet and no punch) but later learned that the originals had low impedance pickups.

I have one of the original Guild Ashbory basses. They have an active on-board pre-amped pickup with a 9v battery, as well as a passive piezo. You can play them with just the passive piezo, but not much output; switch on the "juice" and you get a fair amount of "guts."

I sympathize with G7MOF's dilemma. The lower silicone rubber string is really thick; the Ashbory has what are basically bass guitar tuners, though they're adjustable non-geared "friction pegs." Headstock reconstruction and tuner replacement may well be required; you could, oddly enough, buy Ashbory tuners here.

[G7MOF]

Thanks Allen. I'm going to fill the head stock slots to make it solid then I'll get the Ashbory tuners and see how things work out.
The price for the tuners is quite good even with import duties to the UK.
I don't know why I started this project really, just too much time on my hands I think.

[bbcee]

From my past life as a recoding engineer, I can tell you that Ashbory's "go to tape" very well. I love them!