Fun with piccolo bass

[Ziphoblat]

Being a boring traditionalist never got anyone anywhere. This produces an entirely different timbre to a guitar, as demonstrated. The longer scale and heavier gauges means that more low frequency content is present, even if those low frequencies are not the fundamentals. The feel of a piccolo bass and the ways in which it can be played are entirely different to a guitar, and more familiar to a bass player. The end result is audibly pleasing, so why all the complaining?..

[Ziphoblat]

@Ziphoblat ...Sure, it isn't necessarily fulfilling a traditional bass role, but welcome to the days of multi-tracking. You can have (*gasp*) TWO basses! If we return to traditional instrument roles, all the guitarists can get back to strumming barely audible chords acoustically beneath a drum-kit. Sounds fun, doesn't it?

[shaindaman13]

Cool. I'm a guitar player but for recording purposes sometimes I have to play bass. But I have never liked the long scale of a standard bass. I once played an old Fender bass that a guy I knew had. I fell in love with it because it was guitar scale. I can't remember the model of it to save my life. I like your videos btw.

[shaindaman13]

Stupid question: Can it be strung and tuned standard?

[MarloweDK]

@shaindaman13 Sure, its a standard shortscale bass strung with piccolo strings (+ 1 octave)

[Andres9632]

I dont get it.. hes playing guitar solos over a a deeper bass line.. do bass scales even work in an octive this high?

[Franksdad100]

@Andres9632 a scale is a scale surely? 

[Andres9632]

@Franksdad100 Some bass scales involve notes that wouldnt sound too great playing on the guitar octave. the lower bass octave allows said notes to blend in and become more viable.

[Franksdad100]

@Andres9632 for example?

[Andres9632]

@Franksdad100 I wouldnt be able to tell you without looking it up (which you can do for yourself) because im a guitar player. I've just been told this from most of the decent bassist ive played with.

[Franksdad100]

@Andres9632 well i tried looking it up, and couldn't find anything. i posted a question on bass chat, a forum for bass players, and this is the reply i got"but a scale is a scale. You play a C major scale on a bass, it'll be musically identical to playing a C major scale on a guitar. .......... Disregard any misinformation about scales being different on either instrument, it simply isn't true. "

[footballXcrazyX2012]

.... why, someone please explain to me whats the point of these strings? isnt the point of bass to be lower than the guitar, now it sounds like it. i really dont get it, but it does sound cool

[ethsailliamswa]

Man I love the piccolo sound!! Imma put in for some piccolo strings soon :D

[coltvids16]

@MarloweDK

this is so good, love your vids. i also play bass working on my scales so i can do stuff like this.

[mydog2134]

Play some blues guitar for kicks!



[PhilUSAFRet]

some nice jammin

[TCharlieA]

I think the true purpose of the piccolo bass is for bass players who have trouble using a pick play guitar. That's why I play one at least. I understand that you can play guitar without a pick but it is so incredibly much harder than just playing a piccolo bass and honestly sounds worse.

[shzindenPL]

one question, i'd like to have my own piccolo bass and is there any bass that is particularly dedicated to the piccolo strings? i'm thinking of buying a new bass guitar and don't know what sort of basses i should be looking for.

could somebody help me?

[jeffmara]

Excellent bass playing!

[HM2028]

8 idiot dislikes!!!!

[fatoujonny2]

so it's a little jazz bass? anyway, it's realy cool :P

[cosmicolor91]

I'm tired of seeing idiots who know nothing of the piccolo bass, and say its pointless, and is the same as guitar. The piccolo bass is an instument in its own right, and the purpose of it is its SOUND. The pickups, scale length etc. make for a different tone that neither a standard guitar or bass could produce. Most guys who play piccolo bass probably play a standard bass for the most part anyways.. well except jeff schmitd. Piccolo bass is just a good way for bassist to experiment.

[technoguyx]

@cosmicolor91 Not to mention fingerstyle and slap on an electric guitar is damn hard.

[kolossol1]

Marlowe... what'd you have to do to the bridge?

[slava1000000]

задротище а басов сколько

[MikeandhisBass]

Hey Marlowe, thanks alot for the reply, I've taken the advice to heart.

What actual strings are you using in this video? I have a short scale bass that hasn't been seeing enough use, but I can only find long scale piccolo strings. From and earlier fiasco I found out that heavier gauge long scale strings don't work on short scale basses, but maybe a lighter gauge will eliminate that problem?

Thanks again!

[MarloweDK]

@MikeandhisBass Piccolo bass strings ARE light gauge, these are Daddario EXL280 Piccolo

[BedroomBassist]

Marlowe, have you ever played the Marleaux piccolo bass? Marlowe + Marleaux = Marlovelous!

[Brian19451]

What the string gauge and tuning??

[MikeandhisBass]

Hey man, I'm a huge fan of your videos. I'm working on improvising solos over the bass, and I was wondering if you could answer a couple questions. What scale are you hovering around for this solo? I've been trying to get that really funked out feel, but past a minor pentatonic and chromatic walks, which both get really bland, I find myself at a loss as to what to do. Major and Minor keys and modes always seem to sound too happy or sad respectively.Also, what intervals do you hang on generally?

[MarloweDK]

@MikeandhisBass You need to transcribeand get inspired from great soloists, knowing scales doesnt do it alone. I usually learn a snippet of a solo, analyze it down to its scale content, change it around and use it in my own way.

That is the most common method of learning to play

[arrisfilms]

I love it

[calvinscheuerman]

very cool.

[jvmc08]

I have a question, instead of playing a piccolo bass couldn't you just play a guitar and get the same sound? anyone?

[WondrousBurrito]

@jvmc08

looooooool. Hopefully you trollin

[jvmc08]

@WondrousBurrito well its in the same octave as the guitar and the guitar also has a greater range, I can just plug in my guitar to my bass amp and get the same sound

[RuroiniStenchin]

@jvmc08

Okay, then, why dont you post a video of you playing your guitar and getting this super chill snappy tone.

[jvmc08]

@RuroiniStenchin Sure but just one problem, make that two, I have no camera and no recording software. If you would like to help out that would be great

[TheDaveWallace]

@jvmc08 No you can't. Piccolo Bass is a Bass, Guitar is a guitar. Different. Not the same. Different.

[jvmc08]

@TheDaveWallace No, thats like saying the piano doesn't have a bass range, the Guitar also has a bass range but the electric bass is one Octave lower than the guitar and the piccolo bass is in the same range as the guitar, but the guitar has a greater range

[TheGuruNate]

HOLY WALL OF BASSES MARLOW

[joepic85]

Wayman Tisdale was the master of the piccolo bass

[aNDREmu2]

great solo. great tone!

[benjaminkronborg]

WOW!

-Du har virkelig forstået conceptet jam :D

[volcomscooter29]

Do you have to mod the nut and the bridge to put piccallo strings on this bass. 

[MarloweDK]

@volcomscooter29 No mods

[msmilkshakes96]

awww, its cute

[ciscco3750]

Your right hand technique on this video looks similar to Mark Knopfler's one. Nice tune, cool bass, awesome sound!

[zanman42]

how many basses do you have back there?

[sprite153]

I have a question, what are you using as drum samples?

now theres also bass in your track ^^

nice groovy playing as always ;D

[almudjk]

got any tips on stringing and maintaining piccolo strings?

[GrantMills246]

how many inch scale has it got ??

[bassmsater153]

So if it's up an octave it's a 4 string guitar. Derp.

[megavega4]

Hey Bro.. long time since we last spoke..  you sound GREAT !!! 3 questions... 1) Is that bass available in the USA? 2) How much was it? 3) Do they make a 5 string?

[Blkdrs]

Wow, very cool playing!

[offerfish12]

Is it just me, Or did the bend at 0:39 Sound a off, Im not a bassist im a Guitar player so there is obviously a difference but to me it sounded to flat.

[Gerdellos]

Great solo!

[Theuaful]

I don't know if anyone said this yet but... piccolo basses are an oxymoron lol

Even half of a tenner bass is also one. :P

But I like the nice jazzy bluesy tone. Nice work.

[DivineWindOfTheSnow]

Thanks Marlowe! I actually learned something from these videos. And I was actually ringing some notes while you were playing! Awesome! Thanks for putting these up and keep doing what you do.

[nikklazz]

Sounds a bit like pornmusic ^^. Awesome playing as always

[PhuckHue2]

thanks for the inspiration MDK. I made a piccolo bass from a Washburn P/J bass ($60 used). I gutted the electronics and installed a 27 volt submini 6418 tube preamp ($12). I put on some Blue Steels ($7) and it sounds great! It has its own voice, lots of kick since it uses bass pickups. A lot fuller tone than a regular guitar. Every bass player should try this! :D

[PhuckHue2]

@PhuckHue2 I also installed a series/split/parallel and phase switch ($2). I wouldn't go higher than a .018 for the G- string or its gonna break!

[rich3]

Mighty fine Marlowe,...might fine pluckin rite dere.  You could tear up a country stage, right?

[Dethkloker9]

I heard somewhere that's what Joey demaio if manowar uses but I'm not sure if that is right

[Dethkloker9]

can explain to me the main differences between a standard electric bass and a piccolo bass

[superaltman]

Basically a Piccolo bass is a bass guitar (generaly a shorter scale) strung with guitar strings, so tuned to the bottom 4 strings of a guitar, rather than the normal 1 octave below.

from my understanding.

[MarloweDK]

it is BASS strings but thinner, but not guitar strings they are even thinner and would break put on a bass. The piccolo is tunes as a guitar but has more "ooompff"

[superaltman]

Really?

Never seen specefic piccolo strings here, but you can get guitar strings on a 30" from what I have been told.

Going to be building one myself soon :D :D

[MarloweDK]

All the major string brands makes piccolo bass strings, these are Daddario EXL280 Piccolo strings

[CubeableGame]

The piccolo bass sounds like a guitar but has more "ooompff"! Best explanation ever!

[DarkZekeX]

@MarloweDK plus you get more of the bass guitar tambre, because the strings are far enough apart for you to play it like a bass with your fingers, and it uses bass pickups :3

[andrasiboti]

@MarloweDK when you said "they are even thinner" you meant 'they' the guitar guitar strings or 'they' the piccolo strings?

jst curious!

nice playin btw! :D

cheers!^^

[MarloweDK]

@andrasiboti Thinner piccolo bass strings

[tornmask]

question for MarloweDK, besides the neck, is the SX SBJ-62 CAR bass short scale in body wise too? thank U in advance...

[MarloweDK]

This bass body is smaller yes

[soundation]

You ever use a 'fretless' bass?

[soundation]

When does 'bass' simply become'guitar'? I mean, you're playing it like a standard guitar - so why not just use a standard guitar?

[cooptroop123]

tuning...

[rabidcock]

@soundation most importantly different timbre and different string spacing. there are too many negative transfers from bass to guitar and vice versa. ergo, baritone guitars, piccolo basses.

[TheHappyK]

@soundation In my Opinion a bass sounds more round, full and warmer than a guitar and the playing style is so much fun

[JacobsBassWorld]

Ahhhh,

Beautiful guitar sounding tone but on a bass :)

I Love it!

[chickenandababy]

hey marlowe

did that bass come with piccolo strings already on it?

or did you have to put em on yourslf

[MarloweDK]

No, I changed them

[myspacceer]

can any bass be strung with piccolo bass?

[Ch33ky360]

isnt the piccolo bass pretty much a guitar with four strings?

cause ima bass player and i havent heard of one till today

[thatwhichidesire]

i dont get it. is it a special bass or just the strings? i'd think its the bass itself, because those pickups in an ordinary bass arent made for playing an octave higher, but im not sure. and also i can be wrong :)

[yhtomitalmighty]

I'm not sure but I think Marlowe fabricated his own improvised "piccolo bass".

Based on his description he had a short scale bass that means that it has less frets and are less long than normal basses - then he just put piccolo strings on them.

You can put piccolo bass strings on regular basses (sometimes adjustments are needed - you need to consider tension etc.) - but you can buy piccolo bass strings which are suited for long scale basses also.

[KongoXIIV]

Same number of frets, jus tighter together like a guitar.

It's prob a 30" scale but may be less, never seen less than 28" scale on a bass...

[yhtomitalmighty]

Oh yeah they make piccolo bass guitars too. You don't have to fabricate one yourself.

The important thing is that your "piccolo bass" is tuned one octave higher.

I don't own one but I have played/used one.

I think I'm gonna buy one. See I think that piccolo basses are for soloing. Me and my friends jam every week and my friend is a bassist too, so I think I'm just gonna play a piccolo bass since I'm more experienced and I can solo better. :)

[thatwhichidesire]

thanks for the info :)

[11966ericp]

Very nice bass solo, im new to playing bass, what is a Piccolo bass? I thought most basses used some sort of pedal or tunning to get that sound.

[MjaTheNoob]

piccolo bass- bass with a higher octave

[dumapies]

putting thinner strings on a bass

[BassmrDK]

Du er den bedste! :)

[thenameisdaniel]

Thanks Thomas. Now I'll have to explain to the wife why I need yet another bass... Keep doing what you do!

[dumapies]

yep i gotta say the same thing to my parents...even tho i just blown all my savings on a Lakland

[thenameisdaniel]

Not a bad way to spend some cash though...  They make nice stuff!

[dumapies]

i love it...best bass i played so far

[rnarumi]

listen to your friend marlowe. he's a cool dude. he's trying to help you out.

[skinheadcurbstomp]

is stanley clarkes bass set up piccolo style too?

[unopepito06]

I've definitely seen him play one in videos before. You can hear the difference.

Piccolo basses are so cool.

[HammondB200]

no, stanley's bass is tuned ADGC (=tenor). He does play piccolo, but that's quite rare.

[CptChaos88]

yeah. stanley clarke often uses a piccolo bass.

[cysublime]

sick marlowe

[6bassangel6]

backround song is wonderful. Where did you find it?

[Recanon]

Probably made it himself.

[kalduramare]

fantastic.

[limestarinc]

Ridiculous...love it.

[kagze]

Ville det ikke være nemmere bare at købe en guitar? :P

[naedsukram]

you have amazing feel man, nice improv!

[abc123gpl]

You are always very inspirating Marlowe !

5 Stars !

[jkramer5]

Geebus Thomas. You could put some Nashville cats out of a job and save money on strings at the same time lol.

Awsome as always.

[IsaJacoBasso]

I want do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:o

fantastic..

[esperasoesperas123]

so the piccolo bass is all about the strings right?, so i can put some piccolo strings to a long scale or short scale bass?

[MarloweDK]

sure you can, these strings was for long scale bass too

[zappasoul]

your the best, keep going it coming, i love your vids.

[skinheadcurbstomp]

its awesome how this bass resembles the tone of a keyboard

[50Stringbass]

from 3:28-3:50 you just go sick, i love it

[orlandofriend]

I've got an SX fretless in my collection that I just love -- and it was super cheap.

[majcm58]

my goal is to be able to solo like you...Thanks for all your videos.

[AJComB]

That was really good.Keep up the awesome videos.=)

[JkeBoxHero]

I need to get some piccolo strings to try this out.

[irishryno2000]

I love the fact that you have all these high dollar basses laying around and you are playing an SX. Kurt should be so proud for you to be playing one of his. And you are just too cool for words, sir. Thank you.

[LZNico]

my good I love that bass, great playing, inspirational as always..

[geullerulez]

Thomas, when is the release of your solo album???

great job !!

greetzzz

luc

[shabbyshack]

Ssooo Funny !

I love it !

[joelb79]

You should break out some "everything is everything" lines in there. You were really close on a few, i can hear the influence.

[MarloweDK]

Not really, its just the major pentatonic and blues lines that gives that association, im more inspired by Robben Ford when playing this "guitar" style

[MarloweDK]

This was a reply to joelb79

[MrStoney420]

Killer! I used to have a short-scale custom Zon, it was killer til the neck snapped =[

[FANEIAM]

what setup you got? sizes of strings?

[robertvdheide]

ENCORE! you rock ,,real funky stuff

[Zander4724]

you rock those piccolo strings, marlowe!

[DavidSinRocks]

Amazing! I'm wondering how cool it would sound with an octaver effect pedal! :D

[RageicaNiels]

4 stringed guitar?!... i really liked the sound of it!.. so clear and edgy. i didnt no such thing existed!

[SamuiHakai]

whether one exists or not isnt doesn't matter, this is still a bass... just with piccolo strings to allow a higher octave tuning

[tsup77]

Its still a bass, just strung with piccolo strings which are an octave higher than regular bass strings

[fleaargento]

good job

[tbcass]

It's really a 4 string guitar.

[SamuiHakai]

actually it isnt... shortscale bass with piccolo strings

[tbcass]

I realize that but in my mind it's a 4 string guitar because it's tuned at the same pitch as the lowest 4 strings of a guitar. A rose by any other name....

[MrPizzakiller]

nice bass !

[AndFromTheFuture]

Nice =O .

[jacobmccravy]

awesome