Piccolo bass
|
A 1963 Hofner Model 185 bass converted to piccolo tuning | |
| String instrument | |
|---|---|
| Classification | String instrument (bowed, fingered or picked; rarely strummed) |
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification |
321.322 (Composite chordophone) |
| Inventor(s) | Ron Carter, Stanley Clarke |
| Developed | 1970s |
| Playing range | |
 (a standard tuned four-string piccolo bass guitar) | |
| Related instruments | |
A piccolo bass is either an electric bass guitar or acoustic double bass which has been tuned to a higher range, usually one octave higher than conventional bass tuning. This allows bass players to use higher registers during soloing while retaining a familiar scale length and string spacing.
History
In the early 1970s Ron Carter and Stanley Clarke were independently exploring the possibilities of stringing their instruments in a higher, or piccolo, tuning. The earliest recording of Ron Carter playing his piccolo bass in on the 1973 album Blues Farm.
Design considerations
Acoustic piccolo bass
The acoustic piccolo bass is constructed in the same way as a double bass, allowing the player to use the same arco and pizzicato techniques. The scale length will usually be similar to that of standard upright bass, with thinner strings to allow a higher-pitched tuning. The acoustic piccolo bass is usually tuned in fourths, E2-A2-D3-G3, although Ron Carter often uses A1-D2-G2-C3.[1]
Electric piccolo bass
The electric piccolo bass is generally constructed in the same way as an electric bass guitar. In many cases these are conventional bass guitars which have been converted to piccolo tuning. This typically requires a new nut to accept the thinner strings. The tuning is E2-A2-D3-G3, which is the same as the lower four string on a guitar. Some short-scale piccolo basses may be strung with conventional guitar strings. However, in general a piccolo bass will require special string sets to cater for the longer scale length, and larger balls ends to cope with the larger drilled holes in a bass bridge.
The tuning varies with the personal tastes of the artist, as does the number of strings. Joey DeMaio from the heavy metal band Manowar plays with four strings on his piccolo bass. Jazz bassist John Patitucci used a six-string piccolo bass, unaccompanied, on his song "Sachi's Eyes" on his album One More Angel. Michael Manring uses D'Addario EXL 280 piccolo bass strings, in a variety of tunings, on his four-string hyperbass, made by Zon Guitars.
Notable players
- Brian Bromberg
- Ron Carter
- Stanley Clarke
- Joey DeMaio
- Michael Manring
- Joe McCreary
- John Patitucci
- Jeff Schmidt
- Henry Threadgill
- Wayman Tisdale
- Les Claypool
- Foley
References
External links
- R.M. Mottola's Mezzaluna electric bass family includes both a piccolo and a piccolino electric bass