5-STRING ELECTRIC UPRIGHT BASS
The Kelvin Daly Electric Upright Bass presents a new approach to a multi-use electric upright bass that can extend up into the cello range depending on the specs.
Ergonomics: It is designed to be played ergonomically in five different positions for different uses, as shown above in the photos. It can be played: 1) horizontally like a standard electric bass for finger styles; 2) affixed to a stand for upright plucking or bowing; 3) in an cello position on its endpin while seated; 4) in a standard upright bass position standing on its endpin; and 5) utilizing the multiple strap positions for comfortable upright bowing while strapped to the player's body. The multiple strap positions are unique to this instrument, and allow the player to move about freely as they play fingerstyle (pizzicato) or arco. This instrument travels easily; it weighs less than most standard electric basses and is the width of a standard bass and only slightly longer.
Electronics: This series utilizes a special humbucking magnetic pickup that Kent Armstrong designed with me to exactly fit the size and desired tone of this instrument and to work well on both arco and pizzicato approaches. It works well with many varieties of strings with ferrous metal cores. The unique pickup is paired with an active 3-band EQ to allow a wide variety of tones in both styles.
Scale Length: It can be built in 38-inch scale length, 36-inch scale length (full-scale), or 32-inch scale length (short-scale) for basses, all of which are comfortable in all five positions. Longer scale lengths can be discussed if the customer wishes to approach the length of a 4/4 scale upright, although lengths beyond 38 inches may compromise some of the alternate playing positions. Additionally, a similar design can be adapted for an electric cello with a 27.5-inch scale length.
Strings: This design is available for order in 4-, 5-, and 6-string variations.
Price:
4-String: $4,000
5-String: $5,000
6-String: $6,000
Contact me for questions and quotes for specific configurations and current wait times.
The pictured instrument is the original prototype and my own personal instrument. It is a 36-inch scale length, fretless 5-string, with the 5th string extending into the higher range, tuned EADGC. The 5th string in the higher range brings this bass smoothly into the first two cello ranges, having a fingerboard of 29 frets length. The fingerboard is unfretted but with inlaid fret lines and made of cocobola and bocote on a maple neck. The body is mahogany with a spruce and rosewood top plate.
This prototype, which was built prior to the invention of the current generation of Kent Armstrong pickups, uses instead a Bartolini split 5-string pickup running through a Kent Armstrong 3-band preamp. It also features a unique second pickup which only picks up the highest string and sends it through an entirely different output jack so that the highest string can be run through effects while keeping the lower 4 strings clean. I have developed this unusual pickup configuration to allow playing in two distinct voices on the same instrument, which I have enjoyed using in my own music. Other pickup configurations could be done.
Photos by Adrian Buckmaster