How to Piccolo Bass - Episode 1: An introduction to Piccolo Bass

[@timanderson5417]

I have been playing 5-string bass tuned e a d g c since 1991. and I started playing 5 string Piccolo Bass tune an octave up with a whammy pedal and distortion for 3 or 4 years now and boy is it fun!

[@ScottWhitley]

Nice 1!! Yes - fun, some folks don't seem to acknowledge that fun is such an important part of making music. :)

[@grgas]

E to c piccolo? That does sound fun!

[@thestratman7903]

Why is it EADGC and not a EADGB(E) like on a guitar??

[@timanderson5417]

@@thestratman7903 I was used to bass guitar tuning which are all in fourths the one I started doing that way back when it just made more sense to me as I've never played guitar

[@thestratman7903]

@@timanderson5417 It does make more sense technically to have all 4th's but that B is there for chords(mostly open position) so I was just wondering WHY C and not B that's all.

[@charlieg5088]

This is a great idea nobody else is teaching anybody anything about Picolo Bass

[@ScottWhitley]

Cheers, Charlie - I noticed the same. Hopefully these will be helpful to some. :)

[@thestratman7903]

Or......Just play the E-G on a guitar! Why don't I put bass strings on my guitar while I'm at it? I'll call it Tuba guitar

[@RastaSaiyaman]

I worked at a bass guitar workshop for 18 years and we listened to a LOT of fusion, one guy who got a lot of play time on the stereo was Miles Davis and he had a Piccolo bass player named "Foley" who according to my boss who saw Miles during that tour "Plays like John Scofield."

[@ScottWhitley]

Cool! 🙂

[@kennethmeeker6369]

Is that the guy in the , last performance video Miles Davis

[@RastaSaiyaman]

@@kennethmeeker6369 Yup, that's him.

[@ceopangea4477]

I think this is the beginning of what will be a great series of instruction.

[@ScottWhitley]

Thank you Sir! Hoping this will be fun and informative for all...

[@kevmac1230]

I built a copy of an SG bass that I think would make a pretty good choice for a piccolo bass.I think it would be great for recording as a sort of guitar, getting in that sound realm while utilizing my bass playing sense ability.I have always wondered about it and I am finally learning about it through your excellent lessons.Thanks once again.

[@ScottWhitley]

That's great to hear, Kev - great minds think alike!! :-D I'll be doing more piccolo stuff periodically so keep your eyes peeled. Cheers again, Kev, Scott.

[@KarlClews]

Whoa, thanks for the name check - I wasn’t expecting that! 😊 Really enjoyed the video - it was about time the piccolo got some love! 👏 And yes, I get through a lot of those GHS string sets, so I’ll be ordering them via your link in future. 👍

[@ScottWhitley]

Thanks Karl! Yeah - if I'd had more time I would have given you a heads-up in advance so really chuffed you caught that. :). Well deserved mention to may I say! Thanks a million re using the link - every little helps as they say. :)

[@tompenny9629]

Really looking forward to hearing more

[@ScottWhitley]

Thanks, Tom

[@quinnmclaughlin7537]

This is timely, right now I am trying to decide on tenor or piccolo for my next bass

[@ScottWhitley]

Cool! I'd love to hear where you go with it, Quinn. Keep in touch, Scott.

[@vacharasakpechkul7690]

Thank you so much for making this video 😊🙏🏻 I have played Piccolo Bass for a while but my progression is quite slow 🤣. I will follow your videos because I think Piccolo Bass is cool, the sound is almost like a Guitar but has it own unique sound. 😁 And the very good thing is I can use any technique that I practice when playing regular bass on Piccolo Bass, especially the slap things 😁

[@ScottWhitley]

My pleasure - glad to help. :) I agree with all those things - it makes a lot of sense doesn't it? :) Nexr Piccolo video will be a week on Sunday. This Sunday I have a slap bass video coming out at 4pm UK time. There's a live chat at the premiere of you can make it!:)

[@vacharasakpechkul7690]

@@ScottWhitley Thank you so much for your reply 😊🙏🏻❤️. I just have got new piccolo bass strings sets and I will go to a luthier shop to change the strings and do the set up. Really exciting because I have used Dadario strings for a long time but this time I will try the Smith piccolo set instead. 😁🎵

[@belanagy5595]

Wow - such a cool video. My 1st time favourite bassis is also Stanley Clarke (on the Jazz/Fusion line) - back in 2000 I purchased a CD called 'If This Bass Could Only Talk' - never heard of Stanley before but I fell in love with the music and with his bass technique and sound as a bass player. So thanks for this video, I probably need to acquire an other bass and convert it to picolo :-) My other influence is - however on Rock line - Billy Sheehan :-)

[@ScottWhitley]

Hey - thanks so much for the kind and positive words! I totally remember that album - it was the one featuring a tap dancer if I recall correctly?! Very cool and creative idea. I'd love to hear how you get on if you decide to have a dabble into piccolo bass yourself... I'm a huge Sheehan fan too! I don't play much like him, but have always been inspired by him in so many ways. Thanks again - take care, Scott.

[@congerscott6064]

I'm in the market for a short scale bass with the sole purpose of setting it up and putting piccolo strings on it, great video, thank you 👍.

[@ScottWhitley]

Many thanks!! :)

[@bassistamalato]

This is great stuff man!!!! Amazing content

[@ScottWhitley]

Thank you, Antonio! Much appreciated.

[@glennselwitz1377]

Great episode Scott love the possibilities with piccolo and the information from your experience with a piccolo is priceless..I get the impression you are a decent guitar player from watching this...have you ever explored the baritone guitar It kind of sits between piccolo and regular guitar...I've been playing bass and guitar for 50+ years now ...about 4 years ago I discovered the baritone...its another whole world of expression...BTW someones getting very slick on the editing of these new episodes....keep em coming!.....

[@ScottWhitley]

Thanks for the feedback, Glenn - very much appreciated! I've been trying to get the production where I wanted it for years and over the past 12 months I've worked really hard to get it there. Re the guitar - I do play guitar and have had periods where I put a ton of work into it. However I never class myself as a guitarist - I just feel more at home on four string bass. I guess it's a combination of the bigger string spacing, fat fingers 🤣 and many more hours spent on it that guitar. I've played a baritone and nearly acquired one once. Definitely a ton of fun!!

[@nicolasmith1460]

I’ve been waiting for this ... excellent. I’ve never played chords on a bass just freestyle and walking bass. Are you going to go through chord shapes in future videos? I hear jazz with piccolo bass... I think it could blend very well in a jazz trio. It would be so great to play the bloomin melody for once!!

[@ScottWhitley]

Thanks again, Nicola! Yes - definitely going to go through chords. Yes - it can sound lovely and jazzy. And yes - so much fun to play the tune!! :)

[@LegoBuilderStudios]

Cool vid Scott! I've heard of piccolo strings before in the past, (briefly at that) when I wanted to play bass with acoustic strings, because I just couldn't have my bass plugged in all the time 🤣 Many people would recommend the piccolo strings but I never got around to trying them out. Love the blend between the bass/guitar you get with them, and your right, a bit of reverb does the job nicely! Will probably get these soon enough, and slap them on my Gretsch (that is when I've saved up for it haha!) Cheers Scott, looking forward to more in this series 👍

[@ScottWhitley]

Brilliant - cheers, Matthew! Let me know how you get on when you do try it... :). It's a lot of fun!

[@warrensnead6165]

Just tried piccolo strings on my Sire M5 that I played only a couple times. Like you said, shouldn’t be too crazy for the change. Subbed to your channel. Please reach out…ima 62 yr old 4 stringer…play by ear… but the way you explain things, this old dog may be able to learn new tricks!

[@420Bassist]

Sheesh I think I've found what I've been looking for. Recently I've been playing an acoustic guitar that I took the high E and B off of. Just been noodling and started playing bass style and I really like it. I've been looking for a bass that sounds more like a guitar and I think I've found my answer in a piccolo bass. I don't like the sound of a traditional bass guitar or the strings for that matter. I think I may need to invest in a short scale bass and purchase piccolo strings

[@ScottWhitley]

That's brilliant to hear - keep in touch and let us know how you get on!! Take care, Scott.

[@hiraethica]

Great video! ❤

[@johng7566]

I have a cheap Yamaha BB1000MA strung piccolo and it’s great fun. Also great to play with different tunings since the strings are so responsive to changes. I’ve done drop d, BEAD, and one of my favorites, cello tuning CGDA

[@thomascordery7951]

Ron Carter played an upright piccolo bass tuned A1, D2, G2, C3. I'd be curious to try that tuning on an acoustic bass like an Ibanez AEGB24E - it's like a dreadnought or a bit bigger acoustic guitar with four strings, tuned as a regular bass, but I'd shift the A, D and G strings one position down and add a C on top. I've tried similar acoustic basses in standard tune, but the volume for the E string coming from the body has always sounded a bit thin to me. An interesting alternative might be to take a 4/4 (full size) cello, find the right strings and tune it down to A1 through C3, or if that sounds too thin, maybe try it with a 1/8 upright bass. All any of this would take is money and time ...

[@Guitar387]

First time I have heard of a picalo bass. It's really really strange because it is tuned to same pitch as standard guitar, but sounds totaly different. It has a natural compression sound.

[@BassGuitarInstrumental]

Thanks Scott, I'm going to take the plunge ...

[@hughrocko6791]

That's ace m8.

[@ScottWhitley]

Thanks bud!!

[@zyxwfish]

I just had an idea. I’m sure someone has thought of this but what if you had two piccolo strings on for the D and G strings and regular bass strings on for E and A.

[@ScottWhitley]

That's a pretty cool idea! Would allow you to play some huge sounding stuff!!

[@alainbrasseur7083]

he did it ! : kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKOsY4KAa5p6hKs and what about playing piccolo bass through an octave pedal? Damned! he did it too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIKvkKqFgLJ4pas

[@zyxwfish]

alain brasseur thanks for sharing!

[@christianhenry4173]

If you get a 5 string bass like I did you can tune it in 4ths. I set my tuning to the highest tuning possible in the tenor Guitar Range. And that's D-G-C-F-A#3 You can easily play almost in any song in that Range while carrying the melody, Harmony, and Chords.

[@edwincancelii2917]

Great for strumming, too.

[@gregoryharper886]

❤️

[@magus_211]

Would it be safe to turn a hollow body bass piccolo? Short scale maybe

[@ScottWhitley]

Definitely! It would great for a more jazzy tone too (Gibson L5 sort of stuff). :)

[@studioxmusic]

Great Video Scott, never heard of Chowny bass before, where are they made?

[@ScottWhitley]

Hi there and thanks for the kind words. Chowny are based in Bristol in the UK. Previously built in India but now moving production to the UK. :)

[@studioxmusic]

Hey Scott, I'm going to have to put a Chowney on my wish list for basses, it sounds great! I took a look on their website but I especially like the model you designed or signature model, whatever it is, I do like it. I currently have Overwater building my 2nd custom bass with them, should have that one by spring/summer time. I have also got into picollo bass playing and have started shooting a few videos of my own but I must say, I think you are a waaaay better player than me but I am working on one now that I'll have to share with you when I complete it, I'm kind of proud of my playing on this one, I really tear it up using a Marcus Miller U5 short scale bass. Thx Scott, love your picollo vids! When I get some time, I plan on watching more of them, the one I watched was great, thanks for the lesson! Its an honor to make your acquaintance.

[@bretonleo8740]

Thanks for the video ! Do you know if there is 5 string sets available somewhere ? (For a E A D G B string set) I just found a custom 6 string set made for the artist Carlos Pavicich but it’s really thinner in the high strings than the set I play Thanks a lot ! Léo

[@karlmeyer9473]

Can you do piccolo on a six string bass???

[@ScottWhitley]

Absolutely, although I reckon you might have to have a custom set made. Try @skullstrings or @GHS Strings if you decide to try it. Both do custom sets. Cheers, Scott.

[@nicolasmith1460]

So you put low gauge strings on a short bass. And tune up an octave. There’s no tension on the finger board that makes it snap then? If you had an expensive much loved regular bass would you suggest buying another one for piccolo bass playing just in case the tension of winding it up an octave caused damage to the neck? Do the semi hollow bases sound more jazzy than the solid? I’m interested mainly in jazz so was wondering which short bass to consider .... other than yours of course 😉

[@ScottWhitley]

Hi again, Nicola. No tension worries as the strings I use are specifically designed to be tuned an octave higher than a regular bass - they are MUCH thinner. Hence why truss adjustments are rarely required - the overall tension is very similar. Yes - semi hollows will sound more like a Jazz guitar. Check out Brian Bromberg's piccolo playing on KZbin. He has a big bodied piccolo bass that sounds stunning. :)

[@hypnoticjazzincorporated2362]

I have a danelectro longhorn bass I have been thinking making that a piccolo bass get some stanley clarke vibes up in there.

[@cigman777]

I'm glad to hear that those strings will fit a long action bass with no real hardware adjustments, but I was just wondering if there were any strings like those that are half-wound or flat-wound? I normally play upright bass and so i'm really not personally a fan of the feeling of roundwounds, and I also tend to prefer the tone of flats and halfs rather than rounds.

[@ScottWhitley]

Hi there! I'm not sure off the top of my head what's available off the peg in long scale. I can highly recommend Skull Strings who will make pretty much anything you require to order. Here's their website - www.skull-strings.com/wp/

[@jeremypoythress4995]

Haven't looked any halfs or rounds yet but I have been looking at few pairs thinking about flatwounds and gut strings. labella makes extra long supernils #1006 36" (double bass 4/4) scale strings and are known for thier flatwounds they'd probably have an existing set before anyone else. d'addrio also makes custom long scale ns electric cello bass strings. Ive Also seen some synthetic gut strings going around on the internet recently.

[@Phillphine]

I have a short scale alien bass, about 31in scale, that I tried as a piccolo bass, but the tension always scared me. Tuning it up I was waiting for a string to pop, and playing it even moreso. It just felt like a string would pop at any second. I used some strings i got at a local shop. Gonna try again with the ghs strings recmended, but wondering about other tips to help or get over that fear. Also, I left the stock jazz humbucker copy in it, but wondering if there might be something better suited for the new frequency range, or maybe find a nice guitar pickup (and make a ring to hold it). Thanks.

[@ScottWhitley]

Hi there - thanks for the comment. I've never had an issue with tension like you described - hopefully the GHS strings will address that issue. Let me know how it goes... :) The pickup should work well although I'd expect the tone to be more Gibson Jazz Guitar sounding if you know what I mean.

[@theothertonydutch]

Building something Piccolo-esque as we speak. It's gonne be equipped with lipsticks. :)

[@skrillah6259]

Has anyone ever tried putting regular bass strings for lets say the E and A strings and piccolo strings for D and G strings. So you can have the low end and also that guitaresque sound

[@generalrodcocker1018]

i would like to have a slimmer neck on a piccolo bass so that the strings are closer to each other, much more like on a regular guitar

[@GrimmmReaperz]

Would using a Piccolo bass during an acoustic set make good use of the tone. I know playing along with my mates when they are doing an acoustic set can get over powered by the deep register of my bass.

[@ScottWhitley]

It could do, but it won't actually fulfill the regular bass role as it's more of a solo/accompaniment instrument. However you could weave some nice lines in there in much the same way a saxophonist might for example...

[@mordomaniac]

I own a small Ibanez with geezer Butler emgs. Will these Strings fit on a 28,6 shortscale in e flat tuning? THX for watering my mouth.

[@iceWaterProductions1]

What’s the brand and model bass your playing? Sounds great.

[@cd0u50c9]

How does the string tension work? I figured the very light strings doesn't necessarily mean lower tension?

[@simonfort648]

Loving the glasses mate , your a dude x

[@ScottWhitley]

Haha - cheers Simon!! :)

[@simonfort648]

@@ScottWhitley Mate your an inspiration

[@simonfort648]

Keep being you pal - your ace - lets grab a pint some time - you still in buuuurrrrley? WE ARE THE ROVERS lol

[@ScottWhitley]

Cheers bud - will do!! 🤣. Yeah still in Burnley. Deffo have a catch-up when things get back to normal!!

[@simonfort648]

@@ScottWhitley Ill look forward to it pal - say Hi to Jin Jan

[@thesoundpainterbkny3465]

I WANT A PICCOLO BASS!!!!!!!!!

[@Sw1thb3rt]

So listen. I modded my Jag to Picolo and I love tooling around with it. But NOW I wanna throw a Tremelo Bridge on it. Any idea where I could get that done? Any advice on choosing a company for a custom order maybe?

[@solo624]

What is a desired scale length bass , or cheap bass to use ? Should you use a bronco sized bass ?

[@lawrencecardente533]

Piccolo bass played through a guitar amp, does it work?

[@lucodin5205]

Hello Scott is it normal that picolo strings are harder to play than bass strings? Thank you for tutorials

[@BenD_Bass]

Les Claypool had a piccolo bass too

[@pointdoc1]

Hello Scott, I would like to explore this subject and am considering a semi-hollow bass. Any suggestion from which manufacture(s) you would consider? I am considering a Jack Casady, Gretsch or Guild? Thanks...

[@ScottWhitley]

Hi there! I think the Jack Cassidy is long scale which, although will work, you'll be working with higher string tension. The Guild sounds like a good option or have you considered the Chowny CHB1....they are short scale, semi-acoustic and sound great?! Cheers, Scott.

[@pointdoc1]

@@ScottWhitley Hi Scott, thanks for you reply. So I am looking at the Gretsch G2220 and the Epiphone Allen Woody and possibly the Ibanez GSRM20. Any thoughts?

[@solo624]

Where can you find setup information for long scale bass adjustments?

[@ebassstudent1454]

Is the piccolo bass played exclusively from the bass clef tuned like an ordinary bass, or can it be played from the treble clef? Would it need to be retuned to play from the treble clef?

[@ScottWhitley]

You could totally play from bass clef, but would just have to keep in mind the notes you sound will be an octave higher that what's written ( unless you actually account for that in the notation)

[@ebassstudent1454]

@@ScottWhitley can it be played from the treble clef without any changes?

[@alainbrasseur7083]

Miles Davis called it lead bass and Foley was the player : kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKXagJKLqdeAgNE

[@ScottWhitley]

Thanks for the link Alain!

[@stumblecat]

@@ScottWhitley Great video, Scott. Just wanted to add another Foley link. I first heard this in a guitar player magazine soundpage. He plays all instruments on the track, “The Senate”. I think the groove is killer. Keep up the good work! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZzcoYSohJajatk

[@ScottWhitley]

Many thanks and many thanks for the video/info - much appreciated!

[@nunoharris]

Hi. Are you using a Chorus pedal at 4:55 Thanks

[@lucodin5205]

Hello, what is the pitch of your piccolo? Thanks in advance

[@paulchristie8452]

Is Les Claypool the most famous piccolo bassist at the moment?

[@samcockrell]

Smoking just what I’m looking for I play music man/sterling sub 4 string who makes the one you’re playing? are the strings easy on your fingers ?

[@ScottWhitley]

Hi Sam, Chowny make the bass in the video. It was actually my design of bass and I licence it to Chowny to produce (SWB range - chownybass.com/product/swb-1-scott-whitley-signature/). I would say the strings aren't any more, or less, rough on your fingers than any regular bass strings, and they have the usual sort of tension. Just the plain G can feel a bit strange but you soon get used to it! Cheers, Scott.

[@samcockrell]

Thanks Scott nice playing

[@samcockrell]

Tell me what you were playing out of and will my music man sub work for piccolo

[@ScottWhitley]

I was playing through my Zoom B1 Four direct, so not actually using an amp. The piccolo bass strings I use are actually long scale strings so they will work on your Sub, but they will have a higher tension than on my short scale bass. Hope that helps, Scott.

[@CaptainRaab]

Foley McCreary?

[@nunoharris]

Hi Whats the brand of your Bass ? Thanks

[@michelecaldaro8144]

11

[@ScottWhitley]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqnKqWehbZitsMU 😂

[@MisterPoppy-sc1sj]

Joey de Maio

[@SmokDiplodoq]

It's scary how this gentleman tries sneakily delude a straight bassman to how amazing all this guitar sounds are. Stop! Evil speaks through you sir!!

[@MrBlowncat]

😲

[@horacestacey3549]

Is better to use a guitar amp or a bass amp?

[@simonfort648]

And the bass lol

[@markmorrisjones62]

Appetite whetted

[@ScottWhitley]

Next episode a week on Sunday... :)

[@potsandjacks]

Forgot Prince

[@jimdandy4329]

Heheh... “nut slots”.

[@ScottWhitley]

Lol

[@nocureforyou9747]

Man this sounds too much like a guitar with 4 strings more than a bass at a higher tuning

[@edwincancelii2917]

Meaning, guitarish.