The Arco Acoustic Bass Guitar
"The thing I'm particularly pleased with on my [Arco] bass is that
my smallish hands can get around it much quicker
than they could possibly hope to on a full size upright, yet in a live situation
with the amp it sounds better than many amped up full size basses." Alan Harfield Nov 2007
The 'Arco' is an acoustic bass guitar redesigned to be played upright.
This basis not only allows the instrument to be bowed but restructures the acoustics to offer a more definite and fluent plucked string bass,
with a clarity of voice that remains closer to the double bass than the acoustic bass guitar.
The restructure allows a bridge position that can utilize the soundboard more efficiently creating the remarkable acoustic bass sound.
With a scale length of 34 inches, the bass will feel familiar to the bass guitarist from the outset.
Click here for the current brochure
Specifications;
Scale length 34 inches (864mm)
Top: Hand carved bookmatched 2 piece spruce
Back: Hand carved Bookmatched 2 piece maple, flat or carved optional
Ribs: Cornerless maple, depth up to 130mm, Bound and purfled
Neck: 3-piece maple housing adjustable truss. Scrolled Headstock optional. Schaller or Hipshot machine heads
Nut: 4 string 40mm wide, 55mm radius. 5 strings also available
Fingerboard: Solid ebony, playable up to 33rd position, 55mm radius. Position markers and frets optional
Bridge: Solid maple 60mm radius. Height adjustable optional, internal piezo optional
Tailpiece: Solid ebony, 2 types supplied with each bass to accommodate either 1/4 double bass strings, or bass guitar strings
Finish: Hand rubbed oil finish, stained or unstained according to customers preference
Optional Hard Case: Polypropylene with steel ball-corners, aluminium edging, flush handles and latches. (20kg loaded weight)
Gig Bag, with bow pocket, zipped, durable and padded.
Pick up: Options available please inquire.
Price: Stock Arco Basses available from 1295 GB Pounds (Limited availabilty, please enquire).
Full package with all options 2995 GB Pounds (custom made). Packages to suit different budgets, please enquire.
Sound Samples
Robert Thomson, Bruny Island, Tasmania playing his 2009 Arco bass (The Bruny Bass)
Senor Blues (bass only) Senor Blues Casa Forte (bass only) Casa Forte Buddy (bass only)
Alan Harfield with his band Thenwhat? playing his 2006 flatback arco bass
Thenwhat?, Carol Denya: Vocals, Jon Hall: Piano, Carol Scorer: Drums/Percussion, Alan Harfield: Chennell Arco Bass
Summertime Malika Stolen Moments Cliksong Right here
Making a bass 2007
Click here for an Arco ABG build album, photographed at every step (2007)
Individually hand crafted by Toby Chennell.
Please Email Toby@chennell.org.uk for further information.