The Birdsong Difference - Birdsong Guitars, Wimberley Texas

For me it was a size issue, I'm 5'4". But even full-size bassists that just liked short scales were having trouble. The choice was either an imported student model of dubious quality, a "vintage" design that didn't balance or sound all that great back in the '60s and still doesn't now, or a custom-built exotic that costs as much as a college education.

It all started with a quest...

For a more compact bass that wasn't poorly designed and didn't sound like a wet blanket. I would've settled for something that balanced decently, sounded okay and was even halfway gig worthy at the same time. But all I found were cheap imported factory made student models.

As far as USA stuff, I loved the Mustang bass, but it was neck heavy & dead sounding. I loved the SG basses, but they were VERY neck heavy and didn't sound good either. Danos, EKOs, Hofners, you name it... some were really cool, but as functional instruments they never hit on all three ~

In fact, many of them never even hit on any. So for my gigging years I went through (in order): a '66 Jazz, '85 Alembic, '70s Stingray, '75 Precision, 2 Peaveys, a Washburn MB6, a parts Jazz style, I know I'm forgetting a bunch. But the fact was the basses that fit me weren't fit for the stage.

Fact: Not everyone is comfortable with the size, weight or ergonomics of a 34" scale instrument.

And no matter what I did, the shortcomings of the short-scales that were out there always reared their heads. I could give an EB a new sound, but it was still neck heavy. I could rebuild a Mustang and it still sounded dead. I could upgrade a $200 import, but it was still not stable and felt cheap. So I built my own. The prototypes that would eventually morph into the Cortobass were used live, in recording studios (yes, real ones), home studios, and rehearsals for four years. The best features of these basses, and of all the other basses I'd played since the early '80s, and all the lessons I learned from doing repairs and replacing parts on production line guitars for years were built into one bass, and a small Texas guitar company was built around it in early 2004.

Fact: Every last detail on a Cortobass is there for a reason.

We designed the CORTOBASS from the notebook up as a short scale - it's not just a shrunken copy of a bigger bass. Short scales need to be designed & built right to sound good. And an overseas factory churning out inexpensive guitars by the thousands ~ no matter who puts their decal on it ~ is only going to build cheap instruments. That's why stuff is made in China to begin with. It's cheap! Even ones built elsewhere, USA included, had design or quality issues that compromised their potential. Thus, the stereotype of short scales as inferior.

Fact: Most chatroom pundits and retail know-it-alls have never played a serious shorter scale bass.

It's a whole new world when runs & patterns fall right under your fingers and you're not all gimped up after a four hour gig! There are also those among you who have grown weary of the same old bass tones and are looking for a different voice, new colors for your sonic palette. Short scale basses can sound great. Tight, round lows, very warm, as if a little bit of "upright" was mixed into the tonal soup as seasoning. We take it further with the pickups we use, their positions, and our use of a varitone. Dozens of great tones! So whether you have small hands or just low tolerance for copycat designs (or both), The Birdsong Hand Built Guitar Co. has some answers.

Thank you so much for reading all I have to say - we are steadfast in our belief in what we're doing and how we're doing it. If you'd like to talk more about it or have questions, please feel free to call the workshop and we'll chat. One new client said he didn't want to bother us or interrupt the creative flow. I had to remind him it's a privelege to speak with people who are into what you're doing, and that he's part of the creative flow.

Peace, love & music,
Scott B.

Pro quality ~ by design		These aren't just shrunken copies, a little neck on a big body, or a slapped-together attempt to gain market share; they are a unique marriage of specific design parameters based on over two decades of playing, tweaking, modifying & repairing electric guitars and basses... and over three decades of being small, with short arms & little hands! Each Cortobass is put together right here in Texas under the eyes and by the hands of guitar builders, not just the next person on a factory line. Each component is fitted and adjusted by experienced hands with care, and the instrument is tweaked & tested by the guy that designed it. It leaves his hands ready for stage or studio.
The great neck		Hands that fit the neck are nice... but a neck that fits the hand is nicer. I used to wish for ultra-slim necks in theory but they never felt right. A rounder profile that fits in the hand ultimately provides a better feel, less fatigue during long gigs, and the icing on the cake... BETTER TONE. I'm 5'4" with small hands, I designed & spec'd the neck out, and to me it fits very nicely. Give it a week and you probably won't go back... All of our basses have the same neck, so the same neck raved about in the feedback & reviews is the same one you get. By this I mean carve, width, scale, materials, setup and feel. Some small details are subject to change ~ for example, we're currently building without the "zero fret" in some of the pictures, and using a 2-way truss rod. But it's the same great neck!
Ergonomics		"The balance is impeccable. I've never strapped on a bass that didn't have some headstock heaviness until now. My left hand no longer has to help prop up the guitar while I play. I'm sure that will take some stress out of my shoulder as well." ~Millard in California
What's inside		The electronics are the quality parts I've been retrofitting into production line instruments for years. Yes, even some "American" ones. CTS pots, Switchcraft jacks, copper shielding, star grounding for quiet operation.
The outside		When I say "Hand rubbed", I mean it. Wood should not be made to look or feel like plastic. We do not offer painted finishes or anything thick and glossy, instead hand rubbing in & on several coats of our oil blend. An oil finish doesn't "laminate" the instrument in thick, tone-killing shiny plastic... Wood is good; it should be seen, heard and felt. Will it look new forever? No. An oil finish will show wear. The patina of a well-played instrument is a wonderful thing, something you earn the right to experience over time by using the instrument to do what it was designed to do... make music and deliver it to the people. Are you buying an appliance or entering into a relationship with this instrument?
Fittments		A job like anchoring the string to the body should not be given to a cheap, thin, bent piece of steel. All of our basses feature bridges by Hipshot of New York, featuring both through-body and top-load stringing.
The tone		These are different pickups because this is a different bass... and each one's signal goes through components optimized for its tone. They provide a wide range of tonal colors with clarity and punch, chosen for their sound and low noise after much experimentation; my personal basses used the same pickups on stage & in the studio for years and I feel they best suit the voice of the Cortobass. VISIT THE SOUND SAMPLES PAGE Some Corto models feature other pickups by Lace of California. These are, again, chosen for tonal personality ~ not name or bragging rights, or how much they sound like a P-bass. It's all about the individual voice. More about the stock and optional pickups can be found on the FAQ 'n INFO page
Attention to detail		We equip our instruments with strap buttons that keep you securely strapped to your instrument, where you belong... and help the strap come straight down off your shoulder. Just one example of "the little things" built into a Birdsong design...
*You!*		Well it all starts with you really, if it weren't for you we wouldn't be here doing this. You're different! You are on a search, you are open to something different than "the old standard"; you'd rather deal with individuals, you can't find what you want "off the rack", and you understand the real value of something hand crafted with love & care as opposed to the "right name brand" at the big discount superstore. Honestly, there aren't that many of you... and we are grateful for every one of you we can serve in some way.
The hands	About Us	Scott, Jamie, Wyatt & Lyzz. A team of oddballs making some absolutely kickass little basses! We love you.
The heart		Each of us does our work here by choice. We want to be here, we love what we do, and it really means something to us. We're all players, we're all on the path. Our service is to help you down yours...
The soul		A little Sage & a moment of prayer... "Music is sacred to me, I would chose it over food, and here I am spending my life force building tools of its creation. If our footprints are our truest prayer, these instruments are my offerings. To you, to God, to the Universe." ~Scott How can we work at something and not offer prayer that it goes out in good spirit to bring good to the world? You are not buying something from a factory, but a part of each whose hands have aided the transformation of sacred materials into your Birdsong guitar or bass. Think about that.
Also included		At no extra charge we include a professional plush-lined hardshell case. Your bass will be cradled in the lap of luxury with a plush lining that would be right at home in the back of a '77 Dodge van with little diamond shaped windows and murals of sunsets all over it. AND insured shipping in the continental USA. (We'll take a bit off for you international Birdsong owners-to-be as well). We pack 'em like pros, too! "I think it's a bit cheesy to quote a lowball price then charge $150 for the case... or to charge the equivalent of a year's tuition and charge for the case on top of that! Come on now." ~Scott
Respect		Before, during and after your order you will be treated the same way we treat everyone... with kindness and respect. We are grateful for your interest and blessed to be here doing what we love, and we'd love to talk with you... before and long after you decide to own a Birdsong.