Rob Allen Deep 4-30 Koa Fretless 30″ Short Scale Bass

This is the short scale brother of the Deep 4. Several years ago I had a request for such an instrument, and after the initial positive feedback, several more custom D4-30 basses were quickly produced for customers. I’ve been so happy with the sound and feel of this design that it will now be offered as a standard model.

It features the same Deep 4 body shape, made of semi-hollow alder with a gorgeous aged koa top (50+ year old wood). The 30” scale mahogany neck has a lined fretless Indian rosewood fingerboard (20+ year old stock) and matching bridge. As you can see, the bridge is positioned slightly forward from the edge of the body compared to the full scale Deep 4, yielding a bass that is just in between the size of The Deep 4 and the Mouse 30. The electronics are the standard Deep 4 circuit, with a master volume on the bridge, and a stacked tone control on the face of the body (bass/treble cut and boost, with a center detent). Mounting the stacked pot on the face of the instrument leaves the bass side of the bridge free for the palm muting technique, which produces some of the best tones this bass has to offer.

The shorter 30” scale gives the bass an incredible thick tone; it is slightly less punchy on the initial attack that the full scale Deep 4, however it more than makes up for it with fullness in the low end, and blooming warm tone as it sustains- something unique to the short scale, which cannot be duplicated on a 34” scale. In addition, the high register is exceptionally full and sweet, again due to the shorter scale and slightly lower string tension.

A locally made, custom form fit case from G&G in Los Angeles, Ca, rounds out the package.