Birdsong Guitars Introduces Sparrow Bass and SD Curlee Phoenix

The short-scale masters at Birdsong Guitars have taken things a step further by adding the Sparrow Bass to their lineup. Originally introduced as a prototype, the model features an incredibly short 25.5-inch scale. Birdsong explains on their website:

“The thought was this – if our 31? scales behave & speak like 34s, could we do a something even shorter that behaved like a 30 or so? Well the answer is yes! Refined against a great old Gibson with 5? more scale length, the tension is spot on, ergonomics & balance FAR better and the tones are much more usable.”

The mini monster’s standard features include a mahogany neck, a rosewood fingerboard, and the company’s Cortobass pickups and controls. Every Birdsong bass comes with the option of mahogany, walnut, or Spanish cedar for its body. The E-string is strung through the body twice before reaching the bridge. The Sparrow shown includes upgrades of a rosewood headstock overlay and control plate.

Check out this clip of luthier Scott Beckwith talking about the Sparrow:

In addition to the new Birdsong bass, the company has introduced the first new SD Curlee model in decades. (Beckwith and crew revived the SD Curlee brand in 2011.) The Phoenix is a medium-scale bass that carries on the classic aesthetic with better balancing in an offset design.

It’s built with either a mahogany or black walnut body, a rosewood fingerboard, a maple neck. The pickups are a pair of the company’s own 16K soapbars in cream covers. Its Hipshot hardware comes in black or gold.

Here’s Beckwith with a comparison of the new Phoenix with the original SD Curlees:

The Birdsong Guitars Sparrow and SD Curlee Phoenix are available now with prices of $1,950 and $2,500, respectively.

Birdsong Guitars Sparrow Bass Specs:

SD Curlee Phoenix Bass Specs: