6 string bass Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Alembic Basses & Guitars » Archive: 2008 » Archive through August 25, 2008 » 6 string bass « Previous Next »

Author Message
mike1762
Member
Username: mike1762

Post Number: 70
Registered: 1-2008
Posted on Saturday, June 07, 2008 - 5:30 am:   Edit Post

I'm thinking about a 6 string bass. However, the necks have been too wide on the few instruments (non-Alembics)I have tried out. I have seen pictures of a few 6 string Alembics with necks that don't LOOK particularly wide (for a 6 string). Specifically, a Spoiler and a Scorpion-cut Distillate caught my eye.


Are these necks really narrower than most 6 strings?
keavin
Senior Member
Username: keavin

Post Number: 1425
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Saturday, June 07, 2008 - 6:32 am:   Edit Post

that depends on (your)custom order.
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 767
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Saturday, June 07, 2008 - 7:53 am:   Edit Post

Mark had a 6 string custom built with narrow spacing...

http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/44656.html?1192199676
mike1762
Member
Username: mike1762

Post Number: 71
Registered: 1-2008
Posted on Saturday, June 07, 2008 - 9:53 am:   Edit Post

I realise I could order what I want, but I'm hoping to pick-up somebody else's custom order. It appears that the "classic taper" has a narrower spacing...is that correct? There is a 6 string Epic on EBay right now that is only about 2hrs away from me, but I can tell by looking at the neck that I would need finger extensions to play it.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 6644
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, June 07, 2008 - 1:27 pm:   Edit Post

Yes, the Classic taper is narrower than the Comfort taper.

Six string taper:
Classic: nut - 2.000"; 24th fret - 3.125"
Comfort: nut - 2.200"; 24th fret - 3.560"
mike1762
Member
Username: mike1762

Post Number: 72
Registered: 1-2008
Posted on Saturday, June 07, 2008 - 7:23 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks Dave
keurosix
Advanced Member
Username: keurosix

Post Number: 322
Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Sunday, June 08, 2008 - 7:38 pm:   Edit Post

Hi Mike,
I have a 6 string Europa with the comfort taper that I measured. You will want to know what NOT to get if you want a custom narrow taper. Here are the dims:
Neck / fingerboard width:
Width of nut: 2.215"; width at 12th fret: 3.060"; width at 24th fret: 3.515"
More importantly here are the average string-to-string measurements (spaces between the strings measured from string center to string center, then averaged):
Nut: 0.370" Bridge: 0.714"
I find this bass string spacing to be rather wide for my right plucking hand, and although it may be good for some techniques, it seems a little too wide for me in general. I sometimes find I miss a string because my fingers have played the classic taper or something closer to it for many years. The neck pickup is also right where I like to slap so it gets in the way. Both things are minor, and can be worked with if I didn't have a few other basses with different tapers that I like to play all the time. Hope this helps you identify the exact taper you want.
Kris
keurosix
Advanced Member
Username: keurosix

Post Number: 323
Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Sunday, June 08, 2008 - 7:50 pm:   Edit Post

Just one clarification:
The actual space between the strings will be something smaller than what I listed above which is the theoretical distance from string center to string center. The actual space will be the number above minus 1/2 the width of each adjacent string. For example: space between High-C (gage 0.03") and G (gage 0.045") measures 0.332" at the nut and 0.662" at the bridge. While these numbers represent the actual space your plucking fingers will experience between strings, you will need to furnish the string-to-string centers for Alembic to cut the nut and bridge slots. Sorry if I confused you.
Kris
adriaan
Senior Member
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 1898
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2008 - 4:02 am:   Edit Post

If I remember correctly, they will also do setups with equal spacing between the strings (obviously only for a given set of string gauges).
gtrguy
Intermediate Member
Username: gtrguy

Post Number: 139
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Thursday, June 12, 2008 - 11:25 am:   Edit Post

I have a six string Elan and I find it to be a little too narrow for me. I love the spacing on my six string Yamaha TRB-6P! I would play before you buy.

Bye, Dave
adriaan
Senior Member
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 1902
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - 2:07 am:   Edit Post

Mica recently posted this on the FTC thread for Shoji's Quilted Coco Bolo Short Scale:

"Normally we make the nut center to center spacing and the bridge edge to edge spacing."

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration