| Author | Message | ||
| the_mule
Advanced Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 251 Registered: 1-2004 |
Until now I've been a 4-stringer exclusively, but maybe because of my guitar background I love to wander around the higher registers of the bass. I'm seriously considering custom ordering a 6-string, but because I prefer the 32" medium scale, I can see some problems lurking (tightness of the low B). But what about a 6-string with two extra high strings instead of one lower and one higher string added to the standard 4-string configuration? This could/would be the object of my desire: - Orion 6-string E-A-D-G-B-E - 32" medium scale - vermillion body - maple accent laminate - coco bolo top - cone headstock - 3-piece maple neck with purpleheart pinstripes - polyester gloss finish What do you think about this? Does anyone have experiences with a 6-string variety like this? Will I be able to find strings for such an instrument? This is one octave 'sub baritone' right? I expect an instrument like this needs a differently cut nut, would that be charged extra by Alembic? BTW: I've opened a new topic for this, only to prevent misunderstandings. There's so many questions I need answered... Wilfred | ||
| pace
Junior Username: pace Post Number: 38 Registered: 4-2004 |
>>>>What do you think about this? Does anyone have experiences with a 6-string variety like this?<<<<<< Wilfred, I am currently having one built like this. 30.75" instead of 32". Im hoping Mica or Val could open a FTC thread when things start taking shape. I've been using a Jerry Jones in this tuning for a while now. It is a very fun and inspiring tuning, but I cant take the retro construction/electronics of the JJ too seriously. This the first custom Im having built from Alembic. Instead of doing a traditional 4 or 5 string, I decided to do this one first~ aside from a Jerry Jones, Fender BassVI, or an Ernie Ball, there arent any options out there for such an instrument. You'd probably need a custom set of strings, there's sets out there for a 30" scale, but they aren't going to work w/ the extra 3/4" + the extra length of the bridge/tailpiece! All in all, I think it's a good idea for an instrument..... go for it!!!! -Mike | ||
| bigideas
Junior Username: bigideas Post Number: 19 Registered: 1-2004 |
the Fender BassVI, the Jerry Jones and the Ernie Ball (and the new schecter hellcatVI) are all tuned a single octave below a guitar. a standard bass is two full octaves. the theory should be the same though. if you're tuning the bass to a standard tuning and not the single octave tuning, the longer scale will create greater string tension. of course finding strings will be a bit of a pain. the Henry Kaiser Buckeye Burl bass in the featured custom archive is an alembic version of the ol'Dano six string bass (same as the Jerry Jones, which is a copy of the Dano.) | ||
| son_of_magni
Member Username: son_of_magni Post Number: 94 Registered: 1-2004 |
Crap, I've been tuning my bass wrong all these years! No wonder I never got a job... (Message edited by son_of_magni on August 31, 2004) | ||
| pace
Junior Username: pace Post Number: 39 Registered: 4-2004 |
I used Henry's Buckeye Burl as a point of reference, but according to Mica his instrument is tuned like a traditional baritone! | ||
| the_mule
Advanced Member Username: the_mule Post Number: 253 Registered: 1-2004 |
Thanks for the useful reactions guys! In fact, having to go on a 'mission impossible' or a 'quest for the holy set of custom strings' might just be the biggest disadvantage for me. Maybe I just have to take a chance here, and go for a my initial plan, a 32" medium scale with a normal 6-string configuration. The purpleheart should have some positive influence on the fundamental sustain of the low B, and I have a light touch while playing the bass anyway. And electronics-wise there's always the possibility of adding some extra low... Hmmm, this certainly isn't easy! Wilfred | ||
| willie
Junior Username: willie Post Number: 31 Registered: 11-2003 |
Why not tune it E-A-D-G-C-F that way you keep to tuning in major 4th's like a regular bass, makes the fingering easier to learn? Willie | ||
| bkbass
Member Username: bkbass Post Number: 64 Registered: 11-2003 |
What are the chances?I have a six sting Orion 34"scale.It has signature electronics,stereo/mono switch,a maple body,Koa top,standard cone headstock and a E-A-D-G-C-F-tuning.Alembic had no problem providing me with strings.Ofcourse I ordered extra sets at the time and have not had to change them yet.Outside of the cost of my options I paid no more than a standard Orion six price at the time.I can't speak for Alembic but,I can't see any more labor involved than with a standard tuned instrument.My strings are the standard gauge Alembics from the E-C the high F is an .018 gauge.The strings are not so much the pain in the ass you would think.Conklin instruments has overseas strings made for them in certain gauges.Also the highest tuned string just happens to be closest to the nut on a cone headstock so length is not an issue.That being the case,Fender's bassVI and the baritone tele have replacement sets in their catalog as does Ernie Ball.Both GHS and DAddario have eight string sets so I guess you could order the higher strings as separates.The set neck gives me the punch and midrange warmth that I'm looking for out of the instrument.On my acoustic piccolo bass I use DAddarios.so try their website.These may work as well it just depends on the gauges you would be comfortable with.The Orion gives me every thing a four string and the higher register of a six string has to offer with the added bonus of going into a rock guitar range as well with that higher F string.I use this bass with a Boss loop station to play a bass figure then I solo the highs using a Roland virtual wahwah pedal(all the settings track bass excellently).It has a special bass setting as well but I use the overdrive feature on it for those searing lead tones.With the signature electronics,it's possible to achieve guitar tones.SO go ahead and spend several thousand and tell those finicky guitar players to pound salt!LOL I hope this helps. | ||
| bigideas
Junior Username: bigideas Post Number: 20 Registered: 1-2004 |
about tuning the bass, if you use the EADGCF tuning runs will just keep going. if you use the EADGBE tuning and are, as you say, already a guitar player you won't have to learn new chord forms and will already be used to doing runs in that setting. and if strings aren't an issue (as Barry has pointed out) go for it. actually now i'm inspired. i find it interesting that Mica said the Kaiser bass was tuned like a normal baritone (A or B i guess.) he must not have had his Jones tuned in the "factory" tuning. cool. | ||
| bigredbass
Advanced Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 275 Registered: 9-2002 |
Mule: IF you're already fluent in guitar tuning, why not? You might have to take a stab trying a few different guages (find a store that has the wood box of GHS Boomers for custom sets), but for my hands, high strings that are a little looser are no big deal. I've often thought of buying a 'yard sale' guitar to use as a development mule for a regular guitar tuned BEADGC. So I guess we're thinking along similar lines from opposite hilltops! J o e y | ||
| pace
Junior Username: pace Post Number: 40 Registered: 4-2004 |
For strings you're going to have to go the bulk route... For mine I'm gonna stick w/ stainless steel roundwounds, but at juststrings.com they list a LaBella flatwound set for the Fender BassVI (I seriouly doubt the set has enough tension, plus the ball ends for all these sets are guitar sized)...... | ||
| jeanbaudin
New Username: jeanbaudin Post Number: 1 Registered: 9-2004 |
hey guys - you shouldn't worry about the strings... i play 9-string basses with a few extra high strings...My fanned fret 9-string goes to 32" and I can get strings from both SIT and Conklin (made by Dean Markley). They can be ordered individually from: http://www.conklinguitars.com there is few different opitons for gauges on the site (you don't have to own a conklin bass to buy strings). So go for that Alembic piccolo 6... hope that helped! | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 830 Registered: 5-2002 |
Welcome to the group, Jean. | ||
| bigideas
Junior Username: bigideas Post Number: 21 Registered: 1-2004 |
Jean, let me just say that your sound clips in the Cherished Custom area on the Conklin site are inspirational. do you have that 11 string yet? | ||
| davehouck
Senior Member Username: davehouck Post Number: 834 Registered: 5-2002 |
Thanks for pointing that out; the sound clip is indeed very nice. | ||
| jeanbaudin
New Username: jeanbaudin Post Number: 2 Registered: 9-2004 |
big ideas - thanks for the compliments. no, still waiting on the new conklin. Love to get a custom alembic someday (making due with my Epic 6-string though!) Thanks for the welcome, Dave! |
