Annoying Twit Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 ... are feckin' amazing!!!! They really are more fun than a barrel of monkeys. There's just SO MUCH you can do with them. And I still don't know how to tap and my slapping is rudimentary. A seven string with a high F is IMHO a huge margin better than a six string. I'm in proselytising mode, and I really am thinking that I must tell everyone that they have to have one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 I've gone the other way down to F# on my 7. I have to agree, they are brilliant fun, not at all hard to play and not in the slightest scary! Hours of enjoyment even when I'm just noodling about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted August 29, 2014 Author Share Posted August 29, 2014 (edited) I can't imagine having a low F#. Scott Fernandes (I think) demonstrates a 12 string bass on youtube that goes down to C#. When he plays it open it just flaps around a bit. Thinking about it, I can see the point of the lower strings for playing up the fretboard while still hitting the deep notes. Is that what you're doing with the F#? My B string is a bit floppy, I've read on talkbass that someone used a 0.145 B string and found it much taughter. Looking at single strings I found a 0.175 string! I guess that's for F#. I'm surprised how easy it is to play. As it took six days to come from Germany, I had time to do extra practice on my six string, which helped. And as an instrument, it has a pretty big range, very flexible. The three band EQ on mine really helps, as I can dial it quickly from a 'bass' instrument to a more 'treble' instrument if I'm playing chords or other notes in a higher range. The way I'm thinking at the moment is, if Thomann bring out a 9 string version, I would probably buy one. I'm practicing playing through multiple octaves. I can't do it yet at any speed, but I want to be able to play a run from low down on the B string to way up the fretboard on the F string Being able to tap would be a huge leap forward. Where is that book I bought myself I think there's more to come with a good setup too. Taughter strings would help, with less flop I could tighten the truss rods and get the action lower. Though, it's a comfortable medium right now. I think the nut could be filed a bit lower. But I'm not doing that now. I'm having fun playing it as it is. Edited August 29, 2014 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kodiakblair Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 Great to hear you're enjoy it AT I bought a set of Roto 66s a while back 85 - 175(F#) Haven't got round to trying them on anything yet as it's definitely a filing job. so can't comment on tension. 3 band EQ's a huge help eh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 (edited) I'd like a 7 string, but I have to 'justify' owning an instrument, I have to have a need for one. At the moment everything I want to do, I can do with my 6. The Conklin's look amazing value for money if you're after a 7 string. Personally I'd go for high F, rather than a low F#, I like the chordal and high register playing stuff. Edited August 29, 2014 by ambient Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted August 29, 2014 Author Share Posted August 29, 2014 (edited) How much do Conklins go for? LIke you I need to justify instruments, but I bought my Harley Benton out of general 'money for myself' as it was cheap enough. But if you're used to a Modulus Quantum, I'd guess that the Harley Benton would be too downmarket for you. The only Conklin 7 string that has sold on UK ebay recently sold for £800. That's a lot of money compared to the available budget I have for buying stuff. I can't justify buying your Chapman Stick either I've seen the Galveston 8 string basses, and they're said to be OK. But having listened to ebay videos etc., there's something about them that I find uninspiring. Having bought the 7, if I was to move up further, I'd probably want a 9 string to get close enough to full guitar treble range starting from a low B. I don't expect anything in my price range to turn up though. Edit: Even a no-brand bass from Ali Express is out of the range I can justify paying for an instrument. http://www.aliexpress.com/item-img/-/2000434195.html Edited August 29, 2014 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 There's this one that's advertised on here - [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/240107-final-price-drop-fs-conklin-gt7-only-l800/page__fromsearch__1"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/240107-final-price-drop-fs-conklin-gt7-only-l800/page__fromsearch__1[/url] If I was going to get a 9, and I'd want one then same spec as you, then I'd get one built by this guy - [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/240107-final-price-drop-fs-conklin-gt7-only-l800/page__fromsearch__1"]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/240107-final-price-drop-fs-conklin-gt7-only-l800/page__fromsearch__1[/url] maybe the shapes are a bit esoteric, but the prices are good, and the craftsmanship is amazing. He's also a member on here. Ibanez do a 7 that looks pretty good, I've never played one, but I did try a 6 and was pretty impressed. [url="http://www.ibanez.co.jp/eu/news/f_products/2013/BTB7/index.html"]http://www.ibanez.co.jp/eu/news/f_products/2013/BTB7/index.html[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 I've heard good things about these - [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-STRING-ACTIVE-BASS-BY-MAZETI-including-goodies-/141387234512?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item20eb55fcd0"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7-STRING-ACTIVE-BASS-BY-MAZETI-including-goodies-/141387234512?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item20eb55fcd0[/url] Here's an Ibanez - [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IBANEZ-BTB7-NTF-Limited-Edition-Sondermodell-7-String-E-Bass-NEU-NEW-/251622524478?pt=Gitarren&hash=item3a95df063e"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IBANEZ-BTB7-NTF-Limited-Edition-Sondermodell-7-String-E-Bass-NEU-NEW-/251622524478?pt=Gitarren&hash=item3a95df063e[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted August 30, 2014 Author Share Posted August 30, 2014 (edited) Those are more affordable 7s, but still over 3x what I paid for mine. Unless I want to drop these large amounts of money for an extended range bass, then my options seem to be a second hand Galveston from ebay, or my Harley. Having had the Harley for a few days now, I'm not regretting it. The main problems is that the B and E strings are a bit floppy. A poster on sevenstring.org immediately replaced his/her strings to Warwick Red Label Strings, and reports that they were a massive improvement on the originals. But their original strings were rusting.. I can't see how string tension would be done to anything bar the choice of string, and the scale length. My bass's scale length is 35 inches, so already long scale. If the floppiness can't be fixed, well it's not that bad and I can easily live with it. My bass is even cheaper now that Thomann have reduced the price by three euros since I bought it. Can't expect everything for the price I paid. If I was going for a custom even more extended range bass, then one option would be to order from John Letts who lives about 2-3km away from me. Edited August 30, 2014 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Try Circle K strings, you can choose your string tension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 What bass did you buy ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrammeFriday Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 (edited) Good string tension on low Bs is less to do with scale length than it is to do with construction quality. In particular, a good low B needs: a. very high quality (i.e. hard and dense) neck material (e.g. canadian rock maple, wenge, carbon fibre, etc…) b. super tight neck join (if a bolt-on; if neck through, then this is already an advantage). Both of these things inevitably translate into a higher cost. In other words, you get what you pay for! Edited August 30, 2014 by GrammeFriday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted August 30, 2014 Author Share Posted August 30, 2014 (edited) [quote name='ambient' timestamp='1409401845' post='2539356'] What bass did you buy ? [/quote] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/243984-nbd-harley-benton-bz-7000-7-string-active-bass/"]Harley Benton BZ-7000[/url] I've seen mention of Circle K strings. I've also heard of people using fat strings, e.g. 0.145 for a B. I'm not sure how high quality the neck on mine is. It's a nine piece neck through with maple and nato. The type of maple is not specified. The strings are Olympia brand, and these are cheap and reviews are variable. Someone on sevenstring.org swapped theirs for Warwick Red Label, and reported a dramatic improvement in sound. From their review, I was expecting to have to change the strings immediately, but they seem to be OK, just a bit floppy. I do think I'll upgrade eventually, but I want to think about it and get really good strings. Wow Circle-K strings offer a lot of choice! [url="http://circlekstrings.com/store/7-strings-ss16.html"]http://circlekstring...rings-ss16.html[/url] Importing them to the UK would mean that I would be hit by customs charges and a 'processing fee' however. Edit: Shipping for one set of strings is US$24.75??? EDIT: Their strings won't work on a string through body bass. [url="http://circlekstrings.com/store/faq.html"]http://circlekstring.../store/faq.html[/url] Edited August 30, 2014 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrammeFriday Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Just had a look at your pics - looks really nice! Very MTD-inspired, methinks. So, it's a neck-thru, so that I guess rules out body/neck join issues as an explanation for the floppiness. Hope the string change works! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted August 30, 2014 Author Share Posted August 30, 2014 Thanks. I want to be careful that I don't make this into my NBD thread mark II, it was meant to be about the general joy of 7 strings. BTW: Are you the MTD fan that I met at the Midlands bass bash in Leicester? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Newtone also do custom string gauges if you contact them. They only mention nickel on the website but I asked them to do me a 6 string set in stainless steel with a .152 bottom string. They take a few months to get finished and shipped but they're fantastic quality! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AttitudeCastle Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 (edited) May take a punt on one of these since they aren't too dear! Really fancy an 8 though What's the string spacing on it like? Edited August 30, 2014 by AttitudeCastle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted August 30, 2014 Author Share Posted August 30, 2014 (edited) I'm not sure how to measure string spacing, but it's about 70mm from the middle of the b string to the f string over the neck pickup. So, about 11.7mm spacing between strings? Newtone Strings offer custom sets. They aren't cheap, and there is said to be a 28 day turnaround. How is the quality compared to (say) Warwick Black Label? Edited August 30, 2014 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jellyfish Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 I'd honestly love to try one, but am not sure where I could to be honest... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 (edited) I wouldn't use anything bigger than a 130 for a B. I tend to use a 125. I have a set of nickel 125 to 30 fodera strings you can have if you want them, they've had very minimal usesge, you just need to get an F string from somewhere to match - I also have an 020 circle k 😊 If you want them pm me and I'll post them to you 😊 Edited August 30, 2014 by ambient Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrammeFriday Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1409416383' post='2539547'] Thanks. I want to be careful that I don't make this into my NBD thread mark II, it was meant to be about the general joy of 7 strings. [/quote] In which case I will just have to lurk, never having played one myself! Like Jellyfish, I would love to have a go, though. [quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1409416383' post='2539547'] BTW: Are you the MTD fan that I met at the Midlands bass bash in Leicester? [/quote] Never really thought of myself as a 'fan' of any brand of bass, but yes, I do like MTDs, and yes that was me. How's your software looper coming along? A 7 string bass will be just the thing for loop-based doodling! Edited August 30, 2014 by GrammeFriday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted August 31, 2014 Author Share Posted August 31, 2014 @ambient - thanks for the generous offer. However, I'm not sure about putting even thinner strings on it. I was thinking of trying something even thicker than 0.135, perhaps a 0.140. But in any case, I want to have some time playing the current strings as they aren't awful. Past experience has shown me that sometimes if I take the time to get used to something, I realise that it doesn't need changing in the first place. They are Fodera strings however, and it would be interesting to try them out. I don't want to put people to any inconvenience however. Can I think about it for a bit? I've now played the bass in passive mode through my Behringer BDI21. It makes the sound a little more generic sound than what I get out of the onboard active EQ, and the drive function on the BDI21 also gives me some more sound shaping ability. Using this as active EQ in front of my Zoom B2 is one option, and seems to work quite well. However, if I have both the BDI21 and the onboard electronics switched on, it all gets quite noisy. Having the bass in passive mode into the BDI21 then into the Zoom B2 seems OK however. I'm getting into things slowly. At present, I"m playing the bass. I haven't recorded with it or even used it with my looper. I hope to do so soon, but when I pick it up - it just gets played. I'll do more with it once the novelty wears off a bit. If anyone does want to play mine and can get to Leicester, then we can probably work something out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AttitudeCastle Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 [quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1409420794' post='2539595'] I'm not sure how to measure string spacing, but it's about 70mm from the middle of the b string to the f string over the neck pickup. So, about 11.7mm spacing between strings? Newtone Strings offer custom sets. They aren't cheap, and there is said to be a 28 day turnaround. How is the quality compared to (say) Warwick Black Label? [/quote] Just a ruler or tape measure measuring the centre of one string to the next, Though 11.7mm doesn't sound impossible so could be around right. Very tight though! My BTB676 has 17mm spacing which I love! Seriously fighting GAS for one of things with a low F#! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted August 31, 2014 Author Share Posted August 31, 2014 I must have measured things wrong then, as I don't think mine has a particularly narrow string spacing. It's about the same as my other basses. (Measures again). I don't have a very clear ruler, but it seems to be about 16-17mm spacing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted September 1, 2014 Author Share Posted September 1, 2014 The Ibanez BTB7, IMHO, sounds amazing. It certain sounds and looks a bit better than mine. But given it's over £800, it would be a bit of a disaster if it wasn't. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHd9SEq3xeY#t=118 Conklin basses sound very good to me to. But, similar comments can be made about them being several times the price of mine, and you'd expect them to be better. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3Jbgj9W4_A Someone in one of these threads had a seven string Shuker, but I can't find them now. I'd like to know what that sounds like - should be even better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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