7string

For the F#, I have a 0.160 which comes from S.I.T. in the States. They're one of the only companies who sell sets like that, Conklin strings are more expensive than S.I.T.

Sounds like a great idea

The usual disclaimer first. Just my opinions etc, etc... For me, the decision to go custom was easy as there aren't too many 7's and 9's about. I think it's far more difficult if you want a 4, 5 or 6 as there are some great off-the-shelf basses that you can grab. By 2006 and I'd been playing the Conklin GT7 for a few years and really liked playing 7 strings. When the chance came to go for a custom bass, my choices were pretty limited. I'd played Overwaters, but they just felt big and cumbersome. I could have ordered from the USA, but that seemed a bit risky, especially when I could order a 7 string from the makers of the finest bass I'd ever played. I'd known about Sei basses for years, had played a couple and the experience of playing a fretless Sei 6 had left this indelible mark in my memory. It was effortless to play, the shape looked great and both the attention to detail and the quality of the work was second to none. So I sent an e-mail and visited The Gallery when I was visiting my parents down south. I ironed out a spec with the genial and unflappable Martin Petersen and I was on the build list. Martin really is a top guy, always taking in what I wanted and making suggestions along the way. The Sei is an amazing bass and I was quite emotional when I went down to Sei HQ to bring it home. One of my life's ambitions had been fulfilled. [quote name='henry norton' post='400467' date='Feb 4 2009, 09:52 PM']It's like the difference between M&S and Saville Row.[/quote] ...and that's what I said in the "My Guitar is" article that I wrote and was published in Guitarist magazine It's a great bass to play and I'm very proud to be a Sei owner. When I decided I wanted a 9 string, the choice was even more limited. A Sei 9 would have been my first choice, but I had a couple of problems. Firstly, a Sei 9 doesn't exist (although there is one being built now but that goes up from low B and not F#) and I don't really want to be a guinea pig. It's not that I believed that he wouldn't produce a spectacular instrument, but my thinking was that maybe there would be things he would improve next time around. For me, there would be no next time. Also, with the 20% rise in the price of Sei basses (which was made after I got my Sei) it was out of the question from a cost perspective anyway. What wasn't out of the question was ordering from the USA. When the £/$ rate was high (ah the good old days) I could get hold of a 9 from a number of luthiers without a problem. More importantly, those guys [b]have experience[/b] of making 9's and as I've mentioned already I really didn't want to be a guinea pig for someone who hadn't built one before. So I fired off some e-mails and received some encouraging replies. Things were looking good for a USA build. Then I found out that Alan at ACG was building a 9, so I asked him about it. It was a 9 from a low F#, all the sourcing of parts and strings had been done and I it was coming along quite nicely. Long story short, a load of e-mails went back and forth before I spent a while deciding whether to go Stateside or not. As I was writing down all the pros and cons, things seemed to weigh in favour of ACG. Experience of building 9's, a track record of building fine basses, great design, bespoke pickups and electronics and no problem sourcing parts. All of these elements wouldn't count for nothing if Alan (like Martin) wasn't a great guy to deal with. So I e-mailed confirming I wanted him to build the 9 and the results speak for themselves. The ACG 9 is an awesome instrument. Honestly, I really couldn't be happier with every aspect of it. OK, so I've gone on a bit but it's the blend of talent, design and communication which wins my business. It can be the most wonderful bass in the world, but if the luthier is a pain to deal with, doesn't answer e-mails and is generally difficult, I won't order one. Conversely, the builder can be the nicest guy in the world, but if the quality of work isn't there then that doesn't work either.

I unashamedly admit that Mr. Big is my favourite band. I have Mr Big himself tattooed on my left arm. I've been a Mr. Big fan since I heard the 1st song on the 1st album and I have all 12 odd CD's that were released. Unfortunately, I also have the CD and DVD of the "farewell" concert The surprising thing about the reunion, is that they all really don't need it. Eric Martin has a solo career, Pat Torpey has been playing with different bands, Billy Sheehan has a new CD out as well as Niacin and Paul Gilbert's solo career is incredibly successful. I really hope that there is at least a live album from this, maybe even a new album but one step at a time. The first song that the band who were known for the bass/guitar madness, the 1st they wrote together was a ballad (!) called "Had Enough" which appeared on the 1st album. Also, the hit "To Be With You" wasn't released as a single. Someone called into a radio station in Lincoln, Nebraska and requested the song. More heard it, more requested it and it snowballed from there. My fave Mr.B song is "Alive 'n' kicking" from the 2nd album "Lean Into It". Grab a Mr. Big album, grab your bass and have some fun

Just received this e-mail from a mate of mine. From melodicrock.com... “Hello listeners of Koh Sakai, Burrrn presents Heavy Metal Syndicate. Koh Sakai, who was there at the very beginning for Mr. Big, and we're so happy to have a friend like him in Japan. And we're very happy, and thankful, to have all of you, as our friends. So, Mr. Big's coming back soon to play for you, we're excited to see you all, Koh Sakai, domo arigato, for 20 great years, my brother. Take care, see ya soon, This is Billy Sheehan of Mr. Big, over and out.” “Hello to my brothers and sisters, of Koh Sakai, Burrrn presents Heavy Metal Syndicate. This is Eric Martin. You know, remember me? Right in the middle, between Billy Sheehan, Paul Gilbert, and Pat Torpey? That's right. We're back together again. Playing a town near you. Mr. Big is back!” “Hello, Koh Sakai, Burrrn presents Heavy Metal Syndicate. This is Pat Torpey, from Mr. Big. We're back together, all original guys. Paul, Billy, me, and Eric. We can't wait to come to see everybody in Japan.” “Hello, this is Paul Gilbert, and you are listening to Koh Sakai, on Burrrn presents Heavy Metal Syndicate. Mr. Big is back together. All original members, and we're coming to Japan to play live. So, come check it out, and rock with us. Yeah!” A source within the Mr. Big camp further confirmed the news to me directly, adding that: "Japan is the only thing confirmed at the moment. That doesn't mean that nothing else will happen eventually, however they're going to start with Japan." FANTASTIC NEWS!!

[quote name='obbm' post='398261' date='Feb 2 2009, 08:06 PM']I would have thought that an Alesis SR16 would do what you want. You can programme your own patterns and use the patterns to make complete songs. They go quite cheaply now. In fact I have one I don't use any more.[/quote] Yup, I have one of these as well and the way it was programmed made some people think that it was a drummer.

Cheers, Hutton

I have the bass in the same spot sitting down as I do standing up. I was already doing this before I saw Billy Sheehan say the same thing on his first video lesson. Reminds me that I have to get a new strap to go with my new bass. My wife picks them out for so I'm assured of some good colour-co-ordination

Yup, I agree.

Hohner Jack (I think). Too many good guitarists in my circle of friends

[quote name='Al Heeley' post='395964' date='Jan 31 2009, 09:36 AM']Simply stunning instrument - Alan has outdone himself again, I love the fretboard. If only God had given me more fingers....[/quote] The acrylicised fingerboards are stunning. The first one I saw looked like a landscape painting with mountains in the distance. There's some of the available fretboards in the ACG part of Basschat in the Affiliates section. Amazing stuff. [quote name='ashevans09' post='396004' date='Jan 31 2009, 10:42 AM']That looks like an absolute beast , nice one[/quote] Thanks. It's not that bad to play, just bigger. [quote name='Spoombung' post='396005' date='Jan 31 2009, 10:44 AM']Where's the 'bass bash', then...?[/quote] 15th February in Harrogate. There's a thread in the General section.

I respect your point of view and understand that these ERB things are not for everybody. I would like to explain how I got to the 9 though: I've been playing bass since 1988 and moved to a 6 string fretless bass in 1998. I got a Conklin Groove Tools 7 string bass through eBay in 2002. I bought both of these basses because I saw players who were using them (Marco Mendoza and Bill Dickens respectively). When I moved to the 6, I found that if I thought of it as a 4 string with extra strings that it made things a lot easier. Same thing 4 years later with the 7 string. In the band I was in at the time, I was able to trade solos with the guitarist and use the upper range of the 7. For the other 90% of the time, I was singing the songs and playing bass, locking in with the drummer and making the songs groove along. Over time, I got so used to playing the 7, that when I got the chance to order a Sei bass it was a 7 string rather than a 4, 5 or 6. If I hadn't been playing 7 strings for years before then, it would have been foolhardy, stupid or both I went for the 9 as I think that it's as far as you can go on one instrument. From the 7 strings, it's only 1 extra on the top and 1 extra on the bottom. For me, at least, the 9 wasn't a jump into the unknown or some kind of misplaced macho posturing, but an instrument that I can enjoy playing and creating with. [quote name='phil_the_bassist' post='396330' date='Jan 31 2009, 06:56 PM'][size=4]EPIC![/size] that's stunning mate! I'm always intrigued by the ERBs! Whats the tuning? I'm gagging for something with slightly fewer strings, but with a lower range than my 5ers...something like F* B E A D, and with a devastatingly long scale....[/quote] It's tuned F# B E A D G C F Bb so all in 4ths. As there's no other intervals, all the shapes that you would normally use on a 4 string bass can be applied anywhere on the fretboard.

Great bass family

It's great to play on as well. Glass-ily smooth (if there is such a word). When I first saw the 'board it looked like it was rough, but it wasn't. That doesn't make much sense either but I hope you get the idea.

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='395044' date='Jan 29 2009, 11:13 PM']What with this and the ACG 9 on the other thread, I'm feeling rather inadequately strung this evening, LOL! Rich.[/quote] "Inadequately strung" sir. I think not. Your stringing looks just fine [quote name='EBS_freak' post='395876' date='Jan 31 2009, 12:28 AM']Don't lose track of playing a 4 though dude![/quote] Amen to that

[quote name='eude' post='395381' date='Jan 30 2009, 01:38 PM']Well put mate! It's getting closer to my pay review with work, so finger crossed I might have myself a wee ACG in the works soon. I noticed that you have exposed cores on some of your lower strings, how does that effect the open string?[/quote] Take your boss in a nice cake to go with their morning coffee. Could be worth a try I think the exposed core makes intonation adjustment easier, but I haven't noticed any real sonic difference between the exposed core strings and the others. [quote name='jmanfunk' post='395422' date='Jan 30 2009, 02:26 PM']I've been really impressed by Alan's level of luthiery of late. He's producing some fantastic stuff and those impregnated boards really set him apart from the crowd.[/quote] I quite agree. I don't completely understand the acrylicising process, but it results in some pretty amazing 'boards. More importantly though, the 'boards are really smooth and make a great playing surface. [quote name='d-basser' post='395715' date='Jan 30 2009, 08:44 PM']that is truly one of the loveliest things I have seen. Scottish bassbash is gonna have to be done, I'll bring my dingy and sei.[/quote] I say you have to get out more A Glasgow bass bash is a great idea, anyone want to organise it?

Can't go wrong with that setup. Excellent.

[quote name='alexclaber' post='395378' date='Jan 30 2009, 01:35 PM']Badass! I really want to try it - the most I've tried so far was the Doodly 7. Love the back view of it. Now all you need is a cab that can do justice to that kind of range! (Hint, hint...) Alex[/quote] I'm going along to the Bass Bash on 15th February, so you're more than welcome to try both the ACG 9 and my Sei 7. Unfortunately, I'm limited to recording only but, who knows, one day I might be in the amp and speaker market again [quote name='barry44' post='395472' date='Jan 30 2009, 03:22 PM']damn mark, she's a beaut!![/quote] It's big bass, but it's very cool. You're more than welcome to pop over and try it.

I saw your bass when I picked up the 9 yesterday. The shaping and contouring is really superb and it looks great from all angles!! The fingerboard is the brother/sister (?) piece to the one on the 9. When you play the bass, the view of the side of the fingerboard is very cool with all the colours and grain of the acrylicised spalted maple. The feel of the board is super smooth and it's a pleasure to play.

Mighty fine indeed. Mighty fine.....

Nice flaming on the sycamore.

My wife caught me unawares earlier. Please excuse the mixture of sweat and mess

My wife caught me unawares earlier. Please excuse the mixture of sweat and mess

Wow !! That Amboyna stuff looks like it's exploding from the centre !! Stunning stuff !!

[quote name='Merton' post='394929' date='Jan 29 2009, 08:54 PM']What a lovely ironing board Gorgeous. About 4 too many strings for my brain but you cannot deny the beauty and elegance of that [/quote] If it was fretless, you could probably do a shirt sleeve If you play bass, you can play an ERB. No special skills are necessary. The strings are still in fourths so all the patterns you know already still apply in whatever octave you want to play. I'm not the greatest bass player in world and I wouldn't last long in the Saturday afternoon music store slap-a-thon, but I enjoy playing ERB's. Whatever I want to play it's there all laid out in front of me. 6 strings and up may look confusing, but when you get playing it's not that bad. I do some teaching and I always encourage players to have a go on the Sei 7 that I have. After playing it for a minute the answer's always "well that's not too bad". [b][i]When I went to ACG HQ to collect the bass yesterday, one of the first things I played was the bassline to "My Girl" by The Temptations[/i].[/b] That now totally explodes the myth that 9 strings are only good for tapping out tunes to video games or meaningless high-speed solo stuff.