HK/Edel bass 7 string fretless incoming!

[Shockwave]

Hey guys.

A while ago I bought a HK fretless 7 string, which frankly was a bit pants. The pickups were out of alignment, the neck pocket was bad. But hey I got it cheap and sold it for the same that I bought it... Lesson learned right?

Maybe not...

Whilst browsing German ebay, I saw this come up for sale.





I really wanted a 6/7 String, all I have it at the moment are 4's!

So its a bit of a gamble considering my previous experience. However considering its actually "Finished" rather then natural like alot of these type of basses, it might be a bit more hard-wearing. The fact is neck thru negates the bad neck pocket aspect I had. The only worry now is that it actually works and has decent pickup placement!

So a quick rundown.

35Inch scale.
Narrow bridge spacing, no idea how narrow.
Kent Armstrong pups.
Wilkinson hardware.
D'addario strings.

I am really hoping it will turn out OK, Want to start playing some death metal with this thing! If its any good I'll probably get the fretted version next month! Though I these basses have a high variation between good and crap.

I will probably be after some different strings, anyone know what I can get? Likely needs to be super long scale.

Rob.

[AttitudeCastle]

If this is good I'll HAVE to buy one!

I really have Major GAS for a 7 string and or a 6 string fretless...

Keep us posted sir!

[chrismuzz]

Damn that looks sexy...

[Shockwave]

Just found this video of one!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgzqTBd1JPQ

[CPBass]

That looks amazing.

How is she tuned? I'm saluting your courage.

Edited August 17, 2012 by Voodoosnake

[Shockwave]

[quote name='Voodoosnake' timestamp='1345239792' post='1775579']
That looks amazing.

How is she tuned? I'm saluting your courage.
[/quote]

No idea! Probably a low F#, but plan is to use a lighter set of strings and go for a high F.

[Mr. Foxen]

If its 7 string narrow, with those individual saddles, you can make it a wide 6 string. Looks like if you do a neat job of blocking the hole, won't look too crazy with one less tuner.

[Shockwave]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1345240301' post='1775587']
If its 7 string narrow, with those individual saddles, you can make it a wide 6 string. Looks like if you do a neat job of blocking the hole, won't look too crazy with one less tuner.
[/quote]

That was the other plan I had for it. However which tuner would you remove to create the straightest point to the nut? More likely would have to shift all the tuners, possibly cut the headstock narrower.

[chrismuzz]

MDP would do it for you

[Mr. Foxen]

There is a fair bit of length between the peg and the nut, I'd take out the center string, and they'd all have to move only a little bit to even out, the ones that would have to move most would be the new center pair, and they have longest tuner to nut length so angle would be minimal.

[Shockwave]

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1345241910' post='1775619']
There is a fair bit of length between the peg and the nut, I'd take out the center string, and they'd all have to move only a little bit to even out, the ones that would have to move most would be the new center pair, and they have longest tuner to nut length so angle would be minimal.
[/quote]

True. Put a badge on the spare tuner hole either side to cover it up.

Replace the mono rails with a hipshot 20mm spaced bridge, should be long enough and wide enough to cover current screw holes up fill in the current thru body holes and redrill for the Hipshot. Then recess the ball ends and cover up with a backplate. Its a good idea!

[AttitudeCastle]

It's most likely come tuned B E A D G C F which is the standard, though I've heard of people recieving HK 7 strings with tunes as low as C# to a E as the bottom string

You're not helping my GAS