Sub_Drop Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I've just found out that Ibanez have announced a 7 string bass tuned B, E, A, D, G, C, F in standard tuning. For those who don't understand that tuning - it means a 4 string with an extra low string (5 string), and two upper strings. I've owned an ibanez 6 string for a bit and they are great for practising upper range solos, scales and just general chord voicings, due to the wider (compound) interval distance. But seriously... Would anyone consider a 7 string bass, where the top string is theoretically the same as an electric guitars low E (just tuned to F for the consistent pattern found across bass strings). I'm sure we'll find some advanced slap/tap expert on youtube in the near future completely destroying the bass and writing some solo bass arrangement or piece. Is it really practical apart from the solo bass players, such as Franck Hermanny, Evan Brewer and those kind of guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Personally, I wouldn't have any use for an extra high string. Even the high C on my 6 isn't used all that much, but then I don't really do much tapping, chords or soloing. A few players have tuned 7 strings with a low F# instead though, so that might be worth considering. Bottom line though, is if you're interested, give it a bash! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I'd give it a go I love the upper registers on basses. The only thing is BTB's have always sounded a bit weedy to me so I'd want to change the pickups/electrics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sub_Drop Posted January 31, 2014 Author Share Posted January 31, 2014 [quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1391166387' post='2353945'] Personally, I wouldn't have any use for an extra high string. Even the high C on my 6 isn't used all that much, but then I don't really do much tapping, chords or soloing. A few players have tuned 7 strings with a low F# instead though, so that might be worth considering. Bottom line though, is if you're interested, give it a bash! [/quote] Agreed. I'm not too interested in the instrument, I just thought it was a strange investment on behalf of Ibanez really. I could understand the 7 string with a low F# as I know modern metal bands use G and F# tunings for the low B. I think I might have to play it just to see how it feels and sounds. Sorry if it wasn't clear, I was mainly just commenting on how strange I think it is to have another high string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sub_Drop Posted January 31, 2014 Author Share Posted January 31, 2014 [quote name='charic' timestamp='1391166614' post='2353949'] I'd give it a go I love the upper registers on basses. The only thing is BTB's have always sounded a bit weedy to me so I'd want to change the pickups/electrics [/quote] Fair play mate, you are more adventurous than me. Must be my old ages, obviously. I agree, I used to a BTB 6 string and they just never sat right with me. I'd put Delano pick-ups in (if they designed a 7 string bass set). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 [quote name='Sub_Drop' timestamp='1391166790' post='2353956'] Fair play mate, you are more adventurous than me. Must be my old ages, obviously. I agree, I used to a BTB 6 string and they just never sat right with me. I'd put Delano pick-ups in (if they designed a 7 string bass set). [/quote] I don't know about adventurous I'd probably drop in some EMG's along the lines of Doods 7 string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sub_Drop Posted January 31, 2014 Author Share Posted January 31, 2014 [quote name='charic' timestamp='1391167061' post='2353962'] I don't know about adventurous I'd probably drop in some EMG's along the lines of Doods 7 string. [/quote] Nice choice. I've never really bothered with EMG pick-ups but after watching Victor Wooten and Evan Brewer do some demonstrations for EMG i'm slowly coming round. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 The clarity and responsiveness is out of this world, plus its they give a really nice HOT signal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 It'd be useful if you do chord melody, and other chordal type playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I've not read anywhere else that the BTB's are weedy, I was seriously considering buying one, and spent ages looking at reviews on Talkbass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sub_Drop Posted January 31, 2014 Author Share Posted January 31, 2014 [quote name='ambient' timestamp='1391169453' post='2354001'] I've not read anywhere else that the BTB's are weedy, I was seriously considering buying one, and spent ages looking at reviews on Talkbass. [/quote] It's more of a personal taste. They aren't the worst sounding basses by any means. I usually play a Sandberg bass featuring Delano pick-ups and comparing the two, the BTB would sound weedy and a little too thin, but its personal taste mate. They would definitely sound better if you kitted the bass out with different pick-ups Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 It's just a very treble heavy sound whereas I tend to prefer being able to open up the treble completely and still gets plenty of bass giving a nice rounded sound As above really, personal taste Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thurbs Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 The 675 I had sounded great. It is true that the default is quite trebley, if soloing I used the on bass EQ to cut it a bit. One thing the bass has in spades was presence and the ability to cut through the dences mix like hot butter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamtheelvy Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 [quote name='Sub_Drop' timestamp='1391165847' post='2353934'] Would anyone consider a 7 string bass, where the top string is theoretically the same as an electric guitars low E (just tuned to F for the consistent pattern found across bass strings). I'm sure we'll find some advanced slap/tap expert on youtube in the near future completely destroying the bass and writing some solo bass arrangement or piece. [/quote] Wouldn't that top string be an octave up from the low string of a guitar? A guitar's low E is the same as the 2nd fret on a standard 4-strings D string... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sub_Drop Posted January 31, 2014 Author Share Posted January 31, 2014 [quote name='iamtheelvy' timestamp='1391174815' post='2354117'] Wouldn't that top string be an octave up from the low string of a guitar? A guitar's low E is the same as the 2nd fret on a standard 4-strings D string... [/quote] Yes, you would be right. Nice spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamtheelvy Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Ta. In which case, we'd be getting seriously out of 'bass' range... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thurbs Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 [quote name='Sub_Drop' timestamp='1391174938' post='2354122'] Yes, you would be right. Nice spot. [/quote]I though that Double Bass and Bass Guitars are a transposing instrument and were one octive lower than is written? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamtheelvy Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Ergh. Those theory lessons were a long time ago... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sub_Drop Posted January 31, 2014 Author Share Posted January 31, 2014 [quote name='Thurbs' timestamp='1391175122' post='2354130'] I though that Double Bass and Bass Guitars are a transposing instrument and were one octive lower than is written? [/quote] I seriously can't remember. lol All I can remember is where each note is on the stave in relation to where my fingers should be. I'll have to double check that. On the stave (without transposing octaves etc…), the 2nd fret on D string (bass) is the same as low E on guitar on the stave visually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thurbs Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 I just checked, it does transpose, and the E on D2 is actually the same as the E0 on a guitar... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sub_Drop Posted January 31, 2014 Author Share Posted January 31, 2014 [quote name='Thurbs' timestamp='1391175834' post='2354144'] I just checked, it does transpose, and the E on D2 is actually the same as the E0 on a guitar... [/quote] Thanks for clearing that up for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlloyd Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 [quote name='Thurbs' timestamp='1391175122' post='2354130'] I though that Double Bass and Bass Guitars are a transposing instrument and were one octive lower than is written? [/quote] Yep, so are guitars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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