What's this extended neck nonsense!?

[timloudon]

I'm not really complaining, just thought I'd grab your attention.

What's going on here?



[image taken from the PPL website]

[Dr Phibes]

[quote name='timloudon' post='386885' date='Jan 20 2009, 10:45 PM']I'm not really complaining, just thought I'd grab your attention.

What's going on here?



[image taken from the PPL website][/quote]


It allows you to extend the length of the E string in order to be able to play lower notes. Sometimes useful for orchestral players.

[velvetkevorkian]

Its an E string extension- a lot of orchestral players use them to hit notes below E (a necessity in some classical pieces) without having to use a 5 string. Some have mechanical keys which stop each note while some are basically just an extra length of fingerboard with a latch at the nut. They normally go down to a low C.

hurrah for posting the same thing at the same time!

Edited January 20, 2009 by velvetkevorkian

[timloudon]

Cheers guys.

I'm guessing it's not a cheap addition to an already pretty expensive instrument.

[BigBeatNut]

[quote name='timloudon' post='386913' date='Jan 20 2009, 10:55 PM']I'm guessing it's not a cheap addition to an already pretty expensive instrument.[/quote]
I think you might be right [b][url="http://www.kcstrings.com/bass-extensions.html"]LINK[/url][/b]
[u][/u]

[chrkelly]

It lets you go down to a C and sounds absolutely massive due to the extra scale length. A lot of romantic/20th century classical stuff goes down low and it's an essential piece of kit for sessions.

[bassace]

And it's a pain not being able to get that bottom Eb on jazz gigs too.

[BigBeatNut]

[quote name='bassace' post='387674' date='Jan 21 2009, 04:17 PM']And it's a pain not being able to get that bottom Eb on jazz gigs too.[/quote]
You're right, though I typically encounter those problematic keys (Eb, Bb, etc) in a blues/jump blues context.

Damn ... the spec of my perfect upright just went up a notch

Andy