6 String electric basses near Sheffield / Peak District

[andydye]

Brethren, I'm hankering for a Shuker 6 string (34" scale B-C), in itself a fine thing, but, questions of nut width, and string spacing have come up and I want to get this right so...

 

Are there any 6 string lovers within an hour's drive of me who would allow me to come hang out for half an hour or so and try your 6 string basses so I can get a feel for whether any particular necks feel more 'me' than others?

[Baloney Balderdash]

String spacing, which indirectly relates to neck width, is an aspect to consider as well.

 

It usually go from regular 4 string standard 19mm, in some rare cases even 20mm, spacing and all the way down to 16.5mm, in some rare cases even tighter string spacing.

 

19, 18, 17 and 16.5 mm string spacing are all fairly commonly used for 6 string bases.

 

Edited February 23, 2024 by Baloney Balderdash

[binky_bass]

I'm definitely no where near you, but if you find yourself in Essex at any point, you're welcome to come have a noodle on the various 6+ string basses in my garden studio. 

Edited February 25, 2024 by binky_bass

[andydye]

On 23/02/2024 at 18:11, Baloney Balderdash said:

String spacing, which indirectly relates to neck width, is an aspect to consider as well.

 

It usually go from regular 4 string standard 19mm, in some rare cases even 20mm, spacing and all the way down to 16.5mm, in some rare cases even tighter string spacing.

 

19, 18, 17 and 16.5 mm string spacing are all fairly commonly used for 6 string bases.

 

thanks dude, I'm either going for 17 or 17.5mm I think, it's the nut width I need to make sure I'm comfortable with now

[andydye]

On 25/02/2024 at 09:29, binky_bass said:

I'm definitely no where near you, but if you find yourself in Essex at any point, you're welcome to come have a noodle on the various 6+ string basses in my garden studio. 

ahh thanks matey, much appreciated

 

I'll be playing the hot box in chelmsford on Thu 25th April with my band The Fargo Railroad Co if that's anywhere near you and you fancy an evening of americana / country rock?

[eude]

1 hour ago, andydye said:

thanks dude, I'm either going for 17 or 17.5mm I think, it's the nut width I need to make sure I'm comfortable with now

As I recall, my old Shuker 6er had a 57mm nut, which I found a little on the large side.

I've since had 50mm and 54mm nuts, and I think my preference would be more towards the 50mm, or somewhere inbetween, as I have fairly small hands.

[binky_bass]

1 hour ago, andydye said:

ahh thanks matey, much appreciated

 

I'll be playing the hot box in chelmsford on Thu 25th April with my band The Fargo Railroad Co if that's anywhere near you and you fancy an evening of americana / country rock?

It's about 10-15 mins away. You're welcome to come by before hand should you so wish! 

[andydye]

2 hours ago, binky_bass said:

It's about 10-15 mins away. You're welcome to come by before hand should you so wish! 

 

oo! I'll find out how tight our timings are for arrival and soundcheck etc and see if I can nip out between our soundcheck and doors while the supports are setting up

[andydye]

update...

 

having tried my good friend Chris' Warwick thumb 6 and WoodnTronics headless 6, I have a finer handle on what does and doesn't work

 

the Warwick measured as

9mm string to string at the nut, and

17.5mm spacing at the bridge

 

WoodnTronics

10mm string to string at the nut

16mm at the bridge

 

The 10mm at the nut felt good, but the 17.5mm at the bridge worked better so I think I'm content with that combo ...for now

[eude]

1 hour ago, andydye said:

update...

 

having tried my good friend Chris' Warwick thumb 6 and WoodnTronics headless 6, I have a finer handle on what does and doesn't work

 

the Warwick measured as

9mm string to string at the nut, and

17.5mm spacing at the bridge

 

WoodnTronics

10mm string to string at the nut

16mm at the bridge

 

The 10mm at the nut felt good, but the 17.5mm at the bridge worked better so I think I'm content with that combo ...for now

Ah, but will you go headless?

What other specs you looking at? I assume you'll be speaking to Mr Shuker about this bass, so which of his designs have caught your eye?

[andydye]

20 minutes ago, eude said:

Ah, but will you go headless?

What other specs you looking at? I assume you'll be speaking to Mr Shuker about this bass, so which of his designs have caught your eye?

Headless? ha, no I don't think so, it was a little strange...

 

spec so far:

 

Series 2

6 string

24 fret

34" scale

58mm nut width (closer to 9.5mm string spacing)

17.5mm spacing at bridge

flames walnut front and back

thicker pin stripe in maple to both

mahogany core

7 piece neck maple, walnut & wenge

set neck

ebony board

luminlay side dots

brass nut

smaller medium frets

18v

2x EMG TWX pickups

EMG BQC preamp

Hipshot A style bridge

black hardware

schaller tuners probably

[Dood]

9 minutes ago, andydye said:

Headless? ha, no I don't think so, it was a little strange...

 

spec so far:

 

Series 2

6 string

24 fret

34" scale

58mm nut width (closer to 9.5mm string spacing)

17.5mm spacing at bridge

flames walnut front and back

thicker pin stripe in maple to both

mahogany core

7 piece neck maple, walnut & wenge

set neck

ebony board

luminlay side dots

brass nut

smaller medium frets

18v

2x EMG TWX pickups

EMG BQC preamp

Hipshot A style bridge

black hardware

schaller tuners probably

 

Beautiful Shuker specs! I've just had my Shuker six string on my lap now!

[eude]

11 minutes ago, andydye said:

Headless? ha, no I don't think so, it was a little strange...

 

spec so far:

 

Series 2

6 string

24 fret

34" scale

58mm nut width (closer to 9.5mm string spacing)

17.5mm spacing at bridge

flames walnut front and back

thicker pin stripe in maple to both

mahogany core

7 piece neck maple, walnut & wenge

set neck

ebony board

luminlay side dots

brass nut

smaller medium frets

18v

2x EMG TWX pickups

EMG BQC preamp

Hipshot A style bridge

black hardware

schaller tuners probably

Very nice dude!