Extensions on "cheap" basses

[Stan Haskins]

I'm tossing around the idea of getting a c-extension installed on my 3/4 Shen Willow. I like the bass, but I know it won't be my A-bass forever.

Needing the low notes in the meantime, and no, I will not start messing around with fifths tuning at this point. Call me closed-minded.

Any opinions? Anyone else have an extension on this "level" of bass?

[bejoyous]

When you install it, tell the luthier you want too remove it when you sell it. So, don't cut the scroll, don't drill a hole through the scroll (or make it fillable), have a new nut cut and keep the old nut in a safe place.

[salcott]

Most luthiers can install an extension without cutting the scroll. I wouldn't sweat the hole too much.

[drurb]

Check this thread.

[robobass]

Originally Posted by bejoyous

When you install it, tell the luthier you want too remove it when you sell it. So, don't cut the scroll, don't drill a hole through the scroll (or make it fillable), have a new nut cut and keep the old nut in a safe place.

I don't understand. Why make it removable? What are you going to do with the extension when you sell the bass without it? Put it on your new bass? Any luthier will talk you out of that idea right quick. If you need an extension, then just get one. Ask your luthier to keep costs down (go easy on the gold fittings, scrollwork, and abalone shell inlays) of course, but a decent functional extension should add some resale value to any bass. You may not recoup the entire cost of the installation, but if you need it you need it, and it's a cost of doing business.

And, not that any modern luthiers cut scrolls (I hope), but even if they did, I don't see the problem on a <2k bass.

Robobass

[bassist14]

Originally Posted by robobass

I don't understand. Why make it removable?

if you sell the bass, and the new owner does not want the extension, it would be better if the bass could be brought easily back to it´s original state.
imho.

[John Perrin]

Originally Posted by robobass

And, not that any modern luthiers cut scrolls (I hope), but even if they did, I don't see the problem on a <2k bass.

Robobass

Just out of curiosity, where are you seeing Shen Willows for less than $2k??

Cause, you know, that would really be something!

[robobass]

[quote=John Perrin;6508095]Just out of curiosity, where are you seeing Shen Willows for less than $2k??

I've seen Shen basses advertised for that little, but I guess they were not "Willows". What do they cost? At any rate, I stand by my comments.

[Johnny L]

I just got a KC Strings C-extension put on my bass. That bass cost me less than 2 grand, just low enough for me to afford to make music with it.

I love it. The tone of my bass got deeper and it feels more resonant overall (thanks to the extra weight on the scroll I think), and the extra low notes matter to me. I am very satisfied.

[dchan]

I know a bassist who had an extension on his Juzek. He admitted it was a student instrument at best. But he was using it as a professional orchestral bass, so I guess he needed an extension for the music he played, no matter how cheap his instrument.

[bejoyous]

To correct what I said above. I was talking about an expensive mechanical extension such as a Horst or Fawcett or KC Strings extension. A fitted fingered extension only works on one instrument.

[Johnny L]

Originally Posted by bejoyous

To correct what I said above. I was talking about an expensive mechanical extension such as a Horst or Fawcett or KC Strings extension. A fitted fingered extension only works on one instrument.

My KC strings extension will likely not work on most other basses whose string stop, neck and scroll dimensions do not almost exactly match mine.

It's expected that the extension must be cut to length as well as to fit the scroll appropriately. But it's true that my scroll did not have to be adjusted or modified in any way, and the nut can be easily replaced.


Anyway, I don't regret it and would desire another extension for any other bass I came to own.

[Violen]

I have a KC Strings Plywood Bass. I love this bass, and will never trade it in. Once i can afford a bass that is better suited for Orchestral work, im going to trick out this bass completely for jazz. B Extension, the Fattest strings i can find, Ebony fingerboard and a nice bag. (Im already getting its second and final pickup.)

Why not? If you love a bass, make it do everything you need it to.