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3-string mystery bass
- Thread starter ronlitz
- Start date
The bassist is Aden Bubeck and here's a link to his gear.
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They list a Glendale 3 String Jazz and a 3 string Tele....
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They list a Glendale 3 String Jazz and a 3 string Tele....
I would think the wide string spacing would be awkward. I wonder if he tunes it E-A-D or B-E-A? I know Tony Levin wanted a three-string with wide spacing because he was using his "funk fingers", and the wide spacing helped with that.
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I was at Aden's house the other day and had to ask "what's the deal with the 3-string basses?" He explained that someone had been asked to invent the ultimate honky tonk bass and this is what they came up with, a p-bass with 3 strings. When he got the gig with Miranda, he decided that what better way to stand out than to play the ultimate honky tonk bass. At first it was just a novelty, but then it grew on him and he realized that it was having a good effect on how he approached the bass. He was thinking horizontally up the neck instead of vertically across the neck. If you want to go up an octave, you have to slide up the neck, where the tone is fatter, due to the string being shorter up there. I got to see his two Glendale 3-strings, which he used extensively for years. Nowadays, he is using custom-made Brimstone 3-Strings.
What an unusual and cool thread this is! I would also be interested to know what the string tuning is. 
I bought a set of those just for laughs to see what it felt like - wow, they make me feel like a complete klutz.
Even more in awe of Mr. Levin. 
Very cool idea and that would keep your mind sharp having to thinking about playing down the neck instead of across to grab the octave
He tunes them EAD with a hipshot D-Tuner on the E string.What an unusual and cool thread this is! I would also be interested to know what the string tuning is.
What you guys never break a string on the gig and have to finish the set or even the gig? I've done both. After breaking a string on the first set of a 4 hour gig I started bringing a back up and have ever since. I have also broken TWO strings and had to finish a set. That will make you rethink how to play tunes. Actually the hardest part is focusing on your muscle memory to avoid hitting the missing one. But it's actually a great exercise in editing yourself and playing only what's truly necessary.
You can have one. Here's a link to Rob Bridges' Brimstone Guitars. Rob is a great guy and quick to respond to questions. Be sure to tell him that Rich Hill sent you. At the time of this post, you need a $1300 down payment and another $1300 at delivery. Rob is flexible on woods used, so if you want something special, he'll work with you. Here is the lowdown on Aden's Willy Bill 3-String, from the man himself:
Tell me about the woods in Aden's Willy Bill.
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1 9/16" alder bass with highlights and a 3/16" full figured maple cap.
His highlights are two strips of pine running through it. Bad ass guitar.
What about his neck?
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Birds eye maple. Highly suggested. In fact, I prefer it.
We can do a hardwood fretboard, but birdseye is very hard and it's a natural winner every time.
It feels like marble. I sand it to 2000 and rub it down with gun oil or tung oil.
Turnaround time?
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It's at 3 months right now. The neck-building process is a month. I have to get pickups made and order all the parts that I need to have for the build including the four-day process to glue up the body.
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In 54 years of gigging, I've broken stings 3 times. I only had to finish the song. My backup is always right behind me.
