Mark Sandman did with 2 ! Have to say , I did like him and his whole thing...
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
3 string P bass? What's the story?
- Thread starter klokker
- Start date
-
- Tags
- identify string bass strings
I'm a big Morphine fan as well.
That should be the new response any time people talk about extended range instruments. Instead of "Jaco only needed..." it should be "Mark Sandman only needed 2!"
D
I have been experimenting with a modified bass. Yes, you do interact differently with the strings, especially by going up the neck more than you normally would. Also, by just being on 3 strings, you are keeping the scale pattern the same, root to octave (which is cool) and not worrying about the G string because its no longer there.
Attachments
Last edited:
ha on a somewhat related note I sent the 3 banger back home to Roscoe who has it on display in their shop , so anyone that goes there can give it a romp . I need 4 , not 3 or not 5 just 4 
I would think guitarist/bandleaders would love to assign one of these to their "yes-man" bassist to keep them in their place.
On the bright side, they should retail for 25% less.
On the bright side, they should retail for 25% less.
Tony Levin played a 3 because the funk fingers made it hard to hit the right string on a normal 4 - with only 3, the strings could be spread apart further. The photo above shows a 3 string upright - there were lots of uprights with different numbers of strings many years ago - 3 was a pretty common number if you go back far enough.
If I wanted to play a 3, I think I'd buy a narrow necked 5, and take 2 strings and their tuners (and bridge saddles) off, so I'd end up with wide spacing.
If I wanted to play a 3, I think I'd buy a narrow necked 5, and take 2 strings and their tuners (and bridge saddles) off, so I'd end up with wide spacing.
- Feb 8, 2005
- 3,636
- 1,053
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Bag End - Dean Markley - Thunderfunk
Can’t forget PotUSA with their basitar guitbass. One had 2 strings and one had 3. Influenced directly by Morphine.
D
Hi Micguy. This is EXACTLY what I had done on a GSR205. I removed the B and G strings and kept it at (as Tony Levin said: "E,A,D of course") . I plugged the tuner holes up with black plastic caps. I also loosened the truss rod and raised the action slightly as the neck was no longer under as much tension. All of this could be put back to be a 5-string if needed without harm. Just experimenting.
Attachments
Last edited:
You kept the strings close to each other - I'd go for wide spacing using the B, A, and G tuners and string paths - abandoning the E and D. I have huge hands; close spacing is not my thing.
D
Oh okay, I get it now. That is a very good idea and still not requiring heavy mods to the instrument. Very cool.
