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6 or 7 string basses!

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by ashton, Oct 15, 2001.

  1. Oct 15, 2001 #1
    ashton

    ashton

    Jan 4, 2001
    Australia
    hi
    well im thinking of "upgrading" or as i call it "selling out" and getting a six or seven string bass, preferrably a 7.

    i wanna know who makes them and id like them cheap. also a bit of general knowledge about them wouldnt go astray.

    thanks
    Lukas
     
  2. Oct 15, 2001 #2
    SuperDuck

    SuperDuck

    Sep 26, 2000
    Wisconsin
    I played an Ibanez Soundgear 6 string in a store, and was pretty pleased with it overall. I've also had a chance to try a Conklin Groove Tools 7, and it was easier to play than anticipated. Of course, feel free to disregard my opnions, I only play a 5er. :D
     
  3. Oct 15, 2001 #3
    Geoff St. Germaine

    Geoff St. Germaine Commercial User

    Aug 31, 2001
    Victoria, British Columbia
    The cheapest 7-string you are gonna find is probably gonna be a conklin groove tools 7-string. the Bill Dickens Sig model is about $1500, though it is a neck-thru model with a different electronics package, and the GT-7 is around $800 retail I believe.

    Geoff
     
  4. Oct 15, 2001 #4
    johnhyman

    johnhyman

    Apr 11, 2000
    I have been playing 6 string for 5 years, but when I got my new conklin GTBD7 in April it put all bass to shame. The electronics and they action of this 7 string is awesome. No matter what amp or speaker combo, I set the amp flat and EQ from the bass. Try one and you will fall in love. I play gospel and all the guys that know me do not want to give the bass back when they try it out, they can't put it down. Awesome bass.
     
  5. Oct 15, 2001 #5
    john turner

    john turner You don't want to do that. Trust me. Staff Member

    Mar 14, 2000
    atlanta ga
    good to see some fellow 7 shooters offer their opinions here.
     
  6. Oct 15, 2001 #6
    Bass Guitar

    Bass Guitar Supporting Member

    Aug 13, 2001
    The cheapest production basses would be the Conklin Groove Tool series - the GT-7 - someone already posted the prices. Otherwise, you will have to go custom, which costs a lot more. Surine and Sukop and other makers do make them - but they are costly.

    Try here for more info on Conklin basses:

    www.conklinguitars.com
     
  7. Oct 16, 2001 #7
    ashton

    ashton

    Jan 4, 2001
    Australia
    hi
    J T, well im only on a four string(standard tuning aswell) but i jammed with a friend and i think i need more "room" to grow. are 7's still tuned at the same intervals as 4's. EADGBEC like lead, i heard you had a F# thrown in somewhere?? id like to play one before i buy one but thats not really an option, if i keep bugging the guys at the local music store they might order one in or something though.
    and remember if you wanna quote prices im in australia so everything is doubbled, and that really sucks some mega @$$.
    well later
    Lukas
     
  8. Oct 16, 2001 #8
    Bass Guitar

    Bass Guitar Supporting Member

    Aug 13, 2001
    Standard tuning for 7:

    BEADGCF

    For JT:

    BEADGBE

    If you want to shift lower by a fourth:

    F#BEADGC
     
  9. Oct 16, 2001 #9
    tyburn

    tyburn

    Nov 6, 2000
    Carlisle, Cumbria, England
    a bit of advice, think hard before you commit yourself to a 6 or 7. while it will take time to adapt to the extra strings, many have found that they do not need them and were only seduced by the unknown.

    there are many, many exceptions, good ole JT :) being the local guru.

    however i have a very good friend , also my bass teacher, who is selling his 6 and 7 because there not practical intruments for his gigs. he plays in 5 different bands, site reading the whole gig for 1, all within the jazz and funk genre.

    he has two very good quality customs and is selling them to get a 5 string jazz made, because there overkill in his gig situation.

    i know this is only one person, but i can see where he's coming from, i'm a 5 string player myself and i feel comfortable with it, to play a 7 would be great but also an extra worry.

    just a bit of advice from a newish player, from an old pro, to a prospective buyer

    stu :)
     
  10. Oct 16, 2001 #10
    ashton

    ashton

    Jan 4, 2001
    Australia
    hi
    Bass Guitar, what do u play with(talking bass, of course :D )
    i have never even SEEN a 6 string, played a five about 4 times and now that i got the itch to get a 6or7 i cant find many. how much do Ibanez 6 string basses go for, theres only like 2 of them and i cant remember the model numbers or anything. Ibanez or Conklin.......hmmm heard alot about Conklin and i dont really like Ibanez (dunno why though, never have liked them one bit) Conklin will probably be it if its in my price range. not sure when though.
    later
    Lukas
     
  11. Oct 16, 2001 #11
    Bass Guitar

    Bass Guitar Supporting Member

    Aug 13, 2001
    Look at my avatar. Then look at my profile. :)
     
  12. Oct 16, 2001 #12
    PanteraFan

    PanteraFan

    Dec 8, 2000
    A place beyond comprehension o
    Just a note about tuning your 7: Make sure you have decent speakers if you go low.

    F# notes are very hard to reproduce without high end gear. The notes are just real low to be heard clean. Plus, not many people make bass strings in the required gauges(at least .155), driving costs up. If I was buying a 7(and I probably will someday:D) I'd string it BEADGBE, cos I'd be voicing a lot of chords on it and it'd be easier to get them out of a guitar book:)

    But whatever man, you go for what you like.

    P.S. The Bill Dickens sig WILL be mine.
     
  13. Oct 16, 2001 #13
    eli

    eli Mad showoff 7-stringer and Wish lover Supporting Member

    Dec 12, 1999
    NW suburban Chicago
    a) what they said about the Conk GT7.

    b) Carvin makes REALLY nice 6's. Had 2 -- fretted and fretless -- for 6 years until I went 7 this past spring.
     
  14. Oct 16, 2001 #14
    Ryan L.

    Ryan L. Moderator Staff Member Gold Supporting Member Supporting Member

    Aug 7, 2000
    West Fargo, ND
    I don't care what you guys say, that 7 string stuff scares me.:eek: :p


    Actually, I think a 7 would be neat, but that's about it for me--just neat. I have no use for one. I am looking into getting a 6 in the near future, though. Probably don't have much use for that, either, but I will be able to say I have a 6 string.:rolleyes:

    I just realized I am of no help here and should just shut up.