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7/8 strings.... i'm interested.

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by adept_inept, Jan 30, 2006.


  1. Jan 30, 2006 #1
    adept_inept

    adept_inept

    Jan 9, 2006
    i was just thinking how cool ot would be to be able to play such dynamic chords, and have so many notes available.

    i finally see the light involved in ERBs! haha

    so, you ERBs out there. help me out. where can i get a DECENTLY priced extended range.... anyone have anything used i can purchase? and what are decent brands?
     
  5. Jan 30, 2006 #2
    Mark Wilson

    Mark Wilson Supporting Member

    Jan 12, 2005
    Toronto, Ontario
    Endorsing Artist: Elixir® Strings
    If you can find a Conklin GT-7, grab it up. They're becoming a rarity now that they're out of comission. They're probably one of the best priced, and best overall 7-string out there.


    -Mark
     
  10. Jan 30, 2006 #3
    adept_inept

    adept_inept

    Jan 9, 2006
    bass central has a few. however, i rly think this situation is a serious try bfore u buy. talk about a leap of faith. 4 string to 7.

    i definitely consider the 7 a completely different instrument though. its like.. a guitar on steroids. a bass with the capabilities of a guitar. i'd definitely find myself doing much more advanced chord and slap techniques.

    basscentral has one for like 1300.
     
  14. Jan 30, 2006 #4
    mark beem

    mark beem I'm alive and well. Where am I? Gold Supporting Member

    Jul 20, 2001
    New Hope, Alabama
    Define "decently priced".. My Conklins are for sale...

    [​IMG]

    I'll consider a cash sale.. Trades + cash... Or straight up trades for the right bass...
     
  18. Jan 30, 2006 #5
    Tbirdbassist

    Tbirdbassist

    Jul 2, 2005
    Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY
    Damn, I get GAS every time you post those basses Mark. especially the splated. Too bad I'm temporarily poor...
     
  22. Jan 30, 2006 #6
    steve21

    steve21 Banned

    Nov 26, 2005
    Glendale & La Jolla, CA
    I've got a question... how come the norm for 7 strings seems to be B-F# tuning, yet in the 4>5 leap you usually get the low string first?
     
  26. Jan 30, 2006 #7
    Bernie Connors

    Bernie Connors

    Apr 2, 2002
    N.W. Indiana, USA
    It's all up to personal preference. Most use B-G tuning on fives, but there are those who use E-C.

    ERB'ers are a unique bunch anyway so they just tune anyway they want to. ;)
     
  31. Jan 30, 2006 #8
    Tbirdbassist

    Tbirdbassist

    Jul 2, 2005
    Bushwick, Brooklyn, NY
    Yea, JT tunes his like a 7 string guitar (except his MIDI 8 strings I think)

    Some guys tune there 7's with a low F#, but usually its the 8 strings I see with F#-Ab
     
  35. Jan 31, 2006 #9
    john turner

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

    Mar 14, 2000
    atlanta ga
    i've got a few of my basses tuned with low f#, including both 8's. i go back and forth between guitar tuning and straight tuning, although most of my instruments (including the 8's ;) )still use the guitar tuning.

    as for going from 4 to 7 - it's what i did. lined fretless 4 to unlined fretless 7 to boot. you can do it. you just have to be willing to make the committment to the 7, and focus on getting better. it may take you a little while, but you'll make it.

    the folks that don't put a lot of effort into it get discouraged by the lack for progress often, and they often end up failing. it's like a whole new instrument almost, takes a lot of dedication, but the payouts are worth it, imo.
     
  39. Jan 31, 2006 #10
    The Eristic

    The Eristic Supporting Member

    Mar 19, 2005
    Cartersville, GA
    Anyone ever tried guitar tuning with a low A? It's used by a lot of 7-string jazz guitarists, because you can throw an octave below anything you would normally play on the 5th string without changing positions. It lends a really cool, almost piano-like separation to chords.
     
  43. Jan 31, 2006 #11
    seventhson

    seventhson Supporting Member

    Aug 12, 2005
    Seattle, WA
    Yes, I've definitely heard of this. It's basically the same thing as drop-D tuning on a guitar except you're doing it with a guitar with a low B string.
     
  47. Jan 31, 2006 #12
    Sandman1278

    Sandman1278

    Mar 9, 2005
    New York, NY
    why are you getting rid of those? just curious:bag:
    I would buy the one on the right off of you if I had the extra $2-4k(assuming its somewere in that price range) to spend on it.:bag:
     
  51. Jan 31, 2006 #13
    mark beem

    mark beem I'm alive and well. Where am I? Gold Supporting Member

    Jul 20, 2001
    New Hope, Alabama
    Three 8 string basses is two too many..

    ;)

    Plus there are some other factors influencing my decision to sell. Have some physical complications from an accident I was in a few years back that I'd hoped wouldn't worsen. Unfortunately for me they have and now weight has become a factor.. Why I play mainly my Lulls now.. They're incredibly light...
     
  55. Jan 31, 2006 #14
    pointbass

    pointbass Jersey to Georgia Gold Supporting Member Supporting Member

    Nov 4, 2004
    Acworth, GA
    Endorsing Artist: FBB Bass Works
    This is the best advice anyone considering a 7+ string can get (and its very qualified advice from a very qualified player :D ). I started playing a 6 about 1 1/2 years ago and truthfully it wasn't a huge adjustment from a 4/5. But I have also been playing a 7 for well over a year and I'm just now getting truely comfortable with it. Different feel, different hand positions, different mind set while playing.

    Galveston makes a POS 7 that you can get for about $600, but don't expect a lot from it. The Conklin GT7 is a good production bass for the money, but as someone said, they're getting harder and harder to find and the prices are climbing a bit.