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9 string bass?

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gimmeagig

gimmeagig

Feb 25, 2004
2,891
1,197
Coeur D'Alene,Idaho
#1
I just saw a jazz show on TV with Vanessa Williams as the featured guest.The bassist had this monster bass.It looked like a 9 string bass.Is there such a thing?
At first I was really impressed thinking "Oh, this guy must be really good" but then as I listened I was thinking, what a hassle to drag this thing around and spend 120.- bucks on a set of strings and all of that only to do something that you could play on a 4 string just as well.
I figure if you have a bass like that you better do something special with it or else you look just like a poser.
 
#3
You've been here since 2004 and you just now found out about extended range basses?

Web11.jpg
 
#11
Sorry about not being quite with it on that one but I thought that extended range topped out at 7 strings....Oh well, I still ski on straight skis and my moutain bike does not have shocks.Shows you what I know :)
But 11 strings midi? Why??? Where is it going to stop?
I'll check out the links but if you need 11 strings to expresss yourself, why not just switch to keyboards?
Charlie Hunter has 8 strings and look what he does.How much more do you need? Seriously, are there any bassists that do something along the lines of what Charlie does?
Actually i did not call Al an annoying shredder because he was not shredding,Nor should he have.He was just playing the tunes in a very basic and appropriate way.I was just wondering why he was bringing a bass like that to a performance that did not need it.Like bringing a Bugatti Veyron to a vintage race.4 or 5 strings would have been plenty for that gig and it didn't have to be a Fender.
 
#14
gimmeagig said:
But 11 strings midi? Why??? Where is it going to stop?
I'll check out the links but if you need 11 strings to expresss yourself, why not just switch to keyboards?
Charlie Hunter has 8 strings and look what he does.How much more do you need? Seriously, are there any bassists that do something along the lines of what Charlie does?
Actually i did not call Al an annoying shredder because he was not shredding,Nor should he have.He was just playing the tunes in a very basic and appropriate way.I was just wondering why he was bringing a bass like that to a performance that did not need it.Like bringing a Bugatti Veyron to a vintage race.4 or 5 strings would have been plenty for that gig and it didn't have to be a Fender.
Click to expand...

A) I'm new to playing seven strings, and can already envision going to 9. The reason I don't just play keyboards is that my hands seem to take naturally to playing bass...even the guitar I want is a long scale. It just feels right. I'm a horrible keyboard player; I'm not a bad bassist, and would miss being able to manipulate strings with both hands the way I can now. This could be one reason he doesn't just start playing keys. I will admit that the Chapman Grand Stick looks tempting to me, though.

B) My GTBD 7 string is easily one of the best sounding basses I've got...it's a toss-up between that and my Steinberger, but my Steiny's a four banger and I need at least 5. So I use a 7 string at church and in a classic rock band knowing full well that I'm unlikely to use the extra two strings...it just sounds better, and is the second best playing instrument I've got. I wouldn't be shocked to learn that Al Caldwell feels the same way.

Range isn't the single deciding factor in playing an ERB, at least, not for me.
 
#15
I just checked out jean beaudin and also Al.Sort of expecting something special.Boy was I on the wrong track.Al's stuff is just plain boring Totally uninspiring from a bassists or a guitarrists point of view and and jeans interpretation of the Bach piece, tricky as it may be is just awful.
If those guys would have been the first bassists I have heard play live.I would not be a musician today.
Fortunately the first guy I heard live was Paul Jackson.
Now as far as extended range playing....Anthony Jackson with Steve Khan or Michel Camilo for example or Carlos Benavent, or Jimmy Haslip or Richard Bona.Now you're talking.
 
#16
If you like Classical... check out TBer Dave Grossman

I do know what you mean though... lots of times ERB vids are almost a novelty. Oh and I love Anthony Jackson with Steve Khan! I've got a couple killer bootleg concerts that I listen to all the time!
 
#18
gimmeagig said:
I just checked out jean beaudin and also Al.Sort of expecting something special.Boy was I on the wrong track.Al's stuff is just plain boring Totally uninspiring from a bassists or a guitarrists point of view and and jeans interpretation of the Bach piece, tricky as it may be is just awful.
If those guys would have been the first bassists I have heard play live.I would not be a musician today.
Fortunately the first guy I heard live was Paul Jackson.
Now as far as extended range playing....Anthony Jackson with Steve Khan or Michel Camilo for example or Carlos Benavent, or Jimmy Haslip or Richard Bona.Now you're talking.
Click to expand...

:hmm: Let's see/hear your stuff, then. :eyebrow:
 
#19
Assuming the OP is genuinely interested in some answers to the "why ERB" question ..... ;)

Most serious 7+ string extended range players don't use our basses simply because we like to drag heavy things around. They have a purpose to each player, and each player has their own set of goals in mind when using the basses.

Very few ERB-ist's buy 7+ string instruments for shredding or other "fancy" playing. They may own them because they need additional range, or possibly because they play complex figures that fall more neatly in place with the additional strings. In my case, I use 7's & 8's because I do a lot of trio work, and when using the ERB's with a looper I can establish a bass line then chord behind the guitarist where needed. I also double a lot of guitar parts, playing unison lines.

I'm perfectly happy when no one pays any attention to the basses I play. I'd much rather hear them say they really enjoyed the band as opposed to commenting on my stellar playing. Using ERB's I fill the basic bassist role and I'm able to add tonal options that a 4 or 5 string bass would not allow me to do. That probably doesn't make me great, or special, or exciting to most people, but my band mates greatly appreciate my contributions ..... :cool:
 
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