cmon guys, if youre gonna post portnoy's kit at least show his new siamese monster
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Adler sets new record!
- Thread starter Fluke
- Start date
Originally posted by Mark Latimour
Two points:
1. Pretentious means intended to attract, notice and impress others. What things would you call pretentious? Personally, I think my 6 is pretentious
2. To justify 11 strings over say, 9 or 6, or 4, I would want to see that the player makes use of the extended range in a way that is not possible on other instruments. Sure, I could use and 11 string to play ACDC bass lines, but that would be pretentious.
Thank you- it is played in a way that utilizes the entire range of the bass it's not much different from a nine-just two lower strings. one cool thing is to play right hand touch bass around the 12th fret and guitar chords in the same way you would on a guitar with your left hand. The 11 string sounds more like two instruments and not like the Stick. You can play some things that were previously requiring some crossing hands to reach lower bass notes. Looking at the photo ,it does look like something out of "Spinal Tap"
mark beem
Wait, how does this song start again??
Originally posted by Mark Latimour
Two points:
1. Pretentious means intended to attract, notice and impress others. What things would you call pretentious? Personally, I think my 6 is pretentious
2. To justify 11 strings over say, 9 or 6, or 4, I would want to see that the player makes use of the extended range in a way that is not possible on other instruments. Sure, I could use and 11 string to play ACDC bass lines, but that would be pretentious
Actually "prententious" is better thought of as an unjustified feeling of superiority or elevated self-image as in:
"ProgZilla's claim that he's a superior bassist because he has a Conklin 8 string is utterly pretentious."
Can't a person underplay just as much on a four string as he could on an 8, 9, or 11 string instrument? If you only use the E and A strings when you play what difference does it make how many you have left unused and since when has there been a "minimum string usage" requirement put into play to justify owning such an instrument? Do pianists use EVERY key on the piano every time they sit down in front of it?
I think what Mark and others are missing here is that, an 11 string makes playing alot of stuff easier in that you don't have to reach down the neck for a note. There are more notes available to you in a shorter span on the neck. So a piece that used to take big shifts on the neck can be played without moving your hand. It makes perfect sense. That aspect has really changed my outlook on the extended range basses.
The 11 is also offering a low f# and c#, once you hear that you'll be gassing for a low c# too. I like the idea of going lower, gives a bassist something to battle that key bass with.
I think bashing an 11 string bass because of the number of strings is on par with that comment, "oh a bass has only 4 strings so it must be much easier to play than a guitar". But as we all know Ignorance is Bliss.
The 11 is also offering a low f# and c#, once you hear that you'll be gassing for a low c# too. I like the idea of going lower, gives a bassist something to battle that key bass with.
I think bashing an 11 string bass because of the number of strings is on par with that comment, "oh a bass has only 4 strings so it must be much easier to play than a guitar". But as we all know Ignorance is Bliss.
Originally posted by mcbassdude
I think what Mark and others are missing here is that, an 11 string makes playing alot of stuff easier in that you don't have to reach down the neck for a note. There are more notes available to you in a shorter span on the neck. So a piece that used to take big shifts on the neck can be played without moving your hand. It makes perfect sense. That aspect has really changed my outlook on the extended range basses.
There is a point where this logic and practicallity clash. It may not be at 11 strings, but I doubt its too far off. I mean, if we had a 12 string bass we could play every note with one finger
What you may be missing is that there is a point where the width of the fret-board, weight of the bass etc makes using an extended range instrument more of a burden than a benefit. Particuarly if the context in which you play doesnt require it.
The 11 is also offering a low f# and c#, once you hear that you'll be gassing for a low c# too. I like the idea of going lower, gives a bassist something to battle that key bass with.
I think bashing an 11 string bass because of the number of strings is on par with that comment, "oh a bass has only 4 strings so it must be much easier to play than a guitar". But as we all know Ignorance is Bliss.
I have never felt the need to use a low f# or c#, so I can't sa im gas'n for them. I would only add that, in all the music *I* listen to and enjoy, I have never seen / heard a 7+ string bass used. If I get to a point where I feel musically limited by 6 strings, I may look for more. But, so far, I have not reached that point.
I am not bashing the 11 string, it is perfectly legitimate for the person who needs it. For anything else, it is "pretentious"(joke)
mark beem
Wait, how does this song start again??
But isn't that for the car's purchaser to decide and not the guy walking down the suburb's sidewalk??Originally posted by Mark Latimour
Adler hasn't brought a new instrument into existence.. simply expounded on an already existing one..Originally posted by Mark Latimour
Perhaps I'm reading your initial post wrong, but you seem to think that unless a player uses ALL eleven strings ALL the time it's pretentious and has absolutely no musical merit.. Is this the case or am I misunderstanding you?
Why? What if that's their only bass? Or the right one, sound-wise, for the job?
If I show up with a four-string and only use the E and A, am I being pretentious?
I currently play 6-string basses. I'll show up for any gig with a 6-string. I guess I'm pretentious.
It was an oversimplified example - I was going to disclaim exactly what you just put in there however I left it out for the sake of speed.
I am in the same boat - I will always show up with a 6 because its the only bass I own.
Bad example - my fault - I think the keyboard one is more apt.
mark beem
Wait, how does this song start again??
I don't agree.. How do you arrogate yourself to a point where YOU make the decision or have absolutely any say-so as to what "I" need or deserve? Is your judgement any more sound than mine? Who's to decide? Your argument boils down to a matter of "taste" and everyone's tastes are different but not necessarily wrong.
So, a small town mechanic who mainly does oil changes shouldn't be able to buy a wheel alignment machine because he uses it only once or twice in a six month period?
Do you play only ONE style of music?
Would you limit your available vocabulary because you dont have an everyday use for the word "sacerdotalism"?
I think I might have misunderstood you saying Adler didn't create a new instrument. But isn't it still the first of it's kind
Originally posted by ProgZilla
I don't agree.. How do you arrogate yourself to a point where YOU make the decision or have absolutely any say-so as to what "I" need or deserve? Is your judgement any more sound than mine? Who's to decide? Your argument boils down to a matter of "taste" and everyone's tastes are different but not necessarily wrong.
(Trumpets sounding) - EXACTLY! Go back and reread this discussion - a number of people were being criticised by others for having differing opinions on the 11 string. Guess what - none of them are wrong - and for someone to say one group is close minded or immature for having their opinion?
As to your point, reread what I said, both the purcahser and the observer are *equally* entitled to judge. It is a subjective value based judgement. No more judgement is more sound, when did I ever asset one was more valid?
So, a small town mechanic who mainly does oil changes shouldn't be able to buy a wheel alignment machine because he uses it only once or twice in a six month period?
Do you play only ONE style of music?
I'm not sure where you are getting this from. Go back and reread my posts - I have maintained that if you can justify a 11 string bass for your musical endeavours - go and do it.
Would you limit your available vocabulary because you dont have an everyday use for the word "sacerdotalism"?
I think the more appropraite example would be "would you use the word "sacredotalism" if you didnt know what it meant".
That is what I am saying about 7+ string basses. Use them - if you know how
mark beem
Wait, how does this song start again??
I thought Reggie Wooten already had one...
Adler's 11 string to me, is more like someone making an addendum to an already existing research paper...
I didn't think that an 11 string that had all independent notes was made before. Does anyone have pictures of this?
mark beem
Wait, how does this song start again??
This is at the heart of my argument.. WHY do I have to justify it to you or anyone else?
Where are the universally accepted standards that I can use to base justification?
Who is the ultimate judge in deciding whether my ownership of an 11 string is justified?
Would the fact that I show up at a blues gig with this bass make any difference if at the end of the night you have enjoyed yourself, had a great time and left the club with a beautiful redhead?
Originally posted by ProgZilla
This is at the heart of my argument.. WHY do I have to justify it to you or anyone else?
You don't. Does anyone else have to justify their view of *your* bass to you?
Where are the universally accepted standards that I can use to base justification?
Who is the ultimate judge in deciding whether my ownership of an 11 string is justified?
There is only subjective judgement based on the observer / listener and you. See my point above.
Would the fact that I show up at a blues gig with this bass make any difference if at the end of the night you have enjoyed yourself, had a great time and left the club with a beautiful redhead?
It may, it may not - depends how upset I was at you bringing an 11 string bass to a blues gig. If I was that upset, (IMO) I may have my priorities wrong, but its still a valid opinion is it not?
(throws hands up) - I can't even remember what i'm arguing about anymore!
mark beem
Wait, how does this song start again??
Here again, who's to say? My approach to my basses is different from JT's to his so is one of us wrong?
What is right or wrong?
John said that "I usually tell whoever is asking that most of what I play could be played on a 5 string."** so is his ownership of his basses unjustified? Are you the one to make this determination?
**From the Lord Only webite
