Regardless of type (full chromatic versus one/or a few gates) has anyone observed a change (preferably for the better) in the sound of your bass, say even when the E gate is closed? I have heard that an extension can "open things up" a bit and was wondering if there was any first hand observations to that effect.
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.
Double Bass C Extension Gates??
- Thread starter bcarter
- Start date
Some extended E string have a higher tension than the regular E strings. That might have a larger influence than the dead part behind the gate.
- Aug 1, 2005
- 3,546
- 1,421
- Disclosures
- Private Inventor - Bass Capos
I think that just having the C there, ringing the top when the E gate is open, opens up the bass across the low register. Yes, the E is tighter on Thomastik sets, but is the same on Pirastro and D'Addario sets.
Except Evah Pirazzi and Pirastro Pizzicato where the ext. E also has a higher tension than the regular E.
I think the higher endpoint of the extended string at the scroll might bend the neck more than the normal endpoint at the nut. I don't think it is lateral vibration of the string but could be tension vibration pulling at the neck. But that's totally speculation.
Someone noted earlier that one problem with gated extension is that say an engaged e-flat gate would leave the bass "acoustically confused." That is correct, however I suspect if you're playing a piece in E-flat, even with no extended notes in the passage, having that e-flat gate engaged would give you a better overall sound. You would pick up all those overtones on your effectively "e-flat string". Certainly if you're playing something in E-major, the "e-flat string" would be unnecessary.
- Aug 1, 2005
- 3,546
- 1,421
- Disclosures
- Private Inventor - Bass Capos
You're right. Pirastro only recently started publishing it's string tensions, and I'd only checked Oblis and Eudoxas. Evah long Es are indeed 4% tighter. When open, the anchor point is indeed way further back, but I can't imagine that this has much effect when an extension is closed at E.
- Aug 1, 2005
- 3,546
- 1,421
- Disclosures
- Private Inventor - Bass Capos
Yes, the sympathetic response of the bass is profoundly affected by the various "closed" positions of the gates. Closing at D can make for some especially severe resonances. A sensitive player adjusts. Sometimes you can use these effects to your advantage. Other times you need to double down on your left hand damping procedures to ensure you aren't just stinking up the place
Last edited:
For a couple of years I played in DADG and used a Hipshot extender on the tailpiece, primarily for arco playing. It was not a perfect solution, but it gave me an interesting range with minimal hardware and investment. The Hipshot seemed to work better on basses that liked a heavy tailpiece. There is a definite difference between a shorter traditional scale length dropped down to D and a longer length string tuned to D. A lot of basses really open up with the lowered tension of the E dropped down to D, as opposed to the E lengthened to D but at the same tension. 'Pretty sure my new bass will have a short D extension, again for more variety but not full blown complicated; they are also very simple to make and position by changing the tuning machine order. Personally I've never played a five string bass that inspired me enough to want to bring it home; most were almost novelty items that I'd play for ten minutes and then go back to one of my four strings with a sigh of relief. YMMV...
