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Club Bordwell

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#661
TreeFrog said:
Hey guys, just wanted to get some thoughts inputs on my upcoming bass build with Cliff.

I'm on the fence about a 6 string with regards to some of it's specs. As noted earlier in this thread Cliff built me a 32" 4 String which I love and I'm now on deck for another build and I'm sort of torn over some ideas. I'd like to get into the 6 string realm however I don't have a ton of experience on them, so all of you 6 string players and those who have had Cliff build them a 6 you're input would be greatly appreciated.

I know Cliff has made a couple 32" 6 Strings now and they've gotten great reviews. I really like the idea of a 32" 6 string because of it's compactness and the fact that it will be much less of a physically demanding bass than a 35" or 36" 6 string. So that's my first debate...scale length. My second debate is the fretted vs. fretless option. I really like the idea of a fretless 6 but having very little experience playing 6's I kind of feel like I'd be throwing myself in the deep end.

For all those that have 6's, how did you find the transition from a 4 string? I think I have fairly decently sized hands but I've seen some 6's that have baseball bats for necks which concerns me slightly. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew. At the end of the day I'm sure it will just come down to practicing getting control of those extra to strings and muting them but I just wanted to get some others views on making the jump to 6.

My final debate is with regards to electronics. I'm leaning towards nordstands for this build, I went with Kent Armstrong last time (active/passive switch, bass, treb, mid controls) so I figured I'd mix it up. Tone wise I'd like something that can provide a lot of clarity the entire range of the neck. I'd like my low notes to really bark without sounding muddy and I don't want my higher strings/notes to be too too trebly or harsh. I know Cliff has built a lot of basses with nordstrands so I just wanted to get some of your thoughts on them and maybe suggestions for a 6 string set up.

Thanks,
Rob
Click to expand...

Rob, get a 32" scale 6 string fretted bass with Kent Armstrong pickups, 26 frets, 16.5mm spacing at the bridge, a 2" nut and an ACG preamp.....so when you realize that 6 strings are too much for you I can buy it from you......

....on a serious note......really, do that.

......ok, more seriously, do you have any experience with a 6 at all? I'm not sure I understand the mentality of having a custom bass built when you have no experience with the instrument that you're having built for you. I only say this because I've seen far too many people have a custom bass built for them only to see the bass on the block a couple of months later....especially with the "six strings are just not for me" quotation over and over again. Find yourself a cheap six string and get the feel for the extra strings. It may turn out to be exactly what you were hoping for, but it may not.
 
#662
emjazz said:
Rob, get a 32" scale 6 string fretted bass with Kent Armstrong pickups, 26 frets, 16.5mm spacing at the bridge, a 2" nut and an ACG preamp.....so when you realize that 6 strings are too much for you I can buy it from you......

....on a serious note......really, do that.

......ok, more seriously, do you have any experience with a 6 at all? I'm not sure I understand the mentality of having a custom bass built when you have no experience with the instrument that you're having built for you. I only say this because I've seen far too many people have a custom bass built for them only to see the bass on the block a couple of months later....especially with the "six strings are just not for me" quotation over and over again. Find yourself a cheap six string and get the feel for the extra strings. It may turn out to be exactly what you were hoping for, but it may not.
Click to expand...


Big plus one on that last note. Try a bunch of production six strings, take home the one that feels the best and get comfortable on that. You'll need to play around for a while on different instruments before you start to determine what works for you...and even then that'll change every 6 mo. :p

A custom instrument can be a bit of a leap of faith unless you're familiar with the builder's work, and more importantly, what your particular needs are.
 
#663
Definitely try out other 6ers. I'm a small dude and pretty comfortable on a 35" scale 6, but I use pretty good form. I believe the 32" scale basses need custom strings.

If you're looking for a versatile electronics package, hard to beat some Nordstrand dual coils wired for series, parallel, and split, an Audere 4 band w/active passive, and Z modes!
 
#664
Ok, any recommendations for a nice hardcase that's fairly slim? I'm thinking abotu a G&G case because they're tough enough and pretty slim. Any other ideas? Still planning on sending the $ in about 2 weeks, so finding a hardcase isn't terribly urgent at this point. The case that mine came with is fine, but I prefer something a tad tougher and slimmer since I have a "few" guitars and basses.
 
#665
Awesome:hyper::hyper::hyper:
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zzb-gat2.jpg
 
#668
Alienation said:
There are some really interesting ideas in this batch. I'm diggin' the maple pickguard idea for sure.

Will that be screwed or inlayed into the top? I think Bud LeCompte inlays some of his pickguards. Either way it's cool.
Click to expand...

I believe it will be glued down as I want it to be permanent. It's only a pickguard by name , I don't use a pick so it won't get damaged or worn.

Inlayed would be cool but I wanted the look of a traditional pickguard. I don't know, I think it will be very cool.
 
#671
spade2you said:
Bump on the hardcase suggestions?
Click to expand...

I have been looking at the cases on Rondo Music and they have quite a few rectangular style cases that might be of interest. I too would like a hardshell case for the Ball bass.

Cliff has no supplier at the moment for hardshell cases from what I understand.

I'm going to wait until I get my bass and get all the shape and size specifics down before I buy the case for it.

I don't tour so a flight case isn't necessary. You could go that route if you wanted, pricey though. :(
 
#672
Alienation said:
I have been looking at the cases on Rondo Music and they have quite a few rectangular style cases that might be of interest. I too would like a hardshell case for the Ball bass.

Cliff has no supplier at the moment for hardshell cases from what I understand.

I'm going to wait until I get my bass and get all the shape and size specifics down before I buy the case for it.

I don't tour so a flight case isn't necessary. You could go that route if you wanted, pricey though. :(
Click to expand...

Cliff told me he had a local supplier, but went out of business. :atoz: I'm thinking I might go with a basic G&G hardcase. I don't really need a flight case, but sometimes it's nice to have something a little tougher than a gig bag. As a bass whore, Cliff's gig cases are a tad wide for me......of course if I didn't own so many basses it would be a problem. :p
 
#673
Alienation said:
There are some really interesting ideas in this batch. I'm diggin' the maple pickguard idea for sure.

Will that be screwed or inlayed into the top? I think Bud LeCompte inlays some of his pickguards. Either way it's cool.
Click to expand...

It will be glued on, no screws.
It is really turning out nice on the singlecut shape.
 
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