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Conklin, Wolf, or...? The search for a seven!

Uncle Hanky

Uncle Hanky

Guest
May 10, 2017
504
768
Texas
#1
*Allow me to preface this by saying I don’t give one blistered bleeding crap if you don’t like extended range instruments. “Jaco only needed four” wasn’t funny the first 16289092872626737389928175152684042718627949373 times. I know. I’m going to get flambeed for even saying this. But GAWD!!!!!*

::breathes:: I’m on the hunt for a seven string bass. I know that Conklin is pretty highly regarded. Wolf seems a bit hit or miss, perhaps? Are there any makers I’m missing that don’t want your firstborn and your favorite dog as payment? I’d like to buy used. I’d say my budget would be around a thousand dollars US, but a penny saved is a penny earned. I’d rather not deal with international shipping if it’s avoidable. Thanks in advance!!!
 
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#2
If you can find one, trying to get a Conklin Bill Dickens signature model 7. It has some noticeable upgrades compared to the standard GT7 along with having a tighter spacing at the nut, which becomes more important the more strings you add. I’ve owned, oh geez- I think three of them? After my last one I finally decided to stick with 6-strings, but they are phenomenal instruments and probably as easy playing a 7-string as you’re going to find. They can be had for $1000 if you look around and are patient. My first one was only $850. I’ve tried 2 or 3 other inexpensive 7s, and generally the necks aren’t as thin and narrow at the nut and don’t seem like they were thoughtfully designed to be easily playable despite the string count.
 
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#3
Bryan R. Tyler said:
If you can find one, trying to get a Conklin Bill Dickens signature model 7. It has some noticeable upgrades compared to the standard GT7 along with having a tighter spacing at the nut, which becomes more important the more strings you add. I’ve owned, oh geez- I think three of them? After my last one I finally decided to stick with 6-strings, but they are phenomenal instruments and probably as easy playing a 7-string as you’re going to find. They can be had for $1000 if you look around and are patient. My first one was only $850. I’ve tried 2 or 3 other inexpensive 7s, and generally the necks aren’t as thin and narrow at the nut and don’t seem like they were thoughtfully designed to be easily playable despite the string count.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I really appreciate the info. Those Wolf basses are certainly pretty, but I feel like Conklin has a pretty sterling reputation. I will certainly check out the Bill Dickens!
 
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#16
Uncle Hanky said:
*Allow me to preface this by saying I don’t give one blistered bleeding crap if you don’t like extended range instruments. “Jaco only needed four” wasn’t funny the first 16289092872626737389928175152684042718627949373 times. I know. I’m going to get flambeed for even saying this. But GAWD!!!!!*

::breathes:: I’m on the hunt for a seven string bass. I know that Conklin is pretty highly regarded. Wolf seems a bit hit or miss, perhaps? Are there any makers I’m missing that don’t want your firstborn and your favorite dog as payment? I’d like to buy used. I’d say my budget would be around a thousand dollars US, but a penny saved is a penny earned. I’d rather not deal with international shipping if it’s avoidable. Thanks in advance!!!
Click to expand...
While searching for a flanger last night, I found Mel Davis on a Smith 7. Check him out. Very cool sounds.
 
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#18
twinjet said:
While searching for a flanger last night, I found Mel Davis on a Smith 7. Check him out. Very cool sounds.
Click to expand...


The clarity of treble from that Smith is nuts!

I've only played the Conklin sevens, a couple Ibanez BTBs and a Galveston.

The Galveston was kind of garbage. I don't have much more to say about that one...

Between the Conklins, the neck profile and string spacing are sleeker and more comfortable on the GTBD-7. It also has better electronics, though the preamp is a little more complex than I need. Of those two, I'll echo the others who said to get the Dickens if you can find one. It's probably the most comfortable seven I've played.

The BTB7 (old design) is also nicely built and well-balanced. Its neck profile is reasonable but not as svelte as the Dickens. Fretwork from the factory is OK but not nearly as nice as Conklin's. The stock electronics on the BTB are GREAT in my opinion, probably the highlight of the bass: the preamp is simpler, but clear and natural sounding--not really better than the Conklin but more to my taste. Be aware that the old BTB7 has different (and in my opinion better) pickups and electronics than the current BTB747.

Overall the BTB is my favorite, partly for its sound and partly because its look suits me better than my crazy melted-looking purple Bill Dickens. But honestly the Dickens is probably a better bass on the whole and maybe your best bet for an affordable seven.
 

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