Extended Range Bass (Club??) Thread

[Ed Goode]

It's not the most subtle tone though, that's for sure. It's got quite a bit of kick to it.

Yeah, that's sort of been my experience with SX in general. I was going to get the 6, but I really just have no need for another fretted bass. Even if the entire bass was stripped of all electronics and hardware, it would still be well worth the asking price.

 

[dakpluto]

Yeah, that's sort of been my experience with SX in general. I was going to get the 6, but I really just have no need for another fretted bass. Even if the entire bass was stripped of all electronics and hardware, it would still be well worth the asking price.

Oh for sure. Since they use Alder and not basswood like a lot of cheapos, the body alone is worth the price of admission. And the necks, when ripped of the glow in the dark orange are really nice necks.

And ya, my first 6 so fretted didn't bother me. But I really am crossing my fingers that Rondo gets a twin in that is fretless. I would jump on that in a heartbeat after this one.

If I really had to describe the tone...when running full on both pickups and the tone cranked up, it sounds a ton like my old ATK. I dare say almost a hint of a Rick tone.

 

[spade2you]

I plan to place an order for a VB6 at some point. I've already contacted Zon for a price. Since my new Warwick Thumb BO 6 acquisition, the Vinny 6 has moved into my top 4 wishlist. (The other 3 presently sitting in my top 4 wishlist is the Conklin BDGT-7, Fender Steve Bailey VI Fretless, and MusicMan Bongo 6.)

Not bashing the Fender, but if you get one new, I think you can start looking at some small luthiers to get something 100% custom for you for around the same, depending on how Fender/dealers change their price by the time you're ready. I try not to push my agenda on TBers, but the price and value of my preferred luthiers is why I'm stocking up!!! That and their price allows me to be more of a bass whore!

 

[TolerancEJ]

Not bashing the Fender, but if you get one new, I think you can start looking at some small luthiers to get something 100% custom for you for around the same, depending on how Fender/dealers change their price by the time you're ready. I try not to push my agenda on TBers, but the price and value of my preferred luthiers is why I'm stocking up!!! That and their price allows me to be more of a bass whore!

Yeah, the Fender is quite pricey brand new. I plan to buy it if I find one used/second-hand. Isn't "Buy Used" the TB code? -- In fact, there's one in the TB classifieds. It's handy for me because the seller is also in Canada; there won't be any duty charges involved. I kinda hope it's still available when I'm ready to purchase.

 

[spade2you]

Yeah, the Fender is quite pricey brand new. I plan to buy it if I find one used/second-hand. Isn't "Buy Used" the TB code? -- In fact, there's one in the TB classifieds. It's handy for me because the seller is also in Canada; there won't be any duty charges involved. I kinda hope it's still available when I'm ready to purchase.

Buying used is an option, although I can't see it being terribly abundant. Again, not bashing Fender, but I'd be slightly hesitant to buy one without trying. With this basically being their first attempt at a full scale 6 string, there are luthiers with 10-20 more years of experience with 6 string basses.

 

[basssuperfreak]

Well, if you like Zon, you can get a 6 string Vinny. I should receive mine soon. Of course, I don't think it will be as light as a Basslab.

Thanks, I checked it out looks cool. But the problem I have with Zon is the pre amps he uses in his guitars are a bit p-bass sounding. Dont get me wrong I love my 6 but i'm considering replacing the preamp with something a bit more aggresive sounding. Kind of a cross between a steinberger and a musicman!!! Is what i'm after. Are you going with the wood finish of painted???? I have an original Zon scepter 4 string in the yellow Zon finish, its so bright you gotta wear shades!!!!!!.

 

[basssuperfreak]

I plan to place an order for a VB6 at some point. I've already contacted Zon for a price. Since my new Warwick Thumb BO 6 acquisition, the Vinny 6 has moved into my top 4 wishlist. (The other 3 presently sitting in my top 4 wishlist is the Conklin BDGT-7, Fender Steve Bailey VI Fretless, and MusicMan Bongo 6.)

I heard recently that they are cutting the BDGT-7 line soon so do not wait its a great bass, sounds killer, plays even better and if you order the transpurple heart finish the music stores photos do not do it justice, very nice looking. Only problem I have is the weight 13 lbs all day and after a night of playing you will feel it. But over all I prefer my 7 over my 6 string ZON??????? You would think a 5000.00 bass would smoke a 2000.00 guitar but that is not the case. I have used it for everything from country, rock, metal, funk, reggae you name it. Their is also adjustment on the preamp in the guitar body so you can tune it to the sound you like. But out of the case it absolutely kicks butt. You will have to get the SR 2000 7 string set to replace you strings Or the SIT conklin string they are the only ones that work on this bass the others have problems with intonation. That has been my experience.
You will also have to get used to playing without your thumb behind the neck on the upper register because it is wide! but still very playable. Good luck with your new purchase.

 

[Ed Goode]

Not bashing the Fender ......

Agreed .... I personally like the Bailey, but the LowEnd basses are a far better instrument, IMO, as are many of the other "fender-esque" custom 6's. I had the opportunity to play the Fender fretless 6 and it is a nice bass (BTW, the guy who owns it had it set up beautifully ) that I'd be pleased to own, but given the choice & opportunity, I'd get a LE for sure ....

 

[TolerancEJ]

You will also have to get used to playing without your thumb behind the neck on the upper register because it is wide! but still very playable. Good luck with your new purchase.

Thanks for your tips on the bass. I already adjusted my thumb position because I just moved from an Ibanez Soundgear to a Warwick Thumb BO 6. It didn't take long to get adjusted. I expect the same when I buy a Conklin BDGT.

 

[TolerancEJ]

Agreed .... I personally like the Bailey, but the LowEnd basses are a far better instrument, IMO, as are many of the other "fender-esque" custom 6's. I had the opportunity to play the Fender fretless 6 and it is a nice bass (BTW, the guy who owns it had it set up beautifully ) that I'd be pleased to own, but given the choice & opportunity, I'd get a LE for sure ....

Personally, I want it for the sake of having Steve Bailey's signature bass. I know there are other 6-String Fretlesses out there and they are on my wishlist.

 

[basssuperfreak]

The original plan was to buy a conklin 7 from the factory, all white, neck and all, gold hardware. I think it would have been a really nice looking bass. I got a quote for just under 6900.00 and I had to ask myself feed the kids or buy a 7000.00 guitar well I found a great compomise I still got a great bass at 1/3 the cost and my kids are still eating!!! Some day I will get my custom bass from them but my BD7 will due for now. If I could find a good used custom for a great price I might pick it up but I have 9 basses right now and 4 of them just sit, nice guitars but I always seem to go with my ERB's and the 4's just sit.

 

[Ed Goode]

If I really had to describe the tone...when running full on both pickups and the tone cranked up, it sounds a ton like my old ATK. I dare say almost a hint of a Rick tone.

I know what you mean ... most of the SX's I've messed around with sounded like an older Ibanez SRX-505 I owned for a while. That bass had one tone .... sort of like a bazooka being shot off ... It sure as heck wasn't subtle ...

 

[spade2you]

The original plan was to buy a conklin 7 from the factory, all white, neck and all, gold hardware. I think it would have been a really nice looking bass. I got a quote for just under 6900.00 and I had to ask myself feed the kids or buy a 7000.00 guitar well I found a great compomise I still got a great bass at 1/3 the cost and my kids are still eating!!! Some day I will get my custom bass from them but my BD7 will due for now. If I could find a good used custom for a great price I might pick it up but I have 9 basses right now and 4 of them just sit, nice guitars but I always seem to go with my ERB's and the 4's just sit.

Conklin is great, but there are other builders who can do nice stuff for about 1/2 the price depending on options.

 

[ixlramp]

Hey friends, anybody know why the extended range bassist forum closed!!??
Anyway, I found a new great forum for ERB:

http://subcontrabassist.com/smf/index.php

Hi Oscar!
Mysterious isn't it?

I'd like to invite anyone to join the subcontrabassist forum linked above. I feel we need somewhere to be ERB central.

Mat.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

I would like to respectfully suggest and propose to JT that talkbass do a sub forum for all that is ERB.

 

[dakpluto]

I know what you mean ... most of the SX's I've messed around with sounded like an older Ibanez SRX-505 I owned for a while. That bass had one tone .... sort of like a bazooka being shot off ... It sure as heck wasn't subtle ...

don't get me wrong, I don't want to describe the tone as bad. And it is maybe a touch one-dimensional, but that's also why Audere and other preamps have been a very popular addition to SXs. They play very well with the stock pickups and really open them up.

 

[ehque]

Are you going with the wood finish of painted???? I have an originaThanks, I checked it out looks cool. But the problem I have with Zon is the pre amps he uses in his guitars are a bit p-bass sounding. Dont get me wrong I love my 6 but i'm considering replacing the preamp with something a bit more aggresive sounding. Kind of a cross between a steinberger and a musicman!!! Is what i'm after. I have an Zon scepter 4 string in the yellow Zon finish, its so bright you gotta wear shades!!!!!!.

mine's going to be more of a worker than a showman, so no fancy stuff. also didn't have the money to go for "the works". its a no-top satin-finished swamp ash body.

i find it insane that you think the standard zon electronics are not aggressive enough. is yours using jazz pickups or soaps?

 

[john turner]

Conlkin calls this style the Soleil Single-Cutaway

The most popular is the Sidewinder. But Conklin has a few other standard shapes to choose from:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

They'll also prepare a shape to your own specifications.

If I ever have a custom built, I think I'll go with a Nuwave body shape because the Sidewinder is so common-place.

wow, he actually named the body style? that's a trip. Invalid Link Removed. he actually wasn't too keen on it to start with - he told me he thought it reminded him of a one of prince's guitars.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

wow, he actually named the body style? that's a trip. Invalid Link Removed. he actually wasn't too keen on it to start with - he told me he thought it reminded him of a one of prince's guitars.

I think he owes you some form of compensation. If he did it with out your consent.

The body design was yours.

 

[john turner]

i don't care about compensation, but credit would have been cool - i obviously contributed -something- of value since it's in use - i mean, it -is- based on the sidewinder body style, so it's not like i came up with the whole thing, just the upper horn. would be hawt to get some kind of credit for that though.

then again, the string gauges on the sit-made conklin strings are different from the sr2000 ones because i told him my gauges and how much better they work. no credit there either.