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First Fiver (Carvin SB5000) - Hipshot Extender?

S

Sparks55

Feb 22, 2009
278
0
B'more North, MD
#1
Been playing almost two years now and ready to have my first "real" bass constructed. I'm looking at a new Carvin SB5000 and trying to decide whether to get the Hipshot Extender (for occassional low B) and tune E to high C or go without the extender and tune B to G. Any of you "sages" have experience /advice to share on this? A good friend of mine is telling me to go high C and get the extender. That I'll eventually enjoy having the higher string for soloing.

I'll likely be playing rock/blues covers for a while. Just starting to learn about jazz. Play 100% finger style so far. Never tried to slap, although that will likely come up in lessons down the road. Thanks for your thoughts.
Mark
 
#3
Although I've never done it myself, I don't see why you shouldn't do the extender idea. I'm pretty sure Matt Garrison has his Fodera configured that exact same way.

Worst case scenario, you revert to B-G tuning and adjust the extender to give you a low 'A'.

Regardless, good luck with the new bass - always exciting to get something brand spanking new for yourself! :hyper:
 
#4
If you are mainly doing rock and blues covers, why do you need a high C? I think that for actual basslines, a low B is much more useful for everyday playing. I think that Spade2you made an excellent point about six string basses if you want extended range in both directions. Carvin makes some really nice six string basses since you are already considering an SB5000.
 
#5
It all depends on how much you think you'll actually use a high C versus a low B. Personally, I don't think I'd ever need a high C with the type of music I am interested in and use the low B from time-to-time.

Also, are you talking about putting the Hipshot on the E of an EADGC? If so, that will give you a DADGC when used, not a low B.
 
#9
I have the Hipshot extender on my 4 string, but play mostly 5 string now. The extender is priceless on a 4 string, IMO, but it's nowhere near the same as a low B string.

And I'm pretty fast with it, dropping it to play a single low D and then back up in the middle of a song.

String tension beyond 1 step down will be a real issue, IME.

The extender on a 4 string is nothing like a 5 string with low B, IMO. Yeah, you can hit a few more low notes, and you can do drop-D tuning with ease, but you don't have the fretboard real-estate that comes along with a 5 string. (Playing G octaves at the 8th fret, for example, or playing a riff in C# rooted at the 2nd fret.) I own and love both setups.

The only way a 5 string and extender makes sense to me is if it's strung E-C.

Good luck and enjoy the new bass.
 
#10
Get a 6-string.

Last night reminded me again why I really like having my low B string. I was learning a new song one of my bandmates wrote. Basically, a medium blues shuffle in E. Being able to play the E on the B5 made playing walking lines a lot easier (for me, a newbie) than if I had had try to play it using the open E string. And sound better than if I had done the same thing an octave up. And having that low C and low D when playing stuff in G is nice, too.
 
#13
Sparks55 said:
Thanks for the responses thus far. For clarification, the recommendation I got was the extender goes on the low E and can drop to C effectively. Please keep the comments coming. I should have the scratch together in two weeks!
Mark
Click to expand...

I've put the Extender on the E for a Peavey TL-5, and a Warwick. I tunded B - G, and used it to drop to D. Sure, there's a Low "D" on the "B" string, but after you've played Drop "D" tuning on a 4-Banger, you see how much easier it is to play that way! But, sure, tuned E - C with Dropped "C", why not!

However, I needed both the B - G tuning & the Dropped "D Tuning. (I just ignored the "B string at those times) This works for me...

DSC00065.gif


Please note that there is some Modification required to clear the "B" Tuner! I used a Drill Press with a Grinding Wheel!:bassist:


DSC00066.gif


DSC00067.gif


DSC00082.gif


DSC00083.gif


DSC00085.gif
 
#15
BigOldHarry said:
I've never seen any need for a hipshot on a 5 string - and I've been using hipshots on all my 4 strings since the '80s.
Click to expand...

< Shrug > I've been tuning to C# since the 80's, and with a bass extender, I don't see the "NEED" for a 5-String at all...:hiding:

Okay, I've got 2, and I WANTED 'em, not Needed 'em!:D
 
#16
MaddAnthony_59 said:
< Shrug > I've been tuning to C# since the 80's, and with a bass extender, I don't see the "NEED" for a 5-String at all...:hiding:

Okay, I've got 2, and I WANTED 'em, not Needed 'em!:D
Click to expand...

I totally get that - that's whats great about the hipshot extender.

But to me, a 5 isn't so much about the low notes as it is about ease of playing traditional notes in different hand positions, allowing easy high-to-low scale runs...
 
#17
BigOldHarry said:
I totally get that - that's whats great about the hipshot extender.

But to me, a 5 isn't so much about the low notes as it is about ease of playing traditional notes in different hand positions, allowing easy high-to-low scale runs...
Click to expand...

My friend was a big Fodera endorser "back in the day" and he's highly recommending the SB series. Good enough for me, coming from someone who has actually spent $10k on a custom bass.

The extender is only $40 installed if you order it with the bass. Best part is I'll have someone to teach me how he uses it on a five. Looking forward to those lessons, for sure.

Mark
 
#18
MaddAnthony_59 said:
I've put the Extender on the E for a Peavey TL-5, and a Warwick. I tunded B - G, and used it to drop to D. Sure, there's a Low "D" on the "B" string, but after you've played Drop "D" tuning on a 4-Banger, you see how much easier it is to play that way! But, sure, tuned E - C with Dropped "C", why not!

However, I needed both the B - G tuning & the Dropped "D Tuning. (I just ignored the "B string at those times) This works for me...

Please note that there is some Modification required to clear the "B" Tuner! I used a Drill Press with a Grinding Wheel!:bassist:
Click to expand...

Very cool. Thanks for posting the photos. I hadn't seen one installed.
Mark
 
#19
Matt Garrison plays with an incredibly light touch . Ridiculously light ouch, I recall someone saying . I also remember a guy telling me that Matt's action is lower than most guitar players he knows . So maybe he can play with a 100 guage string dropped down to a low B . Also you have to consider the amount of craftsmanship that has gone into making his bass. So ya, and I have heard him play with that E dropped down to a low B . It sounds tight !!

here's a clip

 

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