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Otherwise identical. The standards aren't really customizable beyond hardware color and in the case of the YYS, going without paint. It pretty much is my perfect 4-string spec, other than I prefer a dovetail.
Ok, suggestions on 6-string builds sought. I've tried 3 different times to add a 6'er into the lineup and each time (Roscoe, Zon, Smith) I ended up with aggravated tendonitis. Truth be told some of my gigs are perfectly served on a 4-string. For instance, no need or desire for extended range doing Steely Dan tunes. But for other bands I play with, many of the last gigs I was in the middle of them (either on 4 or 5 E-C) thinking, "man, I wish I had a bit more range to grab a few more note options." I blame AJ.
Anywho, I borrowed a few Fodera 6-strings from steubig and it has gone well - though it has shown me that I really don't want 19mm spacing on the 6 (I have 17.5 on my 5). My final data point was picking up an Ibanez 6 to mess around with and that has been a success so far, though I wish it had a Fodera neck and a bit wider spacing.
Options are:
E6 Std. Would get me into a nicer 6 in a few months (plan to keep the Ibanez in the interim), but historically I'm not a fan of the Emperor body shape (Monarch or MGS I like), nor am I a pau ferro fanatic unless I can find a really dark piece. Need the contrast to see the dots on dark stages. Also typically am not an ash guy.
M6 bolt-on. Will have to wait a year, but can get the build I want (likely alder body, ebony f/b).
M6 neck-through (or MGS body). Same wait, $1800 more, would match my M5 but not clear I'd keep the 5 if I have the 6.
Or wait for one to pop up used, though the 17.5mm spacing is probably a limiting factor. Truth be told if I wasn't feeling a bit poor at the moment (thanks, IRS), this one at BSD is freakin' sick:
Anywho, I borrowed a few Fodera 6-strings from steubig and it has gone well - though it has shown me that I really don't want 19mm spacing on the 6 (I have 17.5 on my 5). My final data point was picking up an Ibanez 6 to mess around with and that has been a success so far, though I wish it had a Fodera neck and a bit wider spacing.
Options are:
E6 Std. Would get me into a nicer 6 in a few months (plan to keep the Ibanez in the interim), but historically I'm not a fan of the Emperor body shape (Monarch or MGS I like), nor am I a pau ferro fanatic unless I can find a really dark piece. Need the contrast to see the dots on dark stages. Also typically am not an ash guy.
M6 bolt-on. Will have to wait a year, but can get the build I want (likely alder body, ebony f/b).
M6 neck-through (or MGS body). Same wait, $1800 more, would match my M5 but not clear I'd keep the 5 if I have the 6.
Or wait for one to pop up used, though the 17.5mm spacing is probably a limiting factor. Truth be told if I wasn't feeling a bit poor at the moment (thanks, IRS), this one at BSD is freakin' sick:
Going with a body style/fb you aren't crazy with, in the interest of saving time, could be pretty counterproductive. If you know you're not going to be all about the E6, it seems like getting that bass would likely just be delaying the inevitable, your ideal Monarch.
In which case, you may be setting yourself up for a few months wait for the E6 plus a one year wait for your ideal Monarch or MG that you, in all likelihood given what you said above, won't be able to get out of your head.
You're a seasoned player and have played/owned a lot of basses, you know "your specs". If I were you, I would just get things in motion for a bass that you know fits your script and skip the E6 detour.
In which case, you may be setting yourself up for a few months wait for the E6 plus a one year wait for your ideal Monarch or MG that you, in all likelihood given what you said above, won't be able to get out of your head.
You're a seasoned player and have played/owned a lot of basses, you know "your specs". If I were you, I would just get things in motion for a bass that you know fits your script and skip the E6 detour.
Thanks for the quick reply Jason. I did not know about the lithium batteries. I'm not seeing a short from the shielding. It's possible that I had some bad batteries. It's happened before. I'll wait and see .....
Sorry, my nads say yes, but my hands say nfw. I've spent enough time with my arms soaking in ice water the past few weeks...
Todd,
I agree with Chris.
Based on what you like and your history, I would bet that if you bought a E6S, you would sell it within a few months. Plus you don't really like the shape. I personally would just order what you want in a Monarch Custom 6. Also, if you are paying the taxman, you have a year you scrounge up the $$$. A year flies by pretty quick in any case.
I agree with Chris.
Based on what you like and your history, I would bet that if you bought a E6S, you would sell it within a few months. Plus you don't really like the shape. I personally would just order what you want in a Monarch Custom 6. Also, if you are paying the taxman, you have a year you scrounge up the $$$. A year flies by pretty quick in any case.
Yeah, pretty much my thinking. The Ibanez is a cheaper "fill-in" to bide my time. Part of me wonders if I could learn to love the Emperor but probably not. I'm cranky and set in my ways...
Order what you want. I have played a couple really nice sounding Roscoe basses but in the end sold them mostly because I like the Century body style. My current pair of Roscoes were both ordered and spec'd by me. I even picked out the Koa top for my 5 string at the shop when I was there to pick up my 6 string.
The wait sucks, but for that kind of cash (and mine were only $2,600) I think a guy should get exactly what he wants. My next bass will more than likely be a Roscoe Century - either a fretless or one of those Aguilar equipped PJ basses. 😃
The wait sucks, but for that kind of cash (and mine were only $2,600) I think a guy should get exactly what he wants. My next bass will more than likely be a Roscoe Century - either a fretless or one of those Aguilar equipped PJ basses. 😃
Damian Coccio
Supporting Member
I feel your pain. I'm determined to make a six work. I've owned 4 all were sold. My emperor build is going to be 33" scale, tight nut spacing, and 17.5mm. I think I can make this work without pain. My 33" imperial plays like butter. Good luck. It is costing minimally more than an es6 btw and has everything I want.
Maybe a more basic question- how come you are trying to force a six string? It could be that they just aren't for you. Are you running into a number of situations where you need notes/tones on a B and C within reach of each other on one song? Is 17.5mm the right spacing compromise where both left hand and right hand are happy? It could be that six strings just don't work for you.
That all said, I would not bother with the intermediate steps, especially if you are feeling poor as you said. It'll cost money to jump from bass to bass (as I'm sure you have experienced with finding the right Foderas thus far), so if you decide to go six string, go all in. Get what you want (or think you want, I guess) first. If you know you aren't a fan of ash, pau, or Emperor bodies, then it does not seem like a worthwhile experiment, because you will for sure get rid of it.
Yes, I am finding that I want both B and C string within the same song. Hence trying to move that direction. Only in some band situations though. I've actually settled into my 4s and I use my 5 on a couple of tunes when I really need a lot of comping.
I would suggest making the nut tighter at the headstock. That should help your left hand when playing the six string.
My own 6's are 16.5mm spacing at the bridge, 33" scale and 2" nut. I can play it all day every day with no physical problems at all. The spacing I prefer was modeled after an Ibanez 6 (for the bridge) and a Modulus 6 (for the nut).
My own 6's are 16.5mm spacing at the bridge, 33" scale and 2" nut. I can play it all day every day with no physical problems at all. The spacing I prefer was modeled after an Ibanez 6 (for the bridge) and a Modulus 6 (for the nut).
Why not go for a 29 fret neck on a 5?
That's what I have been doing for 18 years now.
I am really very happy with it.
Just Thumpin'
Commercial User
- Mar 7, 2008
- 4,534
- 1,664
- Disclosures
- Manager and Partner, Fodera Guitars (10/14/09 - 12/16/19)
Keep us posted! If it happens again, just drop us a line at:
[email protected]
and we will figure it out!
J
[email protected]
and we will figure it out!
J
Thanks for the quick reply Jason. I did not know about the lithium batteries. I'm not seeing a short from the shielding. It's possible that I had some bad batteries. It's happened before. I'll wait and see .....
Just Thumpin'
Commercial User
- Mar 7, 2008
- 4,534
- 1,664
- Disclosures
- Manager and Partner, Fodera Guitars (10/14/09 - 12/16/19)
Damian Coccio
Supporting Member
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