New Mike Adler TWELVE STRING BASS????

[sfbassplayer]

Here's a picture of it at NAMM (from funkycarnivore):


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[Aaron Saunders]

Thanks for, uh, posting that. You might want to check back a few pages, it was already posted.

 

[sargebaker]

IMO that bass may just be unplayable... I mean realistically, talking injuries, comfort, efficiency...I know someone will prove me wrong and just totally rip on that thing however...

 

[Selta]

This is how I've always viewed basses with high # of strings (8 or more) *ahem* (IMO): Yay I can play notes my guitarist (or whatever treble cleffed accompanying instruments are playing) is already playing, and I can play notes that you aren't even hearing!
For the solo guys, the guys who simply could NOT, in any other way play the groove needed (er, impossible situation ) and the wanna-be guitarists, cool, I'm glad you guys like them. Peronsally I don't see myself ever persuing anything more than 5. for me, it's completly pointless. I play in a rock/metal band, I don't need to cover the ground already being tredded by two guitarist, nor do I want to lay anything below a low B down - I just don't need to.
This is all VERY IMO, obviously, as these basses are the only things some people will play - and I say more power to you people!
One thing I found funny the other week, I had a friend who said he had to buy an ERB due to his guitarist buying a 7 string bass and stepping on his "ground". I thought about this for a moment, said, ok, don't have to, but OK. Later I found out he got some 8 string bass...so I asked him "don't you tread on his ground now?". Some food for thought...

Ray

Slight edit: Flame me all you like for this post, but remember all the "for me"s and "IMOs" I've included .

 

[PunkerTrav]

That'd actually be kinda cool, because then you could say, "Excuse me while I go toot my fluba".

I spewed chewed bits of corn dog onto my keyboard at this one.
I feel a new signature coming on... Thank you

 

[Funky Doctor]

That thing is friggin monsterous. I still get lost one a mere 6 string bass. That would be hell on stage for me. Can't wait to hear somebody play that thing using every string.

 

[john turner]

That's the point that I'm trying to make. I am not one of those "only use what is necessary" people by any means. I detest the idea that just because, say, the musical Grease doesn't require a 7 string means that I shouldn't play it on one (I've done it now, twice). I am in much agreement with Mr. Beem on that matter - the 88-key piano is a good analogy. But I don't want to see the art of extended range bass (and yes, it is an art, as exemplified by the numerous builders that do them today, but especially, in my eyes, Benevante and Conklin) turned into something that is, to quote the Simpsons, "weird for the sake of weird." If an instrument is practical, playable, and enjoyable, I don't care how many strings it has. But that, not some arms race between builders and players, should be the impetus behind it.

my point, however, is that the new 12 string is not past the limit. garry did quite a good job playing it.

 

[john turner]

IMO that bass may just be unplayable... I mean realistically, talking injuries, comfort, efficiency...I know someone will prove me wrong and just totally rip on that thing however...

it's more geared towards two-handed fretboard playing, i think.

 

[john turner]

It's probably MIDI equipped-John Turner has that many knobs on his MIDI equipped single pickup eight-strings.

And I doubt it weighs 30lbs-I'm guessing about 17-20lbs. If it's made with light ash, it doesn't have to be super-heavy.

actually, it's alot lighter than that. reasonable, really. (from the guy who gigged with a 15 pound bass, so... )

 

[john turner]

Hey all, Greetings from NAMM,

I just wanted to answer a couple of questions and clear up a few issues about the bass.

In regards to the nut spacing, it is 7.5 mm center to center. The spacing at the bridge is 13 mm center to center. Garry requested the Center to Center spacing to keep the width down. The bass runs in stereo and has 4 bands of EQ, each one sweepable to any frequency you like down to 2hz. GTG, I’ll try to log on tonight.


Mike

hey mike! thanks for posting.

 

[john turner]

The scale length of the guitars strings turns me off, that is why I purchased that Novax 11 string I posted when it came up for sale.

Whenever you get into these type instruments you are dealing with frustrated bassists looking to play guitar IMO.

that's a pretty blanket statement not backed up by any actual fact.

I started on bass, did that for four years, have played guitar primarily for two decades, and play bass for fun. I front an instrumental trio on guitar, I like these oddballs for having fun with and doing walking bassline like Tuck Andress with more lower notes than a guitar can provide. Seems like these basses are using 100% wound strings, where a guitar would have plain strings in the upper registers. Most bassists can not get use to the narrow spacing such a piece imposses, it is non issue for guitarists. I slap/pop on guitar often so the minimal spacing issue was conquered a long time ago for me.

the top 4 or 5 strings on this bass are non-wound - the smallest is a .004" yes, that's right, a .004".

 

[Marlat]

yeah, it's pretty tight. garry wanted it that way, from what mike said earlier.

Argh... just deleted that post because of Mikes!

What would be the advantage / difference between getting an instrument like this and say a Warr / Chapman Stick?

For example, on the new DT DVD, John Myung plays a stick live and manages to both tap and fingerpick parts on it. Similarly Tony Levin does on the LTE albums. So are there any real differences from the players perspective on a 12 string "bass" and a 12 string "stick" style instrument. (Assuming the stick was tuned like a traditional bass).

 

[Stephen Soto]

that's a pretty blanket statement not backed up by any actual fact.



the top 4 or 5 strings on this bass are non-wound - the smallest is a .004" yes, that's right, a .004".

So, it's a, guitar-bass guitar?

 

[Brad Johnson]

ERBs make me sad and/or angry.



All jokes aside...



I had the opportunity to talk to Garry at length last week at Winter NAMM. Glad I did. I didn't get the feeling that this has anything to do with a pissing contest. He has some ideas and this is the tool he needs to execute them. Too complicated?

99.99% of drivers don't need the handling capabilities of an F1 vehicle... does that make F1 cars superfluous?

Personally speaking, I haven't gotten to the point where I feel I can truly utilize a 7 string (though I love my sixes). That doesn't mean I'm going to ridicule someone who might have more vision than me. That would be pretty pathetic. There are people doing stuff musically I never thought of. Why would I deride them for that?

I like to think music is fun... and sometimes even thought-provoking. It might be cool if more people felt the same but we all have to dance to our own inner voices. Just don't hate what you don't understand

 

[Brad Johnson]

Argh... just deleted that post because of Mikes!

What would be the advantage / difference between getting an instrument like this and say a Warr / Chapman Stick?

For example, on the new DT DVD, John Myung plays a stick live and manages to both tap and fingerpick parts on it. Similarly Tony Levin does on the LTE albums. So are there any real differences from the players perspective on a 12 string "bass" and a 12 string "stick" style instrument. (Assuming the stick was tuned like a traditional bass).

AFAIK they aren't.

 

[Marlat]

AFAIK they aren't.

I know they arn't tuned like a standard bass (actually I think some of the Warr guitars are, but not the Sticks), however functionally they could serve a very similar purpose if the instrument is limited to mostly touch style playing.

I'm also fairly certain, though not positive, that a touch style instrument could be set up to standard bass tuning because Ben Strange wanted to get a Warr setup that way.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Argh... just deleted that post because of Mikes!

What would be the advantage / difference between getting an instrument like this and say a Warr / Chapman Stick?

For example, on the new DT DVD, John Myung plays a stick live and manages to both tap and fingerpick parts on it. Similarly Tony Levin does on the LTE albums. So are there any real differences from the players perspective on a 12 string "bass" and a 12 string "stick" style instrument. (Assuming the stick was tuned like a traditional bass).

Sticks don't go nearly as low as this bass does. Playing is differnt as well, as Sticks are designed to be tapped, while the bass can be tapped, plucked, slapped, etc. There are other Stick-style instruments that you can supposedly play like a standard bass as well though (is it the Warr guitar I'm thinking of?).

 

[Marlat]

Okay found a picture of a 14 String Warr:
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Different guitars, different function I guess...but there are some similarities and cross purposes.

 

[Aaron Saunders]

that's a pretty blanket statement not backed up by any actual fact.



the top 4 or 5 strings on this bass are non-wound - the smallest is a .004" yes, that's right, a .004".

Wow. I think...I think I'd be pretty terrified restringing that highest string.

 

[DR Burkowitz]

First off: I love this adler 12 string - it looks stunning

With regard to the stick/warr/touchstyle vibe
generally it's a different approach to this instrument than the bass. Although there are exceptions to that rule.
Generally on most 10 string standard sticks the tuning is from bass side high to low (EADGC) with C being the lowest (or backwards of what we expect) for 5 strings and then goes low to high for the next 5 strings like a guitar (F#BEAD). It's meant to be more like a piano - where you can play bass and melody lines at the same time. Grand sticks (12 strings) generally add one more high string and one more low string. altough come with the option of 7 melody strings and 5 bass strings

Now back to the Adler: I'm super curious about the ownership duties on such a beast. Where do you find strings, what do you have to do differently amp wise to take full advantage of all that range, how about setup? how difficult are they? can the average fussy bass player manage it himself? How about $$$ I'm sure the options and possibilities are endless but is there a bottom number and a top number? Whats the build time? How about fingerboard radius?

Beautiful looking instrument regardless.

Best Wishes,
DR Burkowitz