New Mike Adler TWELVE STRING BASS????

[Dave Grossman]

AFAIK The Phalanxes are tuned in standard 4ths for both sets of strings.

Yes, pretty much by definition, the Phalanx is in "uncrosssed fourths". The main difference between the Phalanx and the Artist is that the Phalanx has wider spacing on the bass side than the guitar side (if I remember correctly) and there is a gap between the bass and treble sides.

The Phalanx is my ideal instrument, in a way. Well, except for the fact that I don't own one.

- Dave

 

[Garry Goodman]

See, now I get it. I guess it took reading this post to make me understand what I really knew all along damit!!

2 questions guys:
1
At what point and please excuse my limited knowlege of "ERB's" out side of owning a six in the past and just toying with a GT-7 (trust me, when I played it, it was toying!!) does the sheer size of the neck hinder your ability to play??

And 2
For what ever reason I'm compelled to want to not even mention "bass" in the description because it seems to me that, even though you may use it to play bass lines, your really using it as another, well, just stringed instrument.
Just as a keyboard player would play bass lines, we may say "keyboard bass" but it's still identified by what it is, not exactly what it is fuctioning as at a given moment. So does it cease being a "bass" in the traditional sense?? And more of an "Extended range fretted stringed instrument"? (ERFSI )

BTW, DO NOT take this as a flame, I'm very intrigued by these and do not have the skills as you guys do, so I live vicariously through you!!

But one last thing, if you use the ERFSI( ) for what it is, sweet, but why the hell on a Venessa Williams gig, which could be played on a 5 (and maybe a 4) would you use something with a neck wide enough to land a plane on!
Wouldn't it just be more comfortable to just pull it out when you need the range as opposed to man handling that thing just to play in "normal" 5 string bass range most of the night?
You can't tell me VW music calls for the range of 9+ strings much if at all. With the exception of a solo spot or two.

And don't say "well a piano player most of the time doesn't need 88+ keys" because I'm talking about the size of the neck being a factor.
A keyboard player playing a C Maj scale anywhere on the keyboard is the same. Not true on a 9 or 11 string.

I can see it now Websters:
Erfsi (errf-see) noun; (also see ERB) Extended range fretted stringed instrument covering the full range of full piano yet played in a guitar or bass guitar like style.

I'm just a fiver trying to understand

It seems alot of this is directed at Al,but here are some thoughts.

To clarify why this is a bass is a good .It developed out of bass guitar"genetic code". It's 34" scale to 32" scale-definitly Bass territory,as well as the string spacing.The majority of the strings are bass strings.I play it with my fingers.It's range is lower than any bass guitar in existance,and lower than that of a grand piano. It doesn't get any "bassier' than that.The whole thing smells like bass.

Key Bass indicates bass played by keys with keyboard sounds,but fulfill the bass requirements.Why would a keyboard player ever have to play bass? Why would a bass player ever need to play keyboard parts?-same reason.I've been cut out of gigs because the leader made more money hiring a keyboard player who "kicks left hand bass".That keyboard player tells me"I wish I had a bass player,I hate playing left hand bass all night". I play solo bass gigs and I play the same tunes that a solo pianist would.I have same the harmonic knowledge and chops as a keyboard player. Why should I have to use their instrument to express myself?

For some reason,keyboard players became the center of the universe because they have the entire funtional range of the orchestra at their finger tips-well now so do we.

"And don't say "well a piano player most of the time doesn't need 88+ keys" because I'm talking about the size of the neck being a factor.
A keyboard player playing a C Maj scale anywhere on the keyboard is the same. Not true on a 9 or 11 string. "
-yes it's the same on a 9 and 11- the major scale formula stays the same on any instrument:
1-1 -1/2- 1-1-1- 1/2

"Erfsi (errf-see) noun; (also see ERB) Extended range fretted stringed instrument covering the full range of full piano yet played in a guitar or bass guitar like style."-
Not true-i play piano pieces in a piano style,and guitar and bass parts in the appropriate style.I have my own technique for playing that sounds best on a minmum of 7 strings. Buy my CD and listen carefully to the bass parts-that is why there is a 7 -string bass,11-string bass.The parts really need all those strings to create an original,unique texture.
I work commercial gigs with 7+ string basses and I play the bass parts with special modifications that enhance the sound of the ensemble.I can't do it on a 5 string.I play 4 string often. i love it.My bass parts exceed the range of a 4,5 or 6 string bass,especially on my original projects.I like making music with sounds that have never been heard before.

ERB in this case means "entire range bass" as in all notes. This one has 12 strings in line,a 92 note guitar.Why do you want to make up a name for these bass guitars?They look like bass guitars.Too big for regular guitars. The 12 goes higher than a guitar.There is nothing extended about it. It's it's own instrument. What defines "full range"? Certainly not a grand piano.A grand piano almost has the range of the in-line twelve.

"At what point and please excuse my limited knowlege of "ERB's" out side of owning a six in the past and just toying with a GT-7 (trust me, when I played it, it was toying!!) does the sheer size of the neck hinder your ability to play??"
At no point does the size of the neck hinder my playing-it's an Adler bass. The thinnest bass necks made.Adler made the bass for me-my specs knowing full well I don't want an unplayable monster.


"But one last thing, if you use the ERFSI( ) for what it is, sweet, but why the hell on a Venessa Williams gig, which could be played on a 5 (and maybe a 4) would you use something with a neck wide enough to land a plane on!You can't tell me VW music calls for the range of 9+ strings much if at all. With the exception of a solo spot or two."

How do you know that her gig could be played on a 4 or 5 string bass?
Al is on the gig because.............he is Al Caldwell-a gentleman, an excellent, professional musician. I think he knows best what bass to use.Maybe he plays the double stop note at measure 31 in quadruple stops,giving it a thick rich sound that only 4 notes can do.Won't sound the same on a five string.The neck may be wide to you, but not to Al.Maybe Al likes the way the bass sounds.
It's his gig, and his choice to use whatever he wants.Five strings really don't have the bass that a subcontra bass does,and playing F#0,G0,Ab0,A0 and Bb0 gives you a bass range that is incredible.A "normal" 5 gives you B0 as the lowest note,so on that big ending on an A chord-you only have that puny A1.For that reason alone an 11-string is valid.


"Wouldn't it just be more comfortable to just pull it out when you need the range as opposed to man handling that thing just to play in "normal" 5 string bass range most of the night?'
Man handlimg??? The bass is more comfortable than a lot of 5 and 6 strings.
I think you need to hear more Bb000-Bbo used then you won't settle fot B0 as being "normal".Check out Jauqo III-X's "Low C# Theory".It is a CD that is recorded using the Adler 4 string sub contra fretless bass.
This 12 string is the easiest bass I've ever played-I custom ordered the bass, so it's made for my needs. I don't want to be pulling out different basses on a gig or in the studio.

Al and I make our living with these basses .They may not make sense to you,but they are our everyday working tools.

 

[Al Caldwell]

I play a 9 and 11 string bass with Vanessa Williams , simply because I can. I used a 9 string bass (with a low F#) on most of the new recordings. I play synth bass parts on my Midi 9 and 11. When I started this gig in 1997 , I played a 6 string bass and a synth bass. I have evolved. I hope evolution is contagious! Vanessa trust me to handle the bass chair,and I welcome the responsibility. I hope you have a job with as much freedom as I have been given. Al Caldwell

This message is for MikeBass. I hope this helps you understand. Let a man be a man. No one should tell anyone what to play,if he has the freedom. Choice to choose your instrument,music religion and wife should be a sacred decision.Enjoy the path you have chosen but tread
lightly when having an opinion about a strangers path.
p.s. I agree with Garry!!! Now where's the Garlic Bread?

 

[Atshen]

"Extended Range Bass", or "ERB", works fine with me. It's just a matter of semantics and is quite useless arguing about.

I have a couple of question for you Garry, even though I think it's been asked in the 11-string thread a while ago.

I ask these out of pure curiosity.

First, do you think you could use more range if it was physically possible? Like a 13-string or 14-string bass, or even more? Do you think you and/or guys like Al or Jauqo could find some musical applications for such an instrument?

Second (a question maybe Mr. Adler could respond to as well), do you feel like you've reached the physical limits of building extended range instruments? I mean, the low C# string is already low enough (and it's big!), and the high .004" string is extremely skinny.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Al Caldwell]

Do you think you and/or guys like Al or Jauqo could find some musical applications for such an instrument?

I'm working on new music at this very moment. I hope to inspire someone the same way that Anthony Jackson and Chuck Rainey have inspirerd me. I have no desire to play anything larger than my midi 11.
But I long to hear the music that trapped in the mind of a musician that dreams beyond the limits that I have set for myself. Al Caldwell

 

[mark beem]

The Phalanx is my ideal instrument, in a way. Well, except for the fact that I don't own one.

- Dave

Yep, I hear ya!! I just couldn't identify with the 10 string ADG I had.. Because of the tuning.. Maybe I'm too much of an old dog... Seems like the Phalanx would be more "forgiving".

 

[Atshen]

I'm working on new music at this very moment. I hope to inspire someone the same way that Anthony Jackson and Chuck Rainey have inspirerd me. I have no desire to play anything larger than my midi 11.
But I long to hear the music that trapped in the mind of a musician that dreams beyond the limits that I have set for myself. Al Caldwell

Thanks Al. I think it's really humble of you to say that you've set limits for yourself. But who knows? Maybe someday you'll find some applications for a 12-string.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Thanks Al. I think it's really humble of you to say that you've set limits for yourself. But who knows? Maybe someday you'll find some applications for a 12-string.

Swordfight with Garry perhaps?

 

[Ed Goode]

But I long to hear the music that trapped in the mind of a musician that dreams beyond the limits that I have set for myself. Al Caldwell

Seriously, an extremely intelligent and humble statement from a player with such extraordinary gifts!!

My wish is that all of the bass community could adopt such an attitude towards our chosen field of artistic expression.

 

[mrbungle]

first off, the sound of traditional bass pickups being used just sounded bad in that upper range. second, the performance was no where near as clean as someone youd typically hear play it on a piano or guitar. the logistics of a long scale instrument make that understandable. if theyre going to attempt those things, they should at least be held to the same standard as a piano player. if a piano player had a clip of themselves playing some classical pieces the way these erb guys are theyd get told to go back to the woodshed. we're more easily impressed by the fact theyre merely attempting it.

Best points in this thread so far..

 

[Dave Grossman]

Yep, I hear ya!! I just couldn't identify with the 10 string ADG I had.. Because of the tuning.. Maybe I'm too much of an old dog... Seems like the Phalanx would be more "forgiving".

I used to have a 12-string Artist model with Phalanx-style tuning. At the time, I just didn't have the motivation to learn the hand independance I needed. I'm getting better though and I'd like to get a Phalanx someday.

I can't comprehend why someone would use inverted fifths and have the crossed hands tuning. Seems like the cons outweigh the pros by a large margin. I've seen Jim Wright from Warr Guitars play his Phalanx live. He does intricate bass and guitar parts in a way that would probably not be possible with the standard "Stick" tuning. He played Echinda's Arf, a complex Zappa tune with just himself and a drummer. And Red by King Crimson. It was an eye, er, ear opening experience. I got pics too:

- Dave

 

[j-raj]

I used to have a 12-string Artist model with Phalanx-style tuning. At the time, I just didn't have the motivation to learn the hand independance I needed. I'm getting better though and I'd like to get a Phalanx someday.

Dave,

Just curious, but what are standard tunings for the various touch-style stringed instruments?

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Do you think you and/or guys like Al or Jauqo could find some musical applications for such an instrument?
QUOTE]


When I originaly concieved the Low C# string I wanted to have the ability/option to support a standerd tuned Bass and when I would be the only Bass player playing I felt that it would add a certain Power to the groove overall.everyone who has heard My debut CD is just blown away by the pocket and my application/concept of Groove with my Adler Fretless Subcontra Bass.the only difference with my subcontra Bass and a standerd 4 string or a Low B 5 string is my ability to go lower therefore allowing me the option to sit much deeper in the Pocket.I believed that my Debut CD has disspelled a lot of Myths about what an Electric Bass can and can not do.I have Mad Love and respect for Garry and Al and I will continue to support them and their Artistic and Bass creative Visions.


I would love for me Garry ,Al and a killer drummer to get together and record a full length CD.

 

[Atshen]

When I originaly concieved the Low C# string I wanted to have the ability/option to support a standerd tuned Bass and when I would be the only Bass player playing I felt that it would add a certain Power to the groove overall.everyone who has heard My debut CD is just blown away by the pocket and my application/concept of Groove with my Adler Fretless Subcontra Bass.the only difference with my subcontra Bass and a standerd 4 string or a Low B 5 string is my ability to go lower therefore allowing me the option to sit much deeper in the Pocket.I believed that my Debut CD has disspelled a lot of Myths about what an Electric Bass can and can not do.I have Mad Love and respect for Garry and Al and I will continue to support them and their Artistic and Bass creative Visions.

I still haven't heard that CD! I'd love to.

 

[Dave Grossman]

Dave,

Just curious, but what are standard tunings for the various touch-style stringed instruments?

The Stick site has some:
Invalid Link Removed

If you google it, you'll find dozens of sites that list their own tunings. That's the thing about these instruments, many people just use whatever tuning they want.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=stick+tunings

- Dave

 

[Garry Goodman]

"Extended Range Bass", or "ERB", works fine with me. It's just a matter of semantics and is quite useless arguing about.

I have a couple of question for you Garry, even though I think it's been asked in the 11-string thread a while ago.

I ask these out of pure curiosity.

First, do you think you could use more range if it was physically possible? Like a 13-string or 14-string bass, or even more? Do you think you and/or guys like Al or Jauqo could find some musical applications for such an instrument?

Second (a question maybe Mr. Adler could respond to as well), do you feel like you've reached the physical limits of building extended range instruments? I mean, the low C# string is already low enough (and it's big!), and the high .004" string is extremely skinny.

Thanks in advance.

Great questions! For my self, as a composer and instrumentalist,I a have sought out these possibilities. As Mike Adler has mentioned, the 12-string was in the planning stages before his 11-string was built.
Yes, the idea of 13+ string(in line)instrument has been discussed.These instruments are more about design and comfort and the physical characteristics more that they are about range.
We are already spanning 10 octave with the in line 12-string.We are only a few notes shy of the C8 top end note on a concert grand piano.With the current tuning,the lowest string being tuned to a Bb000 or B000 below the low C# string, I don't have a pressing need to go lower. Once again ,this bass was not built just to see how far we could go, but to be played.How often does a pianist use the lowest or highest notes of a piano in a tune?.

The good aspect of this bass is the "sweet spot". This are between about the 7th fret-15th fret gives access to a huge range.I can play most literature in this area.

Every note on the 12 is crystal clear.It has audiophile level electronics in it.There are no muddy notes,just clean transparent clarity.

 

[Garry Goodman]

Best points in this thread so far..

What is this in reference to?

 

[MikeBass]

It seems alot of this is directed at Al,but here are some thoughts.

To clarify why this is a bass is a good .It developed out of bass guitar"genetic code". It's 34" scale to 32" scale-definitly Bass territory,as well as the string spacing.The majority of the strings are bass strings.I play it with my fingers.It's range is lower than any bass guitar in existance,and lower than that of a grand piano. It doesn't get any "bassier' than that.The whole thing smells like bass.

Key Bass indicates bass played by keys with keyboard sounds,but fulfill the bass requirements.Why would a keyboard player ever have to play bass? Why would a bass player ever need to play keyboard parts?-same reason.I've been cut out of gigs because the leader made more money hiring a keyboard player who "kicks left hand bass".That keyboard player tells me"I wish I had a bass player,I hate playing left hand bass all night". I play solo bass gigs and I play the same tunes that a solo pianist would.I have same the harmonic knowledge and chops as a keyboard player. Why should I have to use their instrument to express myself?

For some reason,keyboard players became the center of the universe because they have the entire funtional range of the orchestra at their finger tips-well now so do we.

"And don't say "well a piano player most of the time doesn't need 88+ keys" because I'm talking about the size of the neck being a factor.
A keyboard player playing a C Maj scale anywhere on the keyboard is the same. Not true on a 9 or 11 string. "
-yes it's the same on a 9 and 11- the major scale formula stays the same on any instrument:
1-1 -1/2- 1-1-1- 1/2

"Erfsi (errf-see) noun; (also see ERB) Extended range fretted stringed instrument covering the full range of full piano yet played in a guitar or bass guitar like style."-
Not true-i play piano pieces in a piano style,and guitar and bass parts in the appropriate style.I have my own technique for playing that sounds best on a minmum of 7 strings. Buy my CD and listen carefully to the bass parts-that is why there is a 7 -string bass,11-string bass.The parts really need all those strings to create an original,unique texture.
I work commercial gigs with 7+ string basses and I play the bass parts with special modifications that enhance the sound of the ensemble.I can't do it on a 5 string.I play 4 string often. i love it.My bass parts exceed the range of a 4,5 or 6 string bass,especially on my original projects.I like making music with sounds that have never been heard before.

ERB in this case means "entire range bass" as in all notes. This one has 12 strings in line,a 92 note guitar.Why do you want to make up a name for these bass guitars?They look like bass guitars.Too big for regular guitars. The 12 goes higher than a guitar.There is nothing extended about it. It's it's own instrument. What defines "full range"? Certainly not a grand piano.A grand piano almost has the range of the in-line twelve.

"At what point and please excuse my limited knowlege of "ERB's" out side of owning a six in the past and just toying with a GT-7 (trust me, when I played it, it was toying!!) does the sheer size of the neck hinder your ability to play??"
At no point does the size of the neck hinder my playing-it's an Adler bass. The thinnest bass necks made.Adler made the bass for me-my specs knowing full well I don't want an unplayable monster.


"But one last thing, if you use the ERFSI( ) for what it is, sweet, but why the hell on a Venessa Williams gig, which could be played on a 5 (and maybe a 4) would you use something with a neck wide enough to land a plane on!You can't tell me VW music calls for the range of 9+ strings much if at all. With the exception of a solo spot or two."

How do you know that her gig could be played on a 4 or 5 string bass?
Al is on the gig because.............he is Al Caldwell-a gentleman, an excellent, professional musician. I think he knows best what bass to use.Maybe he plays the double stop note at measure 31 in quadruple stops,giving it a thick rich sound that only 4 notes can do.Won't sound the same on a five string.The neck may be wide to you, but not to Al.Maybe Al likes the way the bass sounds.
It's his gig, and his choice to use whatever he wants.Five strings really don't have the bass that a subcontra bass does,and playing F#0,G0,Ab0,A0 and Bb0 gives you a bass range that is incredible.A "normal" 5 gives you B0 as the lowest note,so on that big ending on an A chord-you only have that puny A1.For that reason alone an 11-string is valid.


"Wouldn't it just be more comfortable to just pull it out when you need the range as opposed to man handling that thing just to play in "normal" 5 string bass range most of the night?'
Man handlimg??? The bass is more comfortable than a lot of 5 and 6 strings.
I think you need to hear more Bb000-Bbo used then you won't settle fot B0 as being "normal".Check out Jauqo III-X's "Low C# Theory".It is a CD that is recorded using the Adler 4 string sub contra fretless bass.
This 12 string is the easiest bass I've ever played-I custom ordered the bass, so it's made for my needs. I don't want to be pulling out different basses on a gig or in the studio.

Al and I make our living with these basses .They may not make sense to you,but they are our everyday working tools.

Umm...I think your taking my comments differently from what I intended. I know it's black and white, but your response seems to be slightly miffed and a little condisending. Maybe not, so I'll respond as if I read the message with a smile

As for the "smells like a bass", OK, sure. Just my observation but I call a fish a fish and I do consider it a bass FWIT. My question went kind of un-answered. In a traditional sense (very subjective) it's performing bass functions with the added bonus of an extended range agreed? For me as soon as you step into using the full range as you state for covering piano tunes, well it's a extended ranged whatever. A piano is just that, a piano. Call it what you want/need, just refer to the thoughts that the luither who built it was having.

I never doughted the reasons for why a keyboard player plays left hand bass, and agree with you on your statements about such. I too have lost gigs to keyboard players. But I would assume that maybe a keyboard player wouldn't have to sweat his gig much to someone playing an ERB. Well, not yet at least. Sure you'll tell me you were hired over a keyboard player in some cases. Good for you, make a statement on you ERB, because it will trickle down and help us all to some degree.

I think the reason keyboard players are assumed to be the center of the universe as you put it also has to do with the range of sounds available to them. Which is quickly becoming available to us as well. Again, thanks!

"A keyboard player playing a C Maj scale anywhere on the keyboard is the same. Not true on a 9 or 11 string. "
-yes it's the same on a 9 and 11- the major scale formula stays the same on any instrument:
1-1 -1/2- 1-1-1- 1/2"
Again, missed my point. Play a CMaj scale at C0, now play it at say, C3 or C4. Depending on which string you start on, it's level of ease is different. I don't need a lesson on how a Maj scale is played, but thanks for the refresher.
Maybe for you the bass is easy as hell to play. I'm 6' 225 with average size hands for my build and playing a 4, 5, 6 and a 7 string bass imposes different stresses on my wrists and forearms. I refuse to believe anything further with the exception of your hands/wrists are more tolerant. The fact that the width of the neck plays a roll is undeniable.
As far as "it's an Adler bass" doesn't hold much. So what. That it is an Adler or Conklin, your still playing a wide neck. The fact that it was made for you, to your specs makes much more sense. Adlers are more than likly on par with anyone else in high end basses.

I don't know that Vanessa Williams gig could be played on a 4 or 5 outside of covering her tunes in various Top40 bands and listening to her tunes on the radio and seeing her videos and being general-ly familiar with the basic pop/R&B Adult Contemporary music that she plays.
Al may be the nicest guy with more musicianship than any of us could ever hope for. Who cares why he chooses what he chooses. The fact that he plays what he wants is really his buisness and the most important fact, but I have a hard time believing that "Maybe he plays the double stop note at measure 31 in quadruple stops,giving it a thick rich sound that only 4 notes can do." is gonna make or break the tune. Sure it may sound rich, not denying that, but....well, I guess we disagree here. And until I see VW live with Al, then I'll have an open mind about what your saying. They still play the "hits" and the like and they are there to see VW, not VW with Al Caldwell on 11 string bass. I'm sure he uses it, but he isn't flailing around on it every tune, if he did, they would have a bass player
But something tells me if Al left the gig, they would be looking for a qualified bass player, with any bass ERB or not. Not just an ERB.

I've heard Jauqo's CD. It's cool, but didn't change my mind on anything. It's his thing. I happy with the range I have right now. Maybe I'll change my mind later, who knows.

And Garry, I would hope that your 12 fits you perfectly, you ordered it that way. And no, they may not make sense to me and so be it, but at least try to help someone understand.

Again your response came across with a little air of contention. My questions/comments did not intend to look that way or be taken that way. I was just try to get inside you heads a little.

Al, play what you want, God Bless you for it. Your gig allows you the freedom, what more could you ask for.
My opinion was one that I thought I explained as being on the outside of what you guys are doing. No neeed for me to tread lightly. I never slandered or degraded you for what your doing and how you guys do it, just sheer phsyical size (width) of the neck keeps me baffeled and was the reason for my post!
To play the third fret G on a E string is pretty simple on a five. Not so on a 11 or whatever. Maybe not for you and Garry (hands like Buicks??), but for the masses of us it imposes, as I said, different stresses on wrists and the like. And to play in that basic range most of the night is where most bass players play. So a neck that wide makes the logistics of doing it a little different.

So everbody relax, I dig what you guys are doing and respect it. It's not my thing, but my thing may not be yours. But I hope you would afford me the opportunity to answer your comments/questions if it ever came to that.

I play my F Bass BNF5 which is fretless and has 28 frets when ever I can, and sometimes when I shouldn't . I get asked quite often if I need 28 frets. No I don't, glad I have them and use them when I get a chance D), but it just so happens that the bass I chose for a fretless has them. And it's a F Bass.

Sorry this is so long fellas!

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

What is this in reference to?

It was in reference to narud's comments, although they aren't particularly good points at all. Because:
1. Sound is subjective-I like the sound of traditional bass pickups in the upper range-many people do. Although many ERBs don't even use traditional pickups.
And
2. Why should it be held to the same level as the instrument that originally played it? Because you said so? If that's the case, no piece played on a bass with even the slightest complexity that originated on piano would sound as good. Stu Hamm's version of Linus and Lucy isn't anything compared to how cleanly it can be played on piano-does that mean it's crap? No. Heck, ANY bassline can probably be played with more ease and cleanliness on a piano simply because of its design. According to narud's logic, most bassists would have to give up playing altogether. Try playing a tuba part on piano and it won't sound as good or tuba-y clean as if played on the instrument it was composed on.

 

[adlerguitars]

Second (a question maybe Mr. Adler could respond to as well), do you feel like you've reached the physical limits of building extended range instruments? I mean, the low C# string is already low enough (and it's big!), and the high .004" string is extremely skinny.

Thanks in advance.

Through our experimentation with these strings I think that a Low C# has more useful low end that a Low G# would. When Garry drop-tunes his bass he is working as low as 12 Hz-13 Hz already.

Do I think it can be done? Yes, but today we take the C# for granted despite the years it took Jauqo to create it. Who here has the patience to search out string companies and spend 5-7 years making it work? Jauqo did and that’s the only reason we have that string.

Can we go higher? I don’t think so. We already had someone make a string that didn’t exist before and it worked out great. I have strings down to .0025” so we’ll see. I’m pretty sure that if it was done it wouldn’t be as easily played as that 12 string.


BTW, just call me Mike

Mr Adler is my dad's name