• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

New Mike Adler TWELVE STRING BASS????

#103
the ombudsman said:
So, what's the tuning? Why ten knobs on a single pickup instrument? Why the odd string spacing at the nut?

I can't say I'm impressed from what I can see in that pic, construction-wise. They could keep it clean, too. :hmm:
Click to expand...

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.
 
#104
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. 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.
 
#105
pilotjones said:
Most bridges are designed to accept any diameter of string. The only catch might be that on an instrument with such extreme variation of string diameters, you could run out of height adjustment range if all the saddles are identical, if there is a limited adjustment amount available, and if you didn't use tapers on the lower string(s).

Instruments properly designed with a string separator and a zero fret instead of a nut can have no problems at the nut end, also.
Click to expand...


Thanx Pilot, I was wondering if the bridge was imperative to change out along with the nut.



Man that 12 makes me wanna holler! "When will it end!" (j/k BTW :D , take it as far as y'all can).

The black finish definitely shows that a few paws have been on it.

It's definitely a head-turner.
 
#108
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
 
#109
narud said:
i doubt that an extended range bass would have ever replaced the piano as a composition tool for him. bass players today that compose still primarily use the piano or guitar for composition even with the availability of extended range basses. having a 12 string bass seems like a tenor sax player saying-"i want a horn that has the range of a bari sax all the way to a piccolo flute, but i still want to call it a tenor sax". we are playing the BASS guitar arent we?
Click to expand...
A horn is not polyphonic. You can't play chords on a horn (unless you count some of the overtone techniques that I have heard used but that's hardly good enough to compose with).

An ERB has many of the compositional advantages that a piano has. One of the reasons I moved from 4 to 5 to 6 to 7 was because the chordal and harmonic possibilities were so inviting. Certainly, a bass player who could play piano would likely compose works on the piano. However, pianos are not nearly as portable as an ERB. Having a 6 or 7-string bass that you can compose sophisticated harmonic progressions on is not a bad substitute for a piano. 8+ string instruments just increase the possibilities. The most common and interesting chords fit on 5 or 6 strings. 8+ strings and you begin to reach the physical limits of how far your hands can stretch. But you gain the ability to play the same chords higher which is an advantage.

- Dave
 
#112
PhatBasstard said:
Don't get upset, but you still missed the point.
I didn't mean "to get by" (assuming you were the bassist that created the original part...with your suposed 1 string), I meant to properly play the songs the way they were originally recorded, and she would probably want them recreated on stage. Something tells me you don't need 11, or even 9 strings for it, but having played much of her material, a 5 is a must. :cool:

C'mon, the piano analogy doesn't work at all since it's a different instrument with a totally different function and was originally an instrument made for solo performance. Bass Guitar (an instrument with about 100th the heritage of the piano), in it's traditional function, was not.
Click to expand...

I'm going to say that your point on the piano analogy doesn't work, either. What you're suggesting is that the bass can not evolve into something more due to its simplistic roots. Worse, you're not looking into the past very well as you would have seen extended range upright instruments (viols, primarily) dating back quite a ways.
 
#113
I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade, and maybe my mind is just closed, but have we now reached the point where these basses are just being built to show it can be done. I mean, a 12 string bass?

I know I don't play as well as the guys who actually play 7,9, whatever string monsters, but I just don't get the practicality of anything much past 9. Yes, I just pulled 9 out of my a##.
 
#114
SteveC said:
I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade, and maybe my mind is just closed, but have we now reached the point where these basses are just being built to show it can be done. I mean, a 12 string bass?

I know I don't play as well as the guys who actually play 7,9, whatever string monsters, but I just don't get the practicality of anything much past 9. Yes, I just pulled 9 out of my a##.
Click to expand...
I think it's just human nature to see how far we can push the boundaries; sound barrier, manned space flight, etc... Take a look at the Guinness Book of World Records.

Whether these instruments are practical or not is up to the individual. I believe they are. I would never have one but don't see how anyone could label them as impractical. They have strings which vibrate and produce a sound via magnetic induction therefore they serve a purpose and are (IMO) useful in any situation that required such an instrument.
 
#116
niomosy said:
I'm going to say that your point on the piano analogy doesn't work, either. What you're suggesting is that the bass can not evolve into something more due to its simplistic roots. Worse, you're not looking into the past very well as you would have seen extended range upright instruments (viols, primarily) dating back quite a ways.
Click to expand...

Not to mention guitars were originally only rhythm instruments and considered not capable of playing classical music. That's changed, and no one complained.
 
#117
SteveC said:
I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade, and maybe my mind is just closed, but have we now reached the point where these basses are just being built to show it can be done. I mean, a 12 string bass?
Click to expand...
That's how innovation happens. Someone builds a plane that can travel at hypersonic speeds to show that it can be done. 10 years later, airlines routinely fly hypersonic aircraft. Someone builds a car that can run on electricity to show that it can be done. 10 years later, electric cars are common. Someone builds a bass with the range of a pianos. 10 years later, 12-string basses are common and new playing techniques are developed for taking advantage of them.

10 years ago, how many 7-string basses existed? Now, they are fairly common. I have three. You can buy them at Guitar Center.

It's all about pushing limits. Can anyone honestly say that having more range is a bad thing for an instrument? Perhaps if you are playing the traditional bass role in a band but a bass is a musical instrument first and foremost. Having additional range for an instrument is a good thing and something we should look forward to. Nobody is going to stop selling 4 string basses and only build 12 string basses. It's not like choices are being taken away from anyone.

- Dave
 
#119
Documented over 3000 years ago, the common lyre was originally a 6-7 string instrument. Soon 8 strings, 9 strings, and before you know it, a harp. There were likely many lyre players (lyreists?, lyre'ers? I have no idea what the plural is ... :D ) who thought that the additional strings were too much or foolish.

So go for it .... the more the merrier. :hyper:
 
#120
pointbass said:
Documented over 3000 years ago, the common lyre was originally a 6-7 string instrument. Soon 8 strings, 9 strings, and before you know it, a harp. There were likely many lyre players (lyreists?, lyre'ers? I have no idea what the plural is ... :D ) who thought that the additional strings were too much or foolish.

So go for it .... the more the merrier. :hyper:
Click to expand...
Yes, the natural result of this progression is an 88-string bass tuned in minor seconds. :D

- Dave
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back