The Official 7-String Bass Club.

[Aidil]

Woo! The BTB747 came! I finally get to join the club! Updated profile pick to show all three.

I played with it for 30 minutes to test it out, then went back to my old bass for comparison and it felt like a toothpick.

Never played anything other than a 4 string before, so of course let's jump straight to 7!

Congrats on such a big leap! Mine was literally gradual from 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Would be nice if you can post some of your 747 pictures here.

 

[Jack Deth]

Woo! The BTB747 came! I finally get to join the club! Updated profile pick to show all three.

I played with it for 30 minutes to test it out, then went back to my old bass for comparison and it felt like a toothpick.

Never played anything other than a 4 string before, so of course let's jump straight to 7!

You will find that once you transition to 7 anything less than a 6 feels like it is severely lacking, and very toy-like.

 

[Razman]

You will find that once you transition to 7 anything less than a 6 feels like it is severely lacking, and very toy-like.

I practiced on my 6 last night - it's the lightest of my basses, and having been playing my 7 exclusively for a few months now it was fun - like using a 5 for a long time and then picking up a 4 string.

 

[InNoRush]

Next step, I have a .170 D'Add to match the factory set, but shift the other strings over and tune to F#. Also, the balance knob wobbles a little bit, but from what I've read that's a simple adjustment.

 

[InNoRush]

I was looking today for various videos of people playing the btb747, and I swear some look like they have double-coil pickups, and some with single. Anyone know what's up with that? Did Ibanez change which ones they come with in the last year or two?

 

[Jack Deth]

I was looking today for various videos of people playing the btb747, and I swear some look like they have double-coil pickups, and some with single. Anyone know what's up with that? Did Ibanez change which ones they come with in the last year or two?

Seems like I recall seeing the same thing. I believe the double coil version is a newer design and has things like the zero fret also. I could have been out of my mind at the time I seen that though as I've been keeping weird hours since March, and also started a new diet to counteract the hermit syndrome we live in now, so YMMV.

 

[InNoRush]

FWIW: The one I just got has a zero fret and double-coil.

 

[Aidil]

I was looking today for various videos of people playing the btb747, and I swear some look like they have double-coil pickups, and some with single. Anyone know what's up with that? Did Ibanez change which ones they come with in the last year or two?

There are actually 3 generations of BTB 7 strings:

BTB7-NT (2013-2014)

BTB7-NTF (2014-2016)

BTB747-NTL (2017-2020)

Can you spot the differences?

 

[InNoRush]

Very helpful, thank you!

 

[InNoRush]

Finally tried stringing up the D'Add .170 as a low F#. Way too floppy (it was the thickest D'Add I could find to match the set the 747 comes with.) So I'm back to standard tuning for now. Interested in trying again with a thicker Kalium set. @Jack Deth sounds like you're really happy with the .192 set on the 747?

Do they come tapered enough to fit, or am I going to have to do some filing on the nut?

 

[Jack Deth]

Finally tried stringing up the D'Add .170 as a low F#. Way too floppy (it was the thickest D'Add I could find to match the set the 747 comes with.) So I'm back to standard tuning for now. Interested in trying again with a thicker Kalium set. @Jack Deth sounds like you're really happy with the .192 set on the 747?

Do they come tapered enough to fit, or am I going to have to do some filing on the nut?

Couple of things: 1) I haven't restrung the 747 yet, the original strings seem to be keeping their brightness longer than expected; 2) I did restring a cheap Alvarez 6 string with the .170 you used and it worked fine for my particular playing style.

After my electronics crapped out on the Alvarez I then strung up my F-415 5'er with the Kalium .192 balanced set tuned to E0 standard (octave lower than a traditional bass with an additional C string). It too seems to have grown on me after playing it for weeks now, and I've ordered more strings from Kalium for when those crap out. All this said, I prefer roughly 36lbs tension on my strings due to the way I play. If the .170 was floppy to you tuned at F# (which is roughly 36lbs by my estimate), you will not be happy with a .192 tuned to E0 because it's the same tension. On the other hand, if you are going to tune that set to F#, it would have a lot of tension, over 45lbs, and perhaps even break. They offer a .184 set that gives roughly 42lbs tension tuned to F#, that is starting to move into the high tension area, but I don't think it would break (YMMV). They also have a .176 set that will run between 38-39lbs. That should be safe tension (again YMMV), but it might be a tad floppy to you. All these are based on 35" scale. It can be costly locating the right gauge to tension balance for a specific tuning to go along with your playing style, and it takes patience and willingness to accept failure. Hope this helps

 

[InNoRush]

Couple of things: 1) I haven't restrung the 747 yet, the original strings seem to be keeping their brightness longer than expected; 2) I did restring a cheap Alvarez 6 string with the .170 you used and it worked fine for my particular playing style.

After my electronics crapped out on the Alvarez I then strung up my F-415 5'er with the Kalium .192 balanced set tuned to E0 standard (octave lower than a traditional bass with an additional C string). It too seems to have grown on me after playing it for weeks now, and I've ordered more strings from Kalium for when those crap out. All this said, I prefer roughly 36lbs tension on my strings due to the way I play. If the .170 was floppy to you tuned at F# (which is roughly 36lbs by my estimate), you will not be happy with a .192 tuned to E0 because it's the same tension. On the other hand, if you are going to tune that set to F#, it would have a lot of tension, over 45lbs, and perhaps even break. They offer a .184 set that gives roughly 42lbs tension tuned to F#, that is starting to move into the high tension area, but I don't think it would break (YMMV). They also have a .176 set that will run between 38-39lbs. That should be safe tension (again YMMV), but it might be a tad floppy to you. All these are based on 35" scale. It can be costly locating the right gauge to tension balance for a specific tuning to go along with your playing style, and it takes patience and willingness to accept failure. Hope this helps

Hmm... something's not adding up then. When I say "floppy" for the .170, I mean "so floppy and rattly I really can't see how anyone could play this..." Maybe my action is just too low, as I only tested swapping out the lowest string, rather than a full heavier set which would have put more tension on the neck.

I was intending on an F# tuning, but if the E0 has grown on you... who knows? Sounds like I just need to buy a few different sets and experiment. Worst case, I've thrown more money to support Kalium.

Nervous about filing the nut though, never done that before. Anyone have good reference material for that?

Thanks for all the info.

 

[Jack Deth]

Nervous about filing the nut though, never done that before. Anyone have good reference material for that?

Thanks for all the info.

I used a round set of jeweler's files on the F-415. Take it slow, very slow, and do not remove material from the bottom of the original cutout - only the sides because it would lower the string. If you feel nervous at all I recommend take it to a luthier. Also, with the zero fret you will need to be extra careful not to file on it too, that could become costly pretty quick. Too bad they don't make them adjustable somehow, like maybe inserts for various sized strings (someone will likely post a link to that because every time I think something is needed, someone has been there done that, part of the awesomeness of such a huge community).

 

[Razman]

Hmm... something's not adding up then. When I say "floppy" for the .170, I mean "so floppy and rattly I really can't see how anyone could play this..." Maybe my action is just too low, as I only tested swapping out the lowest string, rather than a full heavier set which would have put more tension on the neck.

I was intending on an F# tuning, but if the E0 has grown on you... who knows? Sounds like I just need to buy a few different sets and experiment. Worst case, I've thrown more money to support Kalium.

Nervous about filing the nut though, never done that before. Anyone have good reference material for that?

Thanks for all the info.

In addition to what Jack said, I bought a set of needle files from Lowe's to do my Conklin GT-7. I had a few jitters before doing it but I just filed a little away at a time to widen the slots until the string fit. It was easy, only slightly messy, and I'm very pleased with the results.

Re: floppy strings - so I put a .200 on my Conklin b/c it's 34" scale. Kalium strings are slinkier than most; for a stiffer feel, get their stainless strings as they are slightly stiffer. A step down in size seems right for 35" scale, but that fundamental frequency is so low that it might 'seem' floppy. Overall I'm happy, it's very playable even up past the 5th fret, and I regularly use it.

My $.02.

Raz

 

[InNoRush]

In addition to what Jack said, I bought a set of needle files from Lowe's to do my Conklin GT-7. I had a few jitters before doing it but I just filed a little away at a time to widen the slots until the string fit. It was easy, only slightly messy, and I'm very pleased with the results.

Re: floppy strings - so I put a .200 on my Conklin b/c it's 34" scale. Kalium strings are slinkier than most; for a stiffer feel, get their stainless strings as they are slightly stiffer. A step down in size seems right for 35" scale, but that fundamental frequency is so low that it might 'seem' floppy. Overall I'm happy, it's very playable even up past the 5th fret, and I regularly use it.

My $.02.

Raz

Yeah, I'm not surprised .170 feels floppy to me. Just surprised others are ok with it I went ahead and ordered a .176, .184, and .192 Kalium set. Surely one of those will make me happy.

Thanks again to everyone for advice/info.

 

[InNoRush]

Huh... So I ordered 3 sets of Kalium on Oct 18th. I got an email on Oct 21st that the order was complete, but when I check the tracking number it just says a shipping label was created and USPS is still waiting on the package. I reached out to Kalium twice with no response. What gives?

 

[Grueber]

Huh... So I ordered 3 sets of Kalium on Oct 18th. I got an email on Oct 21st that the order was complete, but when I check the tracking number it just says a shipping label was created and USPS is still waiting on the package. I reached out to Kalium twice with no response. What gives?

I have used them once and had the exact same thing happen with the early tracking number. I found some reviews afterwards that sounded like it was a pretty common experience. After a few weeks and a few more emails my order finally arrived. I never actually got a reply. I will never use them again

 

[Watchootognbout]

Huh... So I ordered 3 sets of Kalium on Oct 18th. I got an email on Oct 21st that the order was complete, but when I check the tracking number it just says a shipping label was created and USPS is still waiting on the package. I reached out to Kalium twice with no response. What gives?

There are too many internet businesses where the very first thing they do is print up a shipping label.
This leads the customer to think that the item is packaged and practically underway.
When often enough,it isn't!

 

[InNoRush]

Played the BTB some more today. Had a few observations:

I play with fingers, around the neck pickup. Experimented a bit with playing around the bridge pickup today, and was surprised at how drastically that changed how tight/loose a string felt (seems obvious in hindsight...) Might explain why I didn't like .170 for the F#, but others are happy with it.

Going straight from 4 to 7 strings, I'm noticing a few ways in which fretting hand technique changes a bit (or becomes more critical.) I imagine those players already used to 6 strings know a lot about this area. Any recommendations for info on technique that's specific to wider necks?

 

[Razman]

Played the BTB some more today. Had a few observations:

I play with fingers, around the neck pickup. Experimented a bit with playing around the bridge pickup today, and was surprised at how drastically that changed how tight/loose a string felt (seems obvious in hindsight...) Might explain why I didn't like .170 for the F#, but others are happy with it.

Going straight from 4 to 7 strings, I'm noticing a few ways in which fretting hand technique changes a bit (or becomes more critical.) I imagine those players already used to 6 strings know a lot about this area. Any recommendations for info on technique that's specific to wider necks?

One finger per fret rule - and practice on it a lot. After a few weeks a 6 string neck feels pretty narrow.

Raz