• 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.

The Official 7-String Bass Club.

#421
Razman said:
It’s essentially a large guitar, so if it were me I’d go for low action with minimal buzzing - it should set up like anything else.
Click to expand...

Hey guys, I got the BTB7 set up a couple of days ago. I took Razman’s advice and treated it just like a 7 string guitar. Initially seeing such a wide range of string thickness, it made me second guess all the documentation I had read. I researched a bit more. Very satisfied with the result. A big difference from my 6 string fretless with flat wounds. I’m definitely gonna be enjoying this girl.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: HeavyBass, Jeff Elkins, Razman and 2 others
#422
FretlessTodd said:
Hey guys, I got the BTB7 set up a couple of days ago. I took Razman’s advice and treated it just like a 7 string guitar. Initially seeing such a wide range of string thickness, it made me second guess all the documentation I had read. I researched a bit more. Very satisfied with the result. A big difference from my 6 string fretless with flat wounds. I’m definitely gonna be enjoying this girl.
Click to expand...
Great to hear!
 
  • Like
Reactions: FretlessTodd
#423
FretlessTodd said: ↑
Hey guys, I got the BTB7 set up a couple of days ago. I took Razman’s advice and treated it just like a 7 string guitar.

I have a BTB747 (35” standard scale 7) & took it to my favorite luthier for a plek setup using 135-20w strings with B-E guitar style tuning, since I also am using the high strings for guitar style chords. It is setup with low action and plays amazing!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Razman and FretlessTodd
#424
I wanted to get mine plekked at Sweetwater before they sent it to me, but due to it being a multi-scale, they couldn't do it. On a side note, I also play an SRF706 six string fretless and wanted to have the fingerboard re-planed, but due to it having a neck that would be the equivalent of 30 frets, it was outside the parameter of what the plek machine would take. They said they'd speak to Plek and let me know if it can be done, but it's been pretty much "crickets" from them since then. :rolleyes:

I did get a chance to play the BTB7 at practice and a small gig yesterday. It will open a whole new range of possibilities for us.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HeavyBass
#425
FretlessTodd said:
I wanted to get mine plekked at Sweetwater before they sent it to me, but due to it being a multi-scale, they couldn't do it.

I did get a chance to play the BTB7 at practice and a small gig yesterday. It will open a whole new range of possibilities for us.
Click to expand...

Glad to hear you gave it some play time!
So the latest software updates from Plek now support multiscale 24 fret instruments, if the shop pays for it & has the luthier expertise to pull it off. I had my Aristides multiscale guitar plek’d by 13th Street Guitars in Huntington Beach, California and it slays. I live in Austin, Texas and Straight Frets here now does multiscale plek also.

Now that I have the 7 string bass covered, the next instrument I’d love to get is an Ibanez Gary Willis fretless 5 string, since 5 string bass is my most natural instrument for me to play. I’ve been interested in getting a fretless for a long time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FretlessTodd and Jeff Elkins
#426
HeavyBass said:
Now that I have the 7 string bass covered, the next instrument I’d love to get is an Ibanez Gary Willis fretless 5 string, since 5 string bass is my most natural instrument for me to play. I’ve been interested in getting a fretless for a long time.
Click to expand...

I used to own a GWB1. Amazing instrument. It was a little bulkier than my SDGR bass had been (SR905), and I ended up moving away from 5’s about then, so didn’t hang on to it. But it was a well-made work of art.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HeavyBass and FretlessTodd
#430
FretlessTodd said:
Quick question: Does anyone know of a guitar stand that will accept the larger neck of a 7 string bass? I’ve got a guitar rack for home, but I need something for gigging situations.
Click to expand...

I was just pondering this, myself! I have a Hercules tri stand at home that won’t accommodate a 7 neck (nor will any of my wall hangers).

I take a small folding Fender stand to gigs, but that is less than optimal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FretlessTodd
#431
Jeff Elkins said:
I was just pondering this, myself! I have a Hercules tri stand at home that won’t accommodate a 7 neck (nor will any of my wall hangers).

I take a small folding Fender stand to gigs, but that is less than optimal.
Click to expand...

I've scoured the internet looking for anything that might suffice, but no luck. I even considered taking one of my fender stands and trying to pry the neck cradle open a bit, but the more I looked at it, the more I felt it might lose it's cradle-like shape and be more open and prone to possibly making the bass less secure.

Update: I believe I just solved my issue. I used a clamp, but in reverse and instead of using it as a clamp, I used it as a way to pry the neck cradle open. It is now accommodating the 63mm I needed for it to work. I was initially concerned the neck cradle might lose its shape and be too opened, but it looks okay to me now.

Here's the clamp I used. I'm sure there are many other types that would work. This worked well due to it having flat surfaces that could be used inside the stand's neck cradle.
Invalid Link Removed
image_17291.jpg


It does not appear to have affected the weld on the stand in any way. YMMV.

My dad always said, "Poor people have poor ways." LOL!!!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Jeff Elkins and Razman
#435
FretlessTodd said:
Quick question: Does anyone know of a guitar stand that will accept the larger neck of a 7 string bass? I’ve got a guitar rack for home, but I need something for gigging situations.
Click to expand...
Hey FretlessTod.

When I used to have a wide necked seven,I did this.
I took a regular stand and used a rubber hammer to widen the yoke on the corner of a trash dumpster.
Then the neck of a seven string bass fit.
Yoke.jpeg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Jeff Elkins and FretlessTodd
#436
I went to see Bell Witch live yesterday. I was not aware until then that the bassist played a 7-string bass. He created a truly massive soundscape, employing mostly two-handed tapping to play both melody and bass at the same time (they are a drummer/bassist duo), utilizing three heavily distorted amps for maximum effect. It was lovely!

Here's a live clip I found from a 2023 gig:

 
  • Like
Reactions: gscroggin
#437
I think I'm about to delve into the 7 string world. I have a Carlo Robelli 6 string I've had since I was 15ish (sometime around 1999/2000). I've wanted a 7 string since I first saw a Conklin in college. I have a Harley Benton in my cart. I figure if I hate it or don't use it much, I didn't spend as much on it. Any thoughts on those?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Razman and Jeff Elkins
#438
Ejtibbetts said:
I think I'm about to delve into the 7 string world. I have a Carlo Robelli 6 string I've had since I was 15ish (sometime around 1999/2000). I've wanted a 7 string since I first saw a Conklin in college. I have a Harley Benton in my cart. I figure if I hate it or don't use it much, I didn't spend as much on it. Any thoughts on those?
Click to expand...
I have one of the older models, and for the money, it is a great bass in my opinion! I don't think you'll regret getting this one.
 
#439
Could use some input.... So I am having this bass built.
What strings do you recommend? Also is the 16mm going to be too narrow? It will be 62mm at the nut. Any other thoughts that you might have? They start the build later this month .

Swan omicron infinity 7 string
- body mahogany
- top walnut burl
- neck flame toasted maple 3pz satin or oil finish
-fingerboard ebony
- scale 31
- 26 fret (may go to 28 fret, why not it can fit lol)
- compound radius 30’ to 40
- preamp Mike pope 4-band A/P
- pickups hand made (I think he is doing those lakeside pickups... not sure)
- full ramp ebony squared
- bridge riviera
-string spacing 16mm
- dot abalone
- nut brass
-all hardware black
- case swan
- matching headstock
- back headstock ebony
- logo abalone
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20240908_074449_252.jpg
    IMG_20240908_074449_252.jpg
    199.4 KB · Views: 19
  • Like
Reactions: Jeff Elkins

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back