THREE string bass?

[bovinehost]

I can play most of Rocky Mountain Way with one hand tied behind my back. No, really.





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[MikeBass]

Go here:
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Click on the picture of the Yamaha Nathan East bass. Look at the bottom of the picture (you can only see the top 20 frets of the neck). Isn't that a three string bass? what is it for? who makes it? who buys it?

Yup, it's a Laggan for sure. Played it a few times (live a few blocks from Low Down). It really makes you think a little differently in the way you play.
Low Down Sound had it for a while, pretty cool actually. I believe it was a 30" scale with no tone controls.
It sold a while back but I think Russ would be happy to build another!
Ryan at Low Down has a Jazz type built by Russ that is pretty cool. I think in a short period of time Russ Laggan will enter into the Benavente,R-Bass ect. class of builders. And his prices are reasonable.

 

[BrenBrenb7]

not the complete story [/QUOTE]

 

[MikeBass]

From the head stock, it looks like a Read. Not sure though. Ive never seen one in person, but I sure would like too.

Tony Levin HAD a three stringer that died in a fire.

Man, that bass in SMOKIN'!!!!!!!!

 

[Blazer]

About Tony Levin's bass

His custom Musicman Three string was tuned D-A-E, it had no controls and was finished in "Harley Davidson" black with Red trim

Luckily I always kept my old issues of Guitarist and quickly recovered the issue of 1994 in which they interviewed him and it shows the bass as it used to look.

 

[duncbass]

Thanks for the history lesson, I did know not the complete story

For more and more Wal info...

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[Mudfuzz]

Tony's 10 answers to the question "why three strings, from Bass player may/june 1995.

"1. Why 4 strings?
2. I wanted a bass I could call a bass.
3. Because they wouldn't make me a 2 string.
4. Notes above staff are someone else's job.
5. Hey, I pluck with only 2 fingers.
6. G strings are for strippers.
7. I've tried playing those high notes, and I like the low ones better.
8. It's time to think about the environment and conserve.
9. Because my string-endorsement deal is limited.
10. Oh, are there only three? [Damn]"

I know, I'm such a nerd.

 

[mashed potatoes]

i know a guy who has a two string bass. It's all one solid piece. The name of the wood has escaped me, but I think it was purple something.... purple heart? I'm not sure. It was all one piece of wood, and fretless with 2 octaves on each string. He had it custom made. it's fun to play around on for a while, but I imagine having onle 2 strings would handicap you over time. He called it his "AC/DC bass" because you only need 2 strings to play AC/DC songs.

 

[Konabob]

<img src=http://www.konaweb.com/stick/bob_stick2.jpg?attachmentid=4228&stc=1 align=left>

I have been playing a 3 string "electro-acoustic" upright for about 3 years now. I tune it to an open G tuning which means I move up and down the neck a lot, but rarely have to work across the strings. I have a mp4 movie on my web site if you care to check out how it plays. Note: In Hawaii, shoes are optional.
-Konabob

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[Fuzzbass]

Tony's 10 answers to the question "why three strings, from Bass player may/june 1995.

"1. Why 4 strings?
2. I wanted a bass I could call a bass.
3. Because they wouldn't make me a 2 string.
4. Notes above staff are someone else's job.
5. Hey, I pluck with only 2 fingers.
6. G strings are for strippers.
7. I've tried playing those high notes, and I like the low ones better.
8. It's time to think about the environment and conserve.
9. Because my string-endorsement deal is limited.
10. Oh, are there only three? [Damn]"

I know, I'm such a nerd.

HA! Here's my two cents:

11. Because bassists should master the three-string before moving up to four.

 

[hateater]

I have been playing a 3 string "electro-acoustic" upright for about 3 years now. I tune it to an open G tuning which means I move up and down the neck a lot, but rarely have to work across the strings. I have a mp4 movie on my web site if you care to check out how it plays.
-Konabob

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I think that you should hit up Les Claypool... he loves things like this!

 

[corinpills]

Personally, I love the idea of a three string bass (I'm sticking with my four string, mind you). It's a statement of aesthetic. it's saying "5, 6, 7 strings are a modern conceit of bass guitar that gets away from the original function of bass: support." and I love that. I can totally see how it would force the player to play in a more rudimentary style which is a total positive to anybody who doesn't read gear magazines (you know? listeners. civilians. Non- musos). They like bass lines that are simple, memorable and feel good. Bass players and college students like bass lines that move all over the place and stand out. I also think that it's fantastic that an astoundingly talented bassist like Tony Levin would do that- a guy who truly recognizes teh value of playing less notes, but playing the right ones at the right time.

 

[mnemonix]

Many early double basses (18th century) were built as 3 stringed instruments so it's not a new idea.

 

[mnemonix]

It's a statement of aesthetic.

'less is more'

 

[corinpills]

Less is MUCH more. It's one of the great zen lessons of playing bass: the less notes you play, the more everybody else likes your playing.

 

[Crazy_Fingers27]

very interesting, but i dont think i would even consider a three string bass as my next purchase.

 

[scatman]

Personally, "5, 6, 7 strings are a modern conceit of bass guitar that gets away from the original function of bass: support."

I said the same exact thing starting another thread, but it was closed. I totally agree with this statement.

I said with 4 strings, less is more. Well, three strings: lesser is more more. Peace.

 

[oversoul]

Not that subject again please..enough Kung-Fu on that I think..

 

[Fuzzbass]

Less is MUCH more. It's one of the great zen lessons of playing bass: the less notes you play, the more everybody else likes your playing.

The # of strings is irrelevant because the strings don't play themselves.

 

[Gregory Bruce Campbell]

I have a new little yahoo group that many of you may be interested in joining at least on a temporary basis...

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by joining you will automatically be sent 8 mp3's

each will come as a separate email ... so you will get 8 e-mails, each with a file attached ... the aforementioned mp3's

They are samples of what I have been messing around with on my BEE 3 string...

Stewart McKinsey has affectionately titled this particular bass, an LRB (limited range bass) however, I demonstrate many tunings and looped improvisations with the bass as you will get to hear if you choose to join the group...

I suggest if you want to hear the stuff, join the group ... you can always leave the group as soon as you get the 8 file attached e-mails if you prefer.

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thanks for considering it,

Gregory Bruce Campbell

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