Twelve is enough?

[peledog]

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[Bryan R. Tyler]

Our buddy Yves.

 

[Spraeg]

And a Lefty to boot... I can't even begin to wrap my mind around how to play that thing, and I love ERBs

 

[j-raj]

he has fantastic technique, many times he goes into thumb positioning to access the upper register.

 

[williamk]

12 is 8 too many

 

[Thunderitter]

Nah - 15 is enough

 

[TwinBass]

How does one even play something with a neck like that? I have pretty big hands, and I find a six string to be a challenge at times. Is a twelve (or more) string bass played by mostly tapping? Is it even possible to play it like a "normal" bass? Also, how does one decide to add so many strings? Is a twelve(+) string bass mostly used by solo bassists, or do people rock these things in band situations?

I don't mean any disrespect to players who like so many strings, I'm simply curious.

 

[bassbenj]

How does one even play something with a neck like that? I have pretty big hands, and I find a six string to be a challenge at times. Is a twelve (or more) string bass played by mostly tapping? Is it even possible to play it like a "normal" bass? Also, how does one decide to add so many strings? Is a twelve(+) string bass mostly used by solo bassists, or do people rock these things in band situations?

I don't mean any disrespect to players who like so many strings, I'm simply curious.

Of course people do a lot of tapping on them. (Think Stick) And often people play the upper strings like a guitar. Think of it as some kind of super "piano-like" instrument that combines a bass and guitar into into a single "guitar-like" instrument. Plus the super-wide neck seems kind of reminiscent to me of some kind of harp! I mean a harp is in effect an uber-wide neck but people do play them!

As to how to play it? Well, it's a relatively new instrument so the door is wide open for you or anyone else to invent new ways to get amazing music out of it!

For some hints about "what is it?" about the "n" string bass...
Read this:

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[TwinBass]

Interesting read, bassbenj. Thanks for the info.

 

[Mark Wilson]

Yves; one of the most fantastic, melodic, grooviest players out there.
Thankfully, he's on TB and a friend!

 

[pierreganseman]

well, basses and instruments, are just a tools to convey emotions, he does it... that's all...

 

[NateS]

that bass is sexy. it that a three octave fb?

 

[N8-N]

That thing is an abomination!



But I still want one..

 

[Rocky McD]

My shoulder gets sore with my 7.6 lb. 4 string.

 

[KsPiNeSh]

Sweet good lord... fretless too.

 

[TolerancEJ]

I can see 5 more (non-12-String) basses in the background. Since he doesn't need them anymore, he should send them all to me.

 

[NateS]

me, too. any of those 6es would be fine. half, right?

 

[colcifer]

I want one.

 

[colcifer]

I want one. Did anyone else watch the vid of him playing Spain?

 

[christw]

I dig it. I just wish I could make good use of that many strings. I'd top out at a close spaced 7/8'er probably.