Who really plays anything over 10 strings!?

The coursed 12 strings aren't that hard to play, actually, just like a 4 string except you have to be a bit more careful about fretting all 3 strings properly. I have 3. Sounds like the Voice of God!

The 10 and greater string non-coursed ones I think are the ones used by tappers and such. I can't conceive of attempting to play one. (Though I am slowly trying to teach myself to play The Stick, which is kind of similar but really a lot different.)

 

Here's an example of me messing about on my Cataldo coursed 12 string - 3 tracks to cover all the parts, sorry, just the intro of the song:

 

Here's what it sounds like through an EHX POG:

 

...and drowned in soppy reverb:

 

These are two different kind of instruments entirely IMO. The Rhapsody is like 12 strings guitar with sets of strings tuned in octaves that are meant to be strummed simultaneously. It should have a more chimey sound. On the other one every string is independent and it's mainly intended for masturbation.

 

The Stick:


Stick Enterprises - Home of the Chapman Stick

Designed specifically for two-handed tapping to cover the entire range of bass + guitar.

Notably played by Tony Levin of King Crimson, as well as many others...

 

Oh yeah and 34" is standard long scale bass guitar scale length. Extra long scale for the octave strings though, I guess you could say. It does take a special set of strings, of course.

 

Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick is credited with inventing the instrument in the 70's, yes. Though it's kind of just an extension of the 8 string bass concept (which already existed of course). Ever so much more so.

And if you want a really nice and extremely playable custom-built 12er, I can recommend a luthier - Cataldo.

 

Go to 2:43 to see and hear Tom Petersson mess with his 12 string bass. He invented the instrument!

 

Hagstrom makes a short scale 8 stringer:


HB-8 Bass by Hagstrom Guitars of Sweden

Don't know of a short-scale 12, but Carlo would probably build you one!

 

I bow before the Master!

 

"Invented" is a little bit exaggerated... 12 strings guitars and 8 strings basses have always existed, so the idea is an old one. Adding one more is like the razors blades... "Now with 30% more blades!!"

 

But still, he was the first to convince anyone to build one, and first to play it professionally in public, so I'll give him some credit.

 

I can understand purchasing an 8 string or more, but even though the double course basses sound really cool I can't imagine using them very much.

If I had to listen to someone play more than a couple songs on it I would be pretty annoyed. Doubling every single note an octave up gets old really fast.

 

?
34" is long scale. Yes, there are 35" scale basses which are usually 5 string basses tuned BEADG they are not 'coursed' string instruments.

There are also 10 string coursed basses like the Dean Edge Hammer which is like playing a 5 string.

There is also a 12 string by Warwick that has double courses of strings instead of triple courses of strings and plays like a 6 string bass BEADGC

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Warwick/Streamer-Stage-Electric-Bass-Guitar.gc


I think your question is more suited to basses over six strings that are not coursed. Then you're getting into something much more difficult to play/learn and afford.



My 10 string Edge Hammer played just like a 5 string BEACG

Davie504 putting the 12 string Rhapsody through the motions.


People playing Jeremy riff


Some other riffs



Someone playing an Edge Hammer 10 String


Waterstone 12 string from Amy's Bass World (played more like a guitar in the first half or so of this video)


Again, I think your question is more applicable to non coursed stringed basses like this 12 string played by Scot Fernandez who calls his bass 'Sophia'

To me this is boutique and he is a gifted musician.