Why are six-string ABG's so rare?

[wsmerwin@hotmai]

This one probably qualifies even better, but it's not finished yet: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I emailed Alex who said the seven string probably costs around $5000 depending on options and the six string costs around $4500 but in either case he could try to offer forgiving payment plans (not a small amount of money but not a second mortgage either).

Contact Alex with any questions.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitarrón_mexicano

 

[IronSpatula]

Actually yes! It can be done but bass string tension on an acoustic top is tough. Look at just about any old ABG and the top will be rising around the bridge. This has bad impact on the action, intonation, and playability. The eternal battle on acoustic guitars is making the top stable enough to support the bridge/string tension yet still be flexible enough to move air and make sound project. That's why really good acoustic gutars sound so much better than average ones it's the science of the bracing! Hard to do with bass strings. I'm not saying it can't be done but it's a limited market and an expensive undertaking which for a business is a bad match

I think carbon fiber might be a solution.

Invalid Link Removed

I'm positive this guy could/would make an ABG 6 that would own. He's made all kinds of crazy stuff, including a multiscale 9-string carbon fiber acoustic guitar that sounds insane!

 

[TolerancEJ]

I think carbon fiber might be a solution.

Invalid Link Removed

I'm positive this guy could/would make an ABG 6 that would own. He's made all kinds of crazy stuff, including a multiscale 9-string carbon fiber acoustic guitar that sounds insane!

"I'd buy THAT for a dollar!"
- RoboCop

 

[wsmerwin@hotmai]

Carbon fiber guitars have a distinct sound. Think Ovation. If that's what you have in mind, great, if not ...

 

[VictorW126]

I think so:

1. Little demand.
2. A large string tension (this affects the sound).
3. Problems with feedback unplugged (each string affects more than other strings for electric bass) + strong-strong feedback in a plugged state and the complex control of sound (the higher strings more difficult to control).

I've had more than 10 different acoustic basses (4 and 5 string) and each time I'm leaning towards the fact that four of the string is preferable to me. The lower strings, the easier control, it is very important for the ABG. I do not even know how to play the six string. This is very problematic (mainly due to feedback and small stringspace).

 

[JTE]

A real acoustic bass guitar (as opposed the much more common guitar shaped instruments that have four low strings and piezo pickup but no acoustic output) is an air pump driven by the string tension. To get big low notes at big volumes you need to move a lot of air, just like you do with a electric bass amp. And a flat-top guitar shaped thing needs to have a lot of tension on the top to get all that wood moving enough air to do the job. The top needs to be very flexible so it can pump air, and very tough to withstand the tension of the strings. That's why there are so very very very few ABGs that actually work as a real acoustic instrument (four, none of which are still in production in my estimation- the Ernie Ball Earthwood, the Taylor, maybe the Tacoma Thunderchief, and the only really good one, the Guild B-50).

Add the tension of two more strings and the problems of getting a decent B string without choking the higher notes of the C string to the very very limited market and that's why you don't find 'em.

John

 

[IronSpatula]

Carbon fiber guitars have a distinct sound. Think Ovation. If that's what you have in mind, great, if not ...

LOL, true, though I would specify high-end ovation. Those don't sound TOO bad to me. The less expensive plywood/plastic ones sound like garbage IMO.

Plus unplugged, any wood ABG I've played doesn't have a whole lot over an ovation tonally. As far as I'm concerned, trading the "wood" sound for better volume, resonance and projection would be worthwhile. Theoretically of course - I've never actually played a graphite ABG, let alone a 6.

IMO, DB is the way to go if you have room for it, but that's another debate entirely.

 

[spade2you]

IMO, DB is the way to go if you have room for it, but that's another debate entirely.

I wish I had the $$ to order a 6 string DB.

 

[IronSpatula]

Why not a 7 while you're at it?

/hijack

 

[bassbenj]

LOL, true, though I would specify high-end ovation. Those don't sound TOO bad to me. The less expensive plywood/plastic ones sound like garbage IMO.

Plus unplugged, any wood ABG I've played doesn't have a whole lot over an ovation tonally. As far as I'm concerned, trading the "wood" sound for better volume, resonance and projection would be worthwhile. Theoretically of course - I've never actually played a graphite ABG, let alone a 6.

I've played quite a few graphite instruments because the technology fascinates me. I'm sorry to say that I keep hoping to be blown away by the "amazing" high-tech sound, but it never happens. Even the good ones don't sound especially great. I always walk away disappointed. Which pretty much explains the reviews of carbon fiber instruments in the magazines which always stress things like how you can take them to the beach or leave them in the trunk of your car all summer. Which I agree is a cool feature, but I want TONE too!

 

[spade2you]

Why not a 7 while you're at it?

/hijack

I don't even want to know how much that costs.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Blah!blah!blah!I just ordered a Harmonia six string acoustic bass.Go to Ebay.Take a chance.

 

[bassbenj]

Blah!blah!blah!I just ordered a Harmonia six string acoustic bass.Go to Ebay.Take a chance.

"Chance" is the right word! I've got one! Price was right fer sure, but it would have been nice to get a working ABG for the money. This was a sorry mess...but I felt it had potential because as everyone has said 6ers are not popular and rare as hens teeth in ABGs. Well the finish was very rough and nasty and your clothes would catch in the splinters! The tuners immediately failed with the nylon washers falling out with the set not even matched as some had long shafts and some short! Plus strings were very light weight with the so-called "B" string being the same size string as the E string (later I found out why).

Anyway, I rubbed the whole bass down with steel wool and then applied rub-on Minway poly. With all the binding on the instrument it really made it look like a million! I ripped off all the dead tuners and threw them away, and bought a bunch of gold SX tuners from Rondo that had been removed from instruments. Got them for a song and they look and work killer! Then ordered a 5 string nylon wrapped set from Carvin (they are labella) and ordered a single LaBella nylon wrapped C string on line from somewhere...don't remember where. Put it all together and... Had to redrill bridge to fit B string.

It's a very interesting instrument! With a high action from string tension, and MAJOR feedback sensitivity.Truss rod is MAXED to get action down low enough to play! But the REAL problem is that you can't hear the B string AT ALL! I mean not just "weak" I mean GONE! I fiddled with undersaddle Piezo. I reversed it. I bought a new saddle for it. Nothing worked. I'm wondering if the electronics won't handle the low notes? So anyway, that is where it stands right now. If you plugged the sound hole to lower the feedback and got the B string working, this might be a fun instrument to use in certain settings.

But so far mine sits there as a partially completed project.

Good Luck!

Edit: And Oh I forgot to mention that the fretless neck has no side markers! So you have to install those yourself too. I used my LaBella nylon wrapped strings as the "standard" to set the marks and drilled shallow holes in the side and filled them with white epoxy. Works killer!

 

[Watchootognbout]

"Chance" is the right word! I've got one! Price was right fer sure, but it would have been nice to get a working ABG for the money. This was a sorry mess...but I felt it had potential because as everyone has said 6ers are not popular and rare as hens teeth in ABGs. Well the finish was very rough and nasty and your clothes would catch in the splinters! The tuners immediately failed with the nylon washers falling out with the set not even matched as some had long shafts and some short! Plus strings were very light weight with the so-called "B" string being the same size string as the E string (later I found out why).


It's a very interesting instrument! With a high action from string tension, and MAJOR feedback sensitivity.Truss rod is MAXED to get action down low enough to play! But the REAL problem is that you can't hear the B string AT ALL! I mean not just "weak" I mean GONE! I fiddled with undersaddle Piezo. I reversed it. I bought a new saddle for it. Nothing worked. I'm wondering if the electronics won't handle the low notes? So anyway, that is where it stands right now. If you plugged the sound hole to lower the feedback and got the B string working, this might be a fun instrument to use in certain settings.

But so far mine sits there as a partially completed project.

Good Luck!

Edit: And Oh I forgot to mention that the fretless neck has no side markers! So you have to install those yourself too. I used my LaBella nylon wrapped strings as the "standard" to set the marks and drilled shallow holes in the side and filled them with white epoxy. Works killer!

For as little that this ABG cost,I would expect some issues.Every so often,I will take a risk with a "cheap experiment"I wanted this so I can play it unplugged for the most part. The rough finish;I feel I can correct that.I like to customize my basses to a degree if needed.You know,change out the tuners and such.The fretless ones may not have neck side markers,bit the fretted ones do.I'm hoping that the other problems aren't inherent with all of these.If they are.........well.......Thanks for the warning!Eventually I may have to save up for a Warwick Alien six, or a used Thunderchief!

 

[ggunn]

Edit: And Oh I forgot to mention that the fretless neck has no side markers! So you have to install those yourself too.

Better none at all than markers in the wrong places like they are on many (most?) fretless basses. Apparently in a lot of makers' shops all necks start out as fretted. FWIW a dot of White Out works well as a marker and lasts quite a while. Doesn't hurt the finish, either, because the solvent is alcohol.

 

[nalapit13]

I have a fretless alien 6 for sale in the classifieds......

 

[Watchootognbout]

"Chance" is the right word! I've got one! Price was right fer sure, but it would have been nice to get a working ABG for the money. This was a sorry mess...but I felt it had potential because as everyone has said 6ers are not popular and rare as hens teeth in ABGs. Well the finish was very rough and nasty and your clothes would catch in the splinters! The tuners immediately failed with the nylon washers falling out with the set not even matched as some had long shafts and some short! Plus strings were very light weight with the so-called "B" string being the same size string as the E string (later I found out why).

Anyway, I rubbed the whole bass down with steel wool and then applied rub-on Minway poly. With all the binding on the instrument it really made it look like a million! I ripped off all the dead tuners and threw them away, and bought a bunch of gold SX tuners from Rondo that had been removed from instruments. Got them for a song and they look and work killer! Then ordered a 5 string nylon wrapped set from Carvin (they are labella) and ordered a single LaBella nylon wrapped C string on line from somewhere...don't remember where. Put it all together and... Had to redrill bridge to fit B string.

It's a very interesting instrument! With a high action from string tension, and MAJOR feedback sensitivity.Truss rod is MAXED to get action down low enough to play! But the REAL problem is that you can't hear the B string AT ALL! I mean not just "weak" I mean GONE! I fiddled with undersaddle Piezo. I reversed it. I bought a new saddle for it. Nothing worked. I'm wondering if the electronics won't handle the low notes? So anyway, that is where it stands right now. If you plugged the sound hole to lower the feedback and got the B string working, this might be a fun instrument to use in certain settings.

But so far mine sits there as a partially completed project.

Good Luck!

Edit: And Oh I forgot to mention that the fretless neck has no side markers! So you have to install those yourself too. I used my LaBella nylon wrapped strings as the "standard" to set the marks and drilled shallow holes in the side and filled them with white epoxy. Works killer!

Well!After playing 28 hours of "Catch me if you can"with UPS,I finally got my Harmonia.No problems with the piezo,or the B string volume.The B string IS a B.Not an E.The finish is fine.I didn't expect a high gloss.It's more of a satin finish if anything.

There's a bit of rubbing compound around some of the frets.That'll come off with some steel wool.The tuners are alright.But just as you did,I also had to bottom out on the truss rod to lower the action.I put the headstock against the wall to flex the neck while I tightened the truss rod that last bit!............I got it down to 5/32 over the fret where neck meets the body.My TWB"s are at 3/32 over the 24th fret.At least now I can tap on it.The string spacing is narrower than my TWB"s,so that'll take some getting used to.

The sound is..bass.It sounds like an acoustic BASS GUITAR.I don't expect it to sound like an upright bass.Which is a point of difference between many are looking for.'Nuff said!Also harmonics ring out clear.Which is a definite plus!

It is,as you said,prone to feeding back when my amp is loud.But I'm not really going to amplify it that often.This is for unplugged practice mainly.Late night.early morning.

All in all it's a fine ABG for the price!

I give it a green for go!