Why would a luthier feel that a 15 string

[Diogenes]

While I do have and love the EHX POG, it is something completely different.
There's no substitute for coursed strings.

I never doubted that... but the fact remains that I'd have limited use for either one.

Question: do the coursed string put that much tension on a neck?

When you figure that each 'typical' bass string tuned to a 'standard' pitch has anywhere from 35-45 lbs of tension (depending on the manufacturer and model of string, of course), that's quite a substantial overall increase in tension on the neck when considering 15 strings.

Try to design a neck to be strong and stable yet adhere to the profiles that most players deem to be comfortable and I'd have to be honest and say that I would never take on such a project... the risks of tarnishing one's reputation far outweigh any potential rewards. It's sad to say but it's better for a luthier to churn out high quality 'copies' of the tried and true rather than break new ground.

That's maybe why Rick Toone (my favorite luthier) isn't as well known as Roger Sadowsky (who I respect and admire).

 

[mongo2]

Why? Is the opening to Pearl Jam's Jeremy "absurd"? (12 string, but same concept as the 15). What is the saying-listen with your ears, not your eyes?

I'm allowed to think it's absurd. You don't like it? I can easily live with that.

I never liked Pearl Jam enough to watch them so I never saw that bass...maybe that sound was why.

 

[CopperheadLXXIX]

Of course you're allowed to think anything you want-my care as to that probably goes about as far as yours.

 

[mongo2]

Of course you're allowed to think anything you want-my care as to that probably goes about as far as yours.

As it should be.

 

[john turner]

let's keep this positive folks. if you don't have something nice to say about the instrument being discussed, don't post.

or do, and give me more work.

 

[cassanova]

Bass(tripled 5 string) is a joke?

One would think that common sense should be able to show them the practicality in such a instrument.

I find it funny.

I think it'd be just the opposite. A 15 string isn't really that practical for most of the market. It's not found in most music and if it were truly practical, I'm sure we'd see more of them.

I don't think a luthier should laugh at the idea though.

 

[spade2you]

let's keep this positive folks. if you don't have something nice to say about the instrument being discussed, don't post.

or do, and give me more work.

Your 7 strings are not basses.

 

[CopperheadLXXIX]

I think it'd be just the opposite. A 15 string isn't really that practical for most of the market. It's not found in most music and if it were truly practical, I'm sure we'd see more of them.

I don't think a luthier should laugh at the idea though.

Maybe "practical" isn't the right word...legitimacy might be a better choice.

 

[David Jayne]

And my lips are sealed on who the bridge designer is.

Oh, I think we know who it is, Mr. Custom De-Tuner Guy......

 

[CopperheadLXXIX]

Oh, I think we know who it is, Mr. Custom De-Tuner Guy......

Bone bridge by Wishbass obviously.

 

[David Jayne]

Bone bridge by Wishbass obviously.

10,000 year old Mammoth ivory? lol.....

 

[Pilgrim]

The luthier is the one building it after all. He also has to give it a warranty and for the sake of credibility, it must work properly and sound decently.
All this requires a bit more skill and thinking than deposing a pile of ca$h on a desk and asking the guy to buy whatever you have in your head.
If he doesn't feel like he can achieve something good/doesn't want to be bothered, I will see it as a respectable decision.

Please accept my apologies for my inappropriate wording earlier - of course, the value of any instrument, conventional or not, depends on the desires and purposes of the owner. Different musicians have considerably different goals, and therefore will perceive and evaluate instruments differently.

I think the quote above from Jazz Ad probably sums up the situation well. I agree with him.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

A 15 string isn't really that practical for most of the market.

I'm an individual that needs certain tools, so I could care less about what's practical for most of the market.

An no I'm not being sarcastic.

It's not found in most music and if it were truly practical, I'm sure we'd see more of them.

That's how most musicians and luthiers felt about the 5 string bass and the low B string in the early days.

 

[CopperheadLXXIX]

Even thought about combining a subcontra with a corsed string instrument? Say like a 8, 12 or 15, with everything tuned roughly an octave lower? I can only imagine what a beast like that would sound like.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Even thought about combining a subcontra with a corsed string instrument? Say like a 8, 12 or 15, with everything tuned roughly an octave lower? I can only imagine what a beast like that would sound like.

It has crossed my mind but it's not for me.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I think it was better that he turned down the project rather than doing something he wasn't comfortable with.

Side question... How do you say III-X? "Three Ten" is my guess.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

I think it was better that he turned down the project rather than doing something he wasn't comfortable with.

No this particular luthier was not asked. That was the basics of his comment when the subject came up.

Side question... How do you say III-X? "Three Ten" is my guess.

It's pronounced Three X.

 

[Jazz Ad]

Like the beer?

 

[steve_rolfeca]

You can't just walk into a shop, and buy a good luthier's time like he's a human vending machine. All the really good ones are inventors, and they're always mulling over their next project. Unless a luthier is already thinking along the same lines that you are, it's not going to be worth his while to take on an project just because you want it. That's why it's so important to find a like-minded builder to collaborate with.

I have a luthier buddy who's pretty fearless about what he will attempt, yet he turns down all sorts of projects. He's just as much a visionary artist as any musician, and I think he could be the next Linda Manzer (she built the Pikasso guitar for Pat Metheny).

And that tends to limit the amount time he is willing to invest on stuff that he doesn't already feel passionate about. His head is already full of what he wants to accomplish this year, in 10 years, etc. Heck, he invested about 5 years in the research phase before making his final drawings for the harp guitar that he hopes to finish next year.

I suspect that he would feel insulted by anyone arrogant enough to think that they could induce him to invest that kind of time in a project, just by waving some money around.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

You can't just walk into a shop, and buy a good luthier's time like he's a human vending machine. All the really good ones are inventors, and their heads are always full of new ideas, and mulling over their next project. Unless he's already thinking along the same lines that you are, it's not going to be worth a luthier's while to take on an exotic project just because you want it. That's why it's so important to find a like-minded builder to collaborate with.

I have a luthier buddy who's pretty fearless about what he will attempt. I think he could be the next Linda Manzer (she built the Pikasso guitar for Pat Metheny).

Yet he turns down all sorts of projects. He's just as much a visionary artist as any musician, and his head is full of what he wants to accomplish this year, in 10 years, etc. He invested about 5 years in the research phase before he even made his first drawing for the harp guitar that he hopes to finish next year.

I suspect that he would feel insulted by anyone arrogant enough to think that they could induce him to invest that kind of time in a project, just by waving some money around.

I have never thought or felt that just becasue I ask about a particlar bass to be built, that's an oddity to say the least. That I would exspect any luthier to drop what they may be doing and take on such a project.

I have many years of dealing with luthiers when it comes to none standard instruments. And I myself have brought things to the luthiers attention about the build that they didn't even think about in regards to taking it from idea/concept/reality.

Once more, I did not ask a luthier to build such a bass and be turned down. His comment was made only when the subject of such an instrument came up.