Why would a luthier feel that a 15 string

[Jazz Ad]

Pat Metheny : Hello M. Luthier, I'd like a 42 string guitar.
Luthier : Bwaaahaahhaaaa. That's a joke right?

 

[Stereo Joe]

Jauqo, being mainly a 4-stringer guy myself, I'd love it if you could explain the technique behind playing a 12 or 15 string coursed bass.

Is it necessary to use a pick to 'strum' each string group? Does the design of the instrument allow accurate playing of single strings to get a more traditional sound out of the instrument if desired?

Is the 15 string bass something you are planning to use in a specific style of music? Or would you be able to use it as a versatile 'cover all bases' kind of instrument? For instance, could you take it to a blues gig and play single note bass lines without using the octave strings? Or would you leave the 15 stringer at home for a gig like that and take something more traditional?

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing pics of this thing when it's built...

 

[Pilgrim]

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.

Well, the luthier was entitled to his own opinion. If he didn't see a reason for the idea and wasn't interested in exploring it, it's not at all surprising that he would respond as reported. Perhaps a different luthier with a different set of interests would have responded differently.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Jauqo, being mainly a 4-stringer guy myself, I'd love it if you could explain the technique behind playing a 12 or 15 string coursed bass.

I approach the 15 string bass just like I do as if I'm playing a 4 or 5 string bass. But I did add the hi Ccc strings for the melodic and sololistic aspects to what I may be playing.

Here is a video from the 90's showing some aspects of my approach. Like I said pretty much as if it's a 5 string bass with a high C instead of a low B string.

Is it necessary to use a pick to 'strum' each string group? Does the design of the instrument allow accurate playing of single strings to get a more traditional sound out of the instrument if desired?

I can and do use a pick on occasion. The bridge design is set up as if it's a standard 5 string bass with two octave strings for each fundamental allowing just the right amount of space between each groups of strings. The bridge is not like the bridges that you will find on the Hamer 12 string where the group of three's are very close together making fingerstyle a little more tasking and where approaching it with pick is more appropriate

Is the 15 string bass something you are planning to use in a specific style of music?

I can pretty much use it for what ever my imagination fuels in me but it's mostly used for my own personal musical concepts and approaches. I don't and have never pushed it's use on a band leader or producer. I know where it stands for the most part.

Or would you be able to use it as a versatile 'cover all bases' kind of instrument? For instance, could you take it to a blues gig and play single note bass lines without using the octave strings? Or would you leave the 15 stringer at home for a gig like that and take something more traditional?

I have played blues with it and the sound was nice and huge but for the most part it's all about using a standard more traditional bass for such gigs, unless the band leader request that I bring it(and that has happened).

I'm definitely looking forward to seeing pics of this thing when it's built...

Thank you. And pics will be shared

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Well, the luthier was entitled to his own opinion. If he didn't see a reason for the idea and wasn't interested in exploring it, it's not at all surprising that he would respond as reported. Perhaps a different luthier with a different set of interests would have responded differently.

I never said that the luthier shouldn't have his own opinion . For the record I did mention that I thought it was funny.

And once more I did not ask this luthier to build this bass for me.

 

[Ed Goode]

Jauqo, if you were a real man you'd be playing a triple course six or more ....

Good luck with the build, Oscar is a cool dude & very talented ....

 

[ZombieSpacebat]

It's their job to get it right. I don't know who thought it was a joke, but I would respect a luthier who respectfully thought something like this was a little beyond their limits. You don't want to spend a lot of $ and get something that can't perform.

A very good point. I guess what i was trying to say was that if you go to a luthier and ask for something then there is no reason for them to say no just because they dont like it or wouldn't choose it themselves. If they refuse because they feel it is beyond them, then that is totally acceptabe.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Jauqo, if you were a real man you'd be playing a triple course six or more ....

I know, I know

Good luck with the build, Oscar is a cool dude & very talented ....

Thanks Ed and yes Oscar is very kool and he is talented.

 

[spade2you]

I know, I know

LOL, I'm also somewhat surprised you'd stop at 15.

This thread has been very bad for me. I was thinking I'd possibly eventually order a 12, now I think I'll probably do it for sure. When? No clue, but listening to some old King's X yesterday gave me that itch.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

LOL, I'm also somewhat surprised you'd stop at 15.

Oh no 15 is definitely enough for me. It's my baby and I have nothing to prove. I just need to get the musical things in my head out.

And no I wasn't being sarcastic.


I remember talking to one 9 string bass player and he mentioned that he wouldn't mind having a tripled 9 string(= 27 strings). I asked him why? and his only comment was, just to be doing it.

 

[spade2you]

Oh no 15 is definitely enough for me. It's my baby and I have nothing to prove. I just need to get the musical things in my head out.

And no I wasn't being sarcastic.


I remember talking to one 9 string bass player and he mentioned that he wouldn't mind having a tripled 9 string(= 27 strings). I asked him why? and his only comment was, just to be doing it.

Prove? Nah, I was thinking more like experimentation.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Prove? Nah, I was thinking more like experimentation.

I mentioned not having any thing to prove for those who think that that's what this is about.



Some musicians seem to lack the thought that what is perceived as standard, that anything that's not has no use or place in music at all.

 

[JoePlaysDaBass]

Why not ask the luthier? He might have many reasons for thinking its a joke. Perhaps someone told him a great 15 string walks into a bar joke the night before?

A 15 string bass walks into a bar and the bartender says "man, you look really stressed". The bass says, "yeah, there's a lot of tension in my neck".

Just saying.

 

[12stringbassist]

What would be the purpose of such a bass ?

All you bassist out there.
How many 8-string, or 10 string basses have you seen being played live at gigs.
That would be a 4-string doubles, or a 5-string doubled.

What benefit, would three of each string give you?

I use 8 and 12 string basses on stage. BIG sounds.
Not all the time, but most shows.

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[Essen]

IMO, as long as the neck can take it, a 15 string bass isn't any stupider than a 12 string bass.

 

[spade2you]

IMO, as long as the neck can take it, a 15 string bass isn't any stupider than a 12 string bass.

It can be stupider if the 15 string didn't pay attention during class.

 

[Tom Howland]

A different sound. Owning and having owned several 8ers and 12ers, I can safely say that 3rd string makes a world of difference to the sound.

I've been schooled.
Thanks people.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

12stringbassist no matter how many times it's explained, some people are just not going to get it.



Because they don't want to get it.

 

[cassanova]

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

I think you're right about using "legitimate" rather than practical.

What he has is a legitimate want for a 15 string for some music he want's to do. This only makes the bass practical for him and perhaps a very small percentage of the bass playing community because the average bassist would not find use for a 15 string, hence it's impracticality.

 

[electracoyote]

I approach the 15 string bass just like I do as if I'm playing a 4 or 5 string bass. But I did add the hi Ccc strings for the melodic and sololistic aspects to what I may be playing.

It's a totally valid concept IMHO. Indeed, I'm getting a little excited at the prospect myself. As I said earlier, chorusing stringed instruments shouldn't be a foreign concept by now. I live in the Denver area, and I know a couple of tech/builders here who would take this suggestion with a high degree of seriousness and positivity. I have had my tech/builders help me with a few very unconventional projects, which they had never encountered before, with awesome results. You need to find a builder who sees eye-to-eye with you, which can be a tall order, but not impossible. Just keep looking, you'll find one.