Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I've always played with a pick. The pictures don't do the finish on that bass justice. It's beautiful. Hamer was very nice to me back then, before they were bought by Kaman, I had a string deal with them. It's the best built bass I've ever owned and I've had close to a hundred. Nowadays it spends it's time in the case, in the closet. It doesn't really fit anything I'm doing at the moment, but there was a day(about 5 years really)that I only played 12-string bass. It always looked cool to have the two 12s on stands on the side of the stage, we were a 3-piece band and the 12 really was a big part of our sound.

I play it for the same reason, it really fills up a lot of "space" in the sound. Ronn, your Hamer is beautiful! That's the one I would ideally like to have, righty, of course. I love how they put your name on it for you!

Glenn what was really kool. I liked it.

I always wanted to try out a 12 string. I cant picture myself using one much. Id be more on the 8 string side probly. But you never know. I need to step up my pick playing if im gonna play a 8 or 12 tho. I need to get one sometime in the future so I can play with it and see how I like it. But the problem is money! I want to much and im only begining. haha.

A 12 string is cool.. how bout a 15 string? You know, with a low B? Pfft.. I'm starting to sound like Rath...

I'd try a 12'er... but I'm all fingers. A pick would mess me up, and my fingers would get ripped apart.

I got to play Tom Petersson's 18-string when I met the late Allen Woody who bought it from Tom. Us and Govt. Mule were taping a TV show, we talked about Hofners for about an hour. He was INTO them.

Wow! 18? That's just too many!

Nate its harder to play them with your fingers. Alot of them (im wanting to say most) have the octave string on top... Even tho you hit it, it doesnt always cut thru with your finger. When you use the pick its easier to hear.

The 4008 had the octave string on top, but the 4003S/8 had it on the bottom.

Is it possible to switch them on the 4003s8? Considering they all use schaller m4 tuners anyway... Octave on the top would be easier for me because the bass string is more comfortable to hit for me. I've played guitar strings with my fingers like I play bass and it gets a little painful.

Well Nate the thing about it being on top and playing finger style is that you dont grab the octave as strongly as you do the bass string. So its like playing a screwy 4 string unless you have a pick. But with it on the bottom I think you could still get the octave in there. Iv never played one that way. Its easiest to just play it with a pick. And then on top would be better because youd hit the octave and roll right off onto the bass string. At least thats how I think of it.

Good point...

My experience with having the octave on top and playing with fingers is that, when my plucking finger comes to rest on the next bass string, the octave string has a tendency to ring out. So, for example, if I pluck the A strings with my right hand finger, and come to rest on the E bass string, I get a slight ringing of the E octave string. I've been playing for over 20 years, I've got pretty good right and left hand muting technique, and I just didn't feel like learning a new muting technique just for this bass (a Tune 8-string), so I just play it with a pick...

Yeah. I wouldnt have thought about it if I hadnt played one before tho. It makse sence to me at least.

Sorry I didnt see Harrys post until after mine. But that makes a good point to. It doesnt seem like you would hit the string behind the string your muting. If that one made sence. Which would suck. I plan on getting one in the future. Its just money issues right now is preventing me for it. Plus I got enough on my hands trying to learn pick and slap at the same time.

AHA it was Bad Brains. thank you Harry