When 5 isn't enough

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 8:56 am

Given the wider spacing on the Cii 5, I am wondering what folks would think of a six string version using the same neck width. This wouldn't be an easy conversion due to moving the tuners, but could be done at the factory easily enough, duplicating the top tuner spacing on the bottom, a different nut and bridge.

Thoughts?

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:21 am

Fender managed to squeeze 6 strings into an A-width neck (1 1/2" at the nut - the narrow Jazz bass type) on the Bass VI. So anything is possible.

keb · Post by **keb** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:31 am

Rickenbacker made a 6-string version of the 4005 in very very very limited quantities way back when.

If they made a 6-string Cii, I would be all over it!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:36 am

Jeff ... I like the way you think ... hey if you have the neck width ... why not put an extra string in there?

I almost did that to a 5 string jazz bass

you know ... I'd probably do something like string it with a low F# ....

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:37 am

or with the wider neck ... make a 10 string out of it ...

jnbass · Post by **jnbass** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:44 am

hey I'll take an 8 stringer!

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 10:30 am

Yeah Jeff, a 10 stringer would be cool !

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 12:09 pm

Thanks Jeff, I thought you'd like that.

The neck on my Cii could easily accomodate another string, so with a wider five neck, I don't see why a sixth wouldn't be possible. My only real concern is how clubby the neck profile gets.

I hate the feel of the Fender Jazz 5, it loses everything good about a Jazz neck that wide.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 1:28 pm

Pretty much every single fender 5 string bass has a bad feel ... their american made 4 string basses are pretty good ... I hate fat necked basses ...

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:28 pm

I always felt that 5-string basses were a good idea because they extended the range downward. 8-string basses are novel do to the big soung they have but six or seven strings? C'mon, if ya wanna be a guitar player just say so but this is after all the BASS guitar. Someone besides a keyboard player needs to hold down the bottom end and provide the groove that ,together with drummer, drives the music. Besides,the the necks end up too wide to play comfortably while actually standing.

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 10:03 am

It all depends on the style of music you are playing. For what I do, I want as much versatility as possible, and playing higher parts in some sections of a song works quite well, allowing other instruments to occupy the bottom, and adding to the overall dynamic and tonal flavor. Chording on a bass sounds much different than on a guitar.
The eights are more limited in their practical application, but I use those too. My goal is diversity, so having more options available is a good thing.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 10:27 am

Every time I play an 8 string bass it only sounds good on the low notes ... I like to go up the neck ... but with an 8 string you end up hitting some really high notes ...

I love the range of a five string bass ... from the low b to the high d# pretty cool

Hey .. I was at Guitar Center the other day talking basses with the local musicians and I ran into a guy who has a 4000 ... he had never heard of a five string ric ... Ric has produced some really nice basses that the general public just isn't aware of ... they know about the 4001 and 4003 but beyond that the other models seem to be hidden and since the only way they get made is when someone orders them they don't get built in any quantity ... what a shame ...

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 10:31 am

consider the 2000 and 3000 series, and the 4004, and the 4002, and the 4003s5 ... I've never seen anybody out playing with one of these ... except for me with a 4004 and a 2030 and a 4003s5 ...

jeff_ulmer · Post by **jeff_ulmer** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 12:42 pm

I have the opposite experience with 8 strings, I chord up the neck, the lower notes aren't as useful. To each their own, I guess.

atomic_punk · Post by **atomic_punk** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 6:04 pm

I love the sound of the octave strings, since I am also a 12 string player (Hamer), and it helps to fill out the sound in a 3-piece band on certain songs, its not right for everything, but what I use it on, it sounds GREAT!