The 6-String & 12-string

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Hey Ken,

How is the Peavey 6-String working out? The last show I was at (Montreal), you had added it to your line-up. Do you actually use the 6th string (C)? It seems as if the Thornley material is exclusively in the low range.

And what happened to the 12-string? I've always wanted to try one but have never seen one. Where do you get strings for a beast like that?

[Nick]

I think Ken once posted that the 6 string just makes getting around easier, so he doesn't have to move up the neck to play high notes. I played a Tobias Toby Pro 6er the other day, and it SCARED me. I was like a complete beginner.

[Shadrak]

Once I finally ushered all of my purist "four string only" ideals out the door a whole new world opened up for me. I used to use fours only and would always have a bass or two strung BEAD so that I could play all all that crazy low stuff. A while back when I picked up that Modulur Q5 I finally accepted the development of the instrument. As well stringing all my old basses with BEAD worked but not in the true sense. I would always find tensions issues with the E or B string. Regardless, the six was just the natural progression for me. I love the mass of the body and the sustain and tone from having all that wood is pretty cool. In Thornley I really do stick to the lower register - occasionally during jams I can pull something high out for fun, but really with Ian already there, the need is small. I use the 6 a lot for my own writing and performing. I find the six great for playing basslines and comping chords at the same time. It also opens new doors with all the scale patterns - string crossing and other stuff that the four does not offer.
This all being said, I was jamming last night with some buddies and was using my 78 P-bass all night. That thing thumps and is a ball to play.

cheers


oh the 12 - right. I loved the idea of it, loved the tonne on its own - but really found that it lacked low-end. I know some players get a tone from it that is killer but once again playing with Thornley requires a very specific sound on the bass - super lows and super highs - no mid. Trying to battle two guitars for some sonic ground is tough enough, when I added the 12 string into the mix it just kinds got lost. Cool instrument though.

[PintoMusic]

Shadrak said:

I used to use fours only and would always have a bass or two strung BEAD so that I could play all all that crazy low stuff.

I used to do that too. ;D

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Just curious, how many basses do you own?

[Shadrak]

Not a lot really, well compared to other bassists I know
Peavey Cirrus 6
Peavey Cirrus 5
Spector Custom 5
Modulus Quantum 5
Warwick Stage Two Streamer 5
1978 fender Jazz
1978 fender P-Bass
Ernie Ball Stingray 4

I guess that is eight in total

I have access to a lot more but find if I do not use something for a while it kinda gets moved outta rotation and either loaned out indefinitely or sold.

Cheers

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I have eight as well. It's funny; when I say I have eight basses, people think I am crazy! Then again, I am not a professional musician.

Dingwall Afterburner II 5
Lakland 55-01 (Skyline)
StringRay 5
StingRay 5 fretless
Fender American Hot-Rodded P-Bass (2002)
Godin A4 fretless
Riverhead 4
Warwick 4 (looks like an Steinberger)

I seem to like to buy them, but I can't seem to get rid of any! These days I've been playing the P-Bass and Dingwall exclusively.

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Isn't there some sort of rule in the "Bass Book of Law" that says you can't have tattoos, piercings, a mohawk and comp chords on a 6-string bass?

[Nick]

Smallmouth said:

I have eight as well. It's funny; when I say I have eight basses, people think I am crazy! Then again, I am not a professional musician.

Dingwall Afterburner II 5
Lakland 55-01 (Skyline)
StringRay 5
StingRay 5 fretless
Fender American Hot-Rodded P-Bass (2002)
Godin A4 fretless
Riverhead 4
Warwick 4 (looks like an Steinberger)

I seem to like to buy them, but I can't seem to get rid of any! These days I've been playing the P-Bass and Dingwall exclusively.

You have a Warwick Nobby Miedel bass? They're funny lookin things. And the Dingwall.............yummy. I would love a go on one of those, but there's not a dealer over here.

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I do have a Warwick Nobby Meidel bass! Apparently, they were the first Warwick basses. They made about 900 of them and the first ones had neck stability problems. Mine is numbered in the 600's. I've had it over ten years and the neck has not moved! They action is really low and the electronics are super-quiet, but it's an awkward shape to play.

Yeah, I am really loving the Dingwall! It's like I've stepped into a new class of instrument. It feels amazing, it looks amazing, it plays amazing and it sounds amazing. What else can you ask for? Oh yeah, and it's surprisingly light. My shoulder is thankfull.

There is a special place in my heart for all of my basses. I don't really play them all, but I can't bring myself to sell any. I think I would feel too guilty.

Hey, that's horrible that Ken's '78 Jazz was stolen. Instruments are more than just pieces of wood that are worth money - they are living breathing beings. I really do hope he gets it back.

[PintoMusic]

Smallmouth said:

I do have a Warwick Nobby Meidel bass!

Holy shït!!! What a coincidence!!

I was actually hanging at my buddy's place (who also plays bass in my band) just yesterday and he was showing me some of his basses that he rarely plays. He pulled out this really sexy Surine fretless bass that I'd never seen before and then he went and pulled out another bass out of a small case that looked like a boat oar from behind (or one of those things you use to put pizzas in restaurant ovens).

It turns out it was one of those silly looking Warwicks!! I can't remember the serial number but it was a pretty interesting little piece of wood. I'd never seen one before in my life. I didn't plug it in though (I don't like playing headless basses). Was I missing out on anything??

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I am not sure if you were missing anything. They are interesting to play and it was my main bass for a little while some time ago. I actually wonder if they are worth anything seeing as they are the first Warwick basses and there were so few produced.

[PintoMusic]

Smallmouth said:

I actually wonder if they are worth anything seeing as they are the first Warwick basses and there were so few produced.

I don't know... my buddy never plays his. It's more of a conversation piece for him. I saw him yesterday and he said that his serial was in the mid-100's (it was like 144 or something... I forget now). I wonder if those were the ones with the neck problems that you speak of.

[Smallmouth_Bass]

You can read a little anout the Nobby Meidel bass here:
www.warwickbass.com/nobby.html

I do definately prefer the feel of a bass that has a head on it.

I've always loved the idea of graphite necks on a bass too, but everyone I've tried (Modulus) just didn't feel that good to me.

[PintoMusic]

Smallmouth said:

I do definately prefer the feel of a bass that has a head on it.

Agree.... especially when jamming after several drinks (and everyone's are looking at you funny because you're playing everying 2½ steps off key).