Annoying Twit

Does anyone have an examples of music where the bass really does play the fabled 'root eighth notes only'? The Travelling Wilburys might be an example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8s9dmuAKvU Others?

I don't think this is the case - but the second band wants a solid sound without any BS. Root notes only?

Even if it's been posted many times before, it still seems to create discussion. One Tennessee instrument I haven't seen before is this "18 string bass". Except that it isn't really. Two different necks right next to each other as I see it. [media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxcXu1nZohQ[/media]

@tauzero - in that photo, your speaker looks to be even bigger than 15". It makes the bass look short scale. How big is it? Re: "Dekoware": On the German music forum someone bought a 'Deko' Jazz bass for €45 or something like that. It had some sizeable scratches in the finish, and the bridge needed moving a bit, but it was otherwise OK. He says (if google translate worked properly) that he's going to use it for modding. http://www.musiker-board.de/threads/lasse-thernøe-harley-benton-mastermind.549556/page-22 (see post 439) In the next post in that thread, someone bought an e-traveller guitar which needed the bridge filing down, but was otherwise OK.

I think my Rockbass has a narrower string spacing. I'll try measuring using a ruler and a torch! 56mm across five strings centre of string to centre of string @24th fret on the Rockbass. = 14mm spacing. 88mm across seven strings @24th fret on the Harley Benton = 14.6mm spacing. So, not much different. But, the ruler was rocking a bit, so it might actually be up to 90mm, or 15mm spacing. It shouldn't be bigger than that. I hope. However, I have measured the string spacing on this bass several times and obtained a different figure each time --> not much faith should be taken in this measurement.

Which country are you in? You can always buy the six string, see how you get on with it, and then return it if you don't like it. This may depend on where you are in the world. It certainly can work if you're in the UK. I can't measure the string spacing on mine exactly as all I seem to have to measure with at the moment is a single plastic ruler, and I can't read the measurements without better lighting than I have. E.g. I'll have to remember to measure the strings in daylight.

I haven't had much trouble with a noisy preamp, most of the time it's quite quiet. When I ran the bass in active mode through a Behringer BDI21 and then into a Zoom B2, that was noisy. But, when I switch off the active electronics or don't use the BDI21, then it's fine. If you are concerned about string spacing and 'have small hands', then I wonder if this is the instrument for you. I seem to have reasonably OK sized hands for these instruments. I think the string spacing on mine is about 16-17mm or so. The BZ6000 is unlikely to be narrower, I would guess. You say that you played a Warwick and had trouble with the string spacing. I don't have a Warwick but just pulled out my Rockbass Streamer Standard V. I haven't measured it exactly, but I think the string spacing is narrower than my Harley Benton 7. Given what you write, do you want a low B string? If not, then something in the ballpark of a Squier Bass VI which will have narrow string spacing may be better for you. A 5 string is good for a covers band because there are songs around that use the low notes. I'm not sure that a six string is really necessary for a covers band unless you're a Dream Theatre tribute band. I find basses with lots of strings to be fun, and you can do a lot with them.

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TENNESSEE-15-STRING-BASS-GUITAR-/291235104105?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item43cef70569"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item43cef70569[/url] I'm not sure that all the strings on this are at the same height. Wonder what would happen if someone asked the seller a question of whether this would be a suitable bass for a beginner. Tennessee instruments do not get good reviews. "Buyer beware" is often said, alongside "unplayable ****" and the like. This one on ebay appears to have had work done to it. The bass, even the same picture, turns up in this list of the craziest guitar designs ever: http://leftyfretz.com/17-crazy-guitar-designs/

Hi Zord. As Kodiakblair says, Owen has ordered the BZ-6000. The BZ range appear to be in two pairs. The BZ4000 and BZ5000 are (if I remember correctly) 34" scale, and have normal shaped humbuckers. The BZ6000 and BZ7000 are 35" scale, and have thinner humbuckers. Not as slim as the double blade (I believe) humbuckers on the Ibanez BTB7 (and 6?), but quite narrow. Hence, if you're interested in the BZ6000, then it will be closer to my 7 string than KB's 4 string. Until Owen reviews his BZ6000, could I ask you what you are expecting from the bass? Are you expecting something as good as anything quality, or are you prepared to accept something which is very good for the modest price paid? While I haven't played one, from what I've heard and read, the Ibanez BTB range are better basses. But, they cost a fair bit more. I'm tempted to highly recommend the BZ6000 to you as the BZ7000 suits me very well. But, if you are or are aiming to be working at a professional level, then the BZ6000 may not suit you. Have you played a bass with an ebonol fretboard? I'm told that people love them or hate them. I definitely like them.

I received the David Bowie Reality Tour DVD in the post today. I was particularly impressed by Gail Ann Dorsey's fretless work. I'm not an expert who can write sophisticated critiques of playing, but I thought her fretless playing in particular sounds really well played.

Hi THoJC. Where did you get the veneer, to stick in the fret slots, from?

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1409671719' post='2542064'] I've little experience of ERBs really having only tried out a Seven breifly but I'd imagine that with any more than Seven (possibly Eight at a push) strings you would be unable to reach around the fretboard to play it in the conventional manner, meaning it would essentially become a tapping instrument? I can't see them displacing instruments played in the conventional manner but I guess they could be fun as a curiosity... [/quote] I thought I might have that trouble when I bought my six string bass. Then I thought might have that trouble when I bought the seven string bass. Didn't happen either time. I've just tried playing my seven string including reaching over to imaginary strings that might be there if it was a nine string. I could reach beyond the edge of the fretboard, but felt a stretch/strain in my wrist. Possibly something that I'd get used to - I remember how my thighs screamed the first few days I rode my single speed bicycle but I got used to it. There's always the possibility of a narrower string spacing. The Hand of John Curley's Gretsch six string has narrower string spacing than I'm used to, as does the Squier Bass VI. [quote name='ambient' timestamp='1409672344' post='2542076'] I look on ERBs as being a separate instrument to regular bass �� [/quote] I agree with this. BTW: I don't think I'd ever want more than nine strings on a bass. I don't feel the need for a string lower than B, and a nine string would go as high as I'd really want to go.

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/242233-heavily-modified-harley-benton-50s-style-telebass-l135-sold-pending/page__p__2537043__hl__harley__fromsearch__1#entry2537043

While nothing is sure yet, Thomann has told me that it's possible that in the future they will sell Harley Benton basses with even more than seven strings. (I mentioned nine and eleven string basses in my enquiry).

£213 for 'B Stock'. https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_bz_7000_nt_b_stock.htm That's £32.42 per string. There was a 'Deko' six strin version for £131 or so. If it is unplayable and unfixable, that seems a lot. But, they do look very decorative.

I think it's only three of us on this forum plus the guy on sevenstring.org (who I think is the same guy on Talkbass.com). I'm sure the numbers of people who own these is going to keep on rising. With @owen buying the BZ-6000, someone on the forum has to buy the BZ-5000 so that as a forum we have one of each.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1409594335' post='2541310'] I dunno about that - the little bastards turn up mob-handed round here when the weather gets a bit colder. [/quote] Are you sure that you haven't confused loft insulation salesmen with mice?

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1409593922' post='2541302'] Deliberately, or..? [/quote] Deliberately. It's harder to obtain mice than you might think!

I've never seen a Thomann 'deco' item that showed the actual damage before. I always assumed they were far more damaged than that. This fretless acoustic has a strange looking bit of damage in the heel of the neck. http://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_b_30_nt_fl_acoustic_ba_deko.htm

My son has mice. Maybe we can train them to play one.

Well ... sorta. http://www.thomann.de/gb/warwick_mini_rock_thumb_bass_4.htm

Looking forward to your NBD post! I'd also appreciate any recordings you make, as I'd like to know what your similar bass would sound like with the D'Addario strings that are stock on the BZ-6000. I wonder how many forumites are going to end up owning one of the BZ range

The Ibanez BTB7, IMHO, sounds amazing. It certain sounds and looks a bit better than mine. But given it's over £800, it would be a bit of a disaster if it wasn't. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHd9SEq3xeY#t=118 Conklin basses sound very good to me to. But, similar comments can be made about them being several times the price of mine, and you'd expect them to be better. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3Jbgj9W4_A Someone in one of these threads had a seven string Shuker, but I can't find them now. I'd like to know what that sounds like - should be even better.

[quote name='Jimryan' timestamp='1409253375' post='2538059']Or, I take the plunge on a Harley Benton and see what they're like, I've never played, heard or even seen one, but I reckon I might be pleasantly surprised with either the 7 string one, or one of the 6 string Yammy copies. Any comments on the Harley Benton gear would be greatly appreciated, as would any more suggestions. Cheers. [/quote] As an owner of the 7 string one, I would say to go for it. There is a six string version of the BZ, the BZ6000 as well. I haven't played the progressive model but own a Shine which is the same bass as the previous 'progressive' Harley Benton sixer. My BZ is definitely better. I've compared the sound I get from my BZ to sounds for similar basses on ebay. The Ibanez BTB7 sounds better than mine (from what I've heard online), but the SR506 and the ESP206BM sounded worse. Youtube sound comparison is an imperfect science, to say the least. Remember that you can return it if you don't like it. If you are more fussy than me, you may want to cost in new strings and a setup.

I've seen an Ibanez similar to that in a local shop. Both yours and it look fabulous. That's a big jump up from Squier Affinity basses and similar.