I'd like a 7 string bass.

[ambient]

But who to build it ?

My budget doesn't stretch into the likes of Sei or Smith, so who makes a good but affordable (£2000 max) extended range bass ?

[chrismuzz]

Ibanez built one this year, don't know if it was a special edition or anything but it looked nice!

[woodster]

Take a look at these.....

http://www.bassmods.com/7-String_c_28.html

I've got a K6 and it is incredible!

[ezbass]

When I was in GAK in Brighton a few weeks ago they had an Ibanez BTB (I think) 7 string.

[chrismuzz]

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1387824485' post='2316185']
When I was in GAK in Brighton a few weeks ago they had an Ibanez BTB (I think) 7 string.
[/quote]

The one I saw was a BTB as well, maybe it wasn't just a one off as I originally thought!

[tauzero]

Antoniotsai - inlaidartist on That Ebay. Mind you, you need to look on ebay.com to see his stuff.

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/380793743372"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/380793743372[/url]

for an example but I wouldn't pay $1000, I'd either wait for an auction or try an offer of $400-$500.

[Matte_black]

An used Conklin GT7BD is 1000 times better than those things. If you can live with the tight spacing it could certainly be a keeper.

[Dread Bass]

Talk to Alan at ACG. That's who built my 7 string.

[ambient]

[quote name='Matte_black' timestamp='1387904140' post='2317106']
An used Conklin GT7BD is 1000 times better than those things. If you can live with the tight spacing it could certainly be a keeper.
[/quote]

Yeah, I was thinking Conklin, thanks .

[quote name='Dread Bass' timestamp='1387923184' post='2317347']
Talk to Alan at ACG. That's who built my 7 string.

I hadn't considered ACG, I didn't realise he made 7 and over strings, thanks .
[/quote]

[Matte_black]

I've made lots of ERBs but I thought you were in the market for something "readymade". The GT series is not a real Conklin, though... they're built in Korea.

[MindGoneBlank]

Ibanez BTB7.

[ambient]

[quote name='Matte_black' timestamp='1387925175' post='2317378']
I've made lots of ERBs but I thought you were in the market for something "readymade". The GT series is not a real Conklin, though... they're built in Korea.
[/quote]

No, ideally I'd like to have something made, I've emailed Fred at Bee basses. I'm just not able to commit to something like a Sei, I don't have the budget, or the patience .

[Matte_black]

Well, here the list of builders able to make one is pretty long: me (pretty much specialized in ERBs), Jon Letts, Anthony Olinger, Alan Cringean and a few others. So you're lucky!

[ambient]

I don't like Jon Letts he's recently let me down over something, and check his signature on here, he doesn't even spell luthiery properly

Drop me a link to your website please .

Anthony Olinger's Xylem basses are very Carl Thompson inspired, I'm after something a little more conservative in terms of body shape.

Edited December 25, 2013 by ambient

[Matte_black]

Well, there's also Robbie of Redeemer basses and a few others... the list is probably pretty long and from what I can see they're all gifted builders. Of course if you like the Bee Bass style you should go for it, expecially now the US dollar exchange rate is at the minimum. If you want to check my basses out just take a look here: www.prometeusguitars.com

[ambient]

I was looking at yours yesterday, I was planning on emailing you in the next couple of days.

I really like the look of the Stalker model .

[tauzero]

[quote name='Matte_black' timestamp='1387904140' post='2317106']
An used Conklin GT7BD is 1000 times better than those things. If you can live with the tight spacing it could certainly be a keeper.
[/quote]

Having played both an Antoniotsai 7-string and a Conklin one, I'd disagree with you. I really didn't think much of the neck on the Conklin.

[Paulhauser]

If this is your first time to own a 7 string, I'd recommend to buy a used Conklin, much easier to sell if 7 is not your world.
I had a Conklin GT7 for a couple of years and I have to say that was one of my best sounding bass. (owned many spectors, yamahas, ibanez etc.)

You can check how it sounds on the link below
Although I did not use its full range it this song, you can get the idea how it sounds. I used only a EBS compressor and a EBS microbass DI for the recording
https://soundcloud.com/bluevoodoo/minds-mirrors-counting-on-me

Also this Conklin was the bass where I could reach the lowest action, tapping was incredibly easy and the nect was stable.
I have no experience with other 7 string basses, but I do know Conklin GT7, hope my input helps.

[ambient]

[quote name='Paulhauser' timestamp='1388041732' post='2317995']
If this is your first time to own a 7 string, I'd recommend to buy a used Conklin, much easier to sell if 7 is not your world.
I had a Conklin GT7 for a couple of years and I have to say that was one of my best sounding bass. (owned many spectors, yamahas, ibanez etc.)

You can check how it sounds on the link below
Although I did not use its full range it this song, you can get the idea how it sounds. I used only a EBS compressor and a EBS microbass DI for the recording
[url="https://soundcloud.com/bluevoodoo/minds-mirrors-counting-on-me"]https://soundcloud.c...-counting-on-me[/url]

Also this Conklin was the bass where I could reach the lowest action, tapping was incredibly easy and the nect was stable.
I have no experience with other 7 string basses, but I do know Conklin GT7, hope my input helps.
[/quote]

Thanks .

[eude]

Just to second Dread Bass's comments, check out ACG, seriously

Eude

[guyl]

Never tried Groove Tools, but regret selling my "proper" Conklin (Sidewinder) on here for far less than Ambient's budget. The sound, versatility and playability were awesome. If it had less than 7 strings I'd have never sold it...