Eight Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Just browsing Ishibashi, which I casually do every few days out of interest, and I came across a Nikki Sixx Blackbird and then noticed something... What is that thing near the bridge? Looks like some kind of plastic loop... no idea what it's for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 As its a side exit Jack my guess would be that is so the lead can be connected and then run up behind the bridge and then over the strap button. This would prevent it hanging straight down and give it somewhere to go as it couldnt be 'tucked' behind the strap and button, to prevent it getting snagged out like most of us do with a button that is on the base of the bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 It is in fact Nikki Sixx's trademark "OptiGrab" - a bent metal loop that is attached at an angle behind the bridge and is used for anchoring his pinky while picking (so I have read). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 He keeps his syringes in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marky L Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Clarky is on the dot there, it's the patented Optigrab. Perfect for ripping your pinky out of its joint if you have some nasty onstage rock n roll incident! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eight Posted September 2, 2009 Author Share Posted September 2, 2009 I was thinking along the lines of Burp there... cheers Clarky for coming up with the official answer. Truth is stranger than fiction sometimes... I like the look of the Blackbird, and Sixx's theory of not needing any pots appeals to me. Shame that I just can't get used to the shape of T-bird headstocks. And I'd want that Optigrab thingy removed... unless I could think of something better to use it for. Jean-Luc - Syringes!?! Lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 [quote name='Marky L' post='587929' date='Sep 2 2009, 08:37 PM']Perfect for ripping your pinky out of its joint if you have some nasty onstage rock n roll incident![/quote] exactly what i've always thought ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Burpster Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 [quote name='Clarky' post='587918' date='Sep 2 2009, 08:33 PM']It is in fact Nikki Sixx's trademark "OptiGrab" - a bent metal loop that is attached at an angle behind the bridge and is used for anchoring his pinky while picking (so I have read).[/quote] Thnks for that Clarky..... Patented Optigrab eh.....? What an odd chap, or is this a natural progression when you fry your cerebum with illicit substances......! (I did think that when he took a perfectly great Ovation bass and had silly flames painted all over it to make it his 'sig' bass) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shambo Posted September 2, 2009 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Has anyone got a picture of him using this thing? When I hear optigrab I can't help thinking of The Jerk... [attachment=32085:opti_grab.jpg] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eight Posted September 3, 2009 Author Share Posted September 3, 2009 Some music channel just happened to play "Sick Love Song" which has a few half decent shots of him using that thing... looks even weirder and even less comfortable now that I see it in use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 (edited) [quote name='Clarky' post='587918' date='Sep 2 2009, 08:33 PM']It is in fact Nikki Sixx's trademark "OptiGrab" - a bent metal loop that is attached at an angle behind the bridge and is used for anchoring his pinky while picking (so I have read).[/quote] Mr Sixx is clearly a total dweeb. Real men (like me) simply hammer a nail through the offending digit. Much less chance of it jumping out of an 'Optigrab' and ruining a prestigious gig. Edited September 3, 2009 by skankdelvar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eight Posted September 4, 2009 Author Share Posted September 4, 2009 [quote name='skankdelvar' post='589218' date='Sep 3 2009, 09:53 PM']Mr Sixx is clearly a total dweeb.[/quote] Whilst I agree with the nail thing... I think calling Nikki Sixx is the modern day equivalent of blasphemy. Next you'll be insulting Blackie Lawless and we'll have to fight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RussFM Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 I read it was the only way he could keep the headstock from smashing into the floor, holding it up at the other end with his little finger while playing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Almost correct Russ, in fact you dangle a 10kg counterweight from the optigrab to keep the neck up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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