Extended Range Bass Help

I'm Just a Bass Player

Your Subtitle text

Okay, so you went and bought an extended range bass .... now you're looking at all of these strings and thinking to yourself "What the hell did I just do?" Well, don't worry, you aren't alone with that!

Setting Up The Bass

An ERB is very much a different animal from a "normal" 4 string bass. The increased neck width, and possibly the length of the neck, make some of the usual adjustments a bit more tedious. Of course, intonation and action can be adjusted in a manner similar to any other bass, but a great deal will depend on your choice of bridge and the number of truss rods the bass has.

If you are uncomfortable with bridge and neck adjustments, you can try to reach out to a local bass technician and get the axe set up, just be aware that many (or most) local shops have little to no familiarity with ERB's.

On the other hand, if you want to take a shot at it and need some guidance, give me a contact and we can try to work through it together. There are several very good internet resources that you can try, as well. Most important, please remember that you really can't mess things up too much if you make a mistake, with the exceptionof overtightening the truss rod(s) ... be very carefull not to just start cranking away on the truss rod nut(s) .

Strings:

It's tough to make a string recommendation for any specific player, such a personal choice can only be made by trying different types and manufacturers. However, one thing is for sure ... by deciding to go to an extended range bass your options just became greatly reduced!

Most retail shops do not sell 6+ string sets, so just popping into your local Guitar Center is going to be a futile effort ... you are much better off finding an on-line source and ordering that way. The very good news there is that the options are much better!

You'll have a greater selection with round wound strings than you will with flats. Currently, there are no manufacturers making a flatwound F#0 (gauge .165 or greater), and the higher end F3 and above (gauge .022 and thinner) are only single plain steel. There is some discussion that heavier gauge flatwounds may become available in the future, though.

Here are some good internet sources to locate strings for your ERB:

www.sitstrings.com

www.juststrings.com

www.conklinguitars.com

www.octave4plus.com

www.labella.com

JustStrings.com has by far the largest selection of manufacturers, but the web site takes a while to navigate. Octave4Plus.com is a relatively new company that speciializes in strings for ERB's and is one of the most likely to eventually offer up flatwound single and string sets. If you are having issues locating strings for your ERB, give me a contact and let's see if we can find what you're looking for.

THIS PAGE IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Electronics

I am not an electronics gear-head, so most of my pseudo-advice is from a practical standpoint. Similar to the wide variety of string options, choosing the right electronics package for your axe is a very personal choice.

ERB's offer a wider range of tonal options than 4 string basses, especially since the notes can go so much lower and higher. You'll want to consider what your performance needs are ... for example, if you do a lot of chording or tapping you might want to get an electronics package that will support cleaner, higher guitar-voiced playing.

For my tastes, I greatly prefer passive electronics on "regular" basses, but I've come to appreciate and rely upon active electronics for my 6+ string basses. Where I used to prefer the somewhat warmer tones of Bartolini pickups, I have recently been using Dingwall pickups (FBB branded) which have a more "modern" tone to them. I have not cared for EMG brand pickups, as I find them a bit too "metal" for me.

Bass Bridges

Bass bridges are a bit of a pain in the butt to locate. Typically, many of the bass builders use custom made bridges for the basses, however, a pretty common bridge (for up to a 7 string bass) is the Hipshot. Hipshot makes three different types of stock bridges:

Hipshot Style A Bridge

This is as close to an industry standard as you can get for an ERB bridge. The Hipshot A has adjustable saddles for each string and is top loading (meaning you don't need to slide the strings through a hole, which is cool when using thicker strings).

Hipshot Style B Bridge

The Hipshot B is a semi-throwback to the older "barrel" type saddles that many are familiar with from typical 4 string bass bridges styles. Again, top loading, quick release. In my opinion, the A bridges offer more precise adjustments, but the B style is less expensive

Hipshot Individual Bridge

This is a reasonable compromise if you are looking for higher string count bridges. The benefit of these individual bridges is that you can either top mount or run the strings through the body, giving a variety of tonal and feel options. You also have similar adjustments to the Hipshot A bridges.