Author Topic: 6 string bass (Read 300 times)

mike1762 · « **on:** June 07, 2008, 05:30:30 AM »

I'm thinking about a 6 string bass. However, the necks have been too wide on the few instruments (non-Alembics)I have tried out. I have seen pictures of a few 6 string Alembics with necks that don't LOOK particularly wide (for a 6 string). Specifically, a Spoiler and a Scorpion-cut Distillate caught my eye.

Are these necks really narrower than most 6 strings?

keavin · « **Reply #1 on:** June 07, 2008, 06:32:57 AM »

that depends on (your)custom order.

tbrannon · « **Reply #2 on:** June 07, 2008, 07:53:30 AM »

Mark had a 6 string custom built with narrow spacing...

http://club.alembic.com/Images/411/44656.html?1192199676

mike1762 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 07, 2008, 09:53:31 AM »

I realise I could order what I want, but I'm hoping to pick-up somebody else's custom order. It appears that the classic taper has a narrower spacing...is that correct? There is a 6 string Epic on EBay right now that is only about 2hrs away from me, but I can tell by looking at the neck that I would need finger extensions to play it.

David Houck · « **Reply #4 on:** June 07, 2008, 01:27:17 PM »

Yes, the Classic taper is narrower than the Comfort taper.

Six string taper:
Classic: nut - 2.000; 24th fret - 3.125
Comfort: nut - 2.200; 24th fret - 3.560

mike1762 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 07, 2008, 07:23:55 PM »

Thanks Dave

keurosix · « **Reply #6 on:** June 08, 2008, 07:38:56 PM »

Hi Mike,
I have a 6 string Europa with the comfort taper that I measured. You will want to know what NOT to get if you want a custom narrow taper. Here are the dims:
Neck / fingerboard width:
Width of nut: 2.215; width at 12th fret: 3.060; width at 24th fret: 3.515
More importantly here are the average string-to-string measurements (spaces between the strings measured from string center to string center, then averaged):
Nut: 0.370 Bridge: 0.714
I find this bass string spacing to be rather wide for my right plucking hand, and although it may be good for some techniques, it seems a little too wide for me in general. I sometimes find I miss a string because my fingers have played the classic taper or something closer to it for many years. The neck pickup is also right where I like to slap so it gets in the way. Both things are minor, and can be worked with if I didn't have a few other basses with different tapers that I like to play all the time. Hope this helps you identify the exact taper you want.
Kris

keurosix · « **Reply #7 on:** June 08, 2008, 07:50:02 PM »

Just one clarification:
The actual space between the strings will be something smaller than what I listed above which is the theoretical distance from string center to string center. The actual space will be the number above minus 1/2 the width of each adjacent string. For example: space between High-C (gage 0.03) and G (gage 0.045) measures 0.332 at the nut and 0.662 at the bridge. While these numbers represent the actual space your plucking fingers will experience between strings, you will need to furnish the string-to-string centers for Alembic to cut the nut and bridge slots. Sorry if I confused you.
Kris

adriaan · « **Reply #8 on:** June 12, 2008, 04:02:49 AM »

If I remember correctly, they will also do setups with equal spacing between the strings (obviously only for a given set of string gauges).

gtrguy · « **Reply #9 on:** June 12, 2008, 11:25:19 AM »

I have a six string Elan and I find it to be a little too narrow for me. I love the spacing on my six string Yamaha TRB-6P! I would play before you buy.

Bye, Dave

adriaan · « **Reply #10 on:** June 24, 2008, 02:07:28 AM »

Mica recently posted this on the FTC thread for Shoji's Quilted Coco Bolo Short Scale:

Normally we make the nut center to center spacing and the bridge edge to edge spacing.