7 string Stick Bass

[Jim_D]

Hello

I am curious about this instrument. Was this the original Stick bass before the 8 string model that's available today? I see there's a photo of one here

http://traktortopaz.com/touchstyle-resources/tapping-instrument-museum/instrument-museum-page-9/

But I haven't been able to find any other photos or much more information online. Does/did anyone own one of these? What is the tuning like? Was there a stereo bass and melody PU arrangement or was it mono?

JimD

[traktor]

Well, yes ... I owned one. I had to sell it off once upon a time, when a dreadful legal matter demanded all my resources, and that's too bad, because of all the nearly 200 Stick instruments that I have owned in my lifetime, this was my favorite.

It was super narrow, the sound was really rich, and (for playing bass) it was hard to match with any of the other Stick models.

I've no idea why Emmett chose to discontinue its manufacture. Perhaps the very thin body was too much trouble, or perhaps there was just not enough demand, or perhaps seven strings isn't considered as cool as eight, or perhaps he could not or did not want to obtain the really nice pickups that were supplied.

Too bad. It was a gem of an instrument.

[Jim_D]

Aha, I thought you did. If it doesn't bring back bad memories, do you have any photos of it? Was it a stereo instrument?

[strictlybox]

The SB7 Traktor sold off made a few rounds before I owned and sold it and all I can say is I should've kept it. 1019 ??

[Jim_D]

Hmm, just found an interesting picture of one here

http://www.stickiwiki.org/wiki/index.php/Image:SB-7.jpg

Not clear what the tuning was or whether it was stereo/mono though.

[traktor]

All memories are good if you don't let 'em creep you out. And on that question, "it's simply a question of who's to be master, that's all." -- Humpty Dumpty

I do not recall the output with any clarity at all, but I'd hazard a guess that it was mono out. That would make the most sense.

[Bulwinkl]

just got my 1013, will post pics and impressions tomorrow.

and it's really narrow.

[Jim_D]

Excellent - really looking forward to seeing pics and hearing what you think of it.

[Bulwinkl]

Well, that thing is awesome, to me it's the best baritone-bass-melody tapper for non-piano like playing. Very light, comfortable, narrow and sophisticated. Has very deep bass sound that is also beefy without being blurry.

Behold!

http://img1.liveinternet.ru/images/attach/c/0//46/117/46117943_CIMG0031.JPG

Dig the grinded plate

http://img0.liveinternet.ru/images/attach/c/0//46/117/46117945_CIMG0032.JPG

And yes, it is narrow.

http://img1.liveinternet.ru/images/attach/c/0//46/117/46117947_CIMG0033.JPG

what's that bridge pickup thing, anyone knows? I haven't been inside yet.

http://img1.liveinternet.ru/images/attach/c/0//46/117/46117955_CIMG0034.JPG

[Jim_D]

Wow, that's what I'm talking about. It looks fantastic! Although I love my Megatar I do have small hands and that slim neck looks great. That said I'm working on a design (i.e. thinking about it every time I go in the shed) for a 2 string tapper...it'll be about as wide as a toothbrush ;)

Some observations from the photos...

Is it strung correctly? I've never seen or played a Chapman product in real life, but from the photos I've studied I always thought the first tuning pegs on each side were the "opposite way round" to allow the strings to be wound the "opposite way round" and therefore line up nicely? The lowest and highest strings look like they are on the "wrong way round"?

Is the output stereo or mono? i.e. are the strings split in any way? Mono seems logical for bass but you never know. What does the switch do?

That grinded neck plate adds a touch of charm! The whole design is so futuristic and flawlessly modernist, and then you see that and you realise it's hand made too! A bit of wabi-sabi...

Any idea what year your instrument is?

Finally is it just me or is the seven string thing totally weird? Tapping instruments always seem about symmetry to me, so to have this odd-number of strings really blows my mind. I know there's no logic to that, but still, my mind is blown.

Anyway, thanks so much for posting these photos. I feel like I have seen a rare orchid or mythological beast for the first time.

[Bulwinkl]

Sorry about the delay. I'll do my best to answer your questions.

Yep, I might restring the first and last string the first day I start to care how my strings line up on the non-playing area ))

It is mono, there is no split.

The switch switches the pickups. The bartolini gives a powerful yet soft sound, and the anonymous pickup delivers the real Hohner-clavinet sound, very cool and impressive. the knobs are pickup volumes. you can't turn both of these on, there's a 2-position switch.

It's tuned (low to high DEADGCF).

Don't know about the year yet. think 96-98.

I'm planning to find a reeeeeeeeallly fat low string to change it to B, and get straight 4ths all round. 3-position switch for being able to blend the pickups together is a must as well. Also, I want to pull the bartolini away and get a custom divided 3+4 pickup, and a mono/stereo switch.