Idea For 7 String Iceman Bass

[Lucky Eastwood]

Hey there everybody!

I have been wanting a 7 string bass that I can tune in BEADGBE. I am wanting something like the Fender Bass VI with the extra B string. I am aware that there is the Ibanez BTB7E, however I do not like the design of the bass and I would like something with passive pickups.

I have an idea for a custom 7-stringed bass, and I'm wondering if it's possible.

I thought of ordering the body parts from Warmoth to start. For the body, I was thinking about the Iceman 5 design and order it without pickup and bridge routes. Then for the neck, I thought of the blank paddle headstock, do a custom headstock design to accomodate the 7 tuners. I'm wondering if the 1 7/8" nut width would be wide enough to fit standard gauge bass strings (I am wanting the string spacing to be similar to the Fender Bass VI). The scale available is 34".

I was thinking abot ordering custom pickups for this bass, but I guess I can use just regular 7 string guitar humbuckers. Maybe the Sentient (middle position) and Pegasus combo.

I know that the bridge would be the only real concern of mine.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Idea For 7 String Iceman Bass

I would argue that a nut width of 1 7/8" is about right for four strings.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Idea For 7 String Iceman Bass

There are a few flaws in this plan. For the string spacing that you want to achieve, standard bass strings on a 1-7/8" nut would be too crowded (you might even run into a problem of the strings bumping into each other). In order to achieve the string spacing you want, you'd have to use a standard Bass VI string gauge of 26-95 plus whatever the low B will be. You could contact Warmoth and see what they would say about building you a 30" scale length 7 string neck and a matching body. If you go this rout, standard 7 string pickups would work, much like the Jaguar pickups in the Bass VI.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Idea For 7 String Iceman Bass

+1

Browse the Warmoth website for options.

Are you thinking of your proposed custom instrument as a multi-string guitar with its range extended lower or as a bass with its range extended upwards? In short, are you wishing to play chords or single note lines?

In my opinion, the Fender Bass VI string spacing is less than ideal for either style. Things get pretty cramped at the lowest fret positions. Such an instrument would be easier to play if the strings run parallel to each other and at low tension. To all intents and purposes, a baritone touch guitar.

 

[Lucky Eastwood]

Re: Idea For 7 String Iceman Bass

are you wishing to play chords or single note lines?

I'm wishing to do both. I do have a Squier Bass VI and I use it to get beyond the higher registers of the 4th (G) string. I also play guitar, so I'm used to the tight spacing.

I am a fan of New Order and the Cure, and they used basses tuned to EADGBE (The Cure used the Fender Bass VI) for melodic tones. I wanted to be able to play those songs and when Squier released their Bass VI, I bought it.

I kind of thought putting the best of the 5 string bass (BEADG) and the Bass VI (EADGBE). Unless you think getting a pre-built Bass VII would the better idea (like the Conklin Groove Tools CTG-7)?

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Idea For 7 String Iceman Bass

I'm wishing to do both. I do have a Squier Bass VI and I use it to get beyond the higher registers of the 4th (G) string. I also play guitar, so I'm used to the tight spacing.

I am a fan of New Order and the Cure, and they used basses tuned to EADGBE (The Cure used the Fender Bass VI) for melodic tones. I wanted to be able to play those songs and when Squier released their Bass VI, I bought it.

I kind of thought putting the best of the 5 string bass (BEADG) and the Bass VI (EADGBE). Unless you think getting a pre-built Bass VII would the better idea (like the Conklin Groove Tools CTG-7)?

Those are not what you're looking for. The Conklin is a full size 7 string bass guitar. The size of the neck would not lend itself well to playing chords as much as single not lines. If you go the Bass VI(I) rout that you've mentioned, then that would be better for playing guitar-like bass lines.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Idea For 7 String Iceman Bass

Ibanez made a Bass VII called the SR7VII. If you can get your hands on one, they might be exactly what you want, but you'll have to look hard. Only 10 of them were made in the US.

 

[Lucky Eastwood]

Re: Idea For 7 String Iceman Bass

Ibanez made a Bass VII called the SR7VII. If you can get your hands on one, they might be exactly what you want, but you'll have to look hard. Only 10 of them were made in the US.

Thank you for letting me know. It's funny to know that something like my idea was already made by Ibanez.

I don't know, I may go with my custom Bass VII plan (might have to e-mail to Warmoth again though, they haven't reply to me yet). The information about the SR7VII can help immensely.