gut-string bass guitar Re: 4,5,6,strings.why stop there?

[mungenast@earthlink.net]

As long as we're discussing unusual low-frequency axes, I figured I'd 
mention my mid-sixties Japanese classical, which I use as a fretless 
octave-down instrument. (Yes, I just yanked out those frets by the roots, 
I did I did!) 

Nylon string guitars sound amazingly like an upright when detuned, and the 
process is aided by the terrible quarter-inch action at the nut. (This was 
before Japan learned how to make good guitars, though the soundhole 
rosette is improbably gorgeous. I swear, the factory must have put all 
their money and attention into that one detail ;-)

I simply found a high-tension classical set, discarded the high E, used 
the low E for an A, etc etc etc... the tension is just right---enough 
tension to intonate, not enough to ruin my feeble joints. Now I need a 
cello string for the low E.

Anyway, it sounds great, even though I am too cheap to have someone plane 
the painted-on fretboard. There is also some joy in knowing that there are 
probably only 100 other such mutant instruments extant.

~Tim
www.myspace.com/timmungenast
www.mungenast.com



-----Original Message-----
>From: daniel stevenson <stillllscary@yahoo.com>
>Sent: May 12, 2006 10:15 AM
>To: loopers-delight@loopers-delight.com
>Subject: 4,5,6,strings.why stop there?
>
>the most versatile bass ive played was a 12
>string,grouped in four sets of three...i would love to
>see a bass configured in six sets of three...my
>favorite number#
>   ive got my eye on a veillette 12 string baritone
>guitar,who needs a bass when you have a tool like that
>in your arsenal....of course it is no harp guitar,but
>ive not seen a 12 string baritone harp guitar...yet!
>              to the future,
>                       scary visionary.
>
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