KAP Posted May 16, 2001 Share Posted May 16, 2001 I don't know if it was here or in Bass Player or somewhere else, but I read about the concept of a three-string bass. I like wide string spacing, so it's not hard for me to imagine three strings spaced evenly over a four string width neck. Extra long scale, large string gauge, kind of shaped like the Martin strumstick traveler's guitars. An E-A-D string setup, or low B-E-A, or even a way-low G-C-F or something! Does that strike you as something interesting? What think ye? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Turner Posted May 16, 2001 Share Posted May 16, 2001 There is an urban legend that Leo Fender and Freddy Tavares had a three margarita lunch & when they got back to the factory, Freddy remembered that Leo was talking about a different number of strings than four for a bass, but he didn't remember whether it was three or five. Three was easier...... I built one circa 1990 for Dusty Wakeman who is a studio owner & plays bass with such people as Michelle Shocked and Pete Anderson. It was a dead-nuts copy of a Fender P complete with ashtray and pickup cover but done with a "J" neck. Got the parts from Warmoth (excellent source, BTW), and had them supply an undrilled peghead. Pat Wilkins painted it a kind of smoke stained off white. Dusty says, "I don't need no stinkin' "G" string to play the blues....I always default to the lowest possible note. The "G" string is for the dancers in the blues bars." Or did I build that one? Was I dreaming? Dusty has the bass......it must be real..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Worthington Posted May 16, 2001 Share Posted May 16, 2001 The May/June 1995 issue of Bass Player has Tony Levin on the front, holding a custom made Music Man 3-string bass. The article was called "3 Strings Are Enough." (Of course, in the interview, he talks about touring with a 5 string....) Anyway, he said the wider spacing made it easier to use with his funk fingers (the mini drum stick things he sometimes sticks on the end of his two right hand fingers). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Friedland Posted May 17, 2001 Share Posted May 17, 2001 Check out the topic "One String Better Than You..." and imagine showing up to the audition with a 3 string bass! ------------------ www.edfriedland.com www.edfriedland.com The Bass Whisperer Bass Whisperer TV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xtian_dup1 Posted May 17, 2001 Share Posted May 17, 2001 Didn't the bass player for Morphine play a 3-string, with a slide and distortion? The allergy medication is wearing off, and I am sleepy and fuzzy-minded, so I can't come up with his name, or if it was even a 3-string! I will not post when woozy... I will not post when woozy... - Christian Budapest, Hungary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyripphotmail.com Posted May 17, 2001 Share Posted May 17, 2001 Xtian, I think that his name is Mark Sandman, and he did indeed play a fretless bass with a slide. Whether it was 3 strings, I'm not sure - I remember it as a 2 string bass... ?? ------------------ Rob Miller Philadelphia, PA www.JimmyRipp.com Rob Miller Philadelphia, PA www.JimmyRipp.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrhappy_dup1 Posted May 17, 2001 Share Posted May 17, 2001 Just recorded Tony Levin a week or so ago but he didn't have the 3 stringer. Had a yellow one with flats and his "Barbie skin" 5 string(both musicman). He also brought the stick but didn't use it though. Darn! http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif You should check out his Discography at: http://www.tonylevin.com/discography.html It's freakin' amazing!!!!! http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/eek.gif ------------------ MH MH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mats Olsson. Posted May 17, 2001 Share Posted May 17, 2001 The bass player in the Danish rock band D.A.D. (Disneyland After Dark) has for years been playing many different custom-built 2-stringed basses, some of them very cool-looking. Why? -I only play the 2 top strings on a regular 4-string bass so having a 2-string makes perfect sense to me! /Mats http://www.lexam.net/peter/carnut/man.gif What do we want? Procrastination! When do we want it? Later! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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