Conklin GTBD-7 7-String Bass Demo - (Mark Michell)

Just messing around on my new Conklin GTBD-7 7-String Bass. Hopefully this is a decent video to get an idea of what they sound like. I'm playing through an Ampeg BA-115 in this video, so you can imagine what it might sound like through a higher quality rig than mine here. I mic'd the Ampeg BA-115 straight from XLR-1/8" to my soundcard as well.

My Review:

Overall, 9.8/10!

Tone: AMAZING! The 3-band EQ with the 3-way mid-frequency selector opens up many doors if you're looking for complete tonal control and freedom. It also comes with a 4-way rotary switch, offering a wide variety of preset tones. They are AMAZING sounding!

Setup: This is my only complaint (if you can call it that). Out of the box from the factory, the action was a little weird, as well as the intonation. Using the tools it came with, I spent an hour or so each day making small adjustments. After a week of slightly relieving the neck, adjusting the action and intonation, it feels absolutely incredible. The intonation for higher chords is PERFECT!

Accessories: This is the hardest part! There are NO bass cases available for this beast! I had to purchase a universal case and hack away with a pocket knife for sometime to make it fit. I managed to mold the case into a perfect fit for the bass.

Strings: Feel great! Only problem..where can you buy 7-string sets? XD! 7-String sets are $70 a pop from www.conklinguitars.com, but I think it is totally worth it for this. If you're a player who changes strings monthly, this probably isn't your best buy.

Look: IMMACULATE! The neck is coated with a purple-heart top and a maple bottom, with an Ash body and curly-top maple wings on the side. The custom designed Bartolini's offer a crisp growl sound with a firm bottom-end. Couldn't ask for better! The natural finish is a great look.

Overall Feel: Take a DVD case and hold it like a guitar neck, and try to "fret" the side opposite of your palm. This is the sensation you get while playing this bass..it is quite a load! Doesn't take too too long to get used to, but the difference is vast coming from four and five string instruments. The higher string feels like a guitar string as well, tripped me out at first!

Great bass. I 100% recommend this instrument to anyone looking to experiment with their musical style and add a whole new level of versatility to their playing.

I'm now sponsored by Conklin basses. Please visit my artist profile at the Conklin website for more information: http://www.conklinguitars.com/artists_mark_michell.html

Hope you enjoy...comments and feedback are appreciated!

You can check out my band Tetrafusion at:

www.facebook.com/tetrafusion

To buy our merch:

www.tetrafusion.net/store

Thanks for watching!

Category:

Music

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[TheJfac]

hows the weight

[MistaMarko]

@TheJfac Perfect, actually. It all depends on the quality of your strap. I got a nice thick one so it feels like any other bass, honestly.

[avada0]

Probably a stupid question, but the seventh string is added for higher notes, right? (compared to 6 string)

[MistaMarko]

@avada0 Yeah, it's a high F string added onto the regular 6 string bass.

[Zerodomy]

Unlike most bass videos I watch. That wasn't gay! :D now save up for a Chapman stick

[MistaMarko]

@Zerodomy i'd love one someday

[MistaMarko]

@supafluffychinchilla come at me bro

[MistaMarko]

@PennybagDarrell I got a job...worked...saved up money...pretty common practice when purchasing expensive items. :)

[ints13]

Myung excersises :D

[AttitudeCastle]

@squiresuzuki I know, you said "Not to mention, I don't even know if humans can hear that low..." and the answer is yes and no, due to the way the human ears and brain work so you can use uber low tunings if you want, amplification would be an issue but it is possible it's probably just too low to sound good,

[squiresuzuki]

@AttitudeCastle I was referring to the guy mentioning a bass guitar with a G#, C#, F#, B, E, A, D, G tuning.

[AttitudeCastle]

@squiresuzuki How low you can hear doesn't effect it, most people will never "hear" properly the E string or lower, it's a matter os pshyco acoustics (either google or PM if you want an explination)

[xRyuzakii]

@Zerodomy The Chapman Stick is for fucking tapping expert rich gentlemen lol

[ThumpingNeptune]

@MistaMarko Sure smells like summer in here.

[squiresuzuki]

@bassist1209 Dude, you realize that the two lowest strings will just sound like farting no matter what pickups you have?

Not to mention, I don't even know if humans can hear that low...