Prat 12-string bass

guitarz.blogspot.com:

We've heard of 12-string basses before, but ordinarily (if such an instrument could ever be said to be ordinairy) they consist of four courses of tripled strings. This Prat 12-string bass is an ERB - Extended Range Bass - and has 12 individual courses.

Yes, such instruments can sound very nice, although I'm yet to be convinced as I've never heard a truly incredible (or even particularly memorable) piece of music made with one. Touchstyle instruments have been around for a long time (I can't imagine this Prat 12-er can be played any other way than touchstyle), but they've not really set the music world alight innovation-wise have they? They just remain an intrtiguing curio; the audience is more interested in the number of strings and unusual playing technique than the actual music produced. (Oh - prove me wrong, someone!)
This post originates at http://guitarz.blogspot.com - beware of those damned scraper blogs!
I've said it before and will very likely say it again: if you want that many strings, get a harp already!

G L Wilson

© 2011, Guitarz - The Original Guitar Blog - now in its 10th year!

Prometeus 10-string bass

guitarz.blogspot.com:
This is a Prometeus 10-string bass, currently on sale on eBay.

I've said it before and I will say it again. If you want that many strings just buy a harp!

C'mon bass players... how can you justify all those extra strings? I've heard a lot of BS about these instruments opening up new avenues of sonic exploration, but I've never heard a decent piece of music played on one. Admit it - it's just a silly fad amongst some bass players to see who can have the most strings.

Just check the demo video of this particular instrument on YouTube. Now, can you honestly tell me that the highest strings on this beast are truly useable? Come to that the sub-bass is pretty ropey too, so it's only really the strings in the centre that are truly playable.

The seller, who I assume from the way he writes is also the builder, admits that he himself is really a 4-string player. He must be assuming that there is someone out there daft enough to buy this thing.

G L Wilson

NB: There are a lot of blogs STEALING content and bandwidth. If you read this anywhere else but on guitarz.blogspot.com then you are reading a blog that STEALS content. Please support original bloggers!