I still have a problem. #_#

In my estimation, SE still needs to make a stickup to fit a 10 string grand. One can but hope….

The other problem is DBR in a standard 10 touchboard. I’m now so used to the Railboard which, in my opinion has the best string spacing. On top of that, the X fret speaks so much better on Railboard.

I want to play a 10 string touchboard because there’s a bit more room to fly on a 10. By comparison , the 12 touchboard seems to have restricted movement.

I still can’t get my head around how Tony Levin plays a 12 and as a bass player, is happy with that config, versus the 10 string.

So it’s either go for 12 string DBR like Werkspace has been saying all along or 10 string in DBR and put up with the closer string spacing.

Am I missing anything? Is there another compromise that I haven’t considered. Essentially, I need a stickup in my life. #_#

Here's the listing details from Stick Enterprises website.

The 10-string Grand Center-to-center string spacing is .350"
https://stick.com/instruments/tsg/

The 10-string Railboard Center-to-center string spacing is .340"
https://stick.com/instruments/railboard/

The 10-string Stick Center-to-center string spacing is .320"
https://stick.com/instruments/stick/

The 12-string Grand Center-to-center string spacing is .305"
https://stick.com/instruments/grand/

The 12-string Railboard Center-to-center string spacing is .305"
https://stick.com/instruments/railboard/

Another option would be to try to make your own custom pickup.

Others have done it. You could use https://www.tinkercad.com
to design the 3D Printed plastic housing and coat the interior
with conductive paint to provide an EMF shield.

The pickup bobbins can be done in the same manner.
I have the tools to do this but don't want to reinvent the wheel.
My vintage Stick and Railboard don't require any improvement.

- I prefer the tone of the Stickup.
- I like the action of the Railboard.
So, I alternate back and forth from time to time.

To start, the latest vid up on Facebook is fantastic Rad. Really bold and crunchy and kinda mean - I like it. Have you posted those to YT and I have just not seen them? Can you post them here?

Regarding feel....
I tend to favor the 10-string for familiarity of proximity, as you have alluded to. It feels right.

That's it. There is no discussion after it feels right.

I really like the beautiful overlap that the 12's affords, but I came up on a 10'r, so even a few mm wider is not my preference. I am lucky to have a 12-string and a 10-string, but I always come back to the 36" 10'r.

If I had to choose, I would stay with the 10-string myself. No big surprise there.

Can you remind which tuning you are currently using? Are you using DBR or looking to change tunings?

Thank you Brosef, for your well considered response as always.
It feels a bit sus, making your own pickup for an SE instrument, but I get it.

To fully realise my GAS, I think I’m going to need a 10n’r in DBR and eventually get a 12.
I’m playing a lot of bass lines on stick at the moment and feel like DBR will kick butt.

Hey GP!

I’ve just started a thread on my new gig opportunity.
My heartfelt thanks for your enthusiasm and brotherhood, dear Brosef. #_#

Mate, sorry I realised I hadn’t answered your question.

I have a soft spot for DBR but I use classic on my graphite XG 10 and baritone on my Railboard 10.

I figured there’s two reasons to look at DBR. One is for a bass-centric 10 n’r, the other is what Marty talks about with a DBR 12 with high bass 4th. That 12 string idea seems very appealing but still a fair way off for me. I love the mid-high bass frequencies for soloing and the idea of lots of bass overlap. DBR 12 sounds to me like it would do both and also have a lot of scope for different chordal colours.

Hey.

Can anyone speak about why Tony Levin is happy to play on 12 versus a 10 grand for example..

Seems to me that, as one of the greatest bass players of our time, TL is playing a “closed position” stick. Or you could just say, a stick with the closest string spacing.

My best guess...
There are two ways to move up and down the scale.
- up/down the fretboard (less strings = more travelling)
- across the fretboard. (more strings = less travelling)
Try playing a tune with only one string? Lots of travelling...

And since TL is often playing both hands on one 'side' that extra string (i.e. 6 v 5) is possibly even more desirable?