Mechanical Extension. Not my best idea.

[tim givens]

Can't you just remove the metalwork, leaving a fingered extension? you'd have to come up with an E stop solution.

[Samuel Budnyk]

The metalwork and "capos" (i dont know the correct term) are all one unit. I cannot remove the mechanical part without removing all of the fingers -and Ken, I do not know if the wood is actually thick enough to insert a capo, and if it is it would be JUST there.

[Eric Hochberg]

A "fingered" extension is one with just an E stop. Using your fingers only to stop the other notes.

[Samuel Budnyk]

To tell the truth -I would LOVE that over this.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Samuel Budnyk

To tell the truth -I would LOVE that over this.

Sam, what Extension is that that fell apart?

I know players that swear buy each type (not brand) of extension as that's what they like to use best between the Fingered Ext., Chromatic Ext. and Mechanical Ext.. The old original Facwett and Stenholm are the mainstays of the worlds bass sections. There are a few shops that make great handmade Chromatic extensions with mostly Ebony Capos that you can 'HIT' moving back to open them in a hurry without breaking any bones or cutting any Arteries. There are some that will injure you and those I can't stand to play on. Cheaper and easier to install yes but not easier to operate or use in the long run. You get what you pay for when it comes to labor, if you are lucky.

Having a single E capo MADE or buying a completely new Facwett or Stenholm re-issue would be my choice for that bass as the extended fingerboard is not the best for a fingered conversion from what I can see.

Asking these questions on the internet you get answers from veteran extension players, people that sell them and players that just have an opinion. Good luck with your decision with this.

[Samuel Budnyk]

Mr Kolstein as always is providing excellent customer service. He has offered to replace it with a fully chromatic or partially fingered extension in exchange for the broken mechanical.

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

Sam, what Extension is that that fell apart?

I know players that swear buy each type (not brand) of extension as that's what they like to use best between the Fingered Ext., Chromatic Ext. and Mechanical Ext.. The old original Facwett and Stenholm are the mainstays of the worlds bass sections. There are a few shops that make great handmade Chromatic extensions with mostly Ebony Capos that you can 'HIT' moving back to open them in a hurry without breaking any bones or cutting any Arteries. There are some that will injure you and those I can't stand to play on. Cheaper and easier to install yes but not easier to operate or use in the long run. You get what you pay for when it comes to labor, if you are lucky.

Having a single E capo MADE or buying a completely new Facwett or Stenholm re-issue would be my choice for that bass as the extended fingerboard is not the best for a fingered conversion from what I can see.

Asking these questions on the internet you get answers from veteran extension players, people that sell them and players that just have an opinion. Good luck with your decision with this.

[Samuel Budnyk]

Oh, and as far as type I believe he said it was an english extension... But its buttons are NOT in reverse like the old ones.