Kiesel Guitars - How To Restring a Vader Bass

[@christocr]

One thing that really speeds up the process for me is that you don't really need to totally remove the allen screws. Just loosen them enough to slip the strings out. It really is very fast. I switch back and forth between round and flatwound strings all the time for different gigs. Takes a couple of minutes and it's way faster than changing/swapping regular strings. I've had one set of strings on and off at least a dozen times. Since there is no winding around a string post, there is no danger of the metal getting fatigued from the bending and looping around the post and breaking (there is no bending with the Vader other than over the saddle and once that's bent, it stays bent whether the strings are on the bass or sitting in the case). Also, intonation adjustment is a snap (which you should do when you change string types or gauges). Come to think of it, everything is a snap to adjust on this bass: truss, pickups, bridge, intonation, string change. From an engineering and design perspective, it's a masterpiece. Don't get me wrong, I love the traditional basses as well, but it's sort of like driving a Ferarri every day, but you still like to drive your 65 Ford every once in awhile.

[@joseramirez2310]

This is the most metal string change tutorial I've ever seen

[@AlexrooXell]

i'm more surpised about the Mammoth song you used, lol. i did not see that coming

[@AlexrooXell]

a prog fusion instrumental band, they play some really nice stuff. check out their bandcamp. the song used in this video is "The Acclimation of Sedation"

[@Yetimusmaximus]

Alex Thanks I was just scrolling through the comments to see if someone listed the song they used

[@orbitfx2871]

thank youu man ;b this song is insane

[@RevealedJoe]

Haha I didn't even realize till i heard Chase's bass solo!

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

Very good video, good job👌🏿 I play exclusively Headless Basses (Status Graphite). Although I use double ball end strings, I may soon need to use single ball end strings.

[@AlisterTate]

Has to be my favorite track off of this release.

[@TheBassteban]

I want a Vader multiscale bass...

[@ConstantineBassCovers]

I would love to add a Vader to my collection

[@Julez_Shredz]

great video, and DAMN this song is good!

[@sethnicholls7861]

I'm surprised, I actually love everything about this bass guitar!

[@TheAudivisioner]

I just bought a used Kiesel Osiris Five string fretless bass. Maple neck with a walnut strip down the middle. My first bolt on in three decades! Headless design. Standard body. Split pickup in the front, single coil soapbar pickup in the rear. Plays fine so far, right out of the box. It was mailed in the original Kiesel mailing box. Had the original Kiesel case. Tunes easily and precisely. Just want to change off the original strings. I have other Carvin basses. This makes my first Kiesel (my DC700 seven string guitar is a borderline Carvin/Kiesel with aftermarket Fishman pickups). Wonder does that count for bing a full blown Kiesel. Plays great overall. Just need the info on the string change. A lot of people have been asking questions on the best way to to the string swap.

[@garysanders3193]

Question, on the screws that hold the non balled end, how easy or difficult is it for the screws to wear out?

[@EdisonPrime]

Biggest problem I have with my vader is that I keep on cutting the string at the headpiece with over-tightening. When I don't secure it too tight it can slip out of socket damaging the wound of the string. any advice, guys?

[@griffinhealy5048]

very helpful, thank you, this will be used for reference!

[@nhoxx2611]

I love my vader bass, its the best instrument ive ever purchased! however this is NOT as easy as it looks restringing your vader at first is absolute hell, you get the jist of it as time goes on but it's a world of frustration at first.

[@AllenMarkel]

It's important to loosen the tuners all the way when restringing. You then can physically push the mechanism in. Otherwise it becomes impossible to tune string to pitch.

[@DavidJones-hd7jj]

I don’t even have one.I just love the music to it.

[@mikesorbassguitar]

I used to own a Steinberger Synapse and there were issues with the hex screws coming loose and stripping. Actually, those basses were kind of notorious for the unreliable string anchoring system. Kind of embarrassing in the middle of a set. Does anyone know if the Kiesel headless basses suffer from similar issues over time?

[@mr_tw]

3:12 OMG!!! So dumb! I’ve got a Steinberger style headless with which I use a separate locking attachment so I don’t need double ball ends… and I’ve been filing the cut ends down for years… I am so dumb!!! Anyhoo, back to looking at more Kiesel vids…

[@cloverfield23666]

#whenissmultiscalevaderbass

[@shanewalton3769]

I'm currently working with them on an order and asked that very question. I was told, "no plans on releasing a vader multiscale anytime soon". Looks like the only multiscale option for the foreseeable future is the Vanquish.

[@Anemonicus]

"no plans on releasing a vader multiscale anytime soon" They said the very same thing about multiscale guitars a year ago and now they make dozens of em a day. If there's enough demand for it they'll probably consider it.

[@georgeonderko5273]

What size hex for the headstock?

[@benbond3433]

Am I the only person who remembers/knows that Van Halen's original name was Mammoth?

[@reyq697]

How about a video on how to restring an 8 string Vader please.

[@kylegrossi8175]

this song was intense.

[@misterfantasy9126]

If i want to buy one and I live in europe, where can I buy it?

[@bucknasty69]

Custom order one direct from their website www.kieselguitars.com. They ship worldwide!

[@misterfantasy9126]

Coleman Sisley Thank you so much, man

[@peasantstate4868]

Is this a WWE cameraman you are using to show the final hex nut install? A hidden trick? ha ha JK... looks cool. Hoping to order a Thanos soon!!!

[@chrisbassartist4344]

I love the look of the Vader basses but this looks so complicated

[@SaintAnger-01]

im assuming you tighten the hex screws until they dont move anymore, yes?

[@christocr]

Yeah, but not too tight. I have a Vader bass and worry a bit about stripping the threads since it's only threaded on the two sides of the slot. It would be a nightmare if they stripped. So far I haven't had any problems with it and the Vader bass is probably the best playing bass I've ever owned (and I've owned a bunch). It sounds great too (it has it's own unique tone and is always clear in the band mix). As for the comment about it being a pain to restring... not at all. I find it easier and as fast as a regular bass, AND you can use any kind of strings you like, even on the short scale Vader (don't need short scale strings).

[@TheAudivisioner]

@@christocr You can use short scale strings. You have to special order them. With the current string shortage, you have to get what's there.

[@christocr]

@@TheAudivisioner Yes, you can use short scale strings, but there really isn't any reason to unless you have some extras lying around and just want to use them. The Vader (short or long scale) can use any scale string. (long, medium, or short).

[@daveycmusic5150]

where is the truss rod adjustment?

[@TheAudivisioner]

On the top of the neck. Just look under where the strings are. Uses an Alan wrench all the same.

[@chriscuthbertson]

I hope you get some spare set screws that lock the strings at the headstock. I would loose one straight away.

[@TheAudivisioner]

According to the video (and some other tech advisors), you don't need to remove the screws. Just loosen them enough to remove the old strings, and thread them through. Having the spares would help as well.

[@mikerotch6660]

First I gotta get the bass

[@Mr.Goldbar]

seems easier than restringing a normal bass

[@the1trueporkchop]

That face that it only took 5 minutes to change strings, with only the Alan wrench might be worth the price of the Vader alone!

[@tinystar3010]

Then you remember that you can do the same to a normal bass without needing any tools at all aside from string cutters and with less effort.

[@divchat]

dont do it, it wont take that fast in real life

[@KevTheSheep]

so this video tells you to pull the string back so as not to leave anything poking out the top. DO NOT DO IT if you are using any Nylon Tapewound strings, you will shred the nylon and it will all peel away, just accept the little sharp bits poking out the end and try to spear your guitarist with them.

[@WytcherNytes]

Nooooo! You're supposed to allow the string ends to float freeeeeely, like God intended! That way, when the player zips his finger down the neck he gets impaled right there on the stage. That's entertainment! Signed - the String End Liberation Front (S.E.L.F.) P.S. I knew a guitar player who actually did that. In on one side of his finger and out the other.

[@divchat]

straight up, dont buy a headless kiesel bass, this tech is goin fast, but you wont, that low B is almost impossible to string, and according to kiesel, you cant put over a .125 in that nut slot. i found this out way too late. the headpiece design was just copied from the guitar version, without altering it and making it useful for bass. chances are, you are going to take waay longer changing that B string than this dude

[@borisdont5418]

marky mark thanks for sharing your actual experience and including the string gages specifications for the low B. I was trying to find that info for a while since I use thomastik flatwounds and their low B is a gigantic 136 string gage. Thanks again, M

[@BEADGC]

I read this and did some measuring on my Vader-6 since it still has factory strings. The gauges are .120 .100 .080 .060. .040 .030. Dunlop doesn't seem to sell them like that as a set. I did find a 5-string pack that was .120-.40 and bought a .030 as an individual string.