As luthiers, what are the biggest challenges in making good playing, nice sounding, and well balanced 7, 8, 9, and higher number stringed basses?

from the low end.


Stew

Hi Stew,
I personally havn't ventured past a 7, but my biggest challenge in building extended range basses is making sure that they are comfortable. I am very concerned with balance and playability, and the more strings I add to my basses, the more difficult it is to make them comfortable for the player. Personally, I find that the wider, multi-string necks feel better if they are carved to a thin profile. This, of course, also helps the instrument to balance better. I also think a 16'' fingerboard radius feels great for the wider necks.
Getting a good sound isnt a huge issue, as I find that if my construction is rock solid, then the sound will be happening.
Oh... I just thought of another challenge: Fingerboard prep, and installing & dressing the frets takes a lot more care and patience!

Fred
Bee Basses

DItto for me on fingerboard prep and fretwork. Radiusing the board by hand is just no fun on wide necks. Getting a good, quality radiused bridge to match does make things easier. Beyond 7 strings, that can be a problem.

On the other hand, I find that wider necks are generally stiffer necks, and so while there's a lot of tension on these necks, they tend to set up pretty easily if you get the fretwork/surfacing done properly. I shipped out an 8 string fretless that needed almost no truss rod tension for a good setup.

thank you both for your replies. as an 8 stringer I'm always curious about the mechanics of my gear. I live in absolute awe of luthiers and luthiery. as a high schooler I desperately wanted to learn the craft, but I realized 2 things:

first, I couldn't be the player I wanted to be and the bass maker I wanted to be at the same time. and my passion has always been as a performer and a composer.

second, I will NEVER be smart enough to run my own business. and I didn't want to work for someone else.

what you cats do is amazing and as someone who gets to see firsthand what it is you do on a daily basis, thank you for making instruments for those of us who want something more and different from the production line. take care,

from the low end,


Stew