Oakland Axe Factory 8-string, um, Bass

[Kelly Coyle]

This is an oddball: 30" scale (presently tuned E A D G C F A D) eight string guitar/bass thing built by Thomas Drinkwater. It is presently set up to tap, but when I got it, it was set up just to play normally. So, what do I know about it?

• It is very light.
• It has an assymetrical neck. It took me a few days to get used to it, but I like it now.
• The bridge is a bunch of individual saddles; the strings are not really body-through -- they go through a metal plate.
• It is prettier than the pictures.
• Excellent condition.
• Comes with a nothing special gig bag. I didn't buy the HS case in the picture.

$800 $700 shipped in the lower 48. Others inquire.

This was Drinkwater's personal instrument. He made a couple of demos with it:

Demo 1
Demo 2

And, finally, photos:

[Kelly Coyle]

Hey, good morning!

[Kelly Coyle]

It's dark here at 5:30!

[pointbass]

Very cool .... I don't really need it, but it sure is interesting . Can you give me a measurement across the body at the widest point on the bout? And at the narrow point? Also, would the bridge accept a thicker gauge string, like a .175/.195?

Thx

[RickC]

Originally Posted by pointbass

Very cool .... I don't really need it, but it sure is interesting

I think there's a few of us in that club

[Kelly Coyle]

It's asymmetrical, so this is a little approximate, but 6 1/2" at the waist, 11 1/2 at the widest. I really doubt it could take a much thicker string. I believe the string that's on there is a .100. It's probably best to think of it as an extended bass VI (OK, bass VIII).

It is kind of a charming instrument. Some nice details, sounds good, has some weird aspects like the plate for the bridge, the odd body shape -- it definitely has a "home grown" vibe to it, but I like that.

[pointbass]

The body shape doesn't bother me .... I kinda like "odd"

Couple more questions .... is the bridge recessed into the top of the basss? In other words, could it be switched out from its current configuration? And are the tuners typical guitar tuners?

Thx

[Kelly Coyle]

It is very slightly recessed -- maybe 1/16"? I would guess it was the 8-string version of this: Gotoh 7 string bridge. They aren't bass tuners. The "A" string just fits; the "E" string has a taper.

[pointbass]

Originally Posted by Kelly Coyle

It is very slightly recessed -- maybe 1/16"? I would guess it was the 8-string version of this: Gotoh 7 string bridge. They aren't bass tuners. The "A" string just fits; the "E" string has a taper.

Thanks ... I figured that was the case

I need to get to an F#0 on the bottom and it doesn't look like the headstock will allow for heavier tuners . Good luck with the sale, it's a cool instrument

[Kelly Coyle]

Ima firin' ma lazer.

No, wait, Ima bumpin' the price down. I've been thinking about it, and I think that's too much for this instrument. (Not that there's a lot of context to help decide!)

$700 shipped seems more fair to me.

[Kelly Coyle]

New price rebumparoo.

[Kelly Coyle]

Today's bump.