5 to 8 string conversion

Thunderscreech · #1 09-15-2010, 08:15 PM

I have a fetish for multicourse instruments. Always have really. My 5 string SX isn't really exciting anymore, and I've always wanted an 8 string, so I figured why not?

It was at this point the mad scientist cortex of my brain kick in full, and began thinking of ways to do this in least invasive and simplest way.

My idea is to anchor the octave strings in the neck, and then run them down to some banjo tuners I had lying around from an old project. For the bridge I'd just a regular 4 string bridge with big saddles so I can file a new groove into them. I might also get a Schaller 471, but that depends on how much cash I can scrape up.

As to the tuners, I'm thinking of drilling down into the back of the bass, so the banjo tuners sit flush into the back of the body (they're not angled), and then widening the hole so I can get my fingers in.

I figured i'd spin my idea here and what see what people whose experience in instrument construction wasn't limited to a one-string diddley-bow thing with a metal top and epoxied peizo pickup.

I'll also post some pics of my bass tomorrow morning so you can see more clearly what i'm working with.

uethanian · #2 09-15-2010, 08:42 PM

consider that when you tune up the instrument, you'd be reaching back and forth between the headstock and body. it would also be more work to make than the alternative which is...

fill in the headstock holes with wooden dowels, sand smooth, then re-drill for 4 bass and 4 guitar machines. if the headstock isn't big enough, you can glue on extra wings of wood.

Beej · #3 09-15-2010, 10:50 PM

Check it out. Its an acoustic, but similar principles and issues will apply...

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/luth...sion-pics.html

bassteban · #4 09-15-2010, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beej

Check it out. Its an acoustic, but similar principles and issues will apply...

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/luth...sion-pics.html

Oh that is NICE

pilotjones · #5 09-15-2010, 11:29 PM

I don't think banjo tuners can take the tension of bass strings. I don't think they can even take the tension of guitar strings.

Thunderscreech · #6 09-19-2010, 07:59 PM

Ahh, so, after taking a healthy dose of reality, I decided that it would be a good idea to fill the holes in the headstock as suggested. It's a good idea that already works, so why reinvent the wheel?

My grandfather will assist me in that. Plus, he's got the workshop for doing things in.

I'll boot up autoCAD and copy the dimensions of the headstock and draw where my new holes will be drilled.