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10 string bass build
- Thread starter Ric5
- Start date
Where did you find those pickup rings for the MM pickup?
I had to 3D print my own. I found some but getting them here to ireland was a fortune. I have ro say the ones i printed came out pretty good, but i have to prime and paint them.
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
they look killer as does the entire bass. I'm amazed at how you did it.
i've got an 8 string flying V that i need to get a nut cut for and i can't even do that!
i assume those pickups mounts are cut from pickguard material and not 3d printed?
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
OK my $99.99 bass arrived today.
It looks pretty good. The neck is really wide.
It came with passive wiring. and 2 soapbar pickups. I will be putting in an Audere 4 band preamp.
Dual trussrods, I will have to fill six holes and drill in 10 new ones.
I have worked out the tuner layout
It looks pretty good. The neck is really wide.
It came with passive wiring. and 2 soapbar pickups. I will be putting in an Audere 4 band preamp.
Dual trussrods, I will have to fill six holes and drill in 10 new ones.
I have worked out the tuner layout
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
one of my bridge options is to cut saddles something like this
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Yes, I think that's the best approach for you. Start with a single saddle for each string pair (fundamental and octave) that is a round cylinder or a square block. Then hand file angles on the saddle to pre-set the difference in compensation between the string pair. The overall compensation can be adjusted (to set the intonation) by moving the saddle, as normal. But the delta between the fundamental and octave compensations is a relatively fixed number. And it's small and predictable.
A technical trick is to string the bass up with some dummy saddles. Little blocks or wedges under each string that you shim to about the right action. Slide them around to find out where all the strings intonate correctly. Take measurements to show you how to file the paired angles on the real saddles.
I just picked up an 8 string bridge (a proper one with individual intonation), so I'll be checking out some of your previous projects for inspiration.
What's the nut width on this project?
What's the nut width on this project?
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
the new 6 to 10 conversion has a nut width of about 2.25" and 2 truss rods. The first 10 string I created the string spacing is a little too close for my taste. Also the first one was 30" and the second one will be 34" scale, that means more overtones on the fat and skinny strings. Also the new one will be active. I have a new neck pickup on the way, 3 bridges, and I have to install a battery box. Also spalted veneer is coming for the headstock.
My 8 string is also 30" scale and I put 8 strings on a neck with a 1 1/2" nut, but that one feels comfortable to play.
Those 10-strings that Keith and I built were 2 1/4" wide at the nut. I think that's a good comfortable width for a 10.
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I agree ... My first one was under 2" and up at the nut there are too many strings and too little space. It is playable but wider would be easier.
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I just took delivery on this bridge here ... it is wide enough and all I need to do to make it a ten string bridge is drill 5 new holes
This bridge will work great for the G strings, but the other 8 strings may not intonate properly
This bridge will work great for the G strings, but the other 8 strings may not intonate properly
You should be able to angle-file the tops of those saddles, like you showed in that picture above.
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I am considering that ... I have 2 more very similar bridges coming and I will pick one of them to modify
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Tony at pickguardian has the 4 string mm pickup ring template now so he can make rings for you based on the template. Now remember there are different sizes for those pickups. The first ones he made for me were too tight to fit the pickups so now he makes the hole size slightly larger.
I ended up 3D printing my own at the public library here using the dimensions from bartolini's website. A friend made the stl file for me.
They came out perfect! Now i have to sand, prime and paint.
