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12 (Twelve) String Thunderbird

#21
I would definitely recommend looking into the kind of Steinberger tuners Gibson used on the 7 string V. Since you tune them from behind the headstock, they don't have to be close to the edge. You can cram a bunch more of them in there that way.

DSV7EBGH1-Headstock1.jpg
 
#22
Neck dive doesn't seem to be an issue on this particular epiphone. The original owner did move the strap buttons and I think this helped. I typically use a wide leather strap and that seems to help matters as well. I'm not concerned about it, i'll find a way around it if it is an issue. The multiple posts about the headstock not having enough real estate to accommodate 12 tuners are all simply wrong. It's a rather huge headstock and 12 tuners will fit rather comfortably up there, you'll see. And lastly it's a rather wide neck. MUCH wider than a standard thunderbird. Plenty wide enough to accommodate 4 fundamental strings and two octaves paired next to them... Lastly, the poster that said there is no bridge on the market that will intonate properly is also wrong. The only true unknown that could derail this whole project is the neck strength, as I allude to in the original post. I'm fully aware that there are risks involved in this experiment people.. That's what makes this worth doing and exciting. This will be the 3rd octave bass I have converted. The first two turned out very well and are fantastic instruments - and look really killer to boot... Stay tuned.
 
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#23
Savage_Dreams said:
this was my immediate thought too! you will not enjoy playing a 12 on this kind of bass. as someone who has played a number of 12's, i wouldnt think of picking up a 12 with that body style even if it was a production line model.
Click to expand...

Right. Noobs have an amazing talent for picking exactly the wrong thing. I want to build a 12 string bass with a headstock covered in tuners. What shall I use? Oh I got it! How about a T-bird that with ordinary tuners has the most massive neck dive on the planet? What could possibly go wrong with adding 8 more tuners?

OK. I'll quit being a Negative Nancy. How COULD you make it work?

Well, it's really not too bad. First you'd have to fit all the tuners. So that means ripping the current one's off and plugging all the holes. Starting with a blank T-bird head stock wouldn't be too bad, actually. If you look at it it seems like two bass tuners on each side with two guitar tuners in between each one would fit pretty decently. Add a nice 12 string bridge down at the other end and you are good to go.

And yes that WOULD be a totally cool LOOKING 12 string! But then a T-bird is all about looks. That is what causes the huge neck dive. The thing is a Fender bass turned upside down. Cool! But the problem is that there is a REASON the upper horn extends to about the 12th fret. And that is to make the strap support out where the body balances the weight of the neck.

So if I were doing this 12 string project my solution would be get a piece of heavy aluminum flat stock and bend and maybe weld up a bracket that bolts on to the bass neck joint then comes up and sticks out to the 12th fret with a strap button on the end. I'd have the whole thing anodized and dyed black for unobtrusive looks and wear resistance. And then this WOULD be the coolest 12 string EVER!

So Good luck! I've got an 8 string and have been looking for a 10 string (5 string bass doubled) and have played and considered buying a 12 string or two. They are rather specialized in sound, but that said the octave course really make it something special for when you want what it does.

Hmmm. I wonder what it would take to build a 10 string T-bird....:)

Edit: Remember no picture no 12 string T bird! We want to see this.
 
#25
I'd pick a different bass to do it on if it were me attempting this, but that's because I don't think Epiphone still makes a five string T-Bird. None listed on the Epi website anyway.

Since that is the bass you want to use, I'd consider taking the BC Rich Bich 10 string design into consideration and put a few tuners at the body end.

GL
 
#26
larryelwood said:
Neck dive doesn't seem to be an issue on this particular epiphone. The original owner did move the strap buttons and I think this helped. I typically use a wide leather strap and that seems to help matters as well.
Click to expand...

No, neck dive is an issue. It's that you and the previous owner have done things to counteract the problem. Just wait until you throw 8 more tuners on that headstock. (not that you're going to be able to do that)
 
#28
This thread is funny; seems like there's two camps (besides the OP)

1) Folks that are paying attention and have a clue - They're saying it won't work, there's not room on the headstock, neck wont be able to deal with the tension of 8 extra strings and the neck dive will be terrible

2) Folks that aren't really paying attention, don't have a clue, or a just being generally encouraging - They're saying "Good luck buddy"

Personally I knew from the age of about 10 that if folks were reacting this way, my plans were probably not going to work.

Guess we'll see.
 
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#33
tbz said:
This thread is funny; seems like there's two camps (besides the OP)

1) Folks that are paying attention and have a clue - They're saying it won't work, there's not room on the headstock, neck wont be able to deal with the tension of 8 extra strings and the neck dive will be terrible

2) Folks that aren't really paying attention, don't have a clue, or a just being generally encouraging - They're saying "Good luck buddy"

Personally I knew from the age of about 10 that if folks were reacting this way, my plans were probably not going to work.

Guess we'll see.
Click to expand...

So,
The people that say the neck is to weak but do not know that the Epi's use a skarf joint are the ones that have a clue????
 
#39
hdracer said:
So,
The people that say the neck is to weak but do not know that the Epi's use a skarf joint are the ones that have a clue????
Click to expand...

No, you are definitely correct in pointing that out. Sorry to lump you into my generalization there hd, your comment was helpful and informed.

That being said, do you honestly believe the neck on this thing is going to be happy with the additional tension from those 8 guitar strings?

I just can't see that happening, but I've been wrong before.
 
#40
I must say, I'm pretty shocked at the amount of attitude and borderline badgering this post has spurred. I mean, I'm just a fellow bassist/tinkerer sharing a "wouldn't it be cool if..." experiment on a super cheap guitar with you all. Nothing to get too up in arms about!

..Oh.. and I also wanted to let you know that i'm waiting on some parts, so it may be a little while 'til I have an update...I appreciate all of the posts.. even the nay sayers..You might be right! I'm willing to take a couple tiny risks with my time and a little resource 'cause I just love doing this kind of stuff.. and it usually works out pretty well... back at you soon:)
 
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