8 string bass conversion

[RBS_Johnson]

Man, I've been GASing for an eight lately. May have to consider building one soon....

-Jake

 

[Steve Dallman]

I did two 8 string conversions in the early 80's. First was a Fender Musicmaster bass. The neck was set very deep into the body, so I moved it out about an inch. I moved the bridge up an inch toward the neck, and routed the butt end of the body for 4 guitar tuners. I made a new pickguard. The octave strings were anchored through the headstock. I used the stock threaded saddle bridge. I set the saddles averaging the intonation and had no problems.

I used the low 4 strings from a standard guitar set for the octave strings. I used eE, aA, dD, gG.

The second was a Vox Phantom. Again, strings on the headstock, but I replaced the P bass type bridge plate with a "Z" shaped platform, with the bottom of the Z being the size of the P bridge plate, and the top of the Z held the guitar tuners. The Z had a straight upright center.

I used a 9-42 set for the octave strings on both basses. I had no problems from "increased tension." Both basses (one a 30" scale, the Vox 34") needed a slight truss rod adjustment both were stable.

 

[JIO]

I did two 8 string conversions in the early 80's. First was a Fender Musicmaster bass. The neck was set very deep into the body, so I moved it out about an inch. I moved the bridge up an inch toward the neck, and routed the butt end of the body for 4 guitar tuners. I made a new pickguard. The octave strings were anchored through the headstock. I used the stock threaded saddle bridge. I set the saddles averaging the intonation and had no problems.

I used the low 4 strings from a standard guitar set for the octave strings. I used eE, aA, dD, gG.

The second was a Vox Phantom. Again, strings on the headstock, but I replaced the P bass type bridge plate with a "Z" shaped platform, with the bottom of the Z being the size of the P bridge plate, and the top of the Z held the guitar tuners. The Z had a straight upright center.

I used a 9-42 set for the octave strings on both basses. I had no problems from "increased tension." Both basses (one a 30" scale, the Vox 34") needed a slight truss rod adjustment both were stable.

Slightly off topic - but when I saw Vox Phantom (8 string bass) I immediately thought of Pete Cosey's white 12 string Phantom in this awesome Miles Davis concert from '73. Now I want to build an 8 string and tune it in some crazy tuning like PC! And check out Michael Henderson's (at times sounding like through a blown speaker) P-bass tone.

 

[Marc61]

I just contacted Warmoth . Unfortunately they don’t make the 8 string neck anymore. Anyone have any leads? 4 string neck with 1.75” nut?

 

[Beej]

Narrow 5s are often 1.75 or a touch wider.

 

[goodkingzog]

I recently bought an 8-string bridge from Warmoth - they only have them in gold, tho

 

[Dean N]

Don't hold your breath on Warmoth, or anyone, having 8 string bridges. Schaller discontinued production and it's pretty much impossible to find a 8 string bridge any more with individual string intonation adjustment.

 

[Beej]

There are options, but for individual intonation, they are not inexpensive.

Allparts carries ABM in black and chrome:
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Warwick also still sells theirs, but it's a two piece and requires some fancy work to mount.
https://shop.warwick.de/en/parts-fo...ts-2-piece-3d-bridge-tailpiece-8-string-brass

For cheap ones that lack adjustability, you can usually find them on eBay or the like:
8 STRING BASS GUITAR BRIDGE - 8 string CHROME BB208 | eBay

 

[goodkingzog]

Don't hold your breath on Warmoth, or anyone, having 8 string bridges. Schaller discontinued production and it's pretty much impossible to find a 8 string bridge any more with individual string intonation adjustment.

I ordered the bridge at the end of December and it arrived recently, it’s not listed now so maybe I got the last of old stock found. My bad, I assumed they’d still have some...