Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
- Status
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
I think I start to become jealous ...
You shouldn't need to be... That 8 string of yours is quite amazing as well.
Yours look like a Hamer - is that right?
What kind of bridge do you have on yours - Do the octave strings share intonation screws, or are they independently adjustable?
Also does it have a single or double truss rod system?
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,007
- 1
- 31,705
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
My two pence:
- I have always wondered how octave courses would sound through a mudbucker. I have a feeling it would sound massive! I may actually try it on mine; haven't decided yet. Real EB3s, from what I've read, suffer because of the impedance mismatch between the two pickups - the mudbucker completely overpowers the bridge pickup when both are on. This can be solved a number of ways, one of which would be to use a DiMarzio Model One instead of a true 30kohm mudbucker.
- My first eight-string is a 32" scale. I'm not a big guy, and I find the smaller scale a good compromise between the "stretch" of 34" and the "thud" of 30". But I do have to run heavier gauge strings as a result, lest the pairs crash into each other. It really all boils down to what you like, in terms of feel. The generalization is that shorter scales sacrifice clarity and upper frequency presence; for a double-course instrument, this isn't even remotely a problem!
- Lightweight tuners are a must, especially with the Thunderbird's ergonomics.
I hope to have mine finished within the next three to four months. Keep us posted on yours!
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,898
- 142,238
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
Does an 8-string need to have two truss rods, or can it be done with a single truss rod?
I've got this Epiphone T-bird Limited Edition in metallic red, that I bought as a back-up, but never gets played at all - And I was wondering if it could be modded as an 8 string, and what kind of bridge/tuners would be a good choice for this?
I've got this Epiphone T-bird Limited Edition in metallic red, that I bought as a back-up, but never gets played at all - And I was wondering if it could be modded as an 8 string, and what kind of bridge/tuners would be a good choice for this?
Well Nikki's new 'bird' is definately a Schecter.
It's called the "Schecter Sixx".
Sooooo pleased it wasn't based on the Schecter Ultra bass.
I'd be interested to see some better pics on this.
Damn!! I knew it...
I think I'll pass on that one.
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,007
- 1
- 31,705
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
Single truss is fine. The truss rod is not intended to add strength; the truss rod is intended to provide adjustability. So if it's a super-thin neck, then it might not be a good candidate for an eight, but it's not due to the truss rod. Any "normal" four-string neck will probably take eight strings just fine, especially if you opt for the lighter gauges.
Tuners - whatever you like. Most use guitar tuners for the octave strings, but that's not mandatory. Just whatever fits on your headstock.
Bridges - few choices. The Schaller is a good aftermarket bridge, or you might be able to pick up an OEM bridge secondhand. Best to have individual adjustments for all eight strings, but you can opt to sacrifice that as well, as long as you know what the trade-off is. I actually fabricated "pre-compensated" saddles for an aftermarket three-point four-string bridge for my first eight-string build. It was a pain, but it works.
- Jul 1, 2005
- 4,291
- 21,932
- 79
- Disclosures
- CataldoBasses: Designer/Builder ThunderBuckerPickups:Consultant
I'd say 'NO' on using the Epi neck, it's doing all it can to hold straight with 4 strings. My Robelli 8er has a single trussrod and one piece neck, it will only take light strings. My Dean 8er has two rods and a 3 piece neck, it will take a heavy set of strings.
This one has a Warmoth one piece neck and one trussrod but it's very beefy, it will take any strings I want. As for bridges, I like the Schaller 471.
My current 8 string build is here:
http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=7361.0
hillerup
There are basses, and there are Thunderbirds!
Yeah, I actually just read your build thread about your wine red 8 string - Pretty amazing read!
I was surprised seeing you using the modified three point bridge, which is similar to the one on my T-Bird - So basically it is possible to use this bridge...
Did you end up trying the RotoSound strings on your bass, and if so - Do you like them?
I used to have those on my Ibanez Musician 8 string many years ago, and the sound was massive - Definitely no need for a chorus pedal on that bass
It's called the "Schecter Sixx".
It looks okay. I'd be interested in playing one. But i think it's a bit much and too small. but hey, it could be the picture too. Too bad it's not a spector, that would've been better.
Well Nikki's new 'bird' is definately a Schecter.
It's called the "Schecter Sixx".
Sooooo pleased it wasn't based on the Schecter Ultra bass.
I'd be interested to see some better pics on this.
As a Blackbird owner, I'm glad it's not just a Gibson with a different company's headstock. It sports different pups, different body, different headstock, and I'm sure- a different sound. I don't think the overall design is any worse than an NR bird; but I won't be saving up for a "Schecter Sixx".
godofthunder59
Life is short, buy the bass.
- Feb 19, 2006
- 9,058
- 38,412
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Cataldo Basses, Whirlwind products, Thunderbucker pickups
JOHNNY SMOKE was in the studio over the weekend, I had to redo my bass track because our drummer redid his tracks a few weeks ago. I used my Cataldo NR Thunderbird with a Thunderbucker Max through my Orange Terror Bass paired with a 115 cab. As you can see in the picture I had my choice of the Cataldo and one of my '60s NRs. I went with the Cataldo and man did it deliver in spades, can't say enough good things about this bass! This is a rough mix nowhere near done.[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
That's a gorgeous looking 8 string!
Would you care to elaborate a little more about it?
Is it a custom made 8-string, or is it a modified Epi/Gibby? Also is it bolt-on or neck-through?
More pictures would be really nice...
Thanks! Glad you guys like it! And as much as I love my 8er, that NR will always take the cake.
The body I actually got unfinished over eBay from a guy making them himself, routing for a fender neck. I picked it up as a body replacement for my Galveston 12, but the geometry just didn't work. My local guitar builder figured itd be best if I had a new neck made for the body and I didn't have an 8er so I commissioned him to build the neck, get it painted and assembled. Specs are as follows:
Body: Alder
Neck: 7ply maple sandwich (that sounds delicious)
FB: black stained rosewood
Scale length: 30"
Bridge: schaller
pickup: Emg 35hz
Controls: V-T
Finish: Glow-in-the-dark neon pink zomg!
It only uses a single truss rod because my builder wasn't confident we could make it happen, but if the 7 layer maple isn't sturdy enough, the short scale should be enough to keep the neck in check.
The headstock was based on the epiphone style, but I drew it up in CAD and adjusted the angles to make sure the strings all aligned nicely. then I did the same for the TRC.
By a weird coincidence I have just ordered a model one humbucker! I have a spare Sky designed by Kent Armstrong music man style humbucker which I'm thinking of using in the bridge position. It is either that or a pecision type pickup combined with the model one.
I'm going to draw up a full plan sketch and run it past KGB music my local guitar maker. My Ibanez destroyer II (from 1981) is 32 inch scale and I quite like the feel of it. This build may take some time. For ease of build I will probably go with a bolt on neck.
I will keep you posted. Thank you for your help.
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,007
- 1
- 31,705
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
Yeah, I actually just read your build thread about your wine red 8 string - Pretty amazing read!
Thanks, bro! Learning to build has been a lot of fun. It's a very rewarding hobby. Playing your own homebuilt instrument is a kick!
Not yet. I decided I wanted heavier gauges, so I ordered a set of D'Addario mediums (50-70-85-105) combined with a set of their Piccolo strings (20-32-42-52). But I haven't had a chance to install them yet...
I used to have those on my Ibanez Musician 8 string many years ago, and the sound was massive - Definitely no need for a chorus pedal on that bass
@ godofthunder59. Nice work man, glad your enjoying the bass. Always nice to hear some good old down home rock n' roll.
THE SCHECTER SIXX: NIKKI SIXX SIGNATURE BASS
Construction: Neck-Thru with Ultra Access
Body: Mahogany
Neck: 5-ply Maple/Walnut
Scale: 34"
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Nut: Graph Tech Black TUSQ XL 42mm
Frets: 24 X-Jumbo
Inlays: Dots
Pickups: EMG P/J
Electronics: Vol/Vol/Tone/"Kill" Switch
Bridge: Schecter Custom String Thru Body (or Top-Load)
Tuners: Grover
Hardware: Black Chrome
Colors: Satin Black (SBK) or Vintage Sunburst (VSB)
Left-Hand Availability: Satin Black (SBK)
Case: SGR-21-NS
Lefty Case: See Website www.schecterguitars.com
Construction: Neck-Thru with Ultra Access
Body: Mahogany
Neck: 5-ply Maple/Walnut
Scale: 34"
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Nut: Graph Tech Black TUSQ XL 42mm
Frets: 24 X-Jumbo
Inlays: Dots
Pickups: EMG P/J
Electronics: Vol/Vol/Tone/"Kill" Switch
Bridge: Schecter Custom String Thru Body (or Top-Load)
Tuners: Grover
Hardware: Black Chrome
Colors: Satin Black (SBK) or Vintage Sunburst (VSB)
Left-Hand Availability: Satin Black (SBK)
Case: SGR-21-NS
Lefty Case: See Website www.schecterguitars.com
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,898
- 142,238
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
- Status
