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What 8 string bass should I go for?

S

SubsoilWater

Mar 8, 2010
5
1
Norway
#1
I want an 8 string bass, and the ones available to me is the Hagström HB-8, The Dean Edge and maybe the ESP ltd (not in stock atm).

I'm looking for the best instrument here in regards of playability, sound and build quality. I think they all look ok, but I am a bit concerned about intonation seing as the bridge on each instrument dont allow for individual adjustment between the double strings.
Anyone with first hand experience with one or several of these basses?
 
#2
First hand experience for both the Dean Edge and Esp/Ltd 208 (reversely) but I unfortunately couldn't afford the hagstrom back in those days... infact the hagstrom shows better sound and quality, while former two I mentioned were IMHO a bit more "tentative" in both sound and overall quality, while bein' conversely better in playability, if you wish to approach an 8 string bass for the very first time.

Cheers,
Wallace
 
#3
Wallace320 said:
First hand experience for both the Dean Edge and Esp/Ltd 208 (reversely) but I unfortunately couldn't afford the hagstrom back in those days... infact the hagstrom shows better sound and quality, while former two I mentioned were IMHO a bit more "tentative" in both sound and overall quality, while bein' conversely better in playability, if you wish to approach an 8 string bass for the very first time.

Cheers,
Wallace
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback! I did try out the HB-8 for like 5 minutes in a shop several years ago - and I cant say that I found it difficult to play, fortunately :)
I do like the Hagström design a lot, so from your experience this seems like a solid bet to go for. Perhaps my only remaining issue is what colour to go for. I'm not too keen on the red, but both the creamy white and the black looks killer!
 
#4
You know there are a bunch more doubled 8's out there. With looking at the Hagstrom, your budget must be pretty up there. Are you only seeking new? Brice had a 8 string that was really pretty good. So did Carlo Robelli (I think they were sold at Sam Ash or something like that), Ritter makes them (About $8,000) and on and on. There is a Chinese semi hollow 8 string on the bay. I have the 10 string version. Great tone and feel, cool vibe as well, but heavy!! My 10 string comes in a 12 pounds and it's a semi hollow!!
 
#5
I have owned the ESP 208, schecter stiletto8, and a spector legend 8. tone and playability wise the spector is on top followed by the schecter and then the esp, at first look they all have the same bridge design but the spector and schecter bolth have separate saddles that are adjustable for intonation but the real problem is these bridges do not have separate height adjustment for the strings so it all comes down to how good of a job they did when they cut the saddles because that's what your stuck with and for me the best results have been with the spector.
I am also in the process of building a custom warmoth 8 string that will have a much better designed schaler 8 string bridge but I will be selling that one since im realy liking the spector since im not really into the jazz style body, you can pm me if your interested in the details..
006.JPG
 
#6
Not too many choices here in Norway. Some sellers ship in this direction, but the cost of both shipping and 25% Norwegian VAT on top makes even cheapo instruments expensive. I just got told that if I wanted the ESP/LTD bass I would have to pay it today, and I haven't made ut my mind yet. But I'm leaning towards the Hagström over the Dean Edge....I think.
 
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#7
I have one of the Dean Rhapsody 8s, not bad, but the bridge isn't set far enough down into the body to get decent string height. Need to route it out a bit.
 
#8
I scored this Rickenbacker 4003s/8 for $600 locally - bascially because the store owner got sick of punk kids abusing it by trying to slap on it. I don't expect anyone else to get so lucky on one of these ever again. ;)

Ric1.JPG


Edit: I don't name most of my basses, but this one, I decided, has a name, it's "Lowjangles". ;)
 
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#10
HaphAsSard said:
You sunuvabb...*
:(
*(Not meant to be taken literally: just a figure of spitch.)
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The downside is that it suffers from the "lifting black bridge" problem, and really needs a complete bridge overhaul - trying to figure out how to get a proper 8 string bridge (with independent intonation for the octaves) jammed into a Ric bridge frame. It's kind of playable as is, but only enough to let you know how great it would play and sound fixed up. :( Still, I'm not complaining! ;)
 
#15
Yeah, I do like the Waterstone basses, and also the Musicvox. But they are too expensive for me seing as I want to try out 8 strings and don't know if I like it or not.
I just read another post stating that the Hagstrom is out of tune reaching the 12th fret on every stringline...
I've seen some Schecter Stilettos on ebay going for around 600, could be that is the best option to go for.
I thought I had it narrowed down to two options but alas..
 
#16
bholder said:
I scored this Rickenbacker 4003s/8 for $600 locally - bascially because the store owner got sick of punk kids abusing it by trying to slap on it. I don't expect anyone else to get so lucky on one of these ever again. ;)

View attachment 721744
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BigBobbyBass said:
Waterstoneguitars.com
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Sure, but they do tend to be very heavy - at least the few I've tried. I have a big semi-hollow Waterstone 4 that may well be the heaviest electric bass I own. Get a good strap! :D
 

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