bertbass Posted February 7, 2021 Share Posted February 7, 2021 (edited) I did this as an experiment with a Squire bass. Converted the head to 4 a side. Fitted Schaller bass and guitar machine heads, made a new nut and used a Schaller 8 string bridge. ABM made an 8 string bridge as well. It worked very well and I used it live for a few years however, it didn't have the effect I was hoping for so went back to a normal 4 string. Rotosound sell, or used to, an 8 string set. Edited February 7, 2021 by bertbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 7, 2021 Share Posted February 7, 2021 Most 8-string basses get around the tuning peg problem by using guitar size tuners for the octave strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted February 7, 2021 Share Posted February 7, 2021 I haven't done an 8-string bass conversion (yet), but... Here's a 5-string bass. And a mandotar. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted February 7, 2021 Share Posted February 7, 2021 You've now got me thinking about another barebones bass I've got... I had been looking at making this one brass finish, but I've been dithering about routing it for the Kahler trem; however, I have always fancied an 8-string, so that might be an alternative plan... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted February 7, 2021 Share Posted February 7, 2021 On 25/01/2021 at 10:49, Rich said: Are you confident that the neck will withstand the substantial increase in string pull? I saw a comment on (I think) Farcebook the other day from someone who'd converted their 4 to an 8 and ended up with a neck that Robin Hood could have fired arrows from. Something to look out for. Personally if I was to make an 8 (and I've considered it a few times) I'd consider using a narrow-spaced five string as a basis. OLP 5-string 'Ray perhaps? I am looking at buying a barebones bass which was originally a custom-made 8-string but has been changed back to a 4; I surmise it had the issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Si600 Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 On 25/01/2021 at 11:49, Rich said: Are you confident that the neck will withstand the substantial increase in string pull? I saw a comment on (I think) Farcebook the other day from someone who'd converted their 4 to an 8 and ended up with a neck that Robin Hood could have fired arrows from. Something to look out for. Personally if I was to make an 8 (and I've considered it a few times) I'd consider using a narrow-spaced five string as a basis. OLP 5-string 'Ray perhaps? I'm a bit surprised that He Who Should Not Have The Pìss Ripped Out Of Him On BC hasn't made a 4er out of a 5er for fat fingered bassists yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 1 hour ago, Si600 said: I'm a bit surprised that He Who Should Not Have The Pìss Ripped Out Of Him On BC hasn't made a 4er out of a 5er for fat fingered bassists yet. Oh lawd - now you've said it out loud! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newfoundfreedom Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 3 hours ago, Si600 said: I'm a bit surprised that He Who Should Not Have The Pìss Ripped Out Of Him On BC hasn't made a 4er out of a 5er for fat fingered bassists yet. He has. It's one of the first things I ever saw of his. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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