Wolverinebass Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Finally indulged myself and got an 8 string bass. Mostly parts from Warmoth as well as Status pickups and an EMG circuit. Sounds evil. Truthfully, the photo doesn't do it justice. But see what you all think. Cheers Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardHimself Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Sounds evil, is that a good thing or a bad thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolverinebass Posted August 21, 2009 Author Share Posted August 21, 2009 Most definitely a good thing. Not evil in general, just the comment in relation to my new bass. It's really a huge sound and rather chime like. Surprisingly being that it's an explorer, it actually balances really well as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
v8bass Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Luvverly bass ! Bi Amp it and send the higher frequencies though a valve guitar head with a soupcon of gain . Hey presto ! even more evil !! Gary v8bass and part time 12 stringer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolverinebass Posted August 21, 2009 Author Share Posted August 21, 2009 Sounds like an invitation to buy yet more stuff!! Quality!! Have thought about doing that, but it's early days yet. Bought it as a "present to myself" for my 30th next week. Am well chuffed as it's a really good bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Heeley Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Me like. Me want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 (edited) Definitely one of the better looking 8 strings Soundclips soon? When I get away from here, I'll have to upload pic of mine,and eventually do a soundclip or something Mine sounds cross between greek wedding music and Motorhead. Not sure how long 8 strings stay in tune tho' Edited August 21, 2009 by RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 That's really nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnasher1993 Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 What bridge is that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Looks like a Schaller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPJ Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 I'm liking the look of this a lot. Very Entwhistle dont you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolverinebass Posted August 21, 2009 Author Share Posted August 21, 2009 Bridge is a Schaller 471. You can get it from Warmoth. I think it might be discontinued though. Will try to upload some soundclips over the weekend so you can all have a listen. Yeah, Entwistle used to use Alembic Explorers in the late 70's until the mid 80's. As I've already indulged my Entwistle fixation before by getting a Status Buzzard, I figured that the only thing I was lacking in terms of radically different sounds was an 8 string. After trying a few (most were rubbish or just didn't stay in tune - which one might argue is the same thing) I decided to just go for it and get an 8 string Explorer. As for tuning, it seems to hold up really well. Thankfully the bridge has individual saddles otherwise I'd be pulling my hair out. I played it for about 3 hours last night at rehearsal and it was still in tune at the end. Hopefully that won't change when the wood all settles out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 [quote name='Wolverinebass' post='577227' date='Aug 21 2009, 11:57 PM']Bridge is a Schaller 471. You can get it from Warmoth. I think it might be discontinued though. Will try to upload some soundclips over the weekend so you can all have a listen. Yeah, Entwistle used to use Alembic Explorers in the late 70's until the mid 80's. As I've already indulged my Entwistle fixation before by getting a Status Buzzard, I figured that the only thing I was lacking in terms of radically different sounds was an 8 string. After trying a few (most were rubbish or just didn't stay in tune - which one might argue is the same thing) I decided to just go for it and get an 8 string Explorer. As for tuning, it seems to hold up really well. Thankfully the bridge has individual saddles otherwise I'd be pulling my hair out. I played it for about 3 hours last night at rehearsal and it was still in tune at the end. Hopefully that won't change when the wood all settles out.[/quote] What did the rest of the band think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarnacleBob Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 That is ACAF! Do you finger it or use a plectrum? I assume u plec it cos the lighter string is on top, so to speak? have u tried it strung the other way? BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolverinebass Posted August 21, 2009 Author Share Posted August 21, 2009 The rest of the band were somewhat surpised as I hadn't mentioned what I was getting. My guitarist thought it sounded huge and with a bit of chorus thought it sounded like Cheap Trick. I've never really been one for using a pick. I did try it with the 8 string, but whilst it sounded good, I think I'll stick with the fingers and stock up on surgical spirit. As it's set with the drone strings above, I can't string it the other way due to the nut. I didn't fancy it the other way round (which I think is the way Rickenbacker 8's are strung) so I went that way knowing I'd have to get the nut replaced were I to ever change my mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 [quote name='BarnacleBob' post='577249' date='Aug 22 2009, 12:23 AM']That is ACAF! Do you finger it or use a plectrum? I assume u plec it cos the lighter string is on top, so to speak? have u tried it strung the other way? BB[/quote] What is ACAF ? Do you mean as opposed to EADG? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacDaddy Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 reminds me of the kind of thing Hamer used to do. Are you coming to the SE Bash, would love a play?! BTW what case have you got for it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarnacleBob Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 [quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' post='577795' date='Aug 22 2009, 07:26 PM']What is ACAF ? Do you mean as opposed to EADG?[/quote] The way i play my basses they would as well be tuned that way. BB ps in case u really dont know it is an acronym for the fact i find the bass in quesion a delightful piece of craftsmanship and an exremely desirous commodity which would give any owner an increase in their credibility, independant of their actual talent, and possibly even make them more attractive to members of the opposite sex should such an effect be desired by the player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 [quote name='BarnacleBob' post='577856' date='Aug 22 2009, 09:06 PM']The way i play my basses they would as well be tuned that way. BB ps in case u really dont know it is an acronym for the fact i find the bass in quesion a delightful piece of craftsmanship and an exremely desirous commodity which would give any owner an increase in their credibility, independant of their actual talent, and possibly even make them more attractive to members of the opposite sex should such an effect be desired by the player.[/quote] Aaaah! Got it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorne Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Looks great,it's strung the same way as the BC Rich 8 stringers are as well,I hate the sound myself,so I've removed the drone strings off both of my B.C.Rich Biches I too would be interested in what case you got for it,as I'm sure it would be the right length for my Ironbird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolverinebass Posted August 24, 2009 Author Share Posted August 24, 2009 At the moment, I'm looking for a case/bag and don't have one. When I picked it up I used the gig bag from my status buzzard. It was the only thing I could think of that it might fit in. Obviously this is far from ideal and if anyone's got any suggestions as to a case or a bag then that'd be greatly appreciated. As for the SE bass day, I may very well pop along and if anyone fancied a shot of a bass that'd be fine. As to what instrument I take along to the thing out of the 8 string Explorer, the Buzzard or the Alembic it's a difficult choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorne Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Could you (GENTLY) lie the explorer on top of the Buzzard and see if they're roughly the same size? I think Warwick make a Flightcase for their Buzzard I would love to know the length of your Buzzard too,does it have a Beaked and rake-backed headstock? It might help me in a search for an affordable case for my Ironbird Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 The larger Hiscox bass case might fit. Have a look at the measurements at the bottom of [url="http://www.hiscoxcases.com/standardguitar_hiscox.htm"]this page[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolverinebass Posted August 25, 2009 Author Share Posted August 25, 2009 The buzzard and explorer are roughly the same size (the 8 string has a shorter neck), so the warwick case might fit. Will have to measure the 8 string to see what the dimensions are. If you want some info on the buzzard try www.buzzardbass.com which is quite good. The Status version is the one on the homepage. I think Warwick did 2 versions. One with the beak headstock (which is smaller than the status version) and the usual warwick type peghead. Also, if I remember right, the warwick version doesn't have a tilted back headstock. I must confess that in comparison of the 2 instruments, the warwick version was inferior in every way. Just my opinion though and I'm sure others would disagree. Not that it's not a good bass, but the status version is even better. This is the gigbag I use for the buzzard. Just for info. It's not that cheap. [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/rockbag_rb20603b_plus_thunderbird_bassgigbag.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/rockbag_rb20603b_..._bassgigbag.htm[/url] Will have to measure up the explorer to see if it'll fit the hiscox case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorne Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 Thanks for the link,it would seem the Buzzard is just slightly longer than the Ironbird,so finding a Buzzard flight case might work,although,that might be just as hard as finding an Ironbird case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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