Happy Jack

Some excellent ideas here, thanks. I've thought quite seriously about the conversion idea, but I suspect there'd be worms everywhere. In particular I'd be worried about the tension on the neck, and about the pickup choice. Trouble is, it wouldn't really be possible to do a cheap "recce". By the time you've sourced & fitted extra tuners, replaced the nut, found a suitable bridge, and anchored the extra strings in the body, there's a pretty substantial investment gone into a mere experiment. On balance, buying a cheap bass that was designed and built as an 8 and then trying to improve it must make more sense.

OK, look what I've found now: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131615738395?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT So yes, that really is all original. And 10.5lbs. Ulp. And it's a lot cheaper than the Japanese one I posted earlier, but will still come up to about £1000 by the time you factor in shipping, duty and VAT. How heavy was that Shine?

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1443616661' post='2876256'] 1. Don't buy anything that doesn't have individual adjustable saddles for each string in the pair. [/quote] Speaking of which, this surely cannot be the bridge as Kramer intended it? Look at the way the upper course strings run ... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Used-Vintage-KRAMER-1980-XL-8-Aluminum-Neck-8-Strings-Bass-from-Japan-/291573896404?hash=item43e32894d4

I'm perfectly relaxed about short-scale (my first basses were vintage Hofners) and I can see how that might work in favour of the high-tuned courses. Kramer & BC Rich appeal, but I'll certainly take a closer look at Ishibashi ..

[quote name='Jecklin' timestamp='1443607855' post='2876107'] I guess I need to see a composer/performer playing their own genre specific material where the ERB instrument no longer matters. [/quote] http://youtu.be/FE9o0kT11Xw

[quote name='Low End Bee' timestamp='1443615313' post='2876225'] Hagstrom? This is a re-issue. Don't know if they're any good. Saw Nick Lowe use one of the originals a couple of times and it sounded great. [/quote] If I might refer you to the OP: [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Tried out one of the current Hagstrom 8-strings yesterday but it was thoroughly [/font][/color][i]meh [/i][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]and really rather badly made too.[/font][/color]

Well it's a bit rich to claim that album for the 80s. In that case, can I have Abbey Road?

[quote name='bobmartin' timestamp='1443611600' post='2876156'] ... and now keep busy on the trombone ... [/quote] Euphemism?

... what should I go after? By 8-string I mean four pairs tuned EADG, not an ironing board. I played a John Diggins monster at the Bassbash, heaviest bass I have [u][i][b]ever [/b][/i][/u]picked up, but it did sound simply immense. Tried out one of the current Hagstrom 8-strings yesterday but it was thoroughly [i]meh [/i]and really rather badly made too. Bumped into Dave Swift and asked his opinion. He really rates the old Ibanez Musician and Ibanez Studio 8-strings but says that they're really heavy. Given the size of the man, if he thinks they're heavy then I stand no chance. What does the Basschat massive recommend?

You need to broaden the range of music you're prepared to play.

Love the toilet flush at 5:10. Also the World's Biggest Scrunchy at the first fret. As to the bass itself, really not my thang but it's clear that he has his head sorted as to what he's doing and why, and that's really all that matters. I have to say that, quite apart from not liking ERBs and such, I really hated the tone of that bass. Nothing to do with it being an ERB or with his playing, just many miles away from what I look for in one of my own basses.

Or maybe a Chesterfield extended-range 6-string sofa with extra buttons.

Outstanding!

It worked better at no.51.

Nine months and counting ... we should run a sweepstake not on the date of this bash but on the date when a date is set. http://youtu.be/LU-cqBzqGHc

[quote name='kodiakblair' timestamp='1443572265' post='2875914'] I'm not suggesting running around with a cement bag to tone up but atrophy is common with unused muscles and might explain the need for lighter and lighter basses with some folk. [/quote] OK, I get it. Back trouble is caused by your bass not being heavy enough.

One of many reasons that I'm glad I didn't grow up in the 80s.

Hofner 500/1 = 5lbs Hofner 500/7 = 5lbs Miller Fretless = 6lbs SGC Nanyo SB320 = 7.2lbs Mike Lull P5 = 7.5lbs Status Streamline 5 = 7.5lbs Fender Precision (1976) = 7.5lbs

Well that's a very crude way of putting it but ... erm ... yes.

Point it at them, then!

[quote name='gafbass02' timestamp='1443518298' post='2875374'] Is there a simple solution (no hooking up laptops etc) [/quote] [quote name='ambient' timestamp='1443521630' post='2875426'] An M-Audio Oxygen 25 can be bought for about £50 off eBay. They're nice and will work with a laptop running whatever software you prefer, Logic Pro, ableton etc. [/quote] Communication fail.

Yup, that's how the really big superstars operate. Don't talk to other musicians or describe what you want from sidemen, don't bother with rehearsals, just turn up and play - it'll be alright on the night.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nady-SGM12-Shotgun-Condenser-Microphone-Shotgun-Mic-New-/361392575625?hash=item5424ad1489 Attach it to an existing pole (lighting, banner, whatever) pointing at the back of the room.

eBay "Roland Keyboard" Used UK only < £100 Ignoring unfinished auctions (where the price may well end over £100) I get three immediate solutions to your problem. None of them will ever feature in a Rick Wakeman live show, but they'll all do pretty much what you've described.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1443512867' post='2875310'] Paul McCartney should really stop spreading nonsensical Beatles myths :-) [/quote] [size=4][color=#252525][font=sans-serif]"I think George thought my bass-playing was a little bit busy."[/font][/color][/size] [size=4]I suspect that's the quote you have in mind, neh? It's from an interview he gave in 2000, 30 years after the song was recorded, 20 years after it had become a commonplace for people (especially critics) to claim that Harrison thought the line too busy.[/size] Macca never said anything like this during the 70s, neither did Harrison. You might want to check out "I [color=#ff0000][i][b]think [/b][/i][/color]George [color=#ff0000][i][b]thought [/b][/i][/color]..." as a piece of logical positivism. Paul has always been the custodian of his own and the Beatles' legends. When the legend becomes the truth, print the legend.