James Nada

[quote name='ForbiddenWytch' timestamp='1505046703' post='3369078'] The only thing I'm really not sure on is the top nut. I'd like to know peoples (and your) ways and measurements on the spacing on the top nut. How far between the strings in each pairing then how far between each set of strings over the 43mm nut. [/quote] Like the rest of my conversion, I've just bodged the existing nut with a view to getting and cutting a proper one when I've experimented with it. I have a 42mm nut and figured that I would leave the bass strings in their exiting positions but move the whole nut down about 2mm (yep, it sticks out a bit) so the G was as "south" as it could go and still be playable on the fret board. This gave me room to cut slots above for the octaves, and crucially, meant there was space for the high E at the "north" side of the fretboard. I cut the all slots with slightly different gaps between pairs and the most comfortable is 0.070" (1.78mm). I measured that with feeler gauge between the strings at a position closest to the nut. I hope this helps.

I'm currently working on a prototype 8-string conversion on an old short scale Encore P bass. This may or may not help but here's a few general things about my conversion. I used banjo tuners as the "extra" tuners, becuse they stick out of the back they take less space. I actually just put four in a line on the bottom half of the headstock and used two of them for bass strings (the tension on the bass D and G is about on the limit of the pegs, they're fine on the octave strings though). As mine's short scale I was able to use guitar strings for the octave pairs, though to reduce tension and compensate for a standard guitar scale of c26" I used an A string for the E position, D for the A position etc. I put the bass and octave strings through the same hole on the bridge, let the bass string sit in the usual saddle groove, and let the octave string sit on the saddle seperated from the bass string with a wooden kebab stick!! Like I said - it's a prototype! Intonation on the pairs is surprisingly good. I have ordered some knurled bridges in order to do this a better but I think a proper 8 string bridge is needed to get perfect intonation. I haven't given the electronics much thought do I'll be interested in what you do. The Encores P-Bass pickups seem to do a reasonable job across all strings without worrying about the pole positions. If anything here is of any use to you please feel free to PM me for pictures or anything else. My prototype conversion isn't at all pretty, but more of problem solving exercise.

Ha ha, I love that guy. "Big bass, great for hiding tit sweat"! Nice axe too.

Apologies if simmilar has been posted before... My knowledge of matching cabs to amps is thus- Valve amps must always be matched to a cab with an impedance equal to or lower than the amps stated impedance. Class A and B solid State amps must always be matched to a cab with an impedance equal to or higher than the amps stated impedance. What about Class D amps? It seems logical to me that they would follow the same "rules" as the above mentioned class A and B solid state amps. Is this correct?

Amazing! Very cool.

I never understood why Fender would think the Thunderbird infringed on their designs.

[quote name='henry norton' timestamp='1498502515' post='3325083'] ...you could modify a bog standard BBOT (Bent Bit Of Tin Fender bridge) to accommodate 8 strings. All you need is a drill and a file [/quote] Apologies for the hijack. I've though of doing this myself but couldn't quite figure out the best way to do it. Do you have any pics or a link of a modified one? Cheers

I'm thinking of trying fretless (again) and I'm looking for opinion/debate about playing fretless on a short scale bass. I usually play long scale (P-Bass) but I also occasionally play a Hofner hollow-body short scale. The kind of fretless sound I'm thinking I want is more double bass than 'Jaco', which fits far with the Hofner thump (I think). I imagine intonation is more challenging on a short scale. So, pros, cons and opinions on short scale fretless...

Is it just me that thinks the Foo Fighters' "spontaneity" is well practiced? There's something obviously disingenuous about Dave Grohl's laconic charsima. That said, it's showbusiness, I don't have a problem it.

I love Dennis - my favourite bassist. Also a huge contributor to the original AC visuals, concept, presentation. All clues suggest the original band will be playing for just part of the set. I'm definitely going to try to get to the Manchester show.

Hi Can anyone advise where I can get some grooved Fender style saddles. Ideally cheap and cheerful [URL=http://s712.photobucket.com/user/badgerpigdog/media/IMG_8610.jpg.html][IMG]http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/ww127/badgerpigdog/IMG_8610.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Cheers

Don't do it. You'll have a 2.7 ohm load. I'm assuming the PF500 has a minimum load of 4 ohms. If so, 2.7 ohms could damage the amp.

No idea, but I quite like the pickguard shape. Have you tried taking the neck off and looking for any identifying marks?

Some readers may be disappointed to find that the Macca interview is over twenty years old.

[quote name='ikay' timestamp='1495526347' post='3304384'] This pic of your bass from the JHS/Vintage website may be a useful reference (bridge looks to be about 1cm from the end of the pickguard) [URL=http://s1090.photobucket.com/user/iankay/media/Stuff/Violin%20bass.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i370/iankay/Stuff/Violin%20bass.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [/quote] That's a good starting point for roughing out the intonation too. However, on my Club bass I have all the bridge "fret wires" in a straight line (relative to the piece of wood they sit in) but have the bridge itself angled to give the best intonation.

For what it's worth, AC/DC themselves changed to Eb tuning for the last Brian tour. I doubt most of the millions of punters noticed. I doubt any punters would notice D tuning either. And in my opinion you can't play AC/DC with different chord positions, the way Malcolm Young used the bottom string for certain inversions is far more crucuial to the AC/DC sound than it being a semi-tone or tone lower.

I have a 91 MIM Precision (one of the first Mex's) that I bought in 1993 and have used it for every gig since (with one exception). I occasionally use a back up bass for some songs just for the hell of it, I've had lots of different back ups. Admittedly, I don't gig loads, but 24 years for my main bass.

[quote name='markdavid' timestamp='1494262505' post='3294493'] Thanks for the input is so hard to choose, on the one hand I would like a bass that I can still get a bit of growl from, on the other hand something hollow or semi hollow would be cool to get that kind of plummy McCartney kind of tone and it would be cool to have something very different from my other basses. Have wanted a Hofner for ages but kind of concerned as they have a reputation for being a bit fragile and cheap feeling, could pick up a used Hofner CT bass which is supposed to be a step up from the Ignition but I wonder how close it comes to the proper hollow body tone being a bass with a centre block? The Epiphone Allen Woody looks cool but my concern with that is the crappy Epiphone 3 point bridge (they have a tendency to pull away from the body), I think maybe I need to spend an afternoon in Denmark street and just play a shed load of basses [/quote] I had the same thought regarding the Hofner CT and the centre block. I opted for the cheaper Ignition, which doesn't have the centre block. I haven't regretted the decision.

The mock-up looks great. I look forward to seeing this progress.

*Update - Item Collected* I have every issue of Bass Guitar Magazine from issues 102 (March 14) to 141 (March 17). Does anyone want them? Collection from the backwater that is Ulverston, Cumbria or Grizebeck, Cumbria. Please PM me. Ta [URL=http://s712.photobucket.com/user/badgerpigdog/media/IMG_20170327_191814421.jpg.html][IMG]http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/ww127/badgerpigdog/IMG_20170327_191814421.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[quote name='uk_lefty' timestamp='1489131774' post='3254526'] They do occasionally turn up on gumtree. I keep toying with buying one to play upside down and have seen a few come up, the tb with the single humbucker has always appealed to me. [/quote] Funnily enough, when I used the neck off my VM PB TB for a project (as mentioned above), it was for a upside down body. [URL=http://s712.photobucket.com/user/badgerpigdog/media/IMG_20170302_201342959.jpg.html][IMG]http://i712.photobucket.com/albums/ww127/badgerpigdog/IMG_20170302_201342959.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[quote name='philw' timestamp='1489077439' post='3254230'] I had one for a while - they're really nice. And in fact I still have a neck from one - on the Surf Jag: [/quote] I've also used the neck on mine for a project bass. Great neck. I still have the body wrapped up and stored safely.

How about thinking of your bass as a four string (tuned EADG) with an extra high C string, rather than the thickest string being the extra one? That would work for me.