ForbiddenWytch

Sorry to resurrect a dead thread but I just found this linked through google and have a question. I want to do this mod to a bass but I want to have the woofer pick up on a volume then I have a P/J set on a 3 way toggle going to another volume pot. Should I wire the 2 volume pots up like you do on a Jazz Bass then run it to a tone pot, Or in this case, a pre amp then the output jack? I'm guessing if it's yes, I'd go woofer volume, P/J volume then tone/pre amp. All the pick ups are passive but thinking that it needs to be woofer before the P/J volume so it doesn't cut the tone from the P/J pick ups. Thanks!

Hi James, you seem to have covered most my points really and seem to be doing the same basic thing that I'm going to do. I've messed about with the neck a lot to see if it's going to hold tension and it's pretty stiff neck, doesn't seem to have any give on it which is always encouraging. I'm going to probably end up using 100 gauge for the bass strings and 40 gauge for the octave. Hopefully that'll balance out that way. Banjo tuners are a good idea for the octave tuners, especially on a 4 in line headstock but mine is a 2x2 headstock so I held one of the spare guitar tuners I have around against it to see if there was enough space and hopefully there will be. Tight squeeze but y'know... You say about separate saddles being better for 100% perfect intonation but as long as the the intonation is 95% there with a pair on each saddle then I'm sure it'll be fine. You'll have to let me know how it goes when you put the knurled saddles on the bridge. If it's only a cocktail stick distance that's needed between the strings the that should essentially be 1 slot between them on a knurled saddle. Still, 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. Once I've got all decided, I'll add a build diary to the page on here.

Hey! I've been wanting an 8 string for a long time and I managed to pick up a 4 string bass that I think will be capable of it for an absolute steal! The nut width is 43mm which seems perfect for 8 strings and the headstock seems to have enough spacing to hold the extra tuners (mini guitar ones) where needed so seems to be a go there. To save a lot of the hassle, would it be possible to just get some knurled saddles for the existing bridge, drill through the body (and put string ferrules on the underside) and have the extra strings come up that way? My thinking is I can set the spacing exactly how I want it then and surely the intonation will be about right that way too as the 2 sets of strings will move with their counterpart (e with the e, a with the a etc)? I've also taken in to consideration the pick ups and seem to be sorted on that front with a set of blade magnet pick ups so again, spacing and magnet reach shouldn't be an issue. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks