Author Topic: Show your 8-strings! (non-Alembic OK) (Read 461 times)

hieronymous · « **on:** November 28, 2009, 03:02:00 PM »

So, in response to a request in a recent SF-2 thread, here are some shots of the Rickenbacker 8-string I used in this video:

It's a 1993 4003S/8, so only mono output, dot markers instead of shark fins, and no binding. Normally they have the octave string on the bottom, but I had the string order switched. Here it is with its cousin, a 2004 4003:

I have contemplated putting Alembic Activators in a Ric, but I like the sound of Ric pickups too, so haven't made the leap. Best case scenario would be an Alembic 8-string of course!!!

eligilam · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2009, 03:41:25 PM »

Thanks for the pics...

Just curious if both of those Rics came in the shadow style of black-on-black (pretty rare, or so I thought) or if you did some nameplate and pickguard switching (like I did once...put my white Ric's black p.g. on my black Ric---but then the white binding on the black Ric looked a little cheesmo, so I switched it back...).

Anyway, I digress. Like I've posted before: In my Guit-army, the Alembic is the general and the Rics are the ground troops.

Oh, and one last question: does that Ric 8 neck dive?

hieronymous · « **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2009, 03:53:37 PM »

Neither of these is a Shadow, but as far as I know both are original black trim and hardware. The 8-string doesn't have binding since it's an S model, while the 4-string has black binding. The 4-string is interesting, in that it has some interesting features that suggest it may have been specially made for the Japanese market - a 7-screw tailpiece assembly, black trim/hardware after it was discontinued (they stopped making it as an option in '02 I believe, and the bass is from '04), and silver lettering on the truss rod cover, like a 4004. Plus, there was a Japanese version of the catalog in the case!

The crazy thing is that I almost bought an all-black 8-string while I lived in Japan - kind of kicking myself now! Wonder if it would have had any interesting features?

Oh, and I like your quote about the general and the soldiers!

crobbins · « **Reply #3 on:** November 28, 2009, 04:21:06 PM »

I once owned a Hagstrom 8 string like this one.

keith_h · « **Reply #4 on:** November 29, 2009, 05:02:52 AM »

I still own one.

Keith

hieronymous · « **Reply #5 on:** November 29, 2009, 08:18:34 AM »

NICE! Cool combination! And what's the thing in the back next to the tables?

The Hagstrom 8-string was definitely one of the first 8-strings on my radar due to its legendary use on Hendrix's Spanish Castle Magic.

keith_h · « **Reply #6 on:** November 29, 2009, 11:13:06 AM »

That thing would be called a radio. It's a Zenith Model 10-S-474 that was my grandparents. It is still functional although some of the bands it picks up are no longer in use. All tube and something I still feel comfortable fixing myself. Oh for the good old days of tubes and hardwired circuits.

Keith

811952 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 29, 2009, 01:48:32 PM »

Washburn B20-8, circa 1985...

benson_murrensun · « **Reply #8 on:** November 30, 2009, 10:17:10 AM »

Here's my eight. Schecter Stiletto Studio.

hb3 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 30, 2009, 11:21:05 AM »

I'll take one. I almost bought a Pedulla 8 string buzz bass, and still regret it.

funkyjazzjunky · « **Reply #10 on:** November 30, 2009, 02:05:11 PM »

Keith,

That Zenith Radio is as cool as the Alembic

bassfingers · « **Reply #11 on:** November 30, 2009, 02:44:54 PM »

Speaking of 8-strings!!.

http://cgi.ebay.com/JOHN-VIII-CUSTOM-8-STRING-BASS-ALEMBIC-COMPONENTS_W0QQitemZ140363786778QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item20ae556a1a

hb3 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 30, 2009, 02:53:41 PM »

Here's a Hagstrom:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1960s-Hagstrom-H8-8-String-Bass-Case-RARE-Vintage_W0QQitemZ130347731354QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item1e5954899a

dfung60 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 02, 2009, 12:43:41 PM »

I love 8-strings! Here's a few of mine that I had pictures of. I would call this a Series 1.5 - it has Series I electronics, but all the woods/laminates of a Series II. It's from 1983.

You gotta love the knobby headstock. The detail on the old sterling silver logos from the 80's was amazing

This is a very rare Veillette-Citron 8-string bass. It was born as a 4-string, then had a factory conversion to 8-strings. Unfortunately, the signature "barbershop ball" brass knobs got lost along the way.

Cool headstock too (the laminated curly maple version of a Danelectro!):

I've also got an 80's Hamer 8-string, just like the bass Nick Lowe played in Rockpile, and two Modulus 8-strings as well. Don't get me started on 12-string basses... got some "interesting" stuff there too (if you look closely, you'll notice that this is only an 11-string right now)

David Fung

gregduboc · « **Reply #14 on:** December 02, 2009, 12:49:05 PM »

Oooooops...

Greg

(Message edited by gregduboc on December 02, 2009)