Persuader 86P4121 8 String Conversion

[tx196059]

I converted Persuader 86P4121 to an 8 string, because 8’s are so hard to find, or are super expensive. I bought this from Tom for a reasonable price awhile back (thanks again Tom), because it has a repaired headstock, a loose tail piece from a broken screw, and had issues with the electronics.

http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=22416.0
http://club.alembic.com/index.php?topic=22024.msg222654#msg222654

I moved the tail piece down a little, and reattached with a bigger screw. I replaced the electronics with separate activator filters and volumes. Mica sent out new blank bridge saddles that I filed to accommodate the octave strings. The intonation was OK except for the “A” string, which required that I have an opposing slant on the saddle slots. I ground the nut smooth, lifted, then refiled 8 slots. I routed out the control cavity, repainted with shielding paint, then installed a switchcraft 5 pin socket, so it works with a DS-5 in stereo. I tapped into the 4th pin +20v, and stepped the voltage down to 10v with a buck converter. I installed a Stew-Mac 9 flag 1/4" socket, so it can still work with a battery in stereo, just like a Series. The Stew-Mac’s are similar to the ones on a Series, except that the 9^th flag is on top with the others, which made soldering easier. The ones installed in Santa Rosa are better quality though. It took a few turns on each truss rod to get the neck straight initially. I took precaution, knowing the headstock might snap, but it held perfectly. Maybe glue is stronger than wood. It has been 6 months now, and it plays really well, and stays in tune. Sounds really good to! I figure if the headstock snapped again, I would saw it off, and make it a headless 4 string with a bridge tuner. The planetary banjo tuners really set it off, truly making it a poor man’s Series 8 string bass.  Cheers!
Joe

[hammer]

Congratulations. Lots of work you have done there. Would love to hear how it sounds. Any audio files coming?

[tx196059]

Thanks Brian! Was not really that bad, as far as work goes, once the parts were assembled. Since Alembics have adjustable nuts, that part was easy. I will get an audio file up when I can. Cheers!

[adriaan]

I see what you did there.

[tx196059]

For fun, here is a quick recording I just did on my laptop. Forgive the quality 


https://soundcloud.com/user-496774463/alembic-p8-open-string-sound-check

[hammer]

Sounds......Alembic (which means great).

[tx196059]

Yes, Alembics even sound good using a laptop microphone that cannot hear the low tones!

[mario_farufyno]

great!