8-string retrofit

[hubertus]

My 1979 graphite Series I is looking mighty becoming in my mental visualisations as an 8-string bass. One fellow I work with is wanting me to get into 8-string playing, and I want to keep my current sound(s - and many of them with just a DI!! love the Series versatility!!)
 
Would Alembic oversee such a retrofit, I wonder, in their wonderful way with welcoming older instruments? Antoinette, my '78 Series I med. scale really enjoyed her stay at your factory!! And the new electronics really do beat alot of the new hf buzz.
 
There hasn't been a week since first starting to use Alembic basses that a sound tech hasn't come up and raised eyebrows with a smile at the instrument. Really like to keep that aspect of the show ...

[mica]

With a wooden necked bass, a new peghead can be spliced in place, it's different for the graphite since it's all molded as one piece. If it's possible will depend on if there's enough room for 4 guitar tuners on the peghead and if you're comfortable with the string spacing. If those are a go, you'll need to buy the new tuners, bridge, tailpiece, string nut and about 3 hours of labor.  
 

[hubertus]

Hey, thanks for your reply Mica!!  
The headstock is the standard Series I shape, I don't know whether one wants to put holes/tuners between the I and IV tuners and the nut, strength in the neck/head region and all ...  that would look better I think than two tuners on either side of the logo ... the space between I - IV and II - III is easily enough for two tuners ...  I can imagine the string spacing could be an issue down the fingerboard, maybe possible with the string width taken to the max ... what are your thoughts with regard to these details?
Mull mull mull and thanks many more times...

[mica]

Many 8-strings are made with the same fingerboard dimensions as a 4-string. Since most 8-string players use a pick, tighter spacing at the bridge isn't as much of an issue as it is for the slap players. What I'd be concerned about is the nest of strings by the nut - navigating that could be rough if they are really close together.
 
I'd ask you to try a few 8-strings if possible and record the fingerboard dimensions. If you don't have dial calipers, you should get one. The plastic ones by General are available at places like Orchard Supply. They are kinder to guitar finishes than the metal ones and are less expensive.

[blazer]

Whoops, posted it twice, sorry...
 
(Message edited by blazer on December 16, 2003)

[blazer]

Maybe you can use Banjo tuners for the octave strings, they don't take in so much space, make it easier to tune the bass (that is in the way that you don't grab the wrong tuner by accident) and they retain the original look of the headstock and not making it look cramped.
 
That might be a suggestion, what about it Mica, is that a good way of solving that?

[rockandroller]

banjo tuners sctually sounds like a very cool idea... but i was researching those the other day, and couldnt find any with more than a 4-1 ratio (which seemed mighty low!)  
 
maybe cause of the planetary gears, a high gear ratio isnt really required?