Converting a 4 string into an 8 string

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 11:25 am

Jeff, try drawing the stringposts in too(remember that the guitar posts are smaller). also finish it out by drawing the nut and strings taking in the increased diameter of the fundamental string posts when bass strings from .045" to .105" are wrapped around them. I tried that approach once and it was a dead end.

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 11:42 am

Thanks Dane! I know there is more to it besides just fitting the tuners. The string clearance is one reason I like the rear 90 degree mounted tuners. I'll make a dummy headstock this weekend to get a more accurate fitting idea.

Jeff.....the main reason I don't like the big/little tuner option is because the spacing is different between the tuning keys and posts so the fitting looks uneven around the headstock edge. If I go with the more traditional 4-per-side mounting I'll use these for the octave strings to get nice even spacing.... http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tuners/Guitar,_solid_peghead_tuners/Steinberger_Gearless_Tuners.html
....actually this would likely be the most painless method and shouldn't look too crowded at all since you'd still have only the four visible tuning keys. Since I'm refinishing the bass anyway I can redrill all of the tuner holes to get a uniform factory look. I'll just have to check the string clearance and tuner spacing.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 1:26 pm

Dane - I know we disagree on this but it has already been done to a 4004ci if you are willing to fill and redrill holes in the headstock then it can be done ... Simon Mole has the 4 to 8 4004

If I do an 8 string I will probably use a fender or t-bird body and a warmoth neck ...

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 1:55 pm

Oh, I did see that 4004. Although it was functional, the tuner arrangement was anything but symetrical giving the headstock poor asthetics. As I remember, some of the strings binded against other tuning posts on their way to the nut. This is something any competant luthier would avoid. The cheap and dirty, although functional way, is not the way I do things.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 6:30 pm

I would still rather put 8 holes in the existing headstock than make a potatohead headstock ...

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 3:53 am

It might be more work, but that potatohead is soooooo cool!

Great job on that puppy, Dane. She plays like butter and looks stunning!

Now you've got me thinking of reversing the octave strings on mine.

Also, Dane's potatohead looks smaller and feels lighter than the 4003S/8. I'm guessing that the different tuners were the reason for the weight savings. I've never had both the Schaller Rick tuners and the Schaller M4's off to compare, but that M4 keywind looks a lot heavier. And using the smaller tuners for the smaller strings must have also helped.

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 6:10 am

Dane, thanks very much, greatly appreciated! I will get an e-mail to you asap......

simonmole · Post by **simonmole** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 1:13 pm

sorry you don't like my bass Dane - yours looks great by the way.

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 1:47 pm

Simon, it's not that I didn't like your bass, I do, I mean, it IS a Rickenbacker after all. I just think with the help of a luthier, the headstock could be re-done and improved. It doesn't have to be a potatohead, just something RIC looking. You've already got the right bridge and the nut worked out. I would just finish it off differently. It could still be re-done. I do appreciate your compliment on mine though and as I remember you have one nice collection of RIC's yourself.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 3:34 pm

Dane ... we like you and we like your basses ... we just sometimes disagree on aesthetics ...

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:13 pm

Potaytohead, pototohead...it's all good guys. By the way Jeff, it was nice seeing one of your 4-2-5's at the Confluence in the form of Charly G.'s bass. That stainless bridge looks good. It'd be even cooler if all of the brightwork on the bass could have that machined stainless look. The "4003 Industrial".

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 8:02 pm

thanks ... I wanted to be out there but my job hunting and a death in the family took up my time ... but I just came across an excellent job in Denver ... If I was at the 75th I would have brought this 4-2-5 ... http://www.3dentourage.com/425/98-4004ci5.htm

I like industrial basses

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 5:05 am

That's a nice conversion, Jeff. It'd be hard for a non-RIChead to tell it was converted from a 4 string.

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 1:14 pm

Here's a pic of the 4008 with the finishing touch as well as some other shots.

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 1:29 pm

Hmm...well for those of you without magnifying glasses, I posted a couple of those on Paul's Rickenbacker Confluence photo site. Anyone seeing photos of themselves can just shoot me an e-mail and I'll send you the original 4 megapixle shot. If anyone has any of me and my wife, particularly with C.Squire , please send them to me.