4 to 8 String conversion

[gareth]

I know a few have had this done here. To convert a 4003, it seems to be a case of new headstock wings and a different nut essentially.

Also, adding smaller tuners.

Am I missing anything else ?

Just looking at my options before I move on with the 4003 rebuild.

[woodyng]

paging dane.....paging dane......

[johnallg]

Gareth, the headstock wings come off, the leftover wood is angle cut and an added length glued on to lengthen it, then longer wings are glued on and the headstock shaped. Also you need to machine the tailpiece, IIRC, or I may be confusing this with a 5er conversion.

[weemac]

For the tailpiece you would only have to drill four extra holes to hold the added strings and perhaps make it into a 7 screw tailpiece to stop the bend...

More extensive mods are required for the five string conversion.

Eden.

[johnallg]

Forgot about adding the 2 extra screw holes. I would think that would be a must.

[aceonbass]

The two extra screws are a must. Additionally, the four holes the strings pass through on their way to the rear need to be opened up slightly so the strings don't touch the sides on their way through. Four new saddles will also be required. The huge route for the neck pickup is also a liability as far as strength goes, so I cut a maple block to fill the area and re-route leaving just enough enough room for the pickup. There are also numerous tricks I employ when slotting the nut and bridge saddles and selecting strings to make the bass intonate more accurately with the shared bridge saddles and play better. Of course the headstock will have to be re-finished to match the body which is hopefully a solid color to hide the work.

[jingle_jangle]

Thanks, Dane. We knew we could count on you to clarify some of these details. And, yes, solid finish if you're going to do all this stuff!

How 'bout bright green, Gareth?

[gareth]

Thanks, Dane. We knew we could count on you to clarify some of these details. And, yes, solid finish if you're going to do all this stuff!

How 'bout bright green, Gareth?

Hmmmm, A nice dayglo greenburst. I could call it Godzilla, or Snotzilla depending on the finish.

I hope you're paying attention to Dane there Paul. Guess who's going get this project dumped on them ?

[jingle_jangle]

Oh, so it's an eight-string now, is it, Gareth?

[gareth]

Oh, so it's an eight-string now, is it, Gareth?

Well, it's Thursday today, so yes.

Tomorrow it may be a 12 string, at which point I'll be replacing the truss rods with rebar to keep the neck straight.

I'm trying out an 8-string 4003 Monday, so by Tuesday it could all change again, and I'll want something rigged up like a Chapman Stick.

(BTW never try to learn to play a Chapman Stick. Your brain will fall out of your ear and you'll forget how to drive.)

Be grateful though, because the other day, I had this great idea for a 4003-4008 4 string/8 string doubleneck.

I just think of the ideas, it's up to others to make 'em work.

[harrek]

Be grateful though, because the other day, I had this great idea for a 4003-4008 4 string/8 string doubleneck.

I just think of the ideas, it's up to others to make 'em work.

Don't forget the stage hand required to hold that thing up when you play it.

[aceonbass]

hope you're paying attention to Dane there Paul. Guess who's going get this project dumped on them ?

Make sure to spend the proper R&D time coming up with your own headstock design Gareth. The two that I use on the basses I mod for my customers is mine and not the same as the two RIC has used in the past.

[psychomatthias]

I want to chime in and say that Dane and Bruce's mod job on my Rick has made it the only bass I ever play anymore. I need to unload my remaining collection now.

[harrek]

I want to chime in and say that Dane and Bruce's mod job on my Rick has made it the only bass I ever play anymore. I need to unload my remaining collection now.

I'd have to second that statement other than I do still play my other Ricks. But the 4 to 8 conversion is incredible and I am enjoying finding songs to play with it.

[aceonbass]

Thanks guys!It was a pleasure being part of the transformation process on these two basses. There is still a third in that run that has left my hands and is undergoing further mods. I can't wait till it makes it's appearance here sometime next year.