4 to 8 conversion

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loverickbass
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4 to 8 conversion

Post by loverickbass »

How hard would it be to convert a 4003 to eight strings? I'm thinking the only thing I'd need is some long post Klusons like on the 12 strings, a new nut,maybe a new bridge and holes drilled in the base of the tailpiece for the guitar strings. What say you?

Cole
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ram
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Re: 4 to 8 conversion

Post by ram »

really the headstock should be reworked in order to do if correctly, plus all you mentioned. The tuners need to be spaced and located correctly as to allow for truss access and workability and looks. Dane has had quite a bit of experience with these types of conversions. Maybe he will chime in and/or you could PM him. I had this done to a 4004L - and love the instrument.
The only thing we can perceive are our perceptions - George Berkeley
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Captain Bob
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Re: 4 to 8 conversion

Post by Captain Bob »

Yup, Dane Wilder is your resource!
4003S Mapleglo
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LenMinNJ
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Re: 4 to 8 conversion

Post by LenMinNJ »

loverickbass wrote:How hard would it be to convert a 4003 to eight strings?
I think that if you're after the 8-string sound, you should try an Electro-Harmonix Micro POG before you bother with a conversion.

I played a nice old Hagstrom 8-string the other day. It sounded just like my '65 Jazz Bass through the Micro POG.
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jps
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Re: 4 to 8 conversion

Post by jps »

LenMinNJ wrote:
loverickbass wrote:How hard would it be to convert a 4003 to eight strings?
I think that if you're after the 8-string sound, you should try an Electro-Harmonix Micro POG before you bother with a conversion.

I played a nice old Hagstrom 8-string the other day. It sounded just like my '65 Jazz Bass through the Micro POG.
I have a Micro POG, I don't find that to be the case as to making a non octave coursed bass (or guitar for that matter, I have tried) sound like it has octave strings on it. The generated octaves are very synthetic sounding; although it does sound good (for what it is) in a band mix it sounds nothing like a real 8 string bass. There is also a very defined delay to the generated tones, especially so from the upper octave which sounds very cool when playing funky lines. Just my personal experience with mine, the usual YMMV caveats apply. 8)
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ram
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Re: 4 to 8 conversion

Post by ram »

This is my 4004L8 live:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... 3WXfdWY1e4

I agree the POG isn't quite true 8 material.
    The only thing we can perceive are our perceptions - George Berkeley
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    psychomatthias
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    Re: 4 to 8 conversion

    Post by psychomatthias »

    Dane Wilder is your hookup. I love my 8 string Rick conversion. Pedals are not the same as the real thing.
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