All Ready Eight

[rickyfricky]

Of the two RIC 8-strings currently on the 'Bay ('86 SIL and '97 JG), the bridges are significantly different: the bridge on the '97 looks like a standard RIC bridge, whereas the one on the '86 does not.

They are also strung differently: the lighter gauge strings are first on the '86, and the heavier gauge strings are first on the '97.

Questions: Is the bridge on the '86 SIL original? And is their a "standard" way to string RIC 8-strings, i.e. should the lighter gauge or heavier gauge strings be strung first?? And are 8-string basses playable??? And do 8-string Rickenbackers have any issues that 4-strings don't????

(I would link the 'Bay listings, but I don't know how)

[cjj]

Linking is easy. Just copy the the stuff in the URL bar of your browser and past it into your post...

[bassduke49]

They are both 4003S/8 basses. The silver one has what is either a customer modified tailpiece, or one that was typically applied to the earlier 4008 model. Stock, the 4003S/8 had the fundamental (heavy) strings first; users could switch them around but would have to cut a new nut. In short, the Jetglo one is the most typical setup.

[cjj]

Pictures are a bit trickier...

[rickyfricky]

They are both 4003S/8 basses. The silver one has what is either a customer modified tailpiece, or one that was typically applied to the earlier 4008 model. Stock, the 4003S/8 had the fundamental (heavy) strings first; users could switch them around but would have to cut a new nut. In short, the Jetglo one is the most typical setup.

Thanks Paul -- and thanks to CJ for the photos.

So it would be fair to say the bridge on the SIL is after-market?

[Ashgray]

Odd, I can't find the JG one on the 'Bay.

Does anyone have a link, as I'm in the market for a Rick 8 stringer?

[cjj]

Jetglo '97:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/EXTREMELY-RARE- ... 4d0b3201e2
Silver '86:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1986-RARE-IMMAC ... 19dab16bb4

[Ashgray]

Thanks - I'm already watching the SIL one but prefer the JG's looks.

EDIT - just noticed the seller doesn't ship internationally.

[chromium]

So it would be fair to say the bridge on the SIL is after-market?

To me, it looks like the bridge on that early s8 was constructed similar to that of a 4008. I've assumed that it might be stock based on that.



4008 bridge from this thread:

[chromium]

And are 8-string basses playable???

Yes- very! My 4003s8 is a '95 and still has the original string arrangement where the root is on top, and the octave beneath. This is the first time I've played an eight that's setup this way. Seems more conducive to fingerstyle playing, but that also might be due to the fact that the string pairs on my Ric are very close together (~2mm gap between the root and octave string). I do have plans to reverse the pairs at some point here in the near future, as its a bit tough for me to fret the octave strings consistently in the current arrangement.

My other eight is an old Ibanez, and its setup like the 4008 and most other octave basses - with the octaves first in the pairing. The space between string courses is double that of the Ric, and so I find it difficult to play this bass fingerstyle... but its great fun with a pick!

And do 8-string Rickenbackers have any issues that 4-strings don't????

Some do, some don't.

Truss rods that can't cope with the tension seems to be one thing to be aware of. I've seen reports from several owners who have had success in swapping the rods out with beefier ones. More often the case, though, people don't seem to have trouble with this. The neck on mine is fine and still has plenty of adjustment left in it.

Neck+body wing separation is another thing to watch out for. The big swimming pool route at the neck pickup seems to contribute to that on some basses.

My bass suffered from that latter issue, but thanks to some info shared both here and on another bass forum, I was able to repair it (as best I could without removing the wings) and touch up/drop fill the damage. I posted some pics and info at this link: http://www.hillscloud.com/2013/02/1995- ... al-repair/

I got that bass really cheap, however, and so it was worth the time and effort to fix.

Personally- I would probably take a shot at the silver one based on the photos alone, but on the black one I'd want some closeups of the neck+body and action.

Hope that helps!

[Ashgray]

Thanks for the advice and insight Joe - it's answered my query over on this thread.

[aceonbass]

Joe, I suspect it was my solution to the 8-string neck pickup route issue you were referring to. I've overseen several 8-string conversions on Rick basses, and the neck pickup route is always the first thing I address. When you look at that route and see how it goes right up to the fretboard, ya gotta wonder what RIC was/is thinking. Even with the new two-piece necks, this is still an issue as everything I have with this route has developed at least a slightly negative neck angle as a result. One very important thing about your maple block is that it needs to be a loose fit on the sides, but a tight fit lengthwise. Looks like you did a good job though.

[Ashgray]

Success! Just bought the SIL one!

[cjj]

Sweet! Congrats!

[godber]

Success! Just bought the SIL one!

Congrats Ash - you are on a roll!