Eight String Custom T bass build > to Z Bass

[amigarobbo]

Copy-pasta...

Well, I've done it... pulled the trigger on a Maple Bubinga monster!  :headbang1:

Model: Hollow Custom T Bass
Orientation: Right handed
Scale: 34"
Wood: Bubinga on Maple
Rout: Rear Rout
Pickup Rout: None, , Music Man (Sweet Spot) (I'll either fit a Lace MM or possible an active EMG MM)
Controls: V-V-X (Custom T)
Bridge: Schaller 471 8-String
Jack Rout: 7/8" (22mm) Side Jack Hole
Neck Pocket: Standard Bass Pocket
Mounting Holes: Standard 4 Bolt
F-Holes: 1

Neck:
Style: 8-String Bass
Construction: Super Bass Construction
Scale: 34"
Orientation: Right Handed
Neck Wood: 5 piece Maple/Bubinga
Fingerboard Wood: Bubinga
Unique Choice: FB1171
Nut Width: 1-3/4"
Back Shape: Fatback
Stiffening Rods: Standard Steel Rods
Fret Size: SS6230 (Stainless) I like little frets, and Stainless steel is a non-brainer as they say.
Tuner Ream: GB7 (14mm)
Radius: Straight 10"
Fret #: 21
Mounting Holes: Standard 4 Bolt
Inlays: Abalone Face Dots $20.00
Side Dots: Abalone Side Dots $25.00
String Nut: Black TUSQ XL (Below) Yep, Rickenbacker style.

I'll finish it in Tru-oil. I'm aware of the risk of warping, but.. Life's too short init?

It's here!  :headband:

That's stripes of Wenge on the neck isn't it?

 

[Geekydad]

That's stripes of Wenge on the neck isn't it?

Yep, definitely wenge. The contrast looks nice with the maple  :glasses9: It may darken even further with your oil finish.

On a side note, after looking it up, I realized I've been pronouncing wenge wrong this whole time. That's what happens when you only read a word instead of hearing it. http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/wenge/

 

[Cagey]

On a side note, after looking it up, I realized I've been pronouncing wenge wrong this whole time. That's what happens when you only read a word instead of hearing it. http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/wenge/

Hehe! Been there, done that.

I'm surprised they say Wenge can be used as a substitue for Ebony. The difference in grain is night and day.

 

[amigarobbo]

I don't care, I know it's wrong but I'm still going to call it Wenge to rhyme with henge,  as I just like saying it.  :evil4:

I'm just surprised it's not Bubinga, as that what comes up on the custom builder. Can't see it would make much difference in strength or "wood tone".

 

[Axkoa]

Love the look of the neck. Looking forward to the build!

 

[Re-Pete]

Jumping for joy that we have a 8 string bass guitar to see being built!  :blob7:  :toothy10:  :blob7:

Keep us posted as you go along please.

 

[DangerousR6]

That's stripes of Wenge on the neck isn't it?

Yep, definitely wenge. The contrast looks nice with the maple  :glasses9: It may darken even further with your oil finish.

On a side note, after looking it up, I realized I've been pronouncing wenge wrong this whole time. That's what happens when you only read a word instead of hearing it. http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/wenge/

it's a common mistake, I myself refuse to say weng-e... :icon_biggrin:

 

[amigarobbo]

Jumping for joy that we have a 8 string bass guitar to see being built!  :blob7:  :toothy10:  :blob7:

Keep us posted as you go along please.

Might take sometime as I'm mucho skinto, i still haven't decided what colo(u)r hardware to get, chrome, gold or black. Probably not black. I'll see how dark the oil makes it.

But at least it'll give me time to get lots of coats of Tru-oil on it. Also the more observant of you may have noticed it's an EMG 3.5 pickup slot, I had it changed, I was talking to Lace, and they think a Lace Bassbar has more higher frequency response, which would be better for something that is effectively a bass and guitar, than their MM which is more a traditional bass pickup. It's also available in chrome if I go that way.

Maybe, maybe not. I'm still thinking of a EMG pickup to be honest.

 

[Pelagaard]

I thought that pup route looked "wrong.". The EMG 35 is a great shape to work with since they've made all of their 4 string pickups available in that housing.

 

[amigarobbo]

Well, I've decided I'm going for chrome, I've ordered the chrome Lace Bassbar, from http://lacesensors.weebly.com/bass.html

I was having a bit of trouble locating any in stock, so I kinda panicked, I think they said they had some in stock. See what happens, to be honest, I don't think I'll be able to afford the other stuff before Xmas.  If I can't get any, I may have a good look at those Q-tuner pickups, they seem interesting.


I've noticed that the body is slightly lighter than I was expected, although it's 'hollow' I would have thought the maple would have made it heavier. anyway, this means I'll have to go for the (expensive) lightweight tuners

Which I'll probably get these http://g-jax.com/510/machine-heads/bass-tuning-key/res-o-lite/gb350-4.html

Double the strings, double the price! But I do prefer the bass tuner style where the string goes down the hole to those guitar types where the extra sticks out.

And the bridge will have to a Schaller, these guys seem to have all the different finished available, https://www.banzaimusic.com/Schaller-Bridges/

I was quite tempted by the vintage copper one,

but I can't get matching tuners, so I probably go for one of the Chrome ones, the satin, and satin pearl finish look nice.

 

[amigarobbo]

Anyway, couple of coats of true-oil on

the head joint:

The Maple Wenge construction:

Dat Abalone inlay...

Just to see how the top looks like with chrome hardware:

 

[Surf n Music]

Well, I've decided I'm going for chrome, I've ordered the chrome Lace Bassbar, from http://lacesensors.weebly.com/bass.html

I was having a bit of trouble locating any in stock, so I kinda panicked, I think they said they had some in stock. See what happens, to be honest, I don't think I'll be able to afford the other stuff before Xmas.  If I can't get any, I may have a good look at those Q-tuner pickups, they seem interesting.


I've noticed that the body is slightly lighter than I was expected, although it's 'hollow' I would have thought the maple would have made it heavier. anyway, this means I'll have to go for the (expensive) lightweight tuners

Which I'll probably get these http://g-jax.com/510/machine-heads/bass-tuning-key/res-o-lite/gb350-4.html

Double the strings, double the price! But I do prefer the bass tuner style where the string goes down the hole to those guitar types where the extra sticks out.

And the bridge will have to a Schaller, these guys seem to have all the different finished available, https://www.banzaimusic.com/Schaller-Bridges/

I was quite tempted by the vintage copper one,

but I can't get matching tuners, so I probably go for one of the Chrome ones, the satin, and satin pearl finish look nice.

Looking real nice. You can get matching tuners direct from schaller, although I am sure any of those finsihes will look great on that beautiful wood.

 

[amigarobbo]

Looking real nice. You can get matching tuners direct from schaller, although I am sure any of those finsihes will look great on that beautiful wood.

They don't do tuners that fit on the GB7 (14mm) holes.  At least as far as I know.

 

[Pelagaard]

These Schaller DaVinci tuners fit 14mm and are available in vintage copper.  Certainly not cheap at 143€ per 2+2 set...

http://guitar-parts.biz/hp524875/Bass-Machine-Heads-Da-Vinci-Bass.htm?ITServ=C2d6a8bf3X150e87f7a9dXY20b4

 

[amigarobbo]

These Schaller DaVinci tuners fit 14mm and are available in vintage copper.  Certainly not cheap at 143€ per 2+2 set...

http://guitar-parts.biz/hp524875/Bass-Machine-Heads-Da-Vinci-Bass.htm?ITServ=C2d6a8bf3X150e87f7a9dXY20b4

:icon_scratch: having looked closer at this, I think the whole Schaller M4, and M4 light is 14mm, this opens up a whole world of possibilities.  :toothy11:

Could someone confirm that the M4s will fit in GB7 hole?

 

[stratamania]

Nice build so far. Love the wenge in the neck.

Am I missing something, if it's an eight string bass but the bridge shown is 4 string ? Or is it just showing a colour option ?

 

[amigarobbo]

Am I missing something, if it's an eight string bass but the bridge shown is 4 string ? Or is it just showing a colour option ?

yes, it'll be one of these:

:sign13: In fact I've just thought you could quite easily make one of those ghastly 8 individual string extended range basses,

Well with Bass VI string spacing, if not worse..

 

[stratamania]

Thanks, I see that makes sense now. 

 

[amigarobbo]

Pickup turned up, the chrome looks quite nice, I'll keep slapping on the Tru-oil, as I won't be able to afford order the bridge, tuners etc till next year.

Which at least gives me some time to do the hardest job of all..

Choosing what design to put on the neck plate!  :icon_thumright:

 

[amigarobbo]

:doh:

I've cracked and ordered
SKU45231 Schaller Brass Dome knob - Vintage Copper €8,62  2 €17,24
SKU45174 Schaller Security Lock Set Vintage Copper €21,16  1 €21,16
SKU45086 Schaller Bass bridge 3D-8 8-string Vintage Copper €98,27  1 €98,27
SKU44453 Schaller Machine Head M4 Light 2 left/ 2 right Vintage Copper €121,14  2 €242,28
SKU45215 Schaller Jack plug plate. Brass Vintage Copper €9,56  1 €9,56

Not sure the chrome pickup will match, and they don't do a neck plate int Vintage copper, but what the heck, I've done it now!