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Dirk
Platinum Member
Netherlands
1309 Posts |
 Posted - 01/18/2007 : 17:11:09
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Ebay does provide us with some cool stuff now and then!
Behold my latest find, an 8 string bass.
For those who don't know how it works, here's the deal:
it's like a regular 4 string bass tuned EADG (although I drop down a half step, but that aside)but with guitar strings tuned an octave higher on top of that.
As a result it sounds a bit like you're playing with an octave-up effect and because the two strings are never quite completely in tune it's also a little chorusy.
Trouble is, as you can see on the 3rd pic, some previous owner was probably embarrased by the brandname on the headstock so he painted over it and he did a rather ugly job if you ask me.
Now before I pull out some paintremover, if anyone recognizes this brand of basses/guitars please contact me, I'd like some more information about this otherwise excellent instrument like model, year, land of production, etc.
Here's the pics:
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bossarea
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
3652 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2007 : 18:14:50
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Congrats, 8 string bases aren't something you'll find every day 
The body and bridge reminds me of the Vantage VS series from the 80s. The jack socket and headstock does not however. What sort of neck construction does it have?
You might want to try the question in the forum at matsumoku.org. Even if it's not from the Matsumoku factory, you may get some useful pointers. |
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stratman
Silver Member
Australia
283 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2007 : 22:48:28
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Very nice Dirk! What a find.
Good luck with your research |
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Basstyra
Gold Member
France
523 Posts |
Posted - 01/18/2007 : 22:51:51
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Yeah, great catch ! 
It kinda looks like a Ibanez Musician, but it's not. It may be any kind of obscure vintage brand. |
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ronster
Gold Member
Australia
645 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2007 : 00:08:32
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Hi Dirk, I can't help with what it is but I think an 8 string is cool!!! 
Have fun with it  |
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tomwest
Silver Member
United Kingdom
436 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2007 : 00:15:12
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| It looks a bit like the Kramer aluminium neck basses, the neck obviously isn't the same, but the body is very similar. |
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Dirk
Platinum Member
Netherlands
1309 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2007 : 16:55:48
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Thanks guys, it's really cool indeed.
It has a neck-through construction btw.
And the output jack isn't standard either, the guy at the Ebay store fixed that before shipping.
It does look like a Kramer or Ibanez musician, but no one seems to recognize the headstock shape.
I think I'll try the matsumoku forum, thanks for that. |
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StratoSphere
Double Platinum Member
Canada
2232 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2007 : 17:40:08
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as BA said earlier, it looks like a Vantage. ive seen Vantage guitars with the EXACT same body (centerpiece and everything) but i wouldnt be surprised to see some unheard of foreign name on there.
quick question. do the strings not hit each other and buzz out since they are so close together? |
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Dirk
Platinum Member
Netherlands
1309 Posts |
Posted - 01/19/2007 : 20:45:07
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Hm, I'm not too sure about Vantage, they all seem to have that Aria shape headstock (which most Matsumoku guitars seem to share).
I also can't find ANY 8-string on that site.
Also the bridge is just the standard kind of el-cheapo one found on all Fender guitars as well, tuners are probably Gotoh's.
Anyway, update: I wiped off the paint and only found a blank spot, kinda ecliptic in shape.
My guess is that it originally came with a glued on logo there.
And so the search goes on...
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Edited by - Dirk on 01/19/2007 21:00:24 |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 01/21/2007 : 13:32:24
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Hi Dirk.
In the end, it really doesn't matter what it is, as long as you have fun, & enjoy playing it.
You have a chance to make up it's new history.
And bit of a mystery, alway adds to the thrill of the story...
I have never seen an 8 string, but now I have, so thanks for the pic's
Regards Dr. Bob |
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Dirk
Platinum Member
Netherlands
1309 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2007 : 16:55:56
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You're welcome.
You are right though about the mystery part, and I sure have lots of fun with it, plus the looks on my guitar players faces 
I was thinking of making a logo with my own name on it... |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2007 : 07:56:37
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quote:
Originally posted by Dirk
You're welcome.
You are right though about the mystery part, and I sure have lots of fun with it, plus the looks on my guitar players faces
I was thinking of making a logo with my own name on it...
Hi Dirk
Way cool idea, about putting your name on the logo.
Then you can go wild, making up stories about it.
Don't forget to add words like:
Custom
Vintage
Special Edition
Limited
Limited Edition
Signature Series
I Like the Signature Series, & it's your signature.
And don't forget to give it a serial number like 001 or better still 000 
..
I wanted to tell you, that the body, looks like a bass version of my Roland GR-808 Guitar Controller,
And I really love that guitar, I bought it new in 1980-81 & I've kept it like new.
Regards Dr. Bob
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Stomp98
Bronze Member
Australia
50 Posts |
Posted - 01/27/2007 : 15:10:21
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| Ever thought that it may actually be a custom made guitar and npw part of a production item from a factory? |
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Dirk
Platinum Member
Netherlands
1309 Posts |
Posted - 01/29/2007 : 17:11:34
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I don't know, I'll keep on searching.
For now, she plays and sounds great, so that's allright I guess.
I ordered some new knobs, gold LP style speedknobs that should look great with the wood and I fixed the output jack, got rid of that ugly jackplate.
There's a crack in the wood right next to the jack, so I put a large washer underneath the jack nut. It looks a lot better that way.
I also had to replace the volume pot since it crapped out on me during rehearsal.
It came with a set of d'Addario nickel strings, which sound decent, pretty bright so when they wear out I'll probably try a Rotosound stainless steel 8 string set.
I use roto's on my 4 strings as well and they sound a lot meatier.
So that may sound good for the 8 string as well. |
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Stomp98
Bronze Member
Australia
50 Posts |
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Dirk
Platinum Member
Netherlands
1309 Posts |
Posted - 02/11/2007 : 11:57:32
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Nope, that's an Alembic.
thanks anyway. |
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Topic |
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My 8 string bass
