Ideas or recommendation for 10-string, 5-course bass bridge [Picture] - created 05-28-2004

Thorkildsen, Karl - 05/28/2004.10:35:43
Guest User

I'm modifying a bass to make a 10-string. Strung in 5 sets of strings in octaves like a 12-string guitar. This bass was a 6-string with 3 1/2 inch string spacing at the bridge. I'm looking for either a bridge made for this or a 5-string bridge with wide string spaceing that I can modify. And of course, any advice anyone has.

Thanks, Karl

Welcome to the MIMForum, Karl!

That bass will be a real handful!

Hi Mark, yeah, it's not designed to be my #1 bass, more of a toy. Besides, my Alembic would not be willing to take a back seat. But it should have a cool sound to use in special situations...

Hi Karl. Kahler makes a 5 string bass bridge that has string spacing that's adjustable from 2 7/32 to 3 5/16. The web site that I saw it on called it a K5. I haven't any first hand experience with it, but perhaps it's worth a look. Not quite the 3 1/2" you're looking for, but maybe it can be modified.

The only guy I've seen play a 10 string like that is Barry Sparks. This guy has been the bassest for Vinnie Moore, Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Schenker and Cosmo Squad is an amazing bass player. He made his own 10 string with a Carvin neck thru blank and a Wilkinson bridge.

Karl: You could try the monorail-type bridges that Custom Shop Parts sells (obvious URL).

Clint: Check out Bill Dickens and his monster 9-string Conklin bass.

That's the wrong kind of 10 string Chris. Karl is talking about a bass that has 5 Choruses tuned in octaves. It's like a 12 string guitar.

the only info I could find on Barry Sparks bass said that it has a modified Wilkinson 5 string bridge. I'm thinking you may have to modify an existing 5 string bridge to get what you need. A quick look through some of my bass bridges shows that a Bass Ass could be easily modified to take 2 strings over each saddle. Of corse you could just make your own depending on your skill level and what you are trying to do. Ever though of going with a Carl Tompson style bridge?

The trouble with all the bridges I can find is that I need to be able to modify them to hold two strings at each position. Pretty tough to do with any but the cheapest bridges. I think I'll have to buy a regular 5-string bridge and fabricate new blocks with two offset strings positions on each.

Thanks for the help guys...

- Karl

Clint, looks like out posts crossed in the mail. Do you have a link to something about the Carl Tompson bridge?

I don't build basses, but will it be important with the bridge design to allow for intonation of the two strings individually?

Yes, it will. Just as on a 12 string guitar it is important because with strings of different guages you'll need different adjustments.

Yeah, for this initial experiment I'm planning to just 'test' the strings and grind the saddles for intonation. If this isn't good enough I'll have to go to a machine shop. There's at least a couple of ways to do it, but I don't have a Bridgeport :-(

Sorry Karl,

I ment to write Carl Thompson. Do a google search on that and you'll see what I mean. What sort of bass are you using for this project?

I agree that adjustable individual saddles for each string would be best but it's not totally nessasary and your simply not going to find that as a retro fit for a 6 string. If you decide to build a bridge your self maybe this picture of the bridge from my 8 string will help with some ideas. It's extremely low-tech and wouldn't be too hard to build to fit your needs.

It'd actually a 12 string bridge that was used on my 8 string.

Thanks Clint, I'll look into the Carl Thompson. Ok, now don't laugh, this is just a prototype, I'm using a Brice 6 string "HXB-406 Nat Q" fretless as my core.

Another thought I had on this is that normally this kind of bass is played with a pick. I only play with my fingers, so I'm thinking of reversing the order of the string pairs so that my finger will strike the bass note first then the octave. Any thoughts on that?

Hmm, little problem with the forum software. It seems to think my name is K and there is no way to change it... but this is really Karl.

Karl, you have to close your browser, then login again. The software tracks users with cookies, and those cookies expire when the browser session ends.

Clint, I see from your picture that you have the strings reversed as I am planning. What was your reasoning?

It appears that Alembic will quote me a custom bridge. I hope the price doesn't send me into shock...

Ok, now don't laugh, this is just a prototype, I'm using a Brice 6 string "HXB-406 Nat Q" fretless

Hey man, I ain't gonna laugh. Always remember, if Jethro can't groove on a cheap ass bass, Jethro can't groove...

Sorry I took so long getting back. Been busy busy busy!

Actually my bass has always been strung that way. It came that way. This bass is based on the Hammer 12 for the most part and that's the way Hammer did it. It's pretty much the norm for basses with Choruses of strings. Oh... and if your not going to learn to use a pick on it your going to lose all the piano like tone that these basses are famous for. I would also want to fret it to get more clarity. But I wont tell you how to play your bass.

Ok.... I finally found a picture of the bass your talking about on E-bay. It's a fine looking bass. Heres how I would go about converting it to a 10 string as you plan.

The first question that has to be answered in not the bridge but rather where are you going to put 5 more guitar tuners on your bass. The head stock is very tight already. I would get a set of guitar tuners and figure that out before I shelled out much green to Alembic for a bridge.

I'm going to recommend you spend a little time on a web site called "The 8 string bass page". This will give you pictures and ideas about how to move forward with your project.

Thanks for getting back Clint, I really appreciate it. I will check out the link you gave. I am hoping I can fit four more tuners on the headstock. I'm using mini bass tuners. Also for the bridge, short term I think I will just kluge (sp?) something so I can play with stringing and intonation.

As far as playing it goes, I have tried to learn to play with a pick and it's just not me. But I can get about any sound I want with my fingers, expecially when properly calloused :-) And frets? How can people play an instrument with those silly things? Just kidding, but I can't play a fretted instrument, probably from my cello playing upbringing. I have always kept a fretted bass around "in case I need one", but I never play it.

- Karl