Neat idea for a mosrite bass

[oipunkguy]

this might be a little early to share with the forum, because this bass is only in the planning stages right now with a customer, but I've been dying to tell you guys. we want to make a mosrite ventures style bass but I wanted to use design ideas that included all the different time frames in the history of the ventures/mark model. I really wanted to do this for a guitar, but he wants a bass.

the early 59-62 period
the 63-64 period
the 65-68 period
the early 70's
and the 88-92 period

a convex german carve on the lower horn (59-62)
a side jack (63-64)
truss rod adjustment and cover at headstock (66-68 and beyond)
half round string guide (63-65)
three piece maple neck (88-92)
no binding on the body (65-66)
small dot inlay (59-68)
two pickups and toggle, but four control knobs (70's)
spun knobs (63-65)

there's going to be one more kicker to top it all off. it's going to be an 8 string bass.

I'd like to hear feedback for you guys on the idea.

[rcblair]

this might be a little early to share with the forum, because this bass is only in the planning stages right now with a customer, but I've been dying to tell you guys. we want to make a mosrite ventures style bass but I wanted to use design ideas that included all the different time frames in the history of the ventures/mark model. I really wanted to do this for a guitar, but he wants a bass.

the early 59-62 period
the 63-64 period
the 65-68 period
the early 70's
and the 88-92 period

a convex german carve on the lower horn (59-62)
a side jack (63-64)
truss rod adjustment and cover at headstock (66-68 and beyond)
half round string guide (63-65)
three piece maple neck (88-92)
no binding on the body (65-66)
small dot inlay (59-68)
two pickups and toggle, but four control knobs (70's)
spun knobs (63-65)

there's going to be one more kicker to top it all off. it's going to be an 8 string bass.

I'd like to hear feedback for you guys on the idea.

Well as one who is bending the envelope a little with respect to Mosrite basses the concept sounds good to me. I hope you are talking about a 4-string octave 8-string bass. Eight uniquely tuned strings with a 6" wide fingerboard might be too wierd even for me.

What are you going to do for a bridge? Something like the Mosrite tailpiece/bridge or something more contemporary?

Where are you planning to get the spun knobs from? I'd like to get some myself but they don't seem to be readily available.

Rick B.

[oipunkguy]

yeah, just think of a 12 string guitar, but only for bass. the concept is going to be based on the 60's hagstrom 8 string basses. same regular sized neck, of course the headstock would need to be longer.

spun knobs you can get from matt at m-3, or you can check around ebay. bob shade may carry them as well, but I'm not sure. I got mine from zamminc, who deals (or at least use to deal) in the black cloud mosrites coming out of japan. the only thing is the knobs are made for metric sized pots, so on the set I got I had to route out the hole some to make them fit on a standard pot. kinda a pain, but only takes about 10 mins with the right bit and a dremel.

I would also check with artie at front porch, I'm sure fillmore can supply them.

[olrocknroller]

Those Hagstrom basses are the stuff of legend... I would dearly love to find a good one in restorable condition!

[oipunkguy]

my friend has at least one. I'm going to be borrowing it when this project gets off the ground to use as a point of reference. I could ask him if he knows anyone that has one for sale if you like.

[101Volts]

I forgot about 8-String basses until you brought this up. This bass sounds interesting, Could you please upload a video to Youtube so we can hear how the Bass sounds once you're done building it? Thanks!

Austin

[oipunkguy]

sure. I thought it would be totally cool to put a moseley type trem on it, but that might be just going too far heh.

[olrocknroller]

my friend has at least one. I'm going to be borrowing it when this project gets off the ground to use as a point of reference. I could ask him if he knows anyone that has one for sale if you like.

That would be great... my collection has only grown by three this summer, what's one more!

[101Volts]

Thanks. I might end up building my own 8 String Ventures Bass after you're done building this, I was thinking about buying or building a Ventures Bass and now the thoughts of an 8-string Ventures Bass are giving me more reasons to build one.

And just for the fun of it, Here's a video of a fellow playing an 8 String Bass:

Austin

[oipunkguy]

pretty cool!