Hagstrom Eight string questions, ideas?

Bass VI · November 10, 2008, 10:28:07 PM

Good perspective Rick,

But you may have guessed by my username, I'm a fan of what could be described as "color" basses. Wouldn't think of using the Hag-8 (or a Bass VI

) as a full timer, but as an accent.

Here are a few pics of the progress so far, the neck and the octave tuners. The body, pictured earlier is not available for photos at the moment, it's covered in paint stripper (need to go check that!) the neck and jack-plates will need a trip to the chrome shop (or maybe nickel is more correct)

That's it so far, gotta long way to go!

Scott (BassII,IV,VI,VIII)

rahock · November 11, 2008, 06:58:04 AM

It's nice seeing those pictures .There are times I miss mine. $:-\$
The Hagstrom neck is a pretty unique piece of work. I never knew anyone else with a Hag 8 string so I can only speak of my experience, but my neck never had a dead spot, felt good , played good and I think it never saw more than one adjustment in over 35 years.

Rick

Bass VI · November 11, 2008, 10:52:02 PM

Rick,

I know exactly what you mean about the neck. Mine has obviously not been attached to anything for quite a while, but it's dead-straight and it feels like you could use it for a crowbar. I remember Hagstrom used to always tout their H-shaped truss rod and cosidering how thin the neck is (front to back) I would say it was a pretty good design. I'm pretty impressed with the tuners also (at least the guitar/octave set) for what is basically an open gear tuner with a cover, they're smooth and seem to have very little backlash. They look pretty cool too. I'll have to wait till I find a set for the bass strings to comment on them. I'm looking into a set of Darkstar pickups (though I'm not in a hurry, the body needs a lot of work). Some of the later Hagstrom 6 string basses used the Hag/Guild pickup that the DS evolved from.
Here is a link to a great Hagstrom site (scroll down for 8s' and then 6s')

http://www.hagstrom.org.uk/manfredgraeder2.htm

I can see using a couple of Fred Hammons' loely creations on my 8.

http://www.hammoneng.com/index.htm

Anyway. back to work!

Scott (B-whatever)

rahock · November 12, 2008, 07:02:47 AM

Yep, the tuners were exceptional too, that thing always stayed in tune. All the physical issues as far as playability and durability were rock solid. In fact in the "set it and forget it category", I'd give Hagstrom a higher rating than anything I've owned including Fenders, Gibsons and Rics. Mine looked just like the walnutburst one in the picture.
The only thing that I would consider a weak point on the Hagstrom, is the switches . Blow them out regularly and keep them lubed up with a good contact cleaner/lubricant. Mine never made any crackles but on several occaission they would not function. Go to flip the switch from one pickup to the other and it would go completely dead. The switch maintained the"click feel" so you tend to think the switch is OK but it's not. It's not like the bass was ever dirty or dusty either, in fact mine was near perfect after 35 plus years. Always clean as a whistle but the switches were real touchy.I was going to replace them with something a little more durable but never got around to it.

Rick

PhilT · November 21, 2008, 09:11:19 AM

You may have found this already, but there's a list of spares suppliers on the links page of the Hagstrom fan site (scroll down the page) ...

http://www.hagstrom.org.uk/hagstrom_links.htm

Schaller do an 8-string bridge (471), but it's obviously modern Schaller.

Brandoni might also be worth a try, they have mostly vintage EKO bits, but they're reputed to be very helpful with finding parts.

http://www.brandoniguitars.co.uk
+44 208 908 2323

Bass VI · November 21, 2008, 09:29:20 PM

Thanks for the links Phil,
I knew about Brandoni, but like a doof I didn't even think to check the Hagstrom site. I'm seriously thinking about the Darkstars fo pickups, thay look great, much better than the originals IMHO and by all accounts people seem to be very happy with the way they sound. Krishna at Boston Guitar Repair sent me a link to an ebay sale that had quite a few parts and there is a four string bridge plate on the 'bay also. I send out a few queries and see what turns up.

Scott ( BassVI )

bostonguitarrepair · December 01, 2008, 08:53:28 PM

Hey good to see you're making some progress on the 8-string.

The bridge is very similar to the standard 4 string bridge CROSSED with the later 6-string all metal bridge (not the rosewood and fretwire bridge used on the hag 1 bubbletop guitar).

I can take some detailed pics to illustrate for you.

What you'd need to do is get a 4-string bridge plate - drill a two holes in it - mount one of the Van Ghent bar bridges on the bass plate (these bridges were used on Guilds also) - and then either fit 8 saddle pieces to the bridge or seven, with the one having two notches for the two "G" strings.

You'll also have to drill out the baseplate for an additional 4-strings.

I'll take some pictures and send them along to better explain

Krishna

Bass VI · December 01, 2008, 10:04:57 PM

Thanks Krishna,
That's what I've been thinking for the bridge, pics would definately help. On another note, are the big tuners the same as a four string or are they a little different because of the spacing? The back covers look a little smaller. If I can get a bridge together, I think I can start moving forward. I should finish stripping the body tonight ( got sidetracked with the Guild B-302 http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=1550.msg19177#msg19177 ) I think I may use Darkstars for the pickups and modify the electronics to suit them.

I'll update by the weekend,

Cheers All!

Scott ( BassVI )

mgod · December 04, 2008, 10:27:21 AM

Quote from: Chris P on September 14, 2008, 02:41:45 AMOrder a Darkstar. It's Hagstrom in the end and Fred Hammon makes 'm with different spacings.

I've owned an H8 for 38 years. I'm also pretty close with Fred. Because the H8 is much thinner sounding than I like, we've looked at cutting into it to install a DS. I can fully recommend against this. The H8 is a very thin solid body and the DS is a deep pickup.

DS

Bass VI · December 04, 2008, 12:19:25 PM

Quote from: mgod on December 04, 2008, 10:27:21 AM
I've owned an H8 for 38 years. I'm also pretty close with Fred. Because the H8 is much thinner sounding than I like, we've looked at cutting into it to install a DS. I can fully recommend against this. The H8 is a very thin solid body and the DS is a deep pickup.

DS

Deep physically you mean? In other words......pickup coming through the back of the body or almost?

Hmmmmmm................

drbassman · December 04, 2008, 04:49:13 PM

I can measure my DS depth if you like.

Bass VI · December 04, 2008, 07:44:48 PM

Quote from: drbassman on December 04, 2008, 04:49:13 PM
I can measure my DS depth if you like.

That would be very helpful, Thanks Doc' !

S.

drbassman · December 05, 2008, 11:03:37 AM

Quote from: Bass VI on December 04, 2008, 07:44:48 PM

That would be very helpful, Thanks Doc' !

S.

Will do when I get home tonight. They are pretty thick.

drbassman · December 06, 2008, 01:24:28 PM

DS pup is 1" in depth, minimum.

EvilLordJuju · December 21, 2008, 09:24:59 AM

I've got a Hagstrom 8 string bridge... with a couple saddles missing....

Trouble is, i'm using it just now, on a Guild JS1... (because it fits)

So, if you can find me an early 70s Guild JS1 bridge, I will happily swap them.

By the way, I also have a complete H8 which I also love, but never use out... I want to record it one day, but it's got roundwounds (can you buy a flatwound 8 string set?) and lacks mud (of course)