I promise, I'll get back to this. Someday.
Meanwhile, I finished up the fashion show for our new band member today. She's seen all of my basses except the acoustic-electric Ovation.
Today was the Hagstrom 8-string. I also brought the H8 strung for 4, because the 8 tires my hand quickly. I always figured that it was the 8 strings, but now I'm not so sure.
Two weeks ago, I took the H8 strung for 4, and noticed that my hand got tired. Shouldn't, as the Hags are short scale, so ought to be easier to play, not harder. I gave it some thought, and checked the nut depth. Sure enough, the E string was high. The extra effort to push the string down on the lower frets can tire a player out pretty quickly. So, I took it down to my local guitar shop and he filed down the nut slot a bit. Played it today, and it was much better.
Playing the 8 tired my left hand out quickly. Sure enough, the nut slots are too shallow on that one, too. I switched after only one song (though we had played that one several times, trying to get it right). Played the other Hag for a while, then switched back for Sophia, in which I have a short lead. Sounded really good! Did not sound as good on Death of a Gremmie. That one seems to want more punch than the 8 strings seem to have.
Dunno if I'll use the H8 in performance. I guess we'll see. That's still a ways in the future. Meanwhile, it's in the shop for a setup. Should be much easier to play when i get it back.