Eight String Bass- In progress

So of course, the instrument I was working on when I munched my finger is for my personal use. I started playing in a trio where I need to cover more "sonic real estate"- half the time I'm playing keyboard lines way up the neck while I hit bass notes on a set of Elka pedals with my feet. I started thinking about an eight string bass. Octave bass, not a big extended-range monster- I wouldn't have any idea what to do with such a creature. I used to own a 70's aluminum-neck Kramer eight string, but didn't really bond with it. For one, I don't like short scale basses, and I've never really enjoyed playing an old Kramer of any stripe, regardless of the number of strings. I did, however, like the sound of the thing. I also like the way octave basses sound on record- I was very into Kings-X in college- Doug Pinnick (sp?) palys twelve string basses with a touch of overdrive. Huge sound. So I figured I'd build one. I had been looking at pictures of semi,-hollow single-cutaway basses at the time, and since I only build one instrument for myself a year, I had to combine the two.

In progress as of today: Fully hollow mahogany body w flamed/spalted maple cap, bubinga board , 9-piece neck of maple, purpleheart, and padouk. Hipshot ultralites for the bass strings, grover mini's for the octaves. Dimarzio Split P pickups ,and an ABR bridge from Allparts, my least favorite suppliers on the planet. All I have left to do before spraying is carve the neck and mount the bridge. Honestly, I'm a little worried about the bridge. Intonation is a problem on every bass of this type I've ever played, and the range of travel on this one is not encouraging.
Here's a pic:
Even If I set the bridge so that the E string is intonated with the saddle all the way back, I'm still not sure that the octave strings will intonate properly. I'll string it up in the white & mess with it, but I'm not optimistic. I also hate that the string pairs come through the same hole- looks like I'll need to notch the saddles to get them to line up properly- always a sign of a poorly engineered bridge. Unfortunately, the only other commercially available bridge is the Schaller 471, which I like even less. Methinks it's time for a test body.

I very much enjoy building things I've never attempted before, but uncertainty about hardware drives me nuts.

Here's a closeup of the back of the neck with the padouk accent laminates visable-

I've fallen in love with multi-laminate necks lately, four of the six "actively" in progress instruments have them. (actively- as opposed to stuff with no buyer that just hangs there, waiting for a free day. I've got a gorgeous walnut tele (OK, OK, "fender inspired single cutaway electric guitar) that just needs buffing and wiring to be complete- It's been hanging there for about eighteen months now. )

Should be ready to spray by the end of the week- If I can find time. Customer guitars have to come first. Also, this bass ate my finger, I'm a little mad at it.