8-string 2-course sets - which strings are octave?

[Stealth]

Due to ctmullins' latest eight-string project, I've been wondering: in an 8-string double-course set, are all octave strings octave, or has anyone ever used same-gauge strings for, say, the G-string pair?

[Nev375]

The same gauge will work fine as long as you tune them to the same pitch. (no octaves)

You can get a really cool natural chorus sound by having one of them very slightly out of tune with the other.

[knuckle_head]

The G string does have an octave gauge.

.136 - .067
.102 - .051
.076 - .037
.057 - .023p

There is a tenor instrument that uses unison pairs that has an amazing sound. No reason this wouldn't work on bass.

[Stealth]

Thanks for the input. The reason I asked is precisely because of the last line, knuckle_head, I'm trying to avoid using plain strings. Even back when I dabbled a bit with an acoustic guitar I preferred a set with a wound G to an unwound one.

[Nev375]

If avoiding the plain strings is what you are really wanting to do. You can get bulk strings from juststrings.com down to a wound .025. That would probably work for an octaved G.

Another option would be to tune BEAD all octaved.

Having some strings octaved and one string unisoned would just be awkward for me, but if that seems cool to you then hey, go for it.

[FunkMetalBass]

I used to be skeptical of the plain strings too, until I started use a plain high F on my 8-string bass (from the Circle K set). It sounds very consistent with the other strings, and only my fingers know that it's plain. Plus, with octaved strings, I think any of the "twang" that you'd expect from a plain string will be disguised.

[ixlramp]

Originally Posted by Nev375

If avoiding the plain strings is what you are really wanting to do. You can get bulk strings from juststrings.com down to a wound .025. That would probably work for an octaved G.

Another option would be to tune BEAD all octaved.

A .025 won't do octave-up G, but it will do octave-up D for BEAD tuning. You may want to contact Octave 4 Plus as I think they have been developing ultra-thin wound strings as special custom orders. They publicly sell .017-.020 wounds for the F of EADGCF which may or may not do the G a tone higher.

I actually prefer the sound of unison courses, the natural chorus is more intense.

[ixlramp]

Conklin Guitars sell inexpensive wound .020 and .022 for the F of EADGCF, so you could tune DGCF.

[knuckle_head]

Originally Posted by ixlramp

Conklin Guitars sell inexpensive wound .020 and .022 for the F of EADGCF, so you could tune DGCF.

Interesting options occur . . .

One brand for one course, another for the other.

[UnfortunateTony]

Something I did once was to tune the octave string to a 5th above the regular string instead. Sounded really cool.

[SMILEYSIXX]

FWIW, I've heard of people (when using two strings of the same pitch) tune one a few cents sharp and the other a few cents flat to give a cool tremolo sound...