8 string basses?

captainfarrell · #1 02-09-2011, 05:12 PM

I can see the benefits of 5 & 6 string basses and I use them occasionally, but what are your experiences with 8 string basses? I know it's basically a 4 string bass wit hthe extra string (like a 12 string acoustic), but I am very tempted to buy this one: http://www.guitar-warehouse.com/prod...0Guitar%20(Red)

I know it looks cheap, but I bought a Stellah SRB-6 6 string bass and I was impressed with the quality for the price. Does anyone have any experiece with this model or would they recommend anything else. Don't really want to spend more than 300 euro.

Savage_Dreams · #2 02-09-2011, 05:21 PM

hard to tell by the picture but it looks the bridge does not have adjustable saddles. intonation would be hell especially when dealing with doubled strings. if you want an 8 string its well worth the xtra money for one with an adjustable bridge.

captainfarrell · #3 02-09-2011, 05:39 PM

Hmmm,
Interesting point.
Their warehouse is near where i live so I might see if I can try it out first to make sure the intonation is okay...

girlonbass · #4 02-09-2011, 11:42 PM

I bought a Schector Stiletto Deluxe 8-string from an ebay store. It was factory B stock and cost me about $250.00. It was B stock for scuffs on back of the body. I knew I would never likely play it a lot, but wanted one in my collection. It's not a bad bass at all. I did need to set it up.

Schecter also has a Studio model which is very nice. Other 8-strings are the Dean Rhapsody, Dean Edge and Hagstrom HB-8.

Nev375 · #5 02-09-2011, 11:56 PM

8 and 12 string basses can be addicting. I've owned and built several over the years. Great songwriting tools and perfect for songs that need something a little different. They are also great for groups that have no rhythm guitarist. (keeps the band sounding full when the guitar goes to solo)

I don't have any experience with the one you mention, but there are many good ones out there in all sorts of price ranges.

bobm2112 · #6 02-09-2011, 11:59 PM

8 string basses are tons of fun. I cant really see them in an everyday band environment though. But what the hell do I know lol Cheap Trick, Kings X, and Pearl Jam seems to do a good job :-))

girlonbass · #7 02-10-2011, 12:10 AM

Tom Petersson from Cheap Trick is an endorser for Waterstone now. (http://www.waterstoneguitars.com/bass.shtml). He's known for playing 8-string but also has a signature 12-string (4 courses of the 3 strings)

Noel Redding from the Jimi Hendrix Experience was an early advocate of the Hagstrom 8-string bass. (http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/hag8.php) (Note that the vintage Hagstrom is completely different from the re-issue.)

Like bobm says. Lots of fun, but maybe not all that practical.

Terri

Hobobob · #8 02-10-2011, 12:46 AM

John Paul Jones also did a lot on an 8 string (listen to Achilles' Last Stand). I wish I had the scratch to get one, but I'm a broke college student. I've resigned myself to looking for an affordable Octave pedal with an octave up for this sound. Not the real deal, but it'll work until I'm rich.

Nev375 · #9 02-10-2011, 01:15 AM

The inherent problem with 8 and 12 string basses is the treble strings tend to be so much louder than the bass strings.

So the instrument ceases to be a bass and becomes something stuck somewhere between bass and guitar. It's equally bad at fulfilling either of those roles so it isn't used a lot in traditional band settings.

However, it's still a beautiful sounding instrument and with the right accompaniment or the right technique it could be used full time. In other words, it may be strung up a lot like a bass, but it's best if you don't approach it as a bass player.

**dmonroe** · #10 02-10-2011, 02:52 AM

I like the sound especially on something slow and melodic. It just seems more practical to use a Micro Pog so it can be turned on and off.

Rob Martinez · #11 02-10-2011, 04:19 AM

Listen to Tom Petersson play on Cheap Trick songs GONNA RAISE HELL, HEAVEN TONIGHT, and NEED YOUR LOVE to hear amazing 12 string bass. Studio version of GRH is an 8 string!

moonshinegtrs · #12 02-10-2011, 06:00 AM

I've owned a few 8 strings over the years...I bought a Carlo Robelli (silver 'flake, double cutaway L.P. stlye body) last year; turned out to be a really nice bass. They're not for everybody, but they are fun to play. You do have to play them more like a rythym guitar than a bass.

I used to believe they were best for slower, more simple stuff, then I saw what John Paul Jones does with one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGHWxLruLvA

They sound so cool with a little distortion. As previously mentioned; not something I would use as my main instrument.

Moonshine

captainfarrell · #13 02-10-2011, 06:40 AM

Tried it out today and ended up buying it. It didn't have the adjustable saddles but the intonation was fine. The bass itself was fine, finish could have been a bit better, but I am very pleased with it overall, especially that it was only 200 euro. Not sure how often I will use it practically, but it sure is fun to play and is something a little different.

bound'n'blocked · #14 02-10-2011, 12:40 PM

I've been messin' around with one for about a month now (Rogue) for about a month now and have found that playing it really isnt too much different, but the difference in tone is really hard for me to get used to. I like it, but like others have said, I dont see playing it on every song.

I agree with moonshine above in that it needs to be played like a guitar. I read that Tom Petersson had come from a guitar playing background, so that might explain his approach and style and sound.

BnB

JT Bass · #15 02-10-2011, 12:48 PM

I'm still kicking myself for letting an Ibanez 80s Roadstar (at least I think is was a Roadstar) 8 string fall through my fingers on local CL (cheap too). Still looking for a quality ten string....

ffutterman · #16 02-10-2011, 12:51 PM

Is it feasible or comfortable to play an 8-string finger-style? They seem kind of interesting, but I have an aversion to picks.

coronado3 · #17 02-10-2011, 12:57 PM

they sound great with fingers!!! Most people think they are only to be used w/ a pick. With Fingers, the tone is much more bass string emphasised.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ffutterman

Is it feasible or comfortable to play an 8-string finger-style? They seem kind of interesting, but I have an aversion to picks.

oldbassplayergu · #18 02-10-2011, 01:03 PM

check out the duo "Clatter" doing Limelight by rush on youtube. Its kind of silly, but cool at the same time. Or I don't know what the hell I'm talking about.

Hobobob · #19 02-10-2011, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ffutterman

Is it feasible or comfortable to play an 8-string finger-style? They seem kind of interesting, but I have an aversion to picks.

I've seen some that had the higher string above the lower, and others vice versa. If you get one of the first type, fingerstyle shouldn't be a problem at all.

TheSuzie · #20 02-10-2011, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JT Bass

Still looking for a quality ten string....

IIRC Jauqo used to play a 10 string Dean. Now he is rocking his brand new 15 string Pratt. He may have some ideas about where to pick up a used 10.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0ibBxc7HRo

Peace,
S