8 string octave basses

[Bob C]

Right. As I said in my first post, I think 8 and 12 string basses are kind of designed for pick playing. I seem to remember reading that for custom orders (ie, expensive basses) you should specify the octave order, depending on whether you play pick or fingerstyle.

 

[Hoover]

I'm no expert, but ... In the pictures I've seen of the 12 string basses played by Nikki Sixx, Doug Pinnick and Tom Peterson (all using a pick) the lower octave string was on the bottom of each set (of 3).

Right, which indicates just how much of a hair-splitting issue it really is. Eg, I play 8-string primarily with fingers but occasionally with a pick, and it has absolutely never occurred to me to wish the string pairs were reversed when I was using a pick.

I think this whole notion of having the string orientation optimized for either plucking or picking was created by manufacturers as a way to justify their particular choice after the fact.

 

[Bob C]

Hoover,

That's good to know. I don't have any real world experience with 8 string. If you do play both styles, either a compromise is needed or the string orientation doesn't matter.

 

[8guy]

I play my brice 8 string mainly with a pick, But I can play it with my fingers and using how i strike the strings that way I can just play wthe bass note without trigering The octave note.

 

[JimmyM]

i loved having an 8 string for a while. had a dean rhapsody. but i could only use it on a handful of gigs for a song or two, so i traded the bass for a vintage fender neck. now i use a micro pog when i need that sound. a little electronic sounding but close enough for government work.

 

[jeffbrown]

I got my (pre-owned) Washburn RB2802 nearly a year ago. I'm currently using it on a few of our songs. Yoshihiro Naruse of Casiopea rocks an 8 string. I use it more on guitar-heavy country/folk stuff, but I'm thinking of giving it a go on a rocker or two.

The saddles on this Washburn do not allow tuning each string of each pair separately, so matching intonation can be a challenge. A new bridge isn't in the near future because of expenses.... That said, I love the sound! The lower octave is on the bottom, but I play fingerstyle sometimes, with my thumb sometimes, and with a pick occasionally as well, which allows me to get a different effect with each.

Years ago a friend let me play his Rick 8 string, and that hooked me. Did I say I love the sound?

Using roundwounds on it now, but at some point, I'd like to try flats. Anyone have suggestions on a set?

 

[Engine207]

i loved having an 8 string for a while. had a dean rhapsody. but i could only use it on a handful of gigs for a song or two, so i traded the bass for a vintage fender neck. now i use a micro pog when i need that sound. a little electronic sounding but close enough for government work.

As usual...JimmyM gets the "this".

I strolled into my local GC one afternoon while the Ol' Girl spent my paycheck nearby, and saw a very nice playing ESP LTD 8-banger for about $250. I got kind day GASsy about getting it, but decided to do some research first. What I found is that very few tunes sound right all the way through with the octave sound. It's much more likely to sound good in a chorus or some part of a song, rather than the whole song.

So, I too got a MicroPog. To me, it sounds pretty good, especially with the "octave below" setting. I have the flexibility to stomp it on/off at the appropriate time, without being stuck with it all the way through.

As a city worker, I particularly appreciate the "government work" metaphor!

 

[FunkMetalBass]

I've considered buying a cheapy 4-string from craigslist and doing a conversion. I imagine it'd be nice for some of my 3-piece stuff.

 

[KeithAlanK]

I write our originals on my 8, so of course it sounds perfect all the way through.
In cover bands, no, they aren't as useful unless you're in a King's X or Cheap Trick tribute act.

But it's not hard (with a little practice) to play verses on just the bass strings, then use all strings for the chorus or solo section or whatever.
You just have to be careful.

 

[CopperheadLXXIX]

What I found is that very few tunes sound right all the way through with the octave sound. It's much more likely to sound good in a chorus or some part of a song, rather than the whole song.

With proper technique and a little practice, it's easy to play just the octaves or just the fundamental strings.

With that said, I can understand why players only looking for that octave up sound now and again wouldn't want to lug an extra bass around to practice and/or gigs.