Any 8-string bass players out there?

[ClayBones]

I'm considering purchasing my first 8-string bass. Does anyone out there play one of these monsters? How do you tune these devices? How well do they stay tuned?

 

[Nev375]

I own 8 and 12 string basses. I prefer the 12 strings due to the chorussing nature of the octave strings.

Basically you have 4 regular bass strings tuned EADG and 4 lighter gauge strings running alongside also tuned EADG, but one octave higher (same pitch as a guitar's 4 lowest strings)

The tuning stability is dependant on the quality of tuners and the stiffness of the neck. Most 8 and 12 string necks are heavily reinforced or contain double truss rods, so overall I have found them to be more stable than average.

 

[bassguy72]

I play a 7 string bass........that's as close as I've ever been to an 8 string........

 

[NecroticImbecil]

So far,we're talking about 2 different types of bass entirely. OP was not clear which he meant, though dual course root-octave basses are more common in the real world.

Though I suppose the answers for either type to the OP questions would be the same.

How do you tune? Like a regular bass, but it takes twice as long.

How well do they stay tuned? Depends on the bass.

 

[Chopper47]

Have been using a Dean Rhapsody 8 in a power trio setting for years. With D'Addario strings, it stays in tune very well. While not ideal for every song, it really adds something to selected numbers.

 

[Rob Martinez]

I sold my 8 string basses, as I find myself always grabbing my Waterstone TP 12 string bass when I want a multi string bass sound. Having said that, 8 string basses are very cool if you want a fuller sound, and the octave strings create a distorted-like effect on the bass tone.

 

[bootsox]

I used to play a 12 but I got tired of having to tune it so I sold it a few years ago

 

[Ric5]

I played a 10 string for a while.

 

[Ric5]

I always thought an 8 string could be tuned DdGgCcFf

 

[Basso54]

I just bought this one from a fellow TB'er.

Very excited to get into the world of 8-string basses. Dug from King's X is a big influence on my playing.

 

[Killinkrap]

the next bass I'm planning on getting is an eight string, I'm just wondering if anyone out there has ever tried covering anything heavy like Metallica or judas priest with an eight or twelve string.

 

[WalWarrior]

Is the OP talking extended range 8 string tuned F#BEADGCF or octaves of EADG? That's the question.

 

[msact]

Here is my 12 string Musicvox Spacecadet. The electronic configuration is a bit quirky, but it plays great and sounds awesome, especially through a fuzz box.

And here is my 8 string Washburn B-20-8.

Two very cool basses

 

[JimmyM]

Love 8's and 12's, got no need for them. Bought a Dean Rhapsody 8 once, found myself using it when I backed up The Crystals 3 or 4 times a year and that was it. Now I just use a Micro Pog when I want that sound. Yes, I know it's not quite the same, but it's close enough to where I don't care.

 

[mtb777]

Like this?

 

[Bassist4Eris]

I have a Schecter Stiletto Studio 8. It stays in tune very well. I use SIT Powerwounds on it, because they were the lightest strings I could find. I'm not usually a light gauge guy, but I found pressing both strings fatiguing, even with a very low setup with minimal neck relief. With the SITs, it plays like the proverbial buttah. They also sound better than the D'addarios I was using previously (IMO, of course).

Neck dive is an issue, perhaps especially in this case because the bass itself is very light (about 8 and a half pounds).

Many people play 8-strings with a pick, but I play mine mainly fingerstyle, and even slap on one song. I also find the sound of the 8 to be very effects-friendly.

I play it on about half of the songs we do (original fusion). I get lots of compliments on how well it fills out the sound. Up until recently we were a 3-piece. We just added a keyboardist, and it will be interesting to see how the 8 works in the mix with the extra player.

 

[Gorn]

I'm curious, what are the practical applications of an 8 string? What songs/genres call for it?

I'm not knocking it, just legitimately curious.

 

[wvbass]

I'm curious, what are the practical applications of an 8 string? What songs/genres call for it?

I'm not knocking it, just legitimately curious.

Cheap Trick covers.

 

[godofthunder59]

I had a B-20 back in the day, never knew they made a 8 string version!

Here is my 12 string Musicvox Spacecadet. The electronic configuration is a bit quirky, but it plays great and sounds awesome, especially through a fuzz box.

And here is my 8 string Washburn B-20-8.

Two very cool basses

 

[Bassist4Eris]

I'm curious, what are the practical applications of an 8 string? What songs/genres call for it?

I'm not knocking it, just legitimately curious.

I play originals, and my heroes include Frank Zappa, John Zorn, and Miles Davis. So for me, the practical application is having something a little different and outside of the norm, to inspire a different type of creative thinking than what I might play on a conventional bass.