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Don't hold back...How do we feel about 8 string basses?

#23
I have one. I messed around with it some with my band, three piece, and really wanted to like the sound, but just couldn't get into it. Maybe because it is active and I don't care for active basses, but it's such a different animal that I seemed to be dialing around on my amp all the time instead of playing.

Mine is a Rogue, and is a great bass, very nice action and neck with the same nut width as a Precision, but it's just not for me. I wanted to like it tho...

BnB
 
#30
I bought a Dean Rhapsody 8 on a lark and it hooked me pretty quick. Maybe just the stimulation of novelty, but it makes me come up with different riffs and play differently than I would on a 4 string. I've considered picking up a 12 string for a while now too, getting into the multi-course instruments seems to be a bit addictive. At this point I look at it as a different instrument completely from my 4 string basses. I really haven't had a chance to try it out in a band situation yet, but I could easily see writing songs around it.
 
#31
I've never listened to anyone playing an 8 so can't give an honest opinion on the benefits. Just by reading and looking at them, my only question would be what benefit(s) are there to having an 8 over a 4 or 5 string? Just curious.
 
#33
As you can see from my avatar, I am a big fan of multiple course basses. I played the 8 string in the photo in three originals bands, one of them as my primary instrument. I enjoyed the sound, still do lol, especially distorted! Power trio heaven. I also love the physicality of the instrument - not for wimps, hahaha. Good times!

And with that said, I sold that bass about 3 years ago. I just wasn't using it anymore, starting about 6 years ago. Sadly, I haven't really felt the need, or even want, to replace it. Someday I am thinking I'll get the itch again, but right now my fretted four banger is all I am wanting, really. Maybe my fretless is next to go?
 
#34
FunkMetalBass said:
An 8-string is the next bass I plan to assemble. I just need to find the right custom neck builder first.

I've never used one in a band setting, but I plan to, and I have very high hopes for it.
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Don't know how custom you need to get. My bro had a reputable luthier make his Guild B302 into an 8 string. Luthier used a Warmoth neck. Bravely exploring new frontiers in neckdive and forward bowing that never quite came out despite any adjustments or string gauge changes. Bro ended up tossing that neck, getting a Carvin neck-through 5 string neck.. I am told they are available with various options if you call rather than just order off the web site. He made a much better bass himself by sawing up the body to make wings for the Carvin neck.

As for the OP.. I like good 8 strings. Not so fond of ones that aren't good. No use for 8 single strings, my fingers are not 18 inches long.
 
#35
I prefer a 10 to an 8 ....


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#37
fenderlover77 said:
I've never listened to anyone playing an 8 so can't give an honest opinion on the benefits. Just by reading and looking at them, my only question would be what benefit(s) are there to having an 8 over a 4 or 5 string? Just curious.
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Look no further than Cheap Trick. Every wonder how Tom Peterson sound so *big* in there recordings? He played 8 and even 12 string basses (I picked up a Hamer Tom Peterson signature 12 string once... Holy cow - it weighted a TON, was hard as heck to play but sounded VERY cool!)
 
#38
MEKer said:
why not just use a chorus or octaver?

<Tho I admit I have toyed with the idea of having one, they just seem too much a 0ne-trick-pony to justify the money. Still would like one cuz its cool--the Ric for instance--but....>
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The Octaver made by Pigtronix on the "Disnortion" pedal does the trick because the octave would have to be the one ABOVE the root note, where as most Octave pedals, such as my Ashdown, generate the Octave below, mudding sh*t up quite a bit especially if you're playing a 5er.

The LTD B-208FM is a GREAT bass...I LOVE the action and sound on that thing and I believe it was about $400 ! With a really nice see thru black flametop finish AND hardcase ! (see pic)
 

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#39
I've had an 8 string in the past (Hagstrom) and currently own a Waterstone 12. With very few exceptions, I've been able to use it in a wide variety of musical settings.

It seems that what you play become more of an issue depending on instrumentation. In a solo, duo, or trio setting there's a lot of freedom. Add a additional strings or a piano and it gets a bit trickier. These things take up a lot of sonic real estate. It's really made me think differently as a bass player.
 

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