How to TUNE an 8 string bass?!

[Lazy B.]

I just bought a fretless 8 string XL8 Kramer Bass (4 pairs of strings). Joy! Thus, now for the important question: what strings do I provide it with and how do I tune them? Thanks y'all!

 

[Trevorus]

Lokk on the net for a place to order them. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], MusiciansFriend, places like that. THey are tuned EADG amd EADG respectively. THat means that the thick ones are regular bass notes, and the added set is an octave up from that.

 

[Lazy B.]

Lokk on the net for a place to order them. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed], MusiciansFriend, places like that. THey are tuned EADG amd EADG respectively. THat means that the thick ones are regular bass notes, and the added set is an octave up from that.

Allright, I see. That's what I thought; tuning in octaves. Can I use regular guitarstrings for the high ones?

And are there perhaps any interesting alternative ways of tuning an 8 string?

 

[Markdezy]

12stringbass.net should be helpful to you.

 

[Trevorus]

I am sure there are other tunings, but I haven't used any. Regular guitar strings might work if they are long enough, and the ball ends don't slip through the bridge.

 

[Freaky Fender]

I tuned an 8 string bass going
(notes in paratheses are for the octave higher strings)
E(b)-A(e)-D(a)-G(d)
Standard tuning with a compound 5th
You could also do

C(E)-G(B)-D(Gb)-A(Db)
Tuned to fifths, and an compound 3rd! makes for very funky and melodic double stops.

 

[Davehenning]

D'Addario makes an 8 string set. (XL 8)

I believe GHS makes them as well, but I have only seen the XL8's in my travels.

 

[SoComSurfing]

I tuned an 8 string bass going
(notes in paratheses are for the octave higher strings)
E(b)-A(e)-D(a)-G(d)
Standard tuning with a compound 5th
You could also do

C(E)-G(B)-D(Gb)-A(Db)
Tuned to fifths, and an compound 3rd! makes for very funky and melodic double stops.

Hmm...those tunings sound interesting...I'll have to give them a shot.

 

[subaudio]

I heard the guy from Cheap Trick tunes E + 5th above, A,D,G + octaves.

 

[Jeff Triibby]

I just bought a 1980s Kramer XL-8 8-String Bass that came with only the four primary strings on it. The alternate (octave) strings are strung backwards from the headstock down past the main strings to the tuners on the very bottom of the bass. My question is: where do the octave strings go through the bridge to get to the tuners? Do they just go through the same holes as the primary strings? Please, I need to know ASAP.

 

[HaphAsSard]

I just bought a 1980s Kramer XL-8 8-String Bass that came with only the four primary strings on it. The alternate (octave) strings are strung backwards from the headstock down past the main strings to the tuners on the very bottom of the bass. My question is: where do the octave strings go through the bridge to get to the tuners? Do they just go through the same holes as the primary strings? Please, I need to know ASAP.

Yes.

1980 Kramer XL-8-string Bass | Reverb

 

[Jeff Triibby]

That's what I thought, but I couldn't find any clear pics of it. Thank you so much. May you have a blessed rest of your week. Now if only the D'Addario EXL170-8 set of strings would get here....