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Pondering an 8 string

S

szego

Jul 26, 2004
22
0
37
#1
Hey all, well heres the deal, im 16 years old and have been playing for about 2 years on my 4 string, ive come to be pretty good, so now i want to buy a new bass, saving up for the marcus miller jazz, but that went up in price and my bday is rolling around, my father (also a bass player) offered to buy me an 8-string, just as something to have since it may be another year till i get my new 4 string, now obviously the 8 string wouldnt be my main bass, but i just wanna know what exactly it's used for, don't wanna blow that money on something i might never pick up, what kinds of songs can i play with it, and would i be able to play songs onthe 8 that i normally play on my 4? Or would i have to write songs around it? Just looking for some feedback if anyone can help. Thanks.
 
#2
Eight octaved strings (EeAaDdGg) or Eight individual strings with an aircraft carrier neck.

I assume you're speaking of the earlier, and frankly, it's not a very useful beast. It's like a twelve string guitar, only a lot more useless. Listen to some Cheap Trick or King's X for ideas of the sound.

I find them to be a little more like a "novelty" bass, and not a primary player.
 
#3
No, not 8 individuals thats rediculous, but if i did buy it, would i be able to play some stuff? Like if i were to write songs around the 8 string, would it have a good sound and still fit in with all of the other instruments?
 
#5
Well i have no idea which one i would buy, I'm just saying that sound in general compared to a 4 string.

As for what music i play, mostly rock, prog. rock, some jazzy/funky things for fun, just basically anything that has a nice line
 
#7
Prog rock would probably get the most use. Gotta remember standard 8 string tuning has octaved strings so you basically hit your pitch and the pitch an octave up simultaneously. You can also try other tunings with 5ths involved for a fatter sound.

I still wouldn't call them very versatile, but theres a lot of room for experimentation.

Not that I'm trying to talk you out of one, I'm actually pondering one in the near future.
 
#8
Funny, I've been pondering an 8 string too...individual strings, however, like Mr. Beems.

B-E-A-D-G-C-F-Bb
Maple/Purpleheart neck
Rosewood (or some dark wood) fingerboard
Alder body, black stained top.
Passive electronics
Custom pickups (Well, it's an 8, duh. No particular brand in mind).
Lightly fanned frets 35.25" B to 32" Bb

Simple, but useless.
 
#9
An 8-string is a big full sound. It can do the job of the bass and rhythm guitar at the same time. They're sometimes used by trios or guitar-free bands for that reason. It's a bit harder to play fast complex stuff on but not by much.

I had one for a while. It was hard to use when there were other instruments making a lot of other sounds at the same time... took up more sonic space thus limiting my options, if you know what I mean.
 
#10
heh i call your "rediculous" and i raise you "ludicrous"

jtfamilyx2.jpg


(on topic - 2 8 strings on either side of my doubleneck)

:hyper: :eyebrow:
 
#12
Alright so whats the verdict, if you were me, would you get one? (not 8 indivisual strings, 4 strings with the octives), and would it be worth it?


and Pklima, were yuou talking about 8 indivudual strings or the one i want?
 
#13
pklima said:
It was hard to use when there were other instruments making a lot of other sounds at the same time... took up more sonic space thus limiting my options, if you know what I mean.
Click to expand...

That is the reason why I haven't gotten one yet, but I have thought of getting one to play some experimental and metal music with. Szego , try to imagine what songs you would play an 8-string in and how it would sound. How you would fit in with the rest of the band, and how your bass would influence the other sounds. If you still believe that you will contribute something "special" to the sound, then buy one. If you can't imagine how you would use the 8 string, don't buy it. I don't think anyone here is going to clearly tell you "YES" or "NO" :p
 
#14
I have played an 8 string for several years now. I was very influenced by Tom Peterson of Cheap Trick and wanted to get one. An 8 string is great in a power trio. You don't have a "drop out" when the guitarist solos. It is a very full sound and works best if you use 2 amps, one with a clean bassy tone and another with a little distortion. The 8 string has a natural chorus sound so you usually don't need alot of effects. The band I am in now has a keyboard player and a guitarist so I rarely use my 8 string as there is not as much sonic space for it. If you have been playing only 2 years I would suggest holding off on getting one unless you find yourself in a band situation like I described where you need the extra full bass tone.
 

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