Someone explain this to me , 7 and 8 string guitars.

[mantis]

Why? Why is it needed? Run out of notes? Really? Need lower sounding grunting guitars? I don't get it. It's what a bass player is for to track with you and give you low end to support the bottom that you need.

Ok so help me understand this new to me trend. I have enough problems playing 6 strings.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Someone explain this to me , 7 and 8 string guitars.

You can play more different notes without moving your hand.

Specifically, this is nice if you band tends to change the key a song is in today. If you usually play it all on 5th-8th fret you just move your hand. If you already needed 1st fret and open string you are the ****ed soup chicken.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Someone explain this to me , 7 and 8 string guitars.

I like using it to play in lower keys without having to grab a different guitar or down-tune (which can be cool, too). If you can grind out power chords in E or E-flat, or drop-D, why not B, or A, or whatever? Also, unlike a baritone guitar, a 7- or 8-string guitar still has a full six-string guitar "built-in". Baritones are awesome, don't get me wrong, but a 7 or 8 is just a completely different thing.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Someone explain this to me , 7 and 8 string guitars.

I was thinking about this myself earlier today and I came to the realization that we as musicians like to push the envelope wether that means with more or less. I can totally see the advantage in 7 or 8 string guitars especially in jazz, plus it gives more range and the ability to play songs without having to retune your guitar.

Me personally if I had an 8 string I would drop the low G to a E and have it tuned to Ebeadgbe. I think Tosin Abasi sets his up like this but I don't remember.

I look at it as an evolution of the guitar which has always been evolving ever since the first electric guitar came into existence.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Someone explain this to me , 7 and 8 string guitars.

I don't fancy the extra wide necks on 7 and 8 strings so i think extending the range with 6 strings is the best option.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Someone explain this to me , 7 and 8 string guitars.

I don't fancy the extra wide necks on 7 and 8 strings so i think extending the range with 6 strings is the best option.

Everyone's different. I like a well-shaped seven-string neck (Ibanez, for me), but I just can't do an eight. You have to do what works for you.

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Someone explain this to me , 7 and 8 string guitars.

Welp... Have you ever played a 7 or 8 string?

I think you'd get it then.

 

[dominus]

Re: Someone explain this to me , 7 and 8 string guitars.

I still miss the Schecter 5 string Celloblaster.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Someone explain this to me , 7 and 8 string guitars.

I've played more than a few seven strings, and I love having the low B but still keeping the high E. Drop Tuning doesn't give you the range that a seven stringer does. The same argument could be made for a 5 string bass.

8 strings are a different story though. Unless you are playing in a duo where you are the only melodic instrument (for example drums and eight string guitar) then you really don't need the low F# (or in many cases, the F# dropped to E). However, I think eight strings could be better applied by taking a leaf from the six string bass's handbook and instead of adding lower notes past a B, add a higher one, making the tuning BEADGBEA. This therefore gives you a more useable range. The B is plenty low enough for most applications and the A gives you a little more high end to solo with. In fact, the original jazz player archtop seven strings used EADGBEA.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Someone explain this to me , 7 and 8 string guitars.

I am not really hearing anyone play the 8 strings the way I'd like to hear them, like doing extended chord melody playing. Most just chug along on the low strings with an occasional arpeggio.

 

[Petie]

Re: Someone explain this to me , 7 and 8 string guitars.

Personally I like to use 7 and 8-strings because I've never felt that the music in my head should just hit E and stop. I don't always use those low strings but they're there if the muse leads me to 'em. For instance, on this song I'm using an 8-string exclusively, but I'm using the full range, and the lowest stuff is mixed down a little bit to play a supporting role rather than being an all-out djentathon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiZbFtdz8A0&feature=youtu.be

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Someone explain this to me , 7 and 8 string guitars.

Lol . . . after a couple weeks playing a 4 string guitar tuned C G D A . . . I'm starting to think that six strings are overkill.

 

[esandes]

Re: Someone explain this to me , 7 and 8 string guitars.

i'm waiting for the 18 string guitar to come out.

 

[Morior]

Re: Someone explain this to me , 7 and 8 string guitars.

I think the same way about the question in the original post as I would think about the statement "88 notes on the keyboard? Surely 60 keys (5 octaves) should be enough!"

Sure, but you can do more with a wider range.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Someone explain this to me , 7 and 8 string guitars.

I've tuned down sixes for 20+ years and I've never mastered that.

I think I'm just too remedial for a 7.

8's are just ridiculous, I feel like I've never played guitar before when I play one.

 

[dominus]

Re: Someone explain this to me , 7 and 8 string guitars.

i'm waiting for the 18 string guitar to come out.

Agile has a 10 string:

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Someone explain this to me , 7 and 8 string guitars.

Agile has a 10 string:

It's been said before, when did guitar become popular amongst NBA players.

 

[Lucy Diamond]

Re: Someone explain this to me , 7 and 8 string guitars.

Agile has a 10 string:

Okay...I draw the line at 37 strings...that's my limit. :boggled:


OP, I think it depends on how one decides to play. If you are just going to chug away at the bottom 2 strings then I think King Izzos philosophy is much better and tuning down a 6 will get you paid.

For people who use the 7th string to extend barre chords and use that extra bass note, they can't be beat.

The 7th string was always a dream come true for me because I've never had a keyboard player in my bands and I've almost always done Mr. Crowley live and I like to do the organ intro myself without have to play it an octave higher.

As far as 8 strings, I think they are great when used right but because of their extended scale length they have that hard low endy twangy snappy tone and just turns me off.

I'll probably end up with one because...well...I'm a gear WH@RE but that tone will always bug me a little.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Someone explain this to me , 7 and 8 string guitars.

I still miss the Schecter 5 string Celloblaster.

Dude, that would be outstandingly cool in a Celtic Rock setting. I did something similar on an acoustic once by removing the b string and moving the e string to that position, then tuning CGDAE. I had to use heavier strings, but it was a trip to play. That guitar would be like an electric five string Celtic Cittern. GAS setting in...

 

[dominus]

Re: Someone explain this to me , 7 and 8 string guitars.

Dude, that would be outstandingly cool in a Celtic Rock setting. I did something similar on an acoustic once by removing the b string and moving the e string to that position, then tuning CGDAE. I had to use heavier strings, but it was a trip to play. That guitar would be like an electric five string Celtic Cittern. GAS setting in...

Schecter had a falling out with Maestro Alex Gregory, the "inventor" of the 5 string guitar. The A5X had the Avenger shape, and the CB-2000 had a single pickup and 27 frets. I've owned two of the CB-2000s, and every once in a while I look to see if I can find one again.