Eight-string guitars?

[Saint Nick]

Anyone here own one? Been looking at getting one as my playing styles have increased over the past few years. Agile guits are made in the same shop as ESPs and Schecters, but with a better price tag. They look sort of weird.

 

[Platypus]

Played one but dont own one, I have a 7 string.

 

[Blackjack200]

Interesting, does an 8 string guitar make plaing open chords easier? I would think it would make barre chords a bitch...

 

[Scotteq]

Eight Strings? I know that Charlie Hunter used 8's, but has changed to a 7 - According to his website, his current guitars are made by www.traugottguitars.com

If I recall correctly, Wayne Novak made his 8's.

 

[Saint Nick]

Platypus, how did you like it? I am concerned with getting "metal only" type of guitars. I play in a funk band primarily, but I am also working on writing a very lengthy prog rock/metal piece with musicians from the community. So the guitar needs to be robust. Everyone says to just throw the EMG 808s in there...and sure, I'd probably do that at some point, but I'm wondering how well those would sound clean.

Blackjack: My fingers are really long, but I'm sure I'll still have problems doing barre chords...

 

[Platypus]

Platypus, how did you like it? I am concerned with getting "metal only" type of guitars. I play in a funk band primarily, but I am also working on writing a very lengthy prog rock/metal piece with musicians from the community. So the guitar needs to be robust. Everyone says to just throw the EMG 808s in there...and sure, I'd probably do that at some point, but I'm wondering how well those would sound clean.

Blackjack: My fingers are really long, but I'm sure I'll still have problems doing barre chords...

Personally I can only really see it as a metal guitar. EMG808s are ok, thats what I have in my 7 but they sound pretty sterile for anything but metal imo. You might look into those Duncan blackouts, supposed to have better cleans.

edit: sorry I have 707s, likely the same thing just longer though.

 

[Scotteq]

Interesting, does an 8 string guitar make plaing open chords easier? I would think it would make barre chords a bitch...

It depends - The Jazz Guitarist Charlie Hunter's 8 string guitars were part Bass and part Guitar: The bottom 3 tuned EAD for Bass lines, and the top 5 tuned ADGBe. He would play bass and guitar lines simultaneously.

I can recommend: "Analog Playground", "Steady Groovin", and the self titled "Charlie Hunter" as introductions to his work, for whoever might be interested.

 

[Saint Nick]

I guess I'll have to hit up the local shops to see whats available. We have a Guitar Center (puke) here and a very large independently-owned shop that will hopefully have some 8-strings.

The Ibanez 8-string is too expensive (two grand) and I don't like how Schecter's look (too metal). The Agile's look a bit less cheesy but I'm really concerned with how they sound.

 

[Platypus]

I guess I'll have to hit up the local shops to see whats available. We have a Guitar Center (puke) here and a very large independently-owned shop that will hopefully have some 8-strings.

The Ibanez 8-string is too expensive (two grand) and I don't like how Schecter's look (too metal). The Agile's look a bit less cheesy but I'm really concerned with how they sound.

I would stay with passive pickups if you're looking for diversity. You can accomplish the low tunings you're likely seeking with a baritone 6 or 7 string. I just feel like 8 is probably overkill/not totally needed for what you're doing.

 

[Saint Nick]

I'm checking out some Agile seven strings with a fixed bridge and set neck...its in fucking white, and while I'm not a fan of white, this particular guit looks pretty sweet.

http://www.rondomusic.com/septorelt727ebwhite.html

 

[Fritzo]

I have a hard enough time with 6 strings, thank you.

 

[jtguitar2456]

Had my eye on a few seven strings recently, had a few guides tempt me but not made any concrete decisions yet.

This should help you out: https://guitaarr.com/guitars/eight-string-guitar-buyers-guide/

But it's definitely better to go to a store and try one, even some six strings have necks that are way too wide for some players... Imagine what an eight string must feel like!

Welcome to the Forums!

You are replying to an 8 year old thread. I would assume that the OP has solved his guitar issues by now.
Feel free to have fun posting here at our forums.

Iron Woode
Super Moderator