Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Slartibartfarst42 on December 22, 2013, 01:01:52 AM
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I've just seen a picture on Facebook of a 9 string guitar and I can't help asking myself the question 'Why?'
I have a couple of serious objections to such guitars, though I'll grant you part of this may be fueled by the fact that I'm a bit drunk:
1) Why would I need the extra strings? Surely you end up either going so high only dogs will hear you or so low it's pointless having a bass player.
2) Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore, Gary Moore, Joe Satriani, Michael Schenker, Dave Gilmour etc. are all at least a billion times better than me so until I can do what they can with 6 strings, why the hell would I want more? If I ever master 6 strings as well as these guys I'll consider myself ready to move to the next level but until that point, 6 strings is more than enough.
Rant over :D
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I totally agree.
Maybe we are in the 'old farts club' though.
On the other hand a guitar where the three unwound strings are doubled with octave strings and the other three are not makes sense to me, if someone wanted 9 strings, rather than a conventional 12 string.
On the other hand I'm not at all interested in this stupid thing (owned by some deathcore dude):
(http://www.heavyblogisheavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/60739_441882169182530_1527738357_n.jpg)
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It seems to me that's the guitar equivalent of a guy who needs a big dog or a car with a big bonnet. I just don't see the point.
Happy and proud to be an old fart :D
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I always wonder how in the hell these guys get their fingers around the fretboard without contorting their wrist into such an angle that within a year they end up with severe tendonitis or carpal tunnel disease. Also the weight on the instrument must cause spine problems eventually.
I'm happy with my thin little SGs with their '60s profile necks :D
On the other hand maybe such issues will get rid of this awful trend! I won't be listening to their music anyway, I'm sure. What are they going to call it? Death-djent?
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The above guitar is an Etherial made in Australia and I think they're ace, so there :-D
I s'pose it's a bit like tattoos. The people without them are the only ones who moan about them and those with tattoos couldn't care less if you don't have any.
It's simple, really, with an erg you get to keep the guitars standard range without having to tune down a 6 and disable the range. I tune A D G C F A D on my 7 which is pretty conservative but essential to the music I play. I can't see my self playing a 9string anytime soon but I wouldn't be opposed to an 8string at some point. It's really not that hard to play. If you play a decent classical guitar then chances are your already playing a neck that's bigger than 90% of 7string necks out there.
Also, I'm very familiar with the guitarists that you referenced but they're about as relevant as listing classical musicians. I dislike Metalcore/Deathcore/Djent.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw_e9im72HQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw_e9im72HQ)
The real question here isn't about guitars with more than 6strings it's about downtuning from standard.
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I've just seen a picture on Facebook of a 9 string guitar and I can't help asking myself the question 'Why?'
I have a couple of serious objections to such guitars, though I'll grant you part of this may be fueled by the fact that I'm a bit drunk:
1) Why would I need the extra strings? Surely you end up either going so high only dogs will hear you or so low it's pointless having a bass player.
2) Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore, Gary Moore, Joe Satriani, Michael Schenker, Dave Gilmour etc. are all at least a billion times better than me so until I can do what they can with 6 strings, why the hell would I want more? If I ever master 6 strings as well as these guys I'll consider myself ready to move to the next level but until that point, 6 strings is more than enough.
Rant over :D
I can't add anything to what you just said. I actually think the same thing about 8 string guitars.
It's probably an ego thing, "I don't need a bassist" ;)
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I've got no interest in playing multi-string, extended-range guitars, but I've got no problem with people who do. If that's what they want to do, the sound they hear in their head, then good luck to 'em.
I really don't think it's an ego thing, "look how many strings I've got". Except perhaps for a tiny handful of total morons. Charlie Hunter, Tosin Abasi, even Rusty Cooley.... these are good, talented musicians, even if I personally don't enjoy what they do.
(Hmmm, can't believe I'm sticking up for Rusty Cooley... :| )
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I must admit it seems like total overkill, but if it helps people make their music then I must approve of them.
For myself, I would and have considered a baritone. Don't think I'd go further than that.
Just for fun I sometimes go to drop C# which is more than low/br00tal enough for me.
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I think it looks good without having any personal interest here. I don't like detuned noise :x However for what it's worth i put it in with harps , hammered dulcimer etc, although it's electric.
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I like the carbon weave on the front - looks good.
Too many strings for me personally and too low a tuning for my normal playing , but as ever if it inspires and good music is created then who am I to argue.
I just find that it makes the singer's job really hard if he wants to sing in a normal range and not just growl/grunt or rap
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I guess I just doubt if it's really needed. Some of these guitars go so low they must surely be encroaching on the bass player's territory. I admit that a lot of this is down to my own experiences. The guitarists I referenced are as good as it gets in my view so if they didn't need guitars with more strings why should I? The other thing is that in all the years I've been playing I've never yet tried to learn a song where I've thought: 'Oh bugger, I need more strings!'. Fair enough, that probably says as much about my taste in music than anything else. Djent/Death/Doom/Stoner etc. etc. blah, blah, blah hold no interest at all to me because I don't find much that's very musical in it but maybe I'm just too old to 'get it'. I find it's much the same with 'screamo' singers; to me it's just that they can't actually sing so they shout instead. Rappers 'talk' to me and 'screamo' vocalists shout at me but neither seem at all musical and neither actually seem to be able to sing. Now that I'm in the final year of my forties, I really am starting to feel older :(
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I've got no interest in playing multi-string, extended-range guitars, but I've got no problem with people who do. If that's what they want to do, the sound they hear in their head, then good luck to 'em.
I really don't think it's an ego thing, "look how many strings I've got". Except perhaps for a tiny handful of total morons. Charlie Hunter, Tosin Abasi, even Rusty Cooley.... these are good, talented musicians, even if I personally don't enjoy what they do.
(Hmmm, can't believe I'm sticking up for Rusty Cooley... :| )
Well said mate! My comment about the ego thing was just a joke.
And also following gwem, everything thing that creates music and inspires is a good thing.
I actually bought a tele baritone a month ago, and it's really cool. I don't detune it, I actually have it i C standard. The cool thing is that it sounds so clear and defined compared to a standard range guitar in that tuning. I can highly recommend it.
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Djent/Death/Doom/Stoner etc. etc. blah, blah, blah hold no interest at all to me because I don't find much that's very musical in it but maybe I'm just too old to 'get it'.
Guys in doom and stoner bands are unlikely to be playing 7 or 8 string guitars. They may downtune a bit but they'll probably be playing vintage-style guitars. And I don't think you need to be young to get it, it's all a throwback to the '70s! :)
Djent and death I know less about.
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I guess I just doubt if it's really needed. Some of these guitars go so low they must surely be encroaching on the bass player's territory. I admit that a lot of this is down to my own experiences. The guitarists I referenced are as good as it gets in my view so if they didn't need guitars with more strings why should I? The other thing is that in all the years I've been playing I've never yet tried to learn a song where I've thought: 'Oh bugger, I need more strings!'. Fair enough, that probably says as much about my taste in music than anything else. Djent/Death/Doom/Stoner etc. etc. blah, blah, blah hold no interest at all to me because I don't find much that's very musical in it but maybe I'm just too old to 'get it'. I find it's much the same with 'screamo' singers; to me it's just that they can't actually sing so they shout instead. Rappers 'talk' to me and 'screamo' vocalists shout at me but neither seem at all musical and neither actually seem to be able to sing. Now that I'm in the final year of my forties, I really am starting to feel older :(
Well there's lots there that I disagree with but then I find most white boy blues repugnant and conceited 8)
Age has nothing to do with it, though. The heaviest music I like is made by people in your age bracket! Christ, Suffocation are only a few years younger than you and they are $%ing savage!
Djent/Death/Doom/Stoner etc. etc. blah, blah, blah hold no interest at all to me because I don't find much that's very musical in it but maybe I'm just too old to 'get it'.
Guys in doom and stoner bands are unlikely to be playing 7 or 8 string guitars. They may downtune a bit but they'll probably be playing vintage-style guitars. And I don't think you need to be young to get it, it's all a throwback to the '70s! :)
Djent and death I know less about.
What Philly says.
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If other people want to play them, that's great, but personally I've never even tried a 7 string, let alone anything more than that. The vast majority of stuff I play is on 6 strings, admittedly. EDIT: what philly said, basically.
The other thing that slightly concerns me about them is I'd be scared of them putting me off the six string (because of the different neck size etc.). Having recently got a bass (which I was also worried about for a similar reason) I suspect that's more paranoia than anything based in reality, though. :lol:
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9 strings ? What a wuss......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=broV_1gPZVE#t=64 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=broV_1gPZVE#t=64)
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The other thing that slightly concerns me about them is I'd be scared of them putting me off the six string (because of the different neck size etc.). Having recently got a bass (which I was also worried about for a similar reason) I suspect that's more paranoia than anything based in reality, though. :lol:
I was talking to Philly about that earlier. 6strings with shallow neck profiles like a Fender modern C or IbbyRG are really uncomfortable to me now but would've been my preference pre 7. A thick 1" plus 59 style neck on a 6 feels great now, though!
For reference my 7s neck is 0.708" with no taper :lol:
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Jeff Loomis is the only person who ive heard who makes good use of a 7 string. Even guitarists as talented as petrucci and vai........its just unecessary.
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The other thing that slightly concerns me about them is I'd be scared of them putting me off the six string (because of the different neck size etc.). Having recently got a bass (which I was also worried about for a similar reason) I suspect that's more paranoia than anything based in reality, though. :lol:
I was talking to Philly about that earlier. 6strings with shallow neck profiles like a Fender modern C or IbbyRG are really uncomfortable to me now but would've been my preference pre 7. A thick 1" plus 59 style neck on a 6 feels great now, though!
For reference my 7s neck is 0.708" with no taper :lol:
I still find it weird that you like a skinny 7 string neck but a fat 6 string neck. :lol: I guess maybe the overall circumference of the two is similar.
Going back to Dave's point, I always found when I tried to play bass that it made the regular six string seem really easy to play, in comparison (for a while...). I guess it would be similar with a multi-string or baritone guitar.
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Jeff Loomis is the only person who ive heard who makes good use of a 7 string. Even guitarists as talented as petrucci and vai........its just unecessary.
Maybe time to expand what you're listening to then!
Charlie Hunter Live - Stars Fell On Alabama (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBC9kY6XRRo#ws)
Caprice #7, Luigi Legnani (1790-1877). Drew Henderson, guitar. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNt5t3mVENg#ws)
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Jeff Loomis is the only person who ive heard who makes good use of a 7 string. Even guitarists as talented as petrucci and vai........its just unecessary.
Maybe time to expand what you're listening to then!
Charlie Hunter Live - Stars Fell On Alabama (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBC9kY6XRRo#ws)
Caprice #7, Luigi Legnani (1790-1877). Drew Henderson, guitar. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNt5t3mVENg#ws)
Great players particularly the first guy and it just sounded like great classical guitar but still the sound of the second doesnt appeal to me!
Hang on did you edit those?
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Yea :-)
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In that case i mean the 2nd guy then. Both sound great but still doesnt sound much different to accomplished classical and jazz guys who use six strings!
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Why use any pedals? why use a 3 or 4 channel amp? why use a two neck, 5 neck, 7/8/9 string guitar.
It's all horses for courses. Tools for the job. etc.
I just won the internet.
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Why use any pedals? why use a 3 or 4 channel amp? why use a two neck, 5 neck, 7/8/9 string guitar.
It's all horses for courses. Tools for the job. etc.
I just won the internet.
Yep! and here's your prize.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbraim4Fu8o (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbraim4Fu8o)
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I'd like to hear that guy using that bass in a proper band context ...
Also, imagine the neck dive on that thing!! He's got the widest strap I've ever seen, and you can see him pushing the neck up a few times. I hope he has a good physiotherapist.
But of course, maybe he just likes the sounds he can get with it ...
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Age has nothing to do with it, though. The heaviest music I like is made by people in your age bracket! Christ, Suffocation are only a few years younger than you and they are $%&#ing savage!
Yeah the old school death metal guys are all around my age (born in the late '60s). I see Josh from Suffocation/Autopsy pretty often, we are the same age. Age has nothing to do with it. It was nu-metal - specifically Korn - that made extended range (7 string) guitars popular though, bands like Suffocation just followed the lead of Tony Iommi in tuning down a six-string and most old death metal guys still do that.
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Yep! and here's your prize.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbraim4Fu8o (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbraim4Fu8o)
He looks like a 4-year-old child trying to play one of those Ashbory mini-basses.
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Tony Levin jammin' Red from King Crimson's back catalog on a 12 String 'Stick'. I believe. Incredible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1195FU-bTA8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1195FU-bTA8)
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8 is enough, I'd rather downtune a 7 string so it's easier to play
A 7 string in drop G gets pretty close to that 8 string sound without losing too much of the high notes... if you actually use them
Having a 9 with a low C# might be good for a song for the way it sounds but it's not the kind of thing you'd make a whole album of, I've also seen 9 strings where you've got 6 strings in standard E and the other 3 are bass strings in E standard, not sure what use that is
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It's not about needing, it's about wanting ;) If it helps one create and be/get inspired, then all the better. We guitarists are often a very tradionalist bunch; I find myself often guilty of that too. We create our own boundaries, even if we really shouldn't.
Me myself I'm sorta lusting for a baritone guitar, much more than for a 7-string. Why baritone? With the longer scale you can use thinner strings in the lower tuning, have that sort of 'twang' also in the lower strings. I went down from 10-52 to 10-46 in strings a while back, for tonal reasons. I did like the tension of the thicker strings, but I like the firmer and sort of twangier tone of the thinner bottom strings better. I grew to dislike that 'thud' of the thicker bottom strings. Now I can use a bit more bottom from the amp, the tone feels a more flexible and because of the amp settings, also the higher strings sound a bit fuller.
-Zaned
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I don't have any problem conceptually with >6 string guitars, it's just like others I don't see them being used too creatively.
Take that Charlie Hunter clip above - undeniably a talented chap, and I would definitely listen to his stuff. But all he's doing is accompanying himself with the bass strings on his guitar - no different to any blues guy, only in a different register.
I'm sure there must be >6ers out there doing innovative stuff... low register chord inversions, multi-octave legato runs etc.
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The other thing that slightly concerns me about them is I'd be scared of them putting me off the six string (because of the different neck size etc.). Having recently got a bass (which I was also worried about for a similar reason) I suspect that's more paranoia than anything based in reality, though. :lol:
I was talking to Philly about that earlier. 6strings with shallow neck profiles like a Fender modern C or IbbyRG are really uncomfortable to me now but would've been my preference pre 7. A thick 1" plus 59 style neck on a 6 feels great now, though!
For reference my 7s neck is 0.708" with no taper :lol:
haha
The other thing that slightly concerns me about them is I'd be scared of them putting me off the six string (because of the different neck size etc.). Having recently got a bass (which I was also worried about for a similar reason) I suspect that's more paranoia than anything based in reality, though. :lol:
I was talking to Philly about that earlier. 6strings with shallow neck profiles like a Fender modern C or IbbyRG are really uncomfortable to me now but would've been my preference pre 7. A thick 1" plus 59 style neck on a 6 feels great now, though!
For reference my 7s neck is 0.708" with no taper :lol:
I still find it weird that you like a skinny 7 string neck but a fat 6 string neck. :lol: I guess maybe the overall circumference of the two is similar.
Going back to Dave's point, I always found when I tried to play bass that it made the regular six string seem really easy to play, in comparison (for a while...). I guess it would be similar with a multi-string or baritone guitar.
yeah that's what I've been noticing with bass.
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It was nu-metal - specifically Korn - that made extended range (7 string) guitars popular though, bands like Suffocation just followed the lead of Tony Iommi in tuning down a six-string and most old death metal guys still do that.
Yea and actually it was the nu-metal image that stopped me playing a 7 for the longest time.
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I have to admit that I find myself wondering "why" as well. I wonder the same thing over basses with more than 4 strings.
But that "why" is only because I don't see myself getting into more strings, and btw I'd never even have considered the possibility of more strings if the instruments didn't exist already... and therefore I end up wondering what other people see in them.
Personally, I don't find them as "pretty" as their 6 and 4 string counterparts. And I love the restrictions imposed by 6 and 4 string.
BUT!! Obviously enough folks do like them, and can use them to make the musical statements they want to make, so... it's all fine with me :D
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I don't have any problem conceptually with >6 string guitars, it's just like others I don't see them being used too creatively.
Take that Charlie Hunter clip above - undeniably a talented chap, and I would definitely listen to his stuff. But all he's doing is accompanying himself with the bass strings on his guitar - no different to any blues guy, only in a different register.
I'm sure there must be >6ers out there doing innovative stuff... low register chord inversions, multi-octave legato runs etc.
I'm sure there must be >6ers out there doing innovative stuff... low register chord inversions, multi-octave legato runs etc... Yeah the old guy on the Wonga advert......brilliant
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I have to admit that I find myself wondering "why" as well. I wonder the same thing over basses with more than 4 strings.
But that "why" is only because I don't see myself getting into more strings, and btw I'd never even have considered the possibility of more strings if the instruments didn't exist already... and therefore I end up wondering what other people see in them.
Personally, I don't find them as "pretty" as their 6 and 4 string counterparts. And I love the restrictions imposed by 6 and 4 string.
BUT!! Obviously enough folks do like them, and can use them to make the musical statements they want to make, so... it's all fine with me :D
I'm with you on a lot of that but I'm far from convinced that there's much in the way of 'musical statements' being made and certainly not 'innovative' ones. I've heard nothing so far from a 7+ string guitar or 5+ string bass that I see as a revolutionary step forward from what my 6 string guitar heroes from years ago were doing. All that 10 string bass that was mentioned earlier did was basically take over a guitar part because it went so high and by the same token, a guitar does much the same thing in reverse. I've listened to all of the arguments and I agree there's a market for them but I suspect that a lot of people buy them because it's trendy to do so and certainly not because they've exhausted the possibilities of 6 strings. It must be my age because, like most computer games, I just don't see the point.
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Well, I was thinking about it and to be honest found few reasons why these days people are making/playing sucha guitars like 8-9 strings. On the other hand I personally find 9 string as a total exaggeration but as I mentioned aboved there`re few reasons:
1) Nowadays everything tends to be intense, intensive and totally in-your-face giving more experiences to people at short amount of time. It applies to movies (compare eg. horror movies from 80s and modern ones), TV advertisements and it also applies to music as well. That`s why these days we can find extreme styles as dub step and all super uber low tuned metal, nu metal, core styles.
In modern 'metal' music guitar doesn`t plays as important role as it used to lets say 15-20 years ago. Riffs are not as sharp, flamboyant, complicated, complex and sophisticated. You cannot see much difference in the mix between guitar and bass as you could those 20 years ago. Nowadays riffs are blurry, more focused as background rather than first thing that strikes people ears.
These days thanks to low tuning guitar is more connected with bass than ever. Plus lack of solos proves that idea as well.
Let`s compare some metal from 80`s with modern playing, djent, low tuning ect. Extra strings helps with it a lot.
PLUS Dub step is found being mixed in more music styles even in metal these days and dub step is an extreme sounding style. Look at new Korn feat Skrillex.
2) Second reason is MARKET. People have seen 6,7,8 string guitars so why not move it further and see if that extreme can fulfill someone`s needs and make some money at the same time especially that circumstances mentioned above help a lot.
3) When people can make a good use of those extra strings and actually make music why not? I wouldn`t even go as far as 8 string to be honest but take a look at this guy Fracionado. He plays 8 strings (I know it`s only 8, not 9 :D) but he does brilliant job in my opinion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpi0w3wPE3M (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpi0w3wPE3M)
So why not? Guitars are nearly an ancient instruments, for most people (including myself) they will stay the same for another 10000 years without going crazy with 10 strings and coffee making machines built-in, but if some people fancy going that route, let them do it :D
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3) When people can make a good use of those extra strings and actually make music why not? I wouldn`t even go as far as 8 string to be honest but take a look at this guy Fracionado. He plays 8 strings (I know it`s only 8, not 9 :D) but he does brilliant job in my opinion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpi0w3wPE3M (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpi0w3wPE3M)
Oh the memories of a commodore64 game loading.
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3) When people can make a good use of those extra strings and actually make music why not? I wouldn`t even go as far as 8 string to be honest but take a look at this guy Fracionado. He plays 8 strings (I know it`s only 8, not 9 :D) but he does brilliant job in my opinion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpi0w3wPE3M (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpi0w3wPE3M)
Oh the memories of a commodore64 game loading.
Loved that!
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So tell me, with these 8 string guitars do you tune:
GBEADGBE
Or
F#BEADGBE ?
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So tell me, with these 8 string guitars do you tune:
GBEADGBE
Or
F#BEADGBE ?
F#BEADGBE is standard tuning for an 8
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So tell me, with these 8 string guitars do you tune:
GBEADGBE
Or
F#BEADGBE ?
F#BEADGBE is standard tuning for an 8
That seems like quite a cool tuning in fact. If anything this thread makes me actually want to try a long scale length, multi stringed, drop detuned br00tal axe ;)
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Oh the memories of a commodore64 game loading.
so at least we have figured it out, where dub step is coming from! :lol:
By the way, while 9 string guitar will surely give you at least sore back, that thing will brake it in half!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAZdiJGWdfI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAZdiJGWdfI)
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8 strings are so 2013
(http://www.rondomusic.net/photos/electric/septorelt1030rncpblackflame4.jpg)(http://www.rondomusic.net/photos/electric/septorelt1030rncpblackflame5.jpg)
Septor 10 String!
Double cutaway, light weight, mahogany, arch top body with gloss finish
30" scale, 5 piece neck-thru body design with 24 jumbo frets
Rosewood fretboard with no markers - position markers are located on the side of the neck
Cepheus 10 passive pickups
Cepheus high mass extended range bridge
Grover die-cast sealed tuners with 18-1 ratio
Measurements
Scale length: 27"
Width of the neck at the nut: 2 3/4”
Width of the neck at the 12th fret: 3 1/4"
Width of the neck at the 24th fret: 3 1/2"
Thickness of the neck at the 1st fret: 13/16"
Thickness of the neck at the 12th fret: 15/16"
Radius: 15”
Labella String gauges: .009, .012, .015, .022, .030, .040, .054, .074 .090, .110
Utter madness. All those strings just so someone can chug one lower... Reminds me of spinal tap.
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Labella String gauges: .009, .012, .015, .022, .030, .040, .054, .074 .090, .110
that`s what you call madness! 9th string is 110, just wondering how you play it, with your thumb or fingers just like the bass players do? :lol: Put some active EMG into it and that beast will spread an apocalypse through your speakers, no joke.
That`s far way too much for me, seriously.
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Labella String gauges: .009, .012, .015, .022, .030, .040, .054, .074 .090, .110
9th string is 110,
10th string. I wonder if these actually sell....
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Well I personally have not tried 8 or more strings, so I can't really comment on those too much. But that Skrillex cover was pretty cool. Very energetic playing.
I only stick to 6 and 7 strings so far. 7 can be quite cool I find, be it for extra big clean chords, adding a little something to existing riffs (intro riff to Cowboys from Hell you where you slide down from the high part to the low part...I can do that on the low part too) or just playing further with the range. To me it is not revolutionary, but being able to have an extended range can be quite cool. When I play the vers and chorus to "Down from the Sky" by Trivium most notes are played on the normal 6 string range, but some go lower, which really gives them an impact. Plus I also have to go up to high E over the 12th, so I am using the range.
The way a lot of people seem to play them is to me actually a overuse of the extra string, when they play it mainly. In that case a lot of them might just as well tune down a 6 string. I prefer to mainly play it as a 6 string, since that is very possible and comfortable and do some lower notes, which reserves the impact. Dunno if you see what I am getting at...
On the bass side things work easier a lot of times. Still many people who should rather just downtune, but cool guys out there too. One of my favs which I like is the guy from Unexpect. Weird music, yes but I like it. That guy plays a 9 string bass, not guitar and does a lot of tapping. Of course he also goes into guitar range, but he works with the guitar parts and delivers a different sound. This video a quite a good example. Guitar is not loud enough, but you get the idea. I think that utilisation sounds quite cool.
http://youtu.be/qLeXaxlSbc8 (http://youtu.be/qLeXaxlSbc8)
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The way a lot of people seem to play them is to me actually a overuse of the extra string, when they play it mainly. In that case a lot of them might just as well tune down a 6 string. I prefer to mainly play it as a 6 string, since that is very possible and comfortable and do some lower notes, which reserves the impact. Dunno if you see what I am getting at...
http://youtu.be/qLeXaxlSbc8 (http://youtu.be/qLeXaxlSbc8)
Makes total sense to me. That's why I don't understand why people get confused over 7's. It means I can have the grunt of the low string (A in my case) when needed but still full functionality of a 6string without loosing range.
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The way a lot of people seem to play them is to me actually a overuse of the extra string, when they play it mainly. In that case a lot of them might just as well tune down a 6 string. I prefer to mainly play it as a 6 string, since that is very possible and comfortable and do some lower notes, which reserves the impact. Dunno if you see what I am getting at...
http://youtu.be/qLeXaxlSbc8 (http://youtu.be/qLeXaxlSbc8)
Makes total sense to me. That's why I don't understand why people get confused over 7's. It means I can have the grunt of the low string (A in my case) when needed but still full functionality of a 6string without loosing range.
Well you said it better than me.^^
I would think the same thing can apply to 8 or 9 strings, but the abuse is even more common there.
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10th string. I wonder if these actually sell....
Woohhaaa, I haven`t even noticed that it`s actualy 10 string guitar, was too much focused on the photo than counting :lol:
If they don`t sell sets like that you can also ask your bass player from your band to help you out.
On the other hand, you have to be careful when picking 7,8 string guitar. You have to be confident and pretty sure about the music you wanna play.
I know one guy in my vicinity who has 7 string one while playing most vintage, classic rock/hard rock stuff mostly on 6 strings. After a while he took off that extra string due to the fact it was making the whole playing uncomfortable a bit `cause he was accidentally hitting that added string. Don`t know if that issue is common or not but it gives you an idea.
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3) When people can make a good use of those extra strings and actually make music why not? I wouldn`t even go as far as 8 string to be honest but take a look at this guy Fracionado. He plays 8 strings (I know it`s only 8, not 9 :D) but he does brilliant job in my opinion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpi0w3wPE3M (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpi0w3wPE3M)
Clearly I have a mental block with this. I wasn't impressed at all. :(
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3) When people can make a good use of those extra strings and actually make music why not? I wouldn`t even go as far as 8 string to be honest but take a look at this guy Fracionado. He plays 8 strings (I know it`s only 8, not 9 :D) but he does brilliant job in my opinion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpi0w3wPE3M (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpi0w3wPE3M)
Clearly I have a mental block with this. I wasn't impressed at all. :(
Well one does not have to like it, taste is always a thing, but I feel like it is very good from the technical side of things and would not be possible with 4 strings, which was the main point to me.
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One thing no one has mentioned is how much of a bugger it is to bend a high E string on a 28+ inch scale, on my 8 string it takes twice as much force to bend a whole tone
No one has mentioned that the skillex cover could have been performed on a downtuned 7 either, even Meshuggah the band who made 8 strings popular only have 1 song that uses the full range of the instrument, granted it lets them play older songs without swapping guitars on stage
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No one has mentioned that the skillex cover could have been performed on a downtuned 7 either, even Meshuggah the band who made 8 strings popular only have 1 song that uses the full range of the instrument, granted it lets them play older songs without swapping guitars on stage
Well, he's never used the high e string, so no need even for a 7 string guitar.
Actually, I think you can get away with a standard 6 tuning, playing the chords G - Eb - C like this:
D|-5-|-1-|-5-|
A|-5-|-1-|-3-|
E|-3-|-x-|-3-|
And for those low F#-G notes one could always use a Whammy pedal (or a tremolo bar if practice enough) dropping it an octave.
With few exceptions, I think the primary use of 8 string guitars by the masses is to show how Deathcore/Djent/Prog/etc they are.