8 string vs baritone guitar

[ElectricTurkey4369]

What would be the difference between the two? They both have around the same scale lengths, but 8 string has 2 more strings...Does that mean i could use the 8 string as a baritone aswell? Im just decding weather i want a baritone or an 8 string to compliment my les paul  :lol:

[MDV]

I'm not sure I understand why youre asking the question, when you answered it in your own post.

If you just want low tunings, get a baritone or detune another 6.

As standard a baritone is tuned 2.5 steps lower than a normal 6.

As standard an 8 has an additional B and F#, so the lowest string is considerably lower. Also, if the 8 is baritone scale (26.5 or 27), that doesnt cut it for the f#, imo. Not nearly long enough. 30" is where it should be, 28 at the very least.

[FernandoDuarte]

Yes, agree with MDV. Ain't think anybody will build a 8 stringer with a scale shorter than 28"...

[Roobubba]

Or get a multiscale baitone! :)

[ElectricTurkey4369]

The baritone im looking at is 27.7 and the 8 string is...28.5 or something like that. Wouldnt a 30" scale guitar be a little too much?

[MDV]

Physics has spoken. It says guitars tuned that low need scales that long.

Unless you want to sound muddy. Physics doesnt like it when guitars sound muddy, and neither do I!

But 28.5 is probably on the short side of OK. I thought that you were going for one of these 26.5" things. Way too short. 28.5 is a bit dicey, but you may get away with it. I'd try it, but consider tuning it up a tone or 1.5 tones to get optimal performace. This shouldnt be a massive problem to you if youre also considering a baritone, which would still be higher than that in its native register.

Why dont you try them out and find out? I dont see how we can help you tell you which you'll like better. For me, baritone wins by a huge margin, for others its the other way round.

[JDC]

One thing about the 30.5" scale guitars, Meshuggah down tune theirs half a step so if your keeping it in standard there is an inch or so difference between your F# and their F#.

Personally I think 28" is fine for a low F# although preferably string through bridge and reverse headstock, if it's good enough for Doug at Blackmachine it's good enough for me.

[Alex]

In my experience 26.5 and 27" is still manageable, things start feeling much more difficult after that. THe Mike Mushok model hat 28" I think. 1" might not sound like much (still talking about guitars here), but does make a big feel difference IMO.
You will certainly need to adapt. It took me a while to get used to 27".

[MDV]

In my experience 26.5 and 27" is still manageable, things start feeling much more difficult after that. THe Mike Mushok model hat 28" I think. 1" might not sound like much (still talking about guitars here), but does make a big feel difference IMO.
You will certainly need to adapt. It took me a while to get used to 27".

Since you mention it, I'm the opposite.

I have no trouble at all with 27". I barely notice it.

otoh 24.75 is weird and cramped to me, so ymmv!

[Roobubba]

I'd only ever played 25.5" scale guitars (and I'm self taught and not very good), but ev en I managed to get straight into playing my 26.5 - 28" multiscale baritone when I first picked it up. It just seems... natural!

I do have big hands though. I don't think I could even contemplate trying to play something shorter than 25.5"... Aside from a uke, but that's different.