Anyone play an 8-stringer?

[OutToPlayJazz]

Does anyone around here play 8-string, or have any recordings of 8-string players? The octaved sound fascinates me & I've been pondering on and off about the ESP Ltd one for the last year, but now I've seen the AcePro one for less than £200, I'm sorely tempted to try one.

Note to self... Must stop looking at/purchasing basses!!!

[WalMan]

I used to have an old Shergold Marathon which I got an 8 string neck for when I got my Wal.

It was hard work to play, a bit of a club, so I only really used it very occasionally

[acidbass]

John Entwistle used an 8 string bass on occasion, two songs which I can remember offhand are -

You (off Faces Dances)

Trick Of The Light (off Who Are You)

I *think* he used one for the intro of 'Success Story' too, but I'm not sure about this. Great sound anyway

Hope this helps!

Danny

[warwickhunt]

I had a Warwick Streamer 8 for about a year, previously owned by the bassist of KRAAN, sold it on as it was just too... unusual. Cheap Trick bassist Tom Petersson used an 8 string a bit on early recordings even though many thought it was always a 12 string (which obviously he did use as well). Lovely overtones from an 8 (or 12) but they are very band/song specific.

[BigRedX]

I have 2 8-strings:

A Carlo Robelli


and a Washburn B20-8 which is currently in pieces being restored/repaired/refinished/upgraded

Both suffer to a certain extent from neck-dive. The CR because it has a small body and a large and heavy headstock, and the Washburn due to it's body shape.

I believe that there's company producing strap-button extenders? which may go some way to sorting out the CR problems but I can't find their details. Anyone know where I should look.

The basses get used for some of my more Peter Hook-inspired bass lines. The octave stings allow me to play melody lines/riffs and still provide a decent low end at the same time.

[steve-soar]

That Carlo looks like a Kingbass!

[warwickhunt]

I like the look of that Carlo Robelli, reminds me of the Hamer basses. Was it expensive and I assume it's an import?

[BigRedX]

The Carlo Robelli was around £100 off ebay. Apart from the fact that the strings are starting to sound a bit old now (8-strings IMO need that new string zing) it was as new.

Looking at reviews on Harmony Central it looks as though it's the in-store brand for Sam Ash. This model seems to be discontinued now and the last ones were being sold off at $199.

The electronics are a bit weedy sounding for an active, so I'll investigate doing an upgrade ofthe pre-amp (and maybe the pup) after I've got the Washburn B20-8 rebuilt.

[TheRev]

[quote name='brycebites' post='42310' date='Aug 7 2007, 08:57 AM']I've had a fiddle on the Dean 8 and 12 string basses. Great things with quite a unique sound and not to difficult to play. No one's mentioned Jeff Ament (Pearl Jam) playing his 8-string. The track Jeremy from their firs album Ten is a classic track to hear the bass.[/quote]


Wasn't the intro to 'Jeremy' played on his 12 string Hamer?

[Merton]

[quote name='TheRev' post='42387' date='Aug 7 2007, 11:28 AM']Wasn't the intro to 'Jeremy' played on his 12 string Hamer?[/quote]

The whole song was on the 12-er. I think "Why Go" off the same album was 8-string tho. "Leash" from Vs was on his 12 string too, lovely tone!

I've played a Gelveston 12-er in the States a few years back, it was awful. Also played a Dean 8er and loved it, I'd love to get one for a giggle but can't see me using it much live in my current bands.

[Merton]

[quote name='brycebites' post='42484' date='Aug 7 2007, 02:47 PM'](where's that embaressed smiley?)

Of course it was the 12 string. Why Go was the one I was thinking of with the 8! I'm going to have to listen to Leash again as I've not noticed the 12 on that before.[/quote]
Right at the beginning. I always thought it was distorted geetar, but it ain't....

[Dood]

damn I love that album.. I know what I'm listening to this eve!

[TheRev]

Shall we start a Jeff Ament appreciation society?

[Merton]

[quote name='TheRev' post='42833' date='Aug 8 2007, 11:56 AM']Shall we start a Jeff Ament appreciation society? [/quote]
Yes.

[RichBowman]

Jeff Ament was (and still is) my hero. The only time I've played an 8 -stringer, I obviously had to play Jeremy!

Rich

Edited August 8, 2007 by RichBowman

[TheRev]

[quote name='RichBowman' post='42891' date='Aug 8 2007, 01:57 PM']Jeff Ament was (and still is) my hero. The only time I've played an 8 -stringer, I obviously had to play Jeremy!

Rich[/quote]


Mine too - it was because of 'Ten' that I started playing fretless bass. AND he wears hats.

[RichBowman]

He's a legend.

I'm intrigued - does anyone know if you can get a 10-stringer (as in low ? I'd love to have a go at that.

Ooooh - and while I'm here, has anyone tried playing a 8 or what not finger style? I'm guessing that you might have to reverse the courses of the strings (eg, thick string on top, octave below)?

Rich

Edited August 8, 2007 by RichBowman

[BigRedX]

[quote name='RichBowman' post='42914' date='Aug 8 2007, 03:09 PM']I'm intrigued - does anyone know if you can get a 10-stringer (as in low ? I'd love to have a go at that.

Ooooh - and while I'm here, has anyone tried playing a 8 or what not finger style? I'm guessing that you might have to reverse the courses of the strings (eg, thick string on top, octave below)?

Rich[/quote]

Point 1: [url="http://www.deanguitars.com/edge_hammer_10.htm"]Dean Edge Hammer 10[/url]

Point 2: [url="http://www.waterstoneguitars.com/video/vmain_008.html"] 12 string (4x3) finger-style[/url]

[TheRev]

I think Ric 8 string basses were strung the opposite way round. Not many of them about though.....

[RichBowman]

[quote name='BigRedX' post='42942' date='Aug 8 2007, 04:14 PM']Point 1: [url="http://www.deanguitars.com/edge_hammer_10.htm"]Dean Edge Hammer 10[/url]

Point 2: [url="http://www.waterstoneguitars.com/video/vmain_008.html"] 12 string (4x3) finger-style[/url][/quote]



Ahhh - Cheers for that - sounds HUGE! Who needs guitarists.....?

And thanks for the link to the 5x2 'er - Looks promising. Am keen to try it out..

Cheers again,

Rich

[Merton]

[quote name='RichBowman' post='42947' date='Aug 8 2007, 04:20 PM']And thanks for the link to the 5x2 'er - Looks promising. Am keen to try it out..

Cheers again,

Rich[/quote]
Oh bugger, me too

[Alun]

I believe Gypsymoth on this forum also has an 8. I am tempted I must be honest - I tried a Dean 12 (fingerstyle) and it was a bit much for me but an 8 might be fun. And yes, I did play Jeremy and other Ament lines on the Dean-it seemed rude not to!

Cheers,
Alun

[tuss]

I played a Kramer 8 string with Aluminium neck a few years ago and loved the feel and sound of it; I believe I played Jeremy on it as well; rude not too really. Pretty tempted to go for an ESP 8-string, I see Thomann are selling them for £320 at the mo.

[Bassmurf]

My old Ibanez Musician 8-string was quite good in respect to it was passive/active - you could take the battery out and use the toggle switch like you would on a Les Paul a la Pete Townsend! Other players that I'm aware of that have used 8-strings in the past are the mighty Dug Pinnick of Kings X, Monty Colvin of Galactic Cowboys, Chris Squire and John Paul Jones.

[Lorne]

I've got 2

1985 USA B.C.Rich Bich 8 string Supreme (Far left)
1979 USA B.C.Rich Bich 8 string (on the right)



Why do you think they only have 4 strings on them?-because the 8 string sound is novel only for the first few days and then sounds crap-also the strings are bloody expensive-you'd get the same result with a good Octave pedal such as a Boss unit




I also sold a 1960's Hagstrom 8 string last year