Six or Eight String? Pros and Cons of Both?

Dennis Burling · From: Ohio, USA

I'm considering ordering a custom built Lap Steel from Tom Pettingill. I sold my six string teardrop Pettingill and sorry I did. But, if I go this route, should I consider going eight string this time?

So, what are the pros and cons of both? Will string spacing be a problem? I'm use to six string on my squareneck dobro. How about instructional material for eight string? I'd like to hear from those who have made the transition from six to eight string.

Thanks

John Burton · From: Manassas, Va

I started on six string like everybody..then longed for an eight string, and so over time ended up with two eight string laps....then I longed for a pedal steel..and so bought one..took a few lessons...etc.
...now in days?
For whatever reason I pretty much just stay with six string lap steels. If I feel like playing a steel, that's what I grab; one of my six string laps tuned c6 even though I still have a pedal steel and some decent 8 string laps.
I just found, personally, that when I play an eight string, I tend to play it like a six string anyway..and the pedal steel? That suckers a math problem with legs, if you get me.
Personally, I don't think it matters much six or eight, but of course eight gives you more options for inversions and such and so can sound fuller, while the string spacing is a little tighter (which might make slants a little harder), but the string spaceing is even tighter on a pedal steel and lots of folks do fine.
In the end get a eight and then at least you won't be wanting one down the road.
For me? I'm going to stick with six for awhile.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I think in order to play the more complex tunings you really need an 8 string guitar.
For instance a C6th tuning or a B11th or a C#m7th or an A6th, etc.
With a 6 string guitar your range is limited. Very Happy

Don McGregor · From: Memphis, Tennessee

8
As many guitarists do, I started with a 6 stringer first. After a while, I finally got up my nerve to take the plunge and go to 8. I never looked back. It was intimidating at first, but, with practice, pretty soon, everything started to fall into place. My hands and brain began to feel more and more comfortable with the added strings, and I can sit here all day just exploring all the new connections I can see and hear.
8 strings open up so many more possibilities for harmony, and extends the range of the instrument for single note playing.
3/8" string spacing on a 22-1/2" scale works best for me, as I do a lot of three string slants. This allows me to use some even down near the nut in the wider fret positions. Some like a longer scale for reasons of tone and sustain, but it seems to be pretty much a matter of taste, and what one is used to.
Just my two cents worth. I love my 8 stringers, but what ever works for you is fine.

Gary Meixner · From: New York, USA

Dennis,

I think if you were to do a quick search through the forum archives you would find that this topic has already been discussed in great detail. I posted the same question several years ago when I first joined the forum.

From my own experience I find it very hard to say that eight is better than six or visa versa. My current preference is for six strings on a 22.5 scale length guitar however, I have and eight string. 24" scale and a seven string 24" scale guitar as well.

When I perform I tend to use the seven string guitar but that is because it is the only one with legs. I am starting to build a new six string 22.5" scale guitar with legs this week.

You could spend a life time and never squeeze all the music there is to be played out of a six string guitar. I find standard C6 on a six string to be incredibly versitle. With other tuning options of C6/A7, B11 and C#min7 I feel free to play what ever I hear in my head.

If you are playing in a group, you might want to give some consideration to the sonic range of the other instruments that you are playing with. Having the ability to work in a lower register might make eight strings desirable. I do not believe in any way that one can be considered better or more advanced or harder to play.

String spacing might be a minor consideration at first but you will adapt quickly if you decide that eight strings suits you better.

For me, when I add it all up, my six string guitars are very satisefying, challenging and enjoyable to play. If I were to choose one or the other it would be six.

Good luck and best always,

Gary Meixner

Steve Green · From: Gulfport, MS, USA

From what I've read & seen, everything by Pettingill is top-notch, first class. I'd probably go with an eight stringer from him. However, I'd also pick up an inexpensive six string, (Rogue Jersey Lightning, SX, Recording King, etc.) just to noodle around on / practice with at home.

I've got a super nice Canopus S-8 console that I use on the rare occassion that I play out somewhere on a gig, but when I'm just sitting around at home practicing, I always grab my Rogue Jersey Lightning & Roland Micro Cube.
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Some songs I've written

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I think one of these would solve all your problems: Whoa!

Edward Meisse · From: Santa Rosa, California, USA

I was won over by the 8 string because I play alot of single string stuff. And an 8 string C6 tuning with an A on the bottom and a chromatic D string for the number one string really increases the possibilities.
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Amor vincit omnia

Bill Creller · From: Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)

Modern players seem to want 8 strings. Maybe because of the style of music(?). Old timers in the 30s got by fine with 6 strings, but music for steel guitar players has certainly changed since those days. Big lush chords etc, seem to be one of the things making more strings desirable......

Don Barnhardt · From: North Carolina, USA

8 string will give you more options. No law says how many of them you have to play. String spacing shouldn't be a major problem. I have 6, 8 and 10 string non pedals plus a psg and several dobros and switch around a lot. No problem.

Frank James Pracher · From: Michigan, USA

I prefer six but I think I am in the minority. I have had a few eight string lap steels and I never got into using the extra strings. I play in C6th mostly. I think it might be fun to try a seven string with a C# added.
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"Don't be mad honey, but I bought another one"

Dennis Burling · From: Ohio, USA

Lots of great advice and opinions. Thanks for the response.

I've been all over the web searching for instructional material specifically for the 8 string lap steel. I really haven't found such instruction/lesson. Maybe it's not really necessary, but I would think it would be. Especially if you're going from 6 to 8 string in C6 tuning. I mean, how are you supposed to know what to do and when to do with the extra two strings. Maybe my biggest problem is my lack of music theory. I want to be able to play songs from tabs and DVD's. The other thing I've noticed from watching different youtube videos is most of the songs are played on strings 2 through 7 on 8 string guitars. Every once in a while I saw the 1st and 8th string incorporated in the song. So, I guess you spend the majority of playing time on strings 2 through 7. This brings me back to my original question. Is it really worth having an 8 string over a 6, or is it good to have the 8 string for the times when when needed?

Bob Russell · From: Virginia, USA

Dennis Burling · From: Ohio, USA

Frank Hall · From: Texas, USA

I'VE JUST JOINED SGF...AND IT'S GOOD TO FIND A SOURCE WHERE I CAN READ ALL YOU GUYS DISCUSSING THINGS I AM REMOTELY TUNED TO...ANOTHER FACT...MY KNOWLEDGE OF MUSIC THEORY IS STRICTLY SQUARE ONE.
SIX OR EIGHT STRINGS ?
AFTER 35 YEARS OF BANGING ON NON PEDAL..I WOULD OFFER THIS...I CAME THROUGH THE ROY WIGGINS/SHOT JACKSON DOOR...SO I LOVE ANYTHING "E". MAJOR/13TH.
I PLAY HAWAIIAN STEEL GUITAR...NOT RESOPHONIC BANJO.
I AM BASICALLY AN ACCOMPANIST..NOT A SOLOIST..AND I PLAY TO SINGERS ON 60 YEAR OLD RECORDINGS TO LEARN
MORE..EVEN TODAY..EDDY,HANK,GEORGE ARE MY BOYS.
SO...THE ABOVE CONSIDERED..SIX OR EIGHT...STRINGS..
DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU PLAY..HOW COMPLICATED YOU WANT IT..YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THEORY..ACCOMPANIST/SOLO..
SLOW PRETTY OR FAST FAST,YOUR PICK..I PLAY BOTH 6&8
FRANK HALL

Twayn Williams · From: Portland, OR

My main steel guitars are a Fender D-8 Deluxe console, a Chandler 6-string lap and a Gold Tone PB 6-string dobro. Since most of what I do is acoustic these days, the Gold Tone gets the nod when I need a steel. For grab and go electric gigs, especially if I'm doubling on guitar (which is all the time) the Chandler is the go to. I'm currently looking for a band to play the Fender console in Mr. Green

There are some advantages to an 8-string over a 6, but not that many if you're a C6 player. 8 strings will definitely give you more tuning options like E13, but if you're a one tuning kinda person like myself...

Frankly, I'd probably go with a 6-string for a lap steel and a D-8 for a console. Just an aesthetic choice. YMMV.
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Primitive Utility Steel

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

If you play C6, that extra string in the middle means that you pretty well have to have at least seven strings.

Think of it this way, if you have 8 strings you can always just use 6 of them, but if you have only 6 strings that's the only option you have. I personally wouldn't buy a steel with fewer than 7 strings. Most of the lap steels that I build have 8 strings.

Hal Braun · From: Eustis, Florida, USA

Bob has it right.. two octaves of the same tuning.. I have a 6, still have a 7 and an 8, and have ordered a custom D-8. I just like the richness of the 8 string options.. The 8 is tuned to C6, the new D-8 will have C6 and E13 and I have retuned the 6 to open G "Dobro" tuning and play around at the blues stuff with that. The 7 is a Bakelite Ricky tuned to C6 with the C#.

When I really want to feel inadequate, I try messing around with the 12 string Universal with E9/B6 to make myself feel really stupid..

Edward Meisse · From: Santa Rosa, California, USA

My advice is to buy an inexpensive 6 string to begin with. Only go to 8 strings when you know what you want ot use them for. That would be my strategy if I were just beginning at this time. The other possiblility is to buy an inexpensiv e 8 string. 6 to actually make use of on a regular basis. And two to experiment with. Or buy one of each. You can only r3solve the question for yourself by experimentation.
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Amor vincit omnia

Dennis Burling · From: Ohio, USA

I just got off the phone with Tom Pettingill. I ordered an 8 string Junk Yard Dog just like the one in this link http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=194982

It has 3/8" string spacing just like my Wechter Scheerhorn Dobro. Now for the long wait.

While I'm waiting for my new Pettingill lap steel, can you suggest a inexpensive 8 string lap steel to buy while I'm waiting. I figure I might as well go with an 8 string on the inexpensive one. That would give me a head start for the Pettingill when it gets here. I'd like something that I can pretty much get my money back on.

Mark Eaton · Posted 3 Aug 2011 11:24 am

Denny, you might have already found this - I'd go with the Morrell 8 string. Not super duper cheap, but I have played the 6 string version and they are pretty respectable guitars.

http://www.morrellmusic.com/c-10-lap-steels.aspx

And good for you, Denny! That Junkyard Dog - wow! I somehow missed that thread. Tom has outdone himself - what a beautiful guitar! It appears he has taken his luthier skills to a whole new level, and they were outstanding before. Cool

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Mark

Jim Newberry · From: Seattle, Upper Left America

Kekoa Blanchet · From: Kaua'i

If the Morrell is what you want until that Pettingill gem shows up, there's a couple of new B stock 8-strings on eBay right now for $150. Here's a blue one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Morrell-Pro-8-String-Lap-Steel-Transparent-Blue-2nd-/170677400395?pt=Guitar&hash=item27bd2a734b
There's a red one too. For $17 more, there's a clear finish Morrell with a maple body (the red and blue ones are poplar):
http://cgi.ebay.com/MORRELL-MJMP-8-Pro-Model-8-String-Lap-Steel-Natural-2nd-/170677403728?pt=Guitar&hash=item27bd2a8050

Alan Brookes · From: Brummy living in Southern California

Mike Neer · From: NJ

7 strings is also a very good option. Some people feel that 8 strings is one too many. You can have a nice C6 tuning or A6 tuning with 7 strings.

I learned halfway on 6 strings--my learning wasn't complete (still isn't) until I started with an 8 string guitar.
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