Relative advantages of an eight string?

Mike OMalley · From: Virginia, USA

Another in my series of basic questions.

I'm a complete newbie to lap steel. I have a homemade six string, six string partly because I had a lot of six string guitar parts--tuners, pickups--sitting around.

I like the simplicity of six string--the learning curve is steep enough--and
m unlikely to ever venture into pedal steel. But I am wondering about the advantages of an eight string

At this point I'm learning C6 tuning, with come C# on the low string. It looks like the eight string version of C6 generally adds two low strings, rather than a low and a hi--is that right ? I was thinking it might be useful to have a C# and a C string....

I realize there are no fixed rules, I'm just wondering about general practice. I'm thinking about building an eight string, but it would take more financial investment--more tuners, and a wide pickup

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

I guess it comes down to which you'd rather do - learn to play the six strings you have now or continue tinkering with building an eight string guitar.

Try playing what you have for a while before deciding whether you really need the extra strings. You've got a lot of music in the guitar you already play - go find out what's in there before investing time and money in two extra strings.
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Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

my take...start with as many strings as you have. you will want more as you need more.

Erv Niehaus · From: Litchfield, MN, USA

I got along for years with 6 strings but when I went to the 6th tunings, I found that I was limited in scale with only 6 strings, so I went to 8.

George Piburn · From: The Land of Enchantment New Mexico

I think folks make too big a deal of thinking more strings is more difficult.

My teaching is ---- C6 Tuning the 6 strings are the main ones in pretty much every setup -- 8 is just more range or as you have discovered the C# method works well with 7 strings.

About where to place the additional strings. Some like 2 lower and some like one higher and one lower placing the main 6 in the center.

This forum section is loaded with folks who use as few as 4 strings and as many as 12 - 14

One thing I found in my playing/teaching is a lower string can act as a support of the tone bar when playing on the 6th string - it helps with overall tone quality.

I am certain others will chime in with their set ups regarding how many strings.

Welcome to the lap steel community you are in the right place for tons of informative opinions.

Hope this adds to this discussion. Very Happy

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Andy Henriksen · From: Michigan, USA

George's comment about the extra strings as support is a nice benefit that is never talked about. It's easy for the bar to float around on the strings when there are more of them.

I go for the "one higher, one lower" version of 8-string C6th (ACEGACEG). 90% of my playing is done on those middle 6, but it's nice having the high triad in order. It can add a nice alternative chime-like sound in lieu of harmonics (which, after 3 or 4 years I still struggle with and tend to be scared to attempt in public).

The low A string I use even less, partly because being the 6th tone, you can't often just throw it randomly in when comping chords. Its use has to be more "scripted." But it's pretty nice having that low end when you need it.

Finally, I'll add this. My first 8 string was a Guyatone D8. A few months back I bought a Stringmaster. I now play those two strings more because the stringmaster picks them up much better and more consistently than the Guya. On that one, the lowest notes were quieter and dull, and the highest notes were plinky and weak. So, if you go for an 8-string, pay attention to how the pickup responds to those outside strings.

Mike OMalley · From: Virginia, USA

I do find myself pushing the low string down, kind of resting the bar, and it pulls me out of tune. An extra string would change that.

It makes sense that the central six would remain the core strings and the other two would add range. Thank you for the thoughtful responses.

At the moment I'm working on some of Mike Neer's tabs

Paul Seager · From: Augsburg, Germany

The 8 strings do give you more tuning options and the more you play this instrument the more you appreciate the myriad of tunings available.

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

i would say stick with 6 strings for 10 years.
there is so much to learn and so much that can be played on 6 that you'll just miss the foundation if you bother with 8 right away.
jerry , joaquin, buddy, etc. could play beautiful stuff on 6. learn to do that first.
once you've mastered 3 or 4 6 string tunings then you can expand to whatever you like.

Dom Franco · From: Beaverton, OR, 97007

Another vote for the "one higher, one lower option"
ACEGACEG.... HOWEVER BE FORWARNED Having 8 strings, may make you wish you had 10, and having 10 strings may make you want 12 or more!

You can always adjust the tuning of the extra strings to be alternate notes that give you more cool chords, That's the bug that bit me. I built a six string, then 8, then a 10 string, 12 string and finally a 13 string.

I think I am done now.
Dom

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Joe Elk · From: Ohio, USA

For Dom: Money - John Rockefeller said he always needed a little more.
Will you ever have enough Strings?
I simply could not resist.
Joe Elk

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