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Topic: Going from 6 to 8 strings ... |
John Kwasnik
From:
California, USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2018 4:24 pm |
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... and learning the new mechanics, and how to exploit the lower strings.
I've been comfortable playing a 6-string in C6 for a while now. Then I re-tuned it to A6 and got to know that fairly well. Now I have a new 8-string, tuned A6 low-to-high F#AC#EF#AC#E. The mechanics: avoiding catching the back of the bar on the low strings, and having to mute more strings when playing chords. And, any tricks to fully using the extra 2 lower strings.
Anyone know good resources for this?
Thanks in advance,
John Kwasnik
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John Kwasnik
Sacramento, CA
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2018 5:43 pm
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| i would add one low and one high. |
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Adam Tracksler
From:
Maine, USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2018 6:13 pm
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| Troy brenningmeier, aka lessons with Troy has some great a6 8 string material. |
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Nic Neufeld
From:
Kansas City, Missouri
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Posted 8 Jul 2018 6:20 pm
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Lots depends on the music you are playing. For the style I play (Hawaiian) I would actually consider that low F#, tuning to G, if you want, giving you the equivalent of the C13 tuning in A. 7th chords (and 13ths when you include the 6th)...pretty versatile, but you have to learn to avoid it when you don't want that 7th sound. I do that with C13, and tune it back to C6 whenever I want to specifically avoid accidental dominant sevenths.
My favorite 8 string tuning is Jules Ah See C13, with that big low C at the very bottom...I use a small biamp rig (bass and guitar tube amp) and that low C sounds huge!
Here's a tune that uses the "13th" sound really well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPHPa3jcuMw
EDIT: Would also say, don't sweat the mechanical stuff right away (bar catching, muting strings)...a lot of that will come with a bit of time/familiarity, I found, when I went 8 string.
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Waikīkī, at night when the shadows are falling
I hear the rolling surf calling
Calling and calling to me |
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David M Brown
From:
California, USA
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Posted 10 Jul 2018 5:06 am
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| Nic Neufeld wrote: |
| Lots depends on the music you are playing. For the style I play (Hawaiian) I would actually consider that low F#, tuning to G, if you want, giving you the equivalent of the C13 tuning in A. . |
Billy Hew Len would alter the 2 low strings of his A6 tuning, raising the low F# and A to G and Bb.
He also would raise the upper F# to G sometimes, according to the tape lessons. |
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L. Bogue Sandberg
From:
Chassell, Michigan, USA
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Posted 10 Jul 2018 8:11 am
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Patience and practice time will take care of getting used to the extra strings.
My guitars live in the 13th version that would be lo->hi G A C# E F# A C# E. For me, the low b7th is more useful than a low 6th. |
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David Knutson
From:
Cowichan Valley, Canada
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Posted 10 Jul 2018 10:40 am
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I alternate a lot between the 6th and b7 on the bottom string. It's such a quick change, and both are really handy. My main problem is remembering to make the change BEFORE I start playing the song. 
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David K |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 10 Jul 2018 10:50 am
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I think it's harder going from 8 back to 6. At least it is for me!
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Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Tonu Timm
From:
Estonia
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Posted 10 Jul 2018 12:30 pm
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for me the hardest thingis to find a 8-string:)
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GFI Ultra SD-10, BearCreek Weissenborn, Herrmann style 4 Weiss, Åberg W2 Weiss, Hermann Baritone Weiss, National Polychrome Tricone, Fender Champ Lapsteel, Epiphone Electar Century 8-string, Quiter Micropro Mach 2 HD, Nashville 112, Zirconia bars, Bob Perry picks... |
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Mikhail Bobrov
From:
Russia
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Posted 24 Jul 2018 6:33 am
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| Tonu Timm wrote: |
| for me the hardest thing is to find a 8-string:) |
+1  |
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Joshua Clements
From:
Tifton, Georgia.
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Posted 25 Jul 2018 8:22 am
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| You mentioned getting the bar stuck. What kind of bar are you using? |
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Keith Glendinning
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 25 Jul 2018 9:49 am
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| If you can't find any 8 string Lap's to buy, why not consider making one. |
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Nic Neufeld
From:
Kansas City, Missouri
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Posted 25 Jul 2018 5:38 pm
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I love "building" guitars (a bit of a fan of Warmoth and USACG -if they are still around-) but if you just want a respectable 8 string for a reasonable price, I'd recommend the imported SX model. The things I'd change about it (pickup...well, that's it) can be changed for relatively cheap. Not sure its availability in Europe, but its a great option...and no one will have heart palpitations if you customize it to your heart's content. I have the sunburst model but this is basically the same:
https://www.amazon.com/LAP-NAT-String-Steel-Guitar/dp/B01CULHLIA
_________________
Waikīkī, at night when the shadows are falling
I hear the rolling surf calling
Calling and calling to me |
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Paul Seager
From:
Augsburg, Germany
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Posted 26 Jul 2018 2:20 am
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To the point of this thread, I like the low F# particularly for a strong minor key song. A good Country example would be "16 Tons" where I play something close to a "Green Onions" riff. It also makes it easier to remember where the relative minor fret is for blues scale solos - just move three frets up, one string down!
I often change the tuning of the F# to a G when I play a song reliant on b7 chords.
| Tonu Timm wrote: |
| for me the hardest thingis to find a 8-string:) |
Watch on German Ebay (.de) for the old Framus steels. 8 strings do not appear as often as 6 strings but I have bought three Framus 8 strings there. Before you ask, I sold one of them and am keeping the others! This is a good research site: http://www.framus-vintage.de/modules/site/site.php Look under OTHER and HAWAIIAN for the models. I own a Bali, very natural sounding and a Universal-Electro which I need to make a cable for. Ebay.de will also reveal many old East German steels. These usually have a good build quality but suffer from weak pick-ups - easily cured with a boost pedal (a Boss FBM1 works wonders!) but pickups may benefit from a rewind or replacement.
\paul |
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Gary Leggett
From:
Space Coast, FL
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Posted 28 Jul 2018 6:22 am 7 strings
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| I'm sort of the same boat. I started on 6 strings c6/a7, picked up an 8 string and the more I looked at it I decided to do it one string at a time..I have 7 strings on it with an A on the bottom. Decided to get this down before adding another string on the bottom or top. Having a blast with it. |
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Andy DePaule
From:
Saigon, Viet Nam & Springfield, Oregon
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Posted 28 Jul 2018 6:43 am Try G on the 8th string
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Try tuning to G on the 8th string sometimes for a good 7th. 
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Inlaid Star Guitar 2006 by Mark Giles. SD-10 4+5 in E9th; http://luthiersupply.com/instrument-gallery.html
2017 Mullen SD-10, G2 5&5 Polished Aluminum covering. Custom Build for me. Great Steel.
Clinesmith Joaquin Murphy style Aluminum 8 String Lap Steel Short A6th.
Magnatone Jeweltone Series Lap Steel, Circa 1950? 6 String with F#minor7th Tuning.
1956 Dewey Kendrick D-8 4&3, Restoration Project.
1973 Sho~Bud Green SD-10 4&5 PSG, Restoration Project. |
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