An 8 String Bass

"zeontestpilot" (zeontestpilot) 09/15/2017 at 08:06 • Filed to: musiclopnik

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Went to guitar center yesterday, saw an 8 string bass for the first time. It was a Rogue (guitar center’s home brand). I enjoyed playing it, it was really different and unique.

The 8 strings are in 4 courses, and it is setup in octaves. Basically, it sort of sounds like a guitar and bass are playing the same exact part. Was also curious how this bass would do with an effects pedal. I’m also debating about picking it up. It was $220, which is dirt cheap for a 8 string. It would be a early Christmas gift, but might totally be worth it.

ateamfan42 > zeontestpilot 09/15/2017 at 08:23

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Sweet rare find. I’ve played a 12 string guitar a few times, but never had the opportunity to try a 8 string bass.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > zeontestpilot 09/15/2017 at 08:28

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What’s really wild are twelve-string basses, which are like that but have *two* of the “guitar” strings per course. I was familiar with the idea from Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick and his Hamer, but apparently Dean now has one as cheap as $699.

Nibbles > zeontestpilot 09/15/2017 at 08:38

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That’s neat

If I wasn’t saving up for a Rick, I’d totes buy one naow

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > zeontestpilot 09/15/2017 at 08:57

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Every time I see an 8-string guitar or bass, I think of this comic:

zeontestpilot > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 09/15/2017 at 09:01

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I’ve seen those online, and they look crazy to play.

zeontestpilot > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 09/15/2017 at 09:04

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While I was playing, I couldn’t help but wonder how it would sound with some overdrive effect, and playing punk rock, lol.

zeontestpilot > ateamfan42 09/15/2017 at 09:06

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I originally went in to play around with the ibanez sr300e there. I have an older sr300, and I absolutely love it. The newest one has the same feel as what I have, but not the sound. Then i saw the 8 string there. :)

zeontestpilot > Nibbles 09/15/2017 at 09:08

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It’s a shame Instruments are pricey. Then again, it prevents me from buying everything I see, lol.

Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious > zeontestpilot 09/16/2017 at 20:34

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Did it require a considerable amount of extra finger pressure to play? I play a five string, and double stops with a single finger are quite a bit of work for me...next to impossible if it’s the B and E strings. (I don’t have large hands.)

zeontestpilot > Shour, Aloof and Obnoxious 09/17/2017 at 08:09

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It wasn’t a lot more pressure, but it was more than what I’m used to. Of course, I unfortunately have the beginnings of carpal tunnel syndrome, so I have issues with applying a lot pressure like that. So it should be easy more other people. I play with light strings normally.

On a side note, I thought it would be an interesting experiment and experience to pick it up. I didn’t though (I needed the money to go towards some pedals), but the bass was missing some parts that weren’t easily replaceable. I’m definitely interested in the 8 string though, it’s a cool instrument that I believe has potential.