8 string question for those who have them regarding strings and tuning.

[Tone Junkie]

I recently picked up a 8 string to give it a try. I’ve pretty much moved to 7 string guitars over the last year.
So I’ve got the 7’s in various tunings.
I was searching for tuning options on 8 strings when I ran across a YouTube channel Daddo . He plays a 8 string where the middle 8 strings are tuned standard. So it’s basically tuned like a 7 in standard until you get to what would be E string but it’s tuned higher. Problem is when you tublne the string up it’s too high and breaks.
So just curious what tunings you guys using. Or where I can find a company that makes custom string sets.

 

[cardinal]

I just have them in standard with a low B and low F# and will drop the 6th string to D when needed.

Getting a high a is tricky. Many 8s have scales longer than 25.5. You'd probably need a multiscale to get even 25.5 on the treble side, and even that short is hard for a high a.

 

[DragonCrestPC]

Standard tuning for me too. I've never even tried other tunings to be honest.

 

[Apex1Rg7X]

Standard 8 string tuning with the low F# but also use my drop pedal for a .5 step to F standard for Meshuggah riffs. Also drop the low F# to E for Deftones riffing.

 

[stratjacket]

When I was on an 8-string kick several years ago, I was ordering custom strings from Kalium (https://kaliummusic.com/) and mainly tried to get even tension. It was just so hard to do between the 1st and 8th string and the extended scale. I think more than anything else, if you find a good balance of string size/tension, it will be easier and more fun to play.

I would recommend using something like this String Tension Calculator and try to balance out the tension.
https://stringtensioncalculator.com/

Then order a bunch of different string sizes to try out.
I hated playing with the brittle sounding highs or floppy lows.

 

[Tone Junkie]

I’ll check them out. Yeah I’m using 10’s now was thinking of trying 9’s. I’m still on the dance on the 8. I’m sure a multi scale would solve some of the issues. ?

 

[Techdeth]

I play a half step down . So the 8 is low F . I also like to drop the 8 down another whole step so I can play in drop D style ways on the 8 . Super brutal . I use Lundgen M8 pickups for masterful clarity .