More madness ... 8 string

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EnGl

EnGl

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Hello boys and girls.
A few days ago I posted about that I strongly want to buy a 7 string (Ibanez RGD2127Z).
I was at shop an hour ago and damn I liked this guitar. Very comfortable and fast neck but damn man ...
Next to this guitar I saw a 8 string guitar , that was probably Ibanez RGA8 ... and well I liked it much more than 7 string , more brootal tone with good ability to soloing. I liked it very much.
I played on some kind of L6 spider - maybe spider HD valve or something like that with ENGL PRO 4x12. Of course I played at low volume because shop is not big. The tuning was probably F.

It was a very good idea to try both guitars , now I exactly know what I want.

RGA8 was ok but it has poor fretwork with poor setup ( string height , intonation) so I will probably catch a Ibanez RG2228 or maybe something from Mayones.

Everything seems ok ? Not at all.
Few guys told me (and I also found some informations in the net) that not all cabs and not all amps will fit 8 strings.Is that true ? My cab is ENGL 2x12 with V30 and Bstar HT5h.
I don't want to blow up my speakers or burn my amp or something while cranking the amp ... Can anyone make a comment on this ? Probably I will stay in F tuning and I don't even want to go lower.
 
You won't blow anything up. You can plug an 8 string into any guitar amp without an issue. Whether it sounds good or not is another story...
 
Code001":xjql02lw said:
You won't blow anything up. You can plug an 8 string into any guitar amp without an issue. Whether it sounds good or not is another story...
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You know , this was my first time ... I have never played 8 string.

So what you would recommend me ? The V30 in my cab will do the trick ?
 
V30's work well for most people. I don't particularly care for them for really brutal stuff myself. But if you've already got a good cab with them in it then don't worry about it just yet. You can always swap them out later if you feel the need.

Just about any of the modern high gain amps will work just fine with the 8's. You don't need anything special. I've run mine through my Baron Snott Watt(5 watts) with good results.

And the 27" scale is also good enough for an F. If you did want to tune lower a longer scale may be beneficial. It just depends on what you want to do with it.
 
EOT":1byp27dv said:
V30's work well for most people. I don't particularly care for them for really brutal stuff myself. But if you've already got a good cab with them in it then don't worry about it just yet. You can always swap them out later if you feel the need.

Just about any of the modern high gain amps will work just fine with the 8's. You don't need anything special. I've run mine through my Baron Snott Watt(5 watts) with good results.

And the 27" scale is also good enough for an F. If you did want to tune lower a longer scale may be beneficial. It just depends on what you want to do with it.
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F standard is enough for me.

My main concern is that I damage my speakers. Why ? Guitar is midrange instrument ( at least for me) and if I add this low notes ( A# and F) I receive bass freq, I found(net) that standard guitar speaker is not designed to hold that low and can just blow up or something.
I tested my amp and cab - I tuned my 0.60 string to F and beside it was a damn pasta - nothing happened. I was suprised also that I receive a moderate clarity ...
Also I don't know if that is true , but many people just pick a ss amps ... Vetta II , Fractal II or spider HD - They said that these amps are the best for 8 string.

Can you make a comment ? I will be pleased if you will also recommend me any amp. I understand that certain amps will not work good (tone properties). I want super clarity with mega punch with smooth sounding leads. I must add that I love the Meshuggah tone ... damn so strong , punchy with clarity (obZen , Nothing).
 
Code001":r0egi60q said:
You won't blow anything up. You can plug an 8 string into any guitar amp without an issue. Whether it sounds good or not is another story...
Click to expand...
hello my name is santiago code001 wanted to know if you sell your fender 1992 rose floyyd
 
Last I knew Meshuggah is using AxeFx ultra's. and they do work well for many things including 8 strings. The best live guitar tone I've ever heard was Meshuggah earlier this year.

As far as damaging speakers. Don't worry about it. The only way you'll blow one is by over powering it with an amp. The same as would happen in standard tuning.

The best amp is whatever you think sounds best. There aren't really any rules in music. It's all opinion.
 
The speaker damage issue is a hot topic for 8string newbie players (like myself)
The consesus seems to be from the veteran 8stringers is that it is hogwash- your speakers will be fine (assuming they're of some quality level). There is some guy over at 7string who emailed all the speaker companies; he received a reply from Celestian saying there "may" be tearing after long exposure. It's my opinion this is an overcautious rep attempting to cover themselvesjust in case. FWIW, I am running into an oversized Mesa vertical 2x12 with v30s and it sounds great; no worries.

The SS amp advice sounds ill informed. Yes, if you're in a store that has a choice between Line6 and a Fender Blues tube combo..but mostly I'd prefer a modern hi gain tube head that is tight.
 
I recently bought my 1st 8 stringer, an ESP h308. The scale is only 25.5, which is frowned upon by most 8stringers when tuning to F#/dropE. I love the feel of the ESP neck...at first it was painful, but somehow my hand adjusted after a few days. It has the 808s, which sound like typical EMGs to me- clinical, surgical...it will work for now, but eventually I'll need some BKs. If I had to do it again, I might pick an axe with passive pickups, they may be easier to replace? IDK. The h308 has a neckthru which I like a lot.

Last month, Agile had a blue8 with a maple fretboard for $399, but that seems to be off their site now. They have a few choices under 1k. I personally would never want an 8 with a tremolo, that's a headache I don't need as the thicker strings make it exponentially annoying. Ibanez is just now shipping an R8 for $399, black or white models; 8th street music in NJ has some. Looks like a great way to get into an 8 cheap cheap.

Ran looks like a killer axe company, rave reviews...I've been eyeballing their stuff. Also looking at Carvin, many great reviews for their 8s. People actually say they like the carvin pickups, which I find kind of surprising, since that is the only thing people criticize Carvin for....I had a Carvin before and they are great players. There's a few places where they make fan frets- giving a scale that can range from like 25.5> 27 or greater...that looks interesting. Good luck!
 
crankyrayhanky":1sfzuug3 said:
I recently bought my 1st 8 stringer, an ESP h308. The scale is only 25.5, which is frowned upon by most 8stringers when tuning to F#/dropE. I love the feel of the ESP neck...at first it was painful, but somehow my hand adjusted after a few days. It has the 808s, which sound like typical EMGs to me- clinical, surgical...it will work for now, but eventually I'll need some BKs. If I had to do it again, I might pick an axe with passive pickups, they may be easier to replace? IDK. The h308 has a neckthru which I like a lot.

Last month, Agile had a blue8 with a maple fretboard for $399, but that seems to be off their site now. They have a few choices under 1k. I personally would never want an 8 with a tremolo, that's a headache I don't need as the thicker strings make it exponentially annoying. Ibanez is just now shipping an R8 for $399, black or white models; 8th street music in NJ has some. Looks like a great way to get into an 8 cheap cheap.

Ran looks like a killer axe company, rave reviews...I've been eyeballing their stuff. Also looking at Carvin, many great reviews for their 8s. People actually say they like the carvin pickups, which I find kind of surprising, since that is the only thing people criticize Carvin for....I had a Carvin before and they are great players. There's a few places where they make fan frets- giving a scale that can range from like 25.5> 27 or greater...that looks interesting. Good luck!
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Thanks :thumbsup:
You know , I don't want to buy accidental guitar. I want good quality hardware and wood , just to learn a basics of 8 strings. I know perfectly that crappy guitar can kill your motivation.
All I know is that I need 27 scale,

I'm really interested in this LTD SC 608B , it looks very sexy and construction , hardwarde , wood ... Look like a really good guitar from "medium level". Anyone played , tried this guitar ?
 
EnGl":1tm9awid said:
Everything seems ok ? Not at all.
Few guys told me (and I also found some informations in the net) that not all cabs and not all amps will fit 8 strings.Is that true ?
Click to expand...

Those are internet stereotypes sir, just like the sad guys who will tell you "8 string? WTF? I already have enough trouble playing with 6 strings, might as well start playing on bass guitars then!" blablablabla

Its a guitar, NOT a bass...

:thumbsup:
 
Helldunkel":gtkc5qux said:
EnGl":gtkc5qux said:
Everything seems ok ? Not at all.
Few guys told me (and I also found some informations in the net) that not all cabs and not all amps will fit 8 strings.Is that true ?
Click to expand...

Those are internet stereotypes sir, just like the sad guys who will tell you "8 string? WTF? I already have enough trouble playing with 6 strings, might as well start playing on bass guitars then!" blablablabla

Its a guitar, NOT a bass...

:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

I guessed that but you know , I've got ZERO experience with 8 strings. So I ask here.

Now I don't have any doubts about it , I want 8 strings but ... which ? (I posted this LTD SC608b and I still waiting a few words about it ;) )
 
If you go 8 strings the LTD SC608B is a great choice. I was going to buy a RGA 8 since the other guitar player in my band have one. But when i tried the SC608B i bought it right away. All i can say is it sounds and plays great, feels like a real ESP but you probably already know that.

After many years of playing guitar you know when you have a good one in your hands and the SC608B is a good one for sure. Try as many as you can and go with your feelings. Don't worry about your ENGL 2x12 it will handle anything.

Chris
 
Metal1977":25f80l1g said:
If you go 8 strings the LTD SC608B is a great choice. I was going to buy a RGA 8 since the other guitar player in my band have one. But when i tried the SC608B i bought it right away. All i can say is it sounds and plays great, feels like a real ESP but you probably already know that.

After many years of playing guitar you know when you have a good one in your hands and the SC608B is a good one for sure. Try as many as you can and go with your feelings. Don't worry about your ENGL 2x12 it will handle anything.

Chris
Click to expand...

Thanks man !
Can you tell me about this " ESP LOCKING TUNERS" ? They are solid ? I know that LTD is put this locks in every model now.
 
The locking tuners are really good and the guitar stays in tune. I say go for it, you won't regret it.
 
Man I STILL can't wrap my head around a 7 sting, let alone an 8 string. Lots of killer players using them though. I just ain't one of them. I would go with any of the ESP variants personally.
 
I don't get the appeal of an 8 string at all. The low end is too much. It just sounds like a whale farting. Like if you were to mic the asshole of a blue whale and wait for it to fart, it would sound EXACTLY like an 8 string :rock:
 
Back on topic, I think the LTD SC608b would be a great choice. This is based on my experience with the h308 and other ESPs I had over the years.
One mention is the pickups...the 808s are fine and sound like EMGs...problem is, I think I no longer love the EMG sound. There is an ear fatique thing going on. I play at a moderately loud level with an axe sporting BKs and everything is great. I play the 808s and suddenly my ears start to fizz out on me. It's not real noticable on lower volumes, but there must be some frequencies in there that are just too abrasive. The BKs always sound and feel great. Many people recommend D Activators for a replacement, but based off clips, it seems improved but still has a sterile perfectness about theme that reminds me of 808s. My ears must just be tuned for BK, I am hooked on them.

Regardless, most 8stringers switch out their pickups. Note: these active 808s may be more troublesome to switch out, there's a whole section dedicated to going from active to passive over at 7string.

Keep us updated on your ESP. I wish I got that one instead; the perliod binding on my h308 is hideous :cry:
I'm seriously considering flipping a few axes and ordering a Carvin8
 
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