Walking the Talk - 8 String Content

[ShredCow]

Waited a few weeks before posting. Just in case I didn't like it. At least no one would know start questioning why Shredcow decided to sell it.

Originally posted on Sevenstring.org, edited a little for SOFT here.



Well, I've been talking about playing 27 fretters... playing 7 stringers... wanting to experiment with detuned stuff but frustrated at the loss of range... etc etc

So one day, Schecter came up with a nice 8 string. I thought yeah, cool, its cheaper than the Ibanez RG2228 but its not coming to local shores so no way I'm going to buy a production guitar without trying it out.

Then it was announced that only 100 would be made. 100. So that means there should be some QC, or better QC, since this is like a testing the market thing right? Right?

I clicked BUY NOW.

The C-8 is actually a mid-range priced guitar so I didn't expect Suhr quality from it - there are some... finishing problems - some parts of the binding on the body is a little crooked, the graphtech nut isn't seated properly and its a little too narrow so some messy paint is seen (see picture #1), the hardware (other than the EMGs & hipshot) is pretty cheap feeling/looking, neck inlays use quite a bit of filler, the fretboard either has dye on it or its extremely dirty, frets were levelled wayyyy too much, etc etc - but hey! The thing plays EXTREMELY well. No buzz. Low action.

This is my first 8 stringer and while I expected having problems adapting to it, the C-8 is a surprisingly playable instrument. The tone is pretty good - acoustically very loud and has qualities of mahogany while the EMG 808s are very very tone-ful. Maybe the pups aren't tight enough for metal but I enjoy the rich tone these EMGs have...

 

[ShredCow]

I intend to try slap guitar, walking bass lines and well, the good old detuned chuggy stuff (which is the easiest to get into of the lot)





Thus far. I've stopped playing my 6 strings... I miss the floyd rose though.

It was very easy to adapt to the 8 strings I must say. Maybe its because I've been very critical of the way I mute my strings, muting 7 open strings was perhaps easier than usual? After about a week of clumsy doodling, things are coming together very well. I hope to be able to play as expressively on the 8 as on the 6.

Anyway, the review is here for those who are interested in extended range guitars. I think the argument that one is "not good enough when cannot even tahan 6 strings" is moot. Inspiration and enjoyment, satisfaction and musicality please.

 

[kokz]

wow..nice 8 string..

 

[LadyInTears]

just asking, are the ready packed 8 string packs? or you have to source the strings individually?

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

nice one shreddy! Do some charlie hunter inspired stuff with it!

 

[Whitestrat]

I clicked BUY NOW.

So... You selling yet?:twisted:

 

[ShredCow]

just asking, are the ready packed 8 string packs? or you have to source the strings individually?

Buy a 6, then hunt for single strings... I use .56 & .68 for the low B and F#

nice one shreddy! Do some charlie hunter inspired stuff with it!

I really want to Pathein... want to try to use this in my spoken word outfit.

As far as uses go... extended chord voicings need way more practice. Thats way harder than going metal-chug-wugga. WAY harder. Muscle memory is a blessing and a curse here. I can do widdly-woo-doo sweeps with the low B... I can has pro-guitarist-wannabe-who-can-play-only-guitarist-specific-stuff pls?

So... You selling yet?

No lah. Heh. I really like this guitar... No kidding! And the EMGs are very interesting. Like noob sia I tell you... new experience.

 

[Mobius]

I am always curious how 8 string or 7 string guitar perform in cleans. Most i heard are those chugga chugga distorted sounds.

 

[ShredCow]

Well Mobius, its EMGs... so for this guitar, you can reference an EMG 85 (that's what EMG says the 808 is closest to).

On the bridge pup, cleans are piezo like. Not that thin but still piezo-ish. Neck pup gets a more rounded piezo sound.

The tone control just removes top end really, in a different way than passives. I'd say tone down to 6, the sound is typical passive humbucker. Tone down to 4, the neck gets jazz tones, the bridge gets that "woman tone". All with that "active" hint.

Awww heck.

I'll record something when I got the chance and I'll pm you.

 

[THOA]

Anyway, the review is here for those who are interested in extended range guitars. I think the argument that one is "not good enough when cannot even tahan 6 strings" is moot. Inspiration and enjoyment, satisfaction and musicality please.

That's an interesting observation. Was considering 7 stringers, but didn't think I'd be able to handle it. Might give one shot.

 

[Whitestrat]

Was considering 7 stringers, but didn't think I'd be able to handle it.

No such thing. 7 strings are very easy to adapt to. In fact, once you get used to one, you'll find the 6 strings a bit lacking. The 7s give a sense of a wide arsenal. The only reason I stoped playing 7s was because I couldn't hack the baritone. The frets were too wide for me. So I sold it. I'm definately looking at adding a 7 string 25.5" scale to my arsenal for sure. Just a matter of time. And money.

But the 7 and the 6s are 2 completely different animals. The dynamics are way different.

 

[THOA]

Is pickups swapping an issue with 7 stringers? I know that selection will be very limited in this dept.

 

[ShredCow]

The 7 string pup range has been increasing.

Hmmmm... Dimarzio's selection covers a good variety of ground. Seymore Duncan does 7 string pups too. Bare Kunckle pups has 7 string versions of all their pups. EMG has a selection of 7 string pups. There are several other pup makers who will do 7 string pups for you.

 

[jerryoc221]

Sharing my 7string Peavey

Geez, nice looking 8 string, just bought a peavey predator 7 string & chug chug it goes, need to play more to get to know it better.

Got it for 250 brand new @ SL today

 

[ShredCow]

250? Wow. That's pretty cheap - but how does it play?

If it sounds/plays well, you've got a ton of possible upgrades available to beef it up anyway...

 

[jerryoc221]

250? Wow. That's pretty cheap - but how does it play?

If it sounds/plays well, you've got a ton of possible upgrades available to beef it up anyway...

Yeah it's a good deal, a bit new with the king size neck but heck it's always fun to try new things action is ok, don't know much of pickups but as long i can get those squeals it's ok with me. Im gonna use it tomorrow during my band rehersal & find out how it sound on a marshall head.

Your 8 string looks nice

 

[jerryoc221]

Playing with the 7 is addicting, a weird feeling going back to 6 though.

Have no idea with 7 strings & that's the reason I get 1.

 

[ShredCow]

Yeah, I understand the feeling.

I've stopped playing all my 6 stringers.

I don't know if you have noticed this but my 8 string is shockingly wayyyyy louder acoustically than all the other guitars. Maybe its due to the massive neck or something.

 

[Whitestrat]

I've stopped playing all my 6 stringers.

I'm waiting... patiently waiting... For the day you decide that 6 strings are still where it's at...:mrgreen:

 

[jerryoc221]

I think it's the string gauge or the neck, yeah it's more audioble compared the it's 6 string sisters.

I wonder how many softies here play 7 strings or more guitar.