8-String Guitar Tips and Tricks! | GEAR GODS 

“26.5” scale guitar is a nightmare” It’s ok, squier strat tuned to drop E, he didn’t mean it I still love you

The best advice on here is honestly roll the low end off, Seriously, I mean if you want mud that's cool, but if you want it to be a sound that's defined, turn the bass down... a lot.

Just bought my first 8 string. its also my first guitar. and just my second instrument. but i like tosin abasi :D

The palm muting tip blew my mind, i always wondered why my 8 string chugs were always so boomy and not as percussive as they are in songs by my fave bands, idk why i never tried moving my hand forward a bit, problem solved!

heres a fun trick you can do. tune it like a 7-string(ignoring the lowest, hear me out) in C, so you get a higher range, and then throw a 125 bass string on the low end and tune to C an octave down. you basically now have a 7-string in a fairly heavy C with your own bass player. the advantages are that you can learn 7-strings and the low C is just an octave right next to it so those act like 1 string and never sound muddy together. you need a set that goes VERY light like an 8 for the high string. C still sounds badass in power chords and that distorted bass string adds punch to it, plus for Djenty stuff you have the octave without skipping a string or needing to mute, just bump back and forth from big C to little C. you can literally do powerchords with that low string and it never gets muddy because its just a tight C with the bass accompaniment also it makes people think you can play an 8, when really you just learned a 7 and a redundant low. and let's be honest, a C1 in a 125 guage is gonna sound way bigger than any drop E bullshit. now just get that guy with a subcontrabass in C0 and you got a band.

This is kinda bullshit because he says their isn’t many guitar string packs available for 8 string however their is plenty of the same gauge sets mentioned that are available by other brands BUT this video is sponsored by Ernie Ball and I highly recommend not using their 8 strings packs their low gauge dies very quickly in my experience and my other 8 string friends can agree. Daddario makes plenty of 8 string packs. I use the 9-84 set and they are great.

11:25 As a man, I do actually have a 6th finger that can sit right above the nut.

D'addario has a 9-80 set as well, it's really good

Hears Meshugga once Me: *I need an 8 string right now, immediately* I’m glad I found this video, at least now I know what I’m in for

When it comes to strings, I personally believe that Horizon Devices Progression Tension are the best for 8 strings. Especially if you enjoy alternate tunings on the higher strings. They seem to feel smoother than anything else I’ve played and they actually change the sound of the guitar tremendously, as they offer clarity on a completely different level than other strings.

That's a sexy Cort. Didn't know that model existed.

Haha. "...Djentle..." 13:44

Rather than switching out your tuners, you can just unwind the end of your thick low strings (like the 7th and 8th). It adds a couple steps to your stringing setup when changing strings, but you don't have to buy separate tuning pegs like this.

Good tips there for 8-string Trey. The main thing I found when I got my first 8-string was adapting my muting technique for the guitar as you pointed out. Once you get it an 8-string is a very rewarding instrument to play.

I really love latest videos. Educational and helpful. Keep up the good work Treyzinator!

The “e a e a d g b e “ tuning was an idea I had in 1989. I was a beginner luthier and an intermediate guitarist. Amateur bass player. DAMN! Yet now I will build “MY” 8 string idea. Thank you for helping me solve some riddles in my design. And reawakening my idea.

Yesterday I had the 7-string version of that guitar delivered and damn!... Im in love! :P

My first 8-string is on its way. Your video gave me a really good set of ideas about what to expect and work on. Thanks!

I use my RG8 (regular 27" scale lenght) for my lead stuff because I really like the feeling of it. Lot of people find me weird for that reason but I really like the spacing between the frets, plus, I have big hands so it porlly helps.

Thank you brother, love the channel. Very informative I know that when I do obtain a 7 or 8 string I plan on keeping it tuned to its standard tuning. Keep the vids coming love em.

Thanks dude! Your video helped indeed! Used some of your tips on my latest 8th string song. Cheers and keep the great content coming! 👍

thank you for the educational video. I have the Cort 7 string and absolutely love it. just got an Agile 8 string wow what a beast. but now I know what I need to do thanks to you .👍

The guitar shop guy who used to change my string did a neat trick - he unwound the thickest string a couple centimeters at the tuner so it would fit the whole.

I don't play 8 strings, but I'm glad you have helped out so many that want to play extended range guitars. Also, thank you for calling Messugsh metal!

What a great video, answered all my questions in one stop. TY man great job.

Gr8 video m8!

Never owned a guitar beyond 6. Very interesting advice that was. Many thanks. I enjoyed it!

Great video 😊 I'm currently playing six strings but considering 8-strings for playing extended scales and arpeggios.

Quite informative... Expected as always. Nice Job mate

Excelent video, Trey. Very useful information.

Imagine this: my first 8 string guitar was a 25.5". Always been a total nightmare to play low stuff, and couldn't figure out why, until some time later I found out the importance of scale lenght. Going multiscale since then.

Hey man. I just want to say thank you very much for the tips. I recently bought a really nice 8 stringer for 150 bucks. That's something you just can't pass up. But I was worried about the gauge of string. And you happen to help me figure it out. It won't be perfect, using the Ernie's you mentioned, but it'll be better than the BS that the owner before me has put my baby through. Thank you so much, now I'm going to be looking for a multi scale to shred on

My first guitar, is a fixed 27 inch scale Ibanez RG8 1P-05. I can notice slightly the difference in tension between the high string in the low string, although any string on my 8 string is easier to fret than any string on the Washburn I started with. It still has the strings that it came with, and they seem work well with my main play style. I tend to slap the low strings between strumming the high ones. I have a set of light top heavy bottom strings that I plan to try next so I can see what it's like with more equal tension.

Wow! I’m loving that guitar!

I have 5 8-strings. My main axes are tuned to open C# minor, with a custom 10.5-110 kalium set. They both have locking tuners, and had to be drilled a little bit to accommodate them. They have 28" scale lengths. Lots of great tips for beginner 8-string players here. SO many cool things that you can do with these guitars. I honestly feel like anybody who shits on extended range instruments is probably intimidated by them, and can't handle the idea of having to rethink the way they've conventionally played guitar all their lives.

I buy my strings from Stringjoy, they offer pre-set packs, and a custom gauge pack builder where you pick each string gauge for yourself. They also have an amazing string tension calculator. And the strings sound great and stay in tune! I got bored with my 8 string in standard tuning and wanted to tune up to an A# to play some Nevermore. So basically a 7 string tuning with a high G#. I had the 80-9 pack you showed on already and went from 150ish lbs of total tension to 235 total lbs. My high G# string broke immeadiatly on the way to pitch with 28 lbs on a 9 gauge... After looking up my set up on the tension calculator, I had to frankenstein a compromise with 6, 8, and acoustic strings I had, with the tension calculator as my guide. Ended up with a 64-46-36-24w-16p-13-10-9. Finally, I used Stringjoys calculator to tailor a custom set I built for this tuning within the 150 lb total string tention standard for my guitar/scale length, which is now a custom 68-7 set with perfect tension pattern. I cannot beleive how important string tension was for any type of tuning, and an 8 string will force you to learn all sorts of new things you would never have considered before, if you're like me anyways...

Cheers mate. I thought I was going mad with my 7 string. Found string noise all over the show and the angle of my palm mute needed changing

You mentioned about wrapping your thumb around on a 6 string, the guitar teacher I was given at college used to give me grief for doing that. Nice to know I'm not alone in the thumb wrap

Thank you very much! Great tips!

Very useful stuff man, thanks

few tips on this video: StringJoy is a company that makes completely custom string sets with literally anything you can think of. Also, with the low strings, you can unwrap them to reveal the inner wires or inner coil depending on the gauge, then they'll fit through the peg. :)

Thanks that was super helpful

Just got my first 8 string today, I've been playing 6 string for 22 years (Since I was 10), and maybe 2 years on a 7 string so I decided to just go for it. I got an Agile Chiral Nirvana in Oceanburst, it's also my first headless guitar. I'm def a little intimidated by how dummy thicc the neck is but I'm in love with it either way and cannot wait to start writing some sick music with it!

great info man

Thank you for taking the time to explain. :)

Cort...hell yes. I'm glad Cort is keeping up with the trends, but I love their viva gold ii series, though discontinued. Love Cort.

Excellent tips, thanks !

Smart dude. That was helpful as I transition from bass and guitar to an eight string.

Thank you man, just got a cort kx508ms and this really helped me transition

My first guitar was a 25.5" scale Gstyle ES800 Amazon Brand Guitar. And it is my favorite guitar I've had.

Love your content. The intro music doesn’t do your mixing ability justice. Just throwing it out there. Thanks again for the inspiration and knowledge.

Thanks for the video, very informative and nice playing! The fret wraps were new to me, have they been in use for 7s and 8s for a while?

what tips would you have for a 17 or 18 string guitar?

I have a question. How does the scale length affect intonation? For example, is the standard multi-scale length designed for the standard tuning? If I tuned to an open tuning or a dropped tuning, would any of my strings be out of synch?

I’m a young guitarist, and have been playing for 5 years now, but I’m so happy to have watched this video. Though I knew all of the info on scale length and such, I loved how you described it all and I know it would absolutely help tons of people to understand the mechanics of a guitar from this video. Thank you for this! Excited to dip into 8 string territory this Christmas!

Great! Thanks!!!

Perfect video. Thank you.

I just pulled the trigger 2 says ago on a Run 14 Ormsby Goliath GTR 8 string in Ermine White w/gold hardware. It is multiscale with fanned frets. It is my 2nd guitar. My first is a Schecter Hellraiser Hybrid FR-S 6 string in Ultraviolet.

Whoop go me. I have a multi scale 8 string turning up this Tuesday. I just so have happened to have bought thoughs Ernie Ball strings you suggested ready to go on. Buzzin.

I have 10-80 heavys on my 8 string and sounds awesome

i actually started with 8 string but wish i knew all this before i bought it now that i'm changing strings. also can't belive how much differnce the styrofoam made

I am learning how to play the JR-608, Javier Reyes's signature guitar. I've noticed that I have some instability tonally that you describe in this video, mainly due to the fact that the string guages for the bottom 2 strings are not heavy enough. It was equipped with d'Addario Super Lights, 09 to 65. It's pretty clear that what I need is to go with a heavier set of guitar strings on the bottom. I'm looking at the d'Addario Light top / Heavy bottoms which are about a mil heavier on the top end but the bottom three are .054, 0.64, and 0.74. I like the flex on the top end of the original set, so I want to keep those. Are these heavy enough to work well with this guitar? The nut is graphite composition. Do I need to do anything to the nut? I don't want to risk cracking it. Any advice is much appreciated!

What tuners have you found to accommodate thicker strings? I've been looking for something like that for awhile and could use that for a few guitars I have

Thanks for the tips, they are very helpful! A question regarding the Cort guitar. is it comfortable to play? Is the form contour scoopy enough to rest the right arm?

I like 9-90 for F# standard on a 26.5-28" scale, I've found 80 to be far too floppy (i order a custom set from stringjoy) for drop E I get a 105 and unwind some of the string at the end to fit it in the tuner

God bless you...thank you for excellent instructions explanations advice on 8 string...

I just Bought a used 080r 4 day ago waiting for it to come in the mail I am excited

Personally, I love my Agile 8 string, because of the very long scale, almost 29”. This allows for much thinner strings which is good for me, I like the sloppy tone of a slightly slim string. I HATE the higher strings though, just too stiff and too much tension, I have to use 8s or 9s for the high E. I no longer play it in F# standard. I double the high E, and then basically have it in Drop A like a normal 7 string. I use 9-54

Good video, but I have to disagree about using an 8 gauge string for a high E on a 26.5" scale guitar. I have one on my 7 string right now and it feels perfect...bends without too much effort and isn't floppy.

I literally thing there was not one wrong tip in this tutorial! Great video! I wish it was 50 minutes long!

That Cort guitar that you are holding looks like a cool guitar. I really like the finish that it has. Cool headstock as well. I have been thinking of getting a multiscale for my next guitar. String tension is really a big deal and it feels really bad when you have floppy strings. I would imagine that it plays great otherwise why would you have it? On my current 7 string i have found over time that i have been moving towards using heavier strings as they actually feel better, they don't go sharp if you pick too hard, and they seem to hold tune better but i am not sure why. I have been going up on gauge even on the high strings currently using a 12 for the high string, then a 17, 24, 32, 42, 54, and finally a 74. I have to say that i can't believe how much better the guitar is with the heavier strings. I started with a low string of only 60, then over time when it was time to do a string change i tried a few gauges until i landed on the 74 which it tight but just barely tight if that makes sense. I have had to buy mixed packs to get what i wanted so unfortunately there has been some waste but i now see many packs that are close to this spec with the exception of the low string. And your idea of getting the single tuner for the low string is great, same for the saddle if available, the nut you will have to file but if you do get the right file and work slowly and check your work frequently as it really doesn't take much to resize the nut. Good luck and Cheers!

I use a 9,12,15,24,32,44,58,90 and it has really even tension for drop e on a 27" scale 16lbs on plain strings, 19lbs on wound

Hey trey, can you say which locking tuner you used to replace the 8th string

I'm really considering to get the 7-string version of that Cort Trey uses in the video.. the reviews saying that its a really good guitar..but can anyone that have one(or even you Trey if you see this) tell me his opinion?

10:16 The Tuning I use is half step down tuning cause I find that w/ a longer scale & thinner strings I can easily get a Stevie Ray Vaughn sound w/o having to deal w/ Thicker strings on a shorter scale.

THANK YOU!

great breakdown

@Gear Gods I have the same Cort, saddles maxed out on the high E and B strings, and also in the opposite direction the F#. Still, I'm not getting perfect intonation at the 12th fret, any hints? Are all the KX508 the same?

Thanks for making this. What is your opinion on the ideal type/position of fret markers? I have seen 8 strings with no fret markers, I imagine that would be visually confusing when your say shredding on the higher register because the fret board is so wide.

Drop E on an 8 sounds great with a normal bass' low E. a 5-string bass with the low B is good too, and you still just play the normal low E on the bass in octave unison with the low E on the drop E 8-string. This is what 'shuggah does, except in F standard. It is a great tight sound, don't always be thinking the bass has to be a whole octave lower than the guitar at all times. E1 on a guitar and E1 on a bass sound very different.

Looking to get an 8 string and the price point of a static scale length is appealing but I’d rather not run into the issues outlined here the one I have my eyes on is 26.5 but I’m thinking now that’s possibly a bit on the short side? I mean surely they’re still solid guitars but what would alleviate the tension issues? Mixing sets of strings/get custom packs? Is it worth it? Or just spring for a multiscale?

Got the 8 Ibanez IEGS8 (9-65) high end to low end is perfect on my Schecter Omen-8, but sometimes for low tuning it doesnt give that much lows so i swapped the low 3 strings with D'Addario EXL140-8 (10-74)..lows sound awesome now with sweet highs

Can you suggest amp for 8 string Ibanez passive mics , need only nice/heavy distord, maybe simulated out but not must and no fxloop necessary. under 500e/usd

THANK YOU! All that is very instructive, and quite counterintuitive when you're used to mixing "classic" 6 string guitars. I'd be awesome to have the approach used on bass, and how you manage guitar + bass in a "djent" mix

Will you review this 8 string beast?)

Stringjoy custom gauge sets are the answer to string gauge. They have a great calculator for string tension and you can customize the tension based on how you are going to tune it. Regarding tuners, Tone Ninja locking tuners allow up to .086" size strings in the tuner. Hipshot will custom drill tuners up to 0.090" at the factory if you add that customization to your order from their site.

This is a great video for anyone considering getting an 8-string! I saw a video with someone playing lead guitar on a cover of a Pretenders song, using an 8-string, and thought, "ooh, I need one of those!" After watching this video, however, I really think I want a 7-string, not 8. The 7th string would give me all the lower notes that I typically need when playing guitar, without having to tune down. It's like the equivalent of a 5-string bass! And I'd much rather play a 5-string bass than a 6-string bass!

A 3 year old video that is exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks man good stuff

how do i get one of these? do i have to track down a store that is affiliated and have them order it? hoping to try one out first but if not i still likely want one. been doing a lot of research and i really want an aristides but thats gonna take a while, i can come up with this within 6 months.

8'S GR8 M8.

What were you using for the amp tone? Sounds awesome

2:05 The Orpharion is like that too

had the issue with my strings got the ESP m1008 and it of course has locking tuners. The original strings I used were stock, and NYXL's that were the same as that, I forget the gauge by my guess was the low end was in the 74 range. The 80 doesn't fit with the locking tuners, BUT! Magically I had the idea to clip and uncoil the wire to where I could set the string! works great, now to find a decent tuning I like. I've been loving the 8 over the 7, which I had one years ago, but went back to 6 until I got this 8. I had some decent tunings I made with the lighter strings but they were far too light. Hopefully I come up with something equally dope!

Trey you area BEAST and you are not allowed to leave RU-vid EVER! Er Go Nomics! yes!

I'm thinking if getting a cort guitar and I'm wondering what bag I should get as they don't sell they're own. I'm think of either buying either the KX 507 or KX 508

Hi, I'm looking for suggestions on what kind of string sets/gauge should I use for my LTD SC-608B with a 27" scale length. I tuned it in standard but having hard times bending the top three strings. Is it the strings or something needs to be set up on the guitar? Thanks.

I own a 7 string bass. And really wish it was a multi scale. Its also hard to find strings for it. There are only a few brands that even make them. And when I do find them. They're like $60 bucks a set. Sweet looking guitar by the way. I really like the finish of that beauty

I just took strings off but I love the fact that your adding more😂

Hello, i have a question for the F# string gauge. Does it fit in the tuner of the Cort KX508MS and also through the body and bridge? I red some comments that say It was not possible to put a F# string with gauge of 80 on this guitare. Please can you tell me if it's possible to put one on this guitare. I'm interested to buy this one. And i have tried this gauge on my first 8strings guitare and sounds really good. I want to have the same Gauge for this guitare if it's possible. Thanks. Great video by the way

Congratulations on the video. I'm starting in this world of 8 strings. Could you recommend which string tension is best? I thinking start with 10-74. Thank you for the attention.