6 vs 8??
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- Adam Tracksler
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6 vs 8??
I am having an existential dilemma about six strings verses eight string.
Is there very much realistically that I cannot do on six strings that I can do with eight strings. I know for a lot of the first string stuff I can do slants a little bit further up the neck and it requires a little bit more movement.
But is there really anything that I can't do on six that I can with eight?
Is there very much realistically that I cannot do on six strings that I can do with eight strings. I know for a lot of the first string stuff I can do slants a little bit further up the neck and it requires a little bit more movement.
But is there really anything that I can't do on six that I can with eight?
- Erv Niehaus
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- Jerome Hawkes
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imo, it depends on the tuning you are playing
6 is fine for maj tunings and C6..which i feel is pretty complete at 6 strings.
A6 & 13 tunings are best with 8 string
of course there are things you can do with 8 strings you cant do with 6.....thats just the math
6 is fine for maj tunings and C6..which i feel is pretty complete at 6 strings.
A6 & 13 tunings are best with 8 string
of course there are things you can do with 8 strings you cant do with 6.....thats just the math
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- Dom Franco
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If you stick with the instrument for any length of time, after a while you will notice opportunities that make you think "I wish I could get that lick down here on the lower strings... or If I had that other note in this chord it would sound so much better.. etc.)
That is when you might start looking into another steel guitar with more strings.
You may decide to just live with the limitations of the instrument, there are many amazing players that just use a six string.
I have owned 6 string, 8, double neck 8, 10 string, double neck 10 and 12 string steel guitars, and believe me there will always be licks and chords that will remain out of reach.
You will eventually find a compromise that works for you and your musical preferences. Don't let the equipment hinder you from making the best sounds you can with any number of strings.
Dom
That is when you might start looking into another steel guitar with more strings.
You may decide to just live with the limitations of the instrument, there are many amazing players that just use a six string.
I have owned 6 string, 8, double neck 8, 10 string, double neck 10 and 12 string steel guitars, and believe me there will always be licks and chords that will remain out of reach.
You will eventually find a compromise that works for you and your musical preferences. Don't let the equipment hinder you from making the best sounds you can with any number of strings.
Dom
- David Mason
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Realistically, we are always going to spend a lot more time practicing than performing, and the eight strings give you more options of bass notes to practice against. If you're in a band situation where you're just looking to add some new tonal colors, you may not get down to the bottom notes on an eight, but I even prefer ten-strings because there's just more there there. And even in a band context, it's easier to play interesting rhythm guitar parts with a little more spread.
- Doug Beaumier
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START with 6, and learn the tuning well. Learn techniques: slants, slides, blocking, harmonics, and then try 8 strings if you want to. You'll realize that more is available on 8 strings. That's the problem though, for Beginners. Beginners don't need More. They need Less. The More will come later. Most players who switch over to 8 strings stick with 8. A few players, however, prefer the simplicity of 6 and decide to go back to 6.
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I would say don't go to eight until you know what you want to use those additional strings for. I am one of those guys who went to 8 and then changed my mind. I found that I wasn't getting that much out of the additional 2 strings. And I found the string spacing on the 6 much more friendly. I use C6 tuning.
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I recently traded for an 8 string Remington, which I love, however I find myself playing mostly on the six strings I have or playing six string arrangements in the middle of the 8 string. This could be partly due to the fact that most of the material I have is for 6 string.
GFI SM10 3/4, 1937 Gibson EH-150, 2 - Rondo SX Lap Steels and a Guyatone 6 String C6. Peavey 400 and a Roland 40 Amps. Behringer Reverb Pedal.
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Re: 6 vs 8??
the more important question, exit stencily, is why even try at all?Adam Tracksler wrote:I am having an exit stencil dilemma about six strings verses eight string.
Is there very much realistically that I cannot do on six strings that I can do with eight strings. I know for a lot of the first string stuff I can do slants a little bit further up the neck and it requires a little bit more movement.
But is there really anything that I can't do on six that I can with eight?
Like Edward, I went to 8 for years then back to 6. I like the challenge and limitation of 6. Unless you want to play big chords, I find the only real limitation is mental.
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- John Billings
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- Rick Winfield
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6 vs 8
I play a homemade 12 string,
but there is a lot that can be done with a 6 string.
Low to high C E G A C E
FOR an 8, I would use Low TO High F A C E G A C E,
Others may prefer Low to High A C E G A C E G
But sometimes that high G is too whiny
but there is a lot that can be done with a 6 string.
Low to high C E G A C E
FOR an 8, I would use Low TO High F A C E G A C E,
Others may prefer Low to High A C E G A C E G
But sometimes that high G is too whiny
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IMHO, most 6 string tunings are embedded in 8 string tunings, so, as mentioned above ,start with a 6 string and progress to an 8. Example - C6
G G
E E E
C C C
A A A
G G G
E E E
C C
Bb Bb
G or C
etc.
G G
E E E
C C C
A A A
G G G
E E E
C C
Bb Bb
G or C
etc.
Jack Aldrich
Carter & ShoBud D10's
D8 & T8 Stringmaster
Rickenbacher B6
3 Resonator guitars
Asher Alan Akaka Special SN 6
Canopus D8
Carter & ShoBud D10's
D8 & T8 Stringmaster
Rickenbacher B6
3 Resonator guitars
Asher Alan Akaka Special SN 6
Canopus D8
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Well, that was a mess! I'll try another way (if I can figure it out!).Jack Aldrich wrote:IMHO, most 6 string tunings are embedded in 8 string tunings, so, as mentioned above ,start with a 6 string and progress to an 8. Example - C6
G G
E E E
C C C
A A A
G G G
E E E
C C
Bb Bb
G or C
etc.
Jack Aldrich
Carter & ShoBud D10's
D8 & T8 Stringmaster
Rickenbacher B6
3 Resonator guitars
Asher Alan Akaka Special SN 6
Canopus D8
Carter & ShoBud D10's
D8 & T8 Stringmaster
Rickenbacher B6
3 Resonator guitars
Asher Alan Akaka Special SN 6
Canopus D8
- Paul Seager
- Posts: 424
- Joined: 20 Aug 2010 7:41 am
- Location: Augsburg, Germany
I am not a particularly advanced player but I do play 8 strings (C6 & A6) and love them. However, I tend to practice a lot on 6 string and this influences my 8 string playing.
My practice exercises are largely driven by Greg Cutshaw's superb collection and Doug Beaumier's speed picking workout, all tabbed for 6 string using C6 or C6/A7 tunings.
These exercises have changed the way I play an 8 string and I tend to use the high G (on C6) only for "bluesy" effects in solos. I would definitely miss the low A (on C6) as it is great for deep moody minors and if, like me, you switch position to play the blues scale - meaning three frets up from the "normal" position.
In this day and age we are spoiled for choice. If in doubt, then apply the K.I.S.S. principle!
\ paul
My practice exercises are largely driven by Greg Cutshaw's superb collection and Doug Beaumier's speed picking workout, all tabbed for 6 string using C6 or C6/A7 tunings.
These exercises have changed the way I play an 8 string and I tend to use the high G (on C6) only for "bluesy" effects in solos. I would definitely miss the low A (on C6) as it is great for deep moody minors and if, like me, you switch position to play the blues scale - meaning three frets up from the "normal" position.
In this day and age we are spoiled for choice. If in doubt, then apply the K.I.S.S. principle!
\ paul
\paul
Bayern Hawaiians: https://www.youtube.com/@diebayernhawaiians3062
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Bayern Hawaiians: https://www.youtube.com/@diebayernhawaiians3062
Other stuff: https://www.youtube.com/@paulseager3796/videos