Eight string guitar

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LGM 8 string electric guitar

An eight string guitar is a guitar with eight strings. There are several variants of this instrument, one probably originating from Russia along with the seven string guitar variant in the 19th century. The eight string guitar has recently begun to gain popularity, notably among jazz artists such as Charlie Hunter, The Special Purpose, Terje Rypdal and Richard Scott, and metal artists such as Meshuggah. Korn guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer has also been seen with an 8 String variant during occasional live shows. There are steadily increasing numbers of manufacturers offering eight string guitars, and a production eight string is set to be released in 2007 by Ibanez. Some of the main manufacturing companies of 8 and even 9 string guitars are Novax Guitars established by Ralph Novak and Conklin Guitars.

8 string variations are also found in classical nylon strung instruments. They are generally tuned with two extra basses ([BD]EADGBE) that vary in pitch depending on the piece being played. Another common variation is to add an extra bass and treble string. The extra treble is almost always tuned to A, while the added bass string usually falls on A, B, or C.

The Classical guitarists Paul Galbraith and Alexander Vynograd are two of the most notable 8 string players who use the extra high and low string tuning. Galbraith generally tunes (B)EADGBEA which puts standard 6 string guitar chord voicings and scale shapes within the neck and allows him to read directly off of lute tablature (a whole step higher). Vynograd chooses to tune AEADGCEA (notice the b string is tuned up a half step) which allows him to play the top 6 strings like a guitar a 4th higher. Vynograd writes his music on a grand staff in a different key and plays as if the guitar was tuned EBEADGBE. This is a less confusing approach than Galbraith for a 6 string transitioning to 8 because the fingerings and sheet music are more familiar.

The 8 string electric guitars guitar used by Meshuggah, Asesino, Rusty Cooley, James "Munky" Shaffer and other metal artists are most often tuned in regular 4ths, with two extra basses (Low to High) F#,B,E,A,D,G,B,E. Fredrik Thordendal and Marten Hagstrom of Meshuggah tune their 8 string guitars F,Bb,Eb,Ab,Db,Gb,Bb,Eb, and one and two semitones below this tuning. Rusty Cooley uses one extra bass and one extra treble string. Several smaller luthier companies now offer 8-string models, such as Blackmachine Guitars, LGM Guitars, TK Instruments, Shamray Guitars and Nevborn Guitars.

8 string pickup makers include Lundgren and EMG.

Ibanez has a single production 8-string model coming out during March 2007, the RG2228GK,it is to be introduced in the Winter NAMM -show of 2007^[1]. This is the first ever mass production of a solid body 8-string electric guitar.

Guitar Details:

Ibanez RG2228-GK 8-String Guitar