Is buying an 8 string bass dumb?

#41
Caastg said:
I started learning bass last month on my Ibanez gio I got from guitar center. It recently broke (not surprised- it was like $80) and my budget for my new bass is ~300 dollars. There’s a guy selling an 8 string bass for $325.. I looked up reviews for the bass and it looks great, but I can barely even play- is it just plain stupid to get an 8 string? I don’t really have a style or anything yet, so wouldn’t more string just help me keep my options open? The one issue I’ve seen for a lot of people is that the neck is too thick, which shouldn’t be a problem for me, as my hands felt too big for my 4 string. It’s such a good deal but I feel like a dufus having an 8 string and only fingering the E and A strings.. but then this might help me change from that.. ugh.
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8, 10, and 12 string basses are really cool … but they are also weird … you will want a main bass with 4 or 5 string and use the 8 for "special" songs.

I owned a 10 and I sold it because it didn't get enough playing time. Also I didn't like the pickups or preamp.

Picture%20301.jpg


then I built a 30" short scale 8 … it is like a cross between a guitar and a bass

b%20569.jpg
 
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#42
90% of all the music you have ever heard with a bass guitar in it has been on a 4 or a 5, so the 8 would only open up your options for creativity - but a carrier deck like that fretboard would be hugely confusing for a beginner I'd assume.

Oh and Galvestons are worth like a hundred bucks..... maybe.
 
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#43
Ric5 said:
8, 10, and 12 string basses are really cool … but they are also weird … you will want a main bass with 4 or 5 string and use the 8 for "special" songs.

I owned a 10 and I sold it because it didn't get enough playing time. Also I didn't like the pickups or preamp.

View attachment 3098448

then I built a 30" short scale 8 … it is like a cross between a guitar and a bass

View attachment 3098449
Click to expand...
All good advice (double coursed basses are awesome) but the OP is talking about an 8 string like this:
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#45
DDXdesign said:
All good advice (double coursed basses are awesome) but the OP is talking about an 8 string like this:
View attachment 3098471
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That kind of bass is even less mainstream than what I was talking about. I am all about extended range … I love 5 and 6 string basses, but eventually your bass becomes a harp with too many strings and does that thing have neck dive? … probably
 
#46
Ric5 said:
That kind of bass is even less mainstream than what I was talking about. I am all about extended range … I love 5 and 6 string basses, but eventually your bass becomes a harp with too many strings and does that thing have neck dive? … probably
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Oh I agree. I played in a straightforward rock band (originals and covers) for a couple years with a 6-string, and I never once used the low B or the high C besides noodling around at practice!
 
#48
Caastg said:
I started learning bass last month on my Ibanez gio I got from guitar center. It recently broke (not surprised- it was like $80) and my budget for my new bass is ~300 dollars. There’s a guy selling an 8 string bass for $325.. I looked up reviews for the bass and it looks great, but I can barely even play- is it just plain stupid to get an 8 string? I don’t really have a style or anything yet, so wouldn’t more string just help me keep my options open? The one issue I’ve seen for a lot of people is that the neck is too thick, which shouldn’t be a problem for me, as my hands felt too big for my 4 string. It’s such a good deal but I feel like a dufus having an 8 string and only fingering the E and A strings.. but then this might help me change from that.. ugh.
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"Is buying an 8 string bass dumb?"

Yes, if it is an ERB.
If you are talking about an octave 8-string bass I'd say no, but don't make it your first go to bass. Learn on your 4 string (that you should buy first or get your current broken bass fixed first). 8-string octave basses are fun, but learn on a 4 string. I have a Dean 8-string Rhapsody and love it. But for me it is just something to get out and mess with.

To of my fav bassists played 8 string octave Alembics...Greg Lake and John Paul Jones (Chris Squire too (not Alembics) to a lesser extent). So I just had to get one to mess with and tryout.
 
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#51
Caastg said:
I started learning bass last month on my Ibanez gio I got from guitar center. It recently broke (not surprised- it was like $80) and my budget for my new bass is ~300 dollars. There’s a guy selling an 8 string bass for $325.. I looked up reviews for the bass and it looks great, but I can barely even play- is it just plain stupid to get an 8 string? I don’t really have a style or anything yet, so wouldn’t more string just help me keep my options open? The one issue I’ve seen for a lot of people is that the neck is too thick, which shouldn’t be a problem for me, as my hands felt too big for my 4 string. It’s such a good deal but I feel like a dufus having an 8 string and only fingering the E and A strings.. but then this might help me change from that.. ugh.
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The only "dumb" part of your OP is thinking your bass "broke." Short of going full Pete Townsend/Kurt Cobain on your instrument, there's very little that could have been done to it that can't be repaired for less than $300 - and actually, even if you had, depending how many pieces it splintered into, $300 just might cover the repair at the right shop. (E.g. a lesser known repair guy looking for a chance to show off his chops).

To respond to your question, though, if you just want to buy an 8 string bass because you think it would be fun to play on, go for it. shag the haters.
 
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#52
Caastg said:
I started learning bass last month on my Ibanez gio I got from guitar center. It recently broke (not surprised- it was like $80) and my budget for my new bass is ~300 dollars. There’s a guy selling an 8 string bass for $325.. I looked up reviews for the bass and it looks great, but I can barely even play- is it just plain stupid to get an 8 string? I don’t really have a style or anything yet, so wouldn’t more string just help me keep my options open? The one issue I’ve seen for a lot of people is that the neck is too thick, which shouldn’t be a problem for me, as my hands felt too big for my 4 string. It’s such a good deal but I feel like a dufus having an 8 string and only fingering the E and A strings.. but then this might help me change from that.. ugh.
Click to expand...
Yes - it would be plain stupid to get an 8 string bass if you can barely even play. Definitely get a 4 or 5 string bass. Definitely put some practice in, and when you're ready, you can jump to an extended range bass (ERB) of some kind that's appropriate for your skill level / style.
 
#54
Caastg said:
8 separate strings. There’s also one that is a double course for about the same price
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Thank you for answering that question. Now if only people would stop responding as if you're talking about the double course 8.

Caastg said:
I started learning bass last month..... I can barely even play- is it just plain stupid to get an 8 string?
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Probably so. At this point in your development you should stick to 4 or 5.
At least until you learn a bit more. There's plenty of time to get more strings later.
 
#55
I feel "dumb" or "Stupid" to portrait your choice about what to buy is a tad harsh.... comparing to another myriad of useless things people waste their money on, I would say an 8 string bass (or any instrument) flies well above these cases.

I have an 8 string bass and enjoy it a lot, and never felt any dumbness playing it; now, the bass is in a category of its own, as given its dimensions, it requires your hands (specially your fretting hand) to do some extra work when reaching the low frequencies, as it has to operate over a large chunk of the fretboard. In that sense, the OP would not end learning "Bass" but "8 String bass" which requires special skills. This requirement for specialization is offset by the amazing tonal capabilities these beasts have, and if you are into soloing, you venture in frequencies very rarely bassist get to play at.

Now, all of above is cool, but I would be concerned with the low price. Where 300$ can get you something borderline decent at 4 strings, given the extreme amount of offers available, a 300$ 8 String will probably be a substandard instrument that will make you regret your purchase.

I hope this helps.
 
#57
Caastg said:
I started learning bass last month on my Ibanez gio I got from guitar center. It recently broke (not surprised- it was like $80) and my budget for my new bass is ~300 dollars. There’s a guy selling an 8 string bass for $325.. I looked up reviews for the bass and it looks great, but I can barely even play- is it just plain stupid to get an 8 string? I don’t really have a style or anything yet, so wouldn’t more string just help me keep my options open? The one issue I’ve seen for a lot of people is that the neck is too thick, which shouldn’t be a problem for me, as my hands felt too big for my 4 string. It’s such a good deal but I feel like a dufus having an 8 string and only fingering the E and A strings.. but then this might help me change from that.. ugh.
Click to expand...

Is this the first instrument you play? If this is the case learning music and electric bass takes at the very least a couple of years. For that time I strongly suggest you to use a 4 string bass (or a 5 at most).
It's already a pita to get to know all the notes on your 4 string bass. I think that you might be discouraged by 8 strings all together. Furthermore, the music literature for an 8 string bass is basically not existent.

Just grab the most standard bass you can afford for 300$ (maybe used) and just play. You could grab a Tribute G&l for that price.

IMHO when you are learning the only thing you don't need is exceptionality.
 
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#58
They consensus is pretty unanimous. Personally, I’d recommend staying away from a Squire and take a more detailed look at Ibanez or Schecter. Skinnier necks and smaller bodies make for a more comfortable experience for beginners. My opinion only. Good luck!
 
#60
singlemalt said:
Broke? What’s broke about it?

Post some pictures and you will get all kinds of help.

Doing minor repairs and setup work is part of the journey.

Fix your four string, or five string Gio, whatever it is.

As penance, learn five new tunes.
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Good point, we never found out what broke on his bass. Heck, we might end up saving the OP $300 until he's ready to buy something better later.
 
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