Is buying an 8 string bass dumb?

#82
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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Ok.. Are you talking about an 8 string bass as in 8 separate stings or a 4 string with an octave string (like a 12 string guitar)?

Either way.... Keep it simple with a 4-5 string for now... There is plenty of time for expanding your horizons once you get more experience...

Good luck and Bass on!
 
#83
Nope. Hard pass on the Galveston. That would be dumb, for someone just starting out.

I’m going to echo what 95% of this community has said: for the money, get yourself a nicer passive four or five stringer instead. Learn the fundamentals on the standard instrument. You can always branch out later, if you want to.
 
#84
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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Stay away from that, get a 4 string bass. A second hand Fender MIM would be your best choice IMO.
 
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#86
IMG_20180730_200813~2.jpg
Play what you want when you want within your budget. Nothing wrong with learning on an 8 string, coursed or not. Personally I think you should go 8 string fretless.
 
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#89
Only if you are not blessed with God given musical and technical mad talent. That's what it is all about to master an instrument of such a high skill level.

Learning to play an instrument is like learning to drive a car. There are basic skills that you must master before you become a competent driver. You will not be able to drive a Ferrari to its full potential without learning the basics of driving an amazing vehicle that can speed to over 200 MPH.

Musical instruments are of the same concept. If you do not have the basics, an 8 string is not for you, only at your current skill level. The best race car drivers and musical icons practiced and practiced, over and over, to achieve the basics of their craft to develop their legendary skills. And just a reminder, they were born with God given mad talent. If you don't have the advantage of natural talent, you can't reasonably expect to emulate their skills.

However, don't be bummed out or discouraged. 90 percent of all musicians have a modicum of natural talent that affords them to have a nice and profitable career simply playing in a band that is always in demand for gig after gig. And it is so much fun to play in a band in any venue.

If you want to explore an 8 string, go for it and have a blast learning new skills. No matter what instrument you play, have fun and emulate your heroes. You will ultimately improve and achieve your personal skill level that will bring you much satisfaction and enjoyment. Keep things in perspective. Get out there and have fun! That's what music is all about, IMHO.
 
#90
Why would you buy an 8-string bass? You could just get two 4-string basses...

Seriously, the answer to your question is, yes it would be dumb. Unless your Gio was run over by a truck, it's very likely that you can fix whatever is wrong with it. And if not, that still doesn't mean you should go out and buy an 8-string bass. Get a nice used Squier 4 or 5 string and focus on learning to play.
 
#95
Garret Graves said:
You are just starting out, my recommendation is stick in the more conventional bass zone for now- I’d get a 5 or 4 string either Squier or Ibanez again.
If I was just starting out again, knowing what I know now, I’d start off with a 5 String Squier and spend a few years playing it, getting the art and craft of bass playing down on it. That will give you a good foundation to go on
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Essentially what Garret Graves said above

However there are some historic classic rock tunes ; Early Jimi Hendrix Experience used 8 string on a couple and John Paul Jones with Led Zeppelin used 8 string and fretless on a tune or 2 as well. It’s seldom used but quite distinct ... when you’re ready

How often do you plan to change strings? And an 8-string set ?

Again what Garret said would be my advice too for now

Look; Don’t go in debt for your bass , amp etc

And you will need to provide your own transportation eventually

Finish school work hard And keep playing Most of us here aren’t full time players; it’s hard if not nearly impossible to earn a full time living and support a family as well

I’m telling you straight up

For now enjoy your youth and learn as much as you can about bass , music theory , team work / collaboration

My best to you
 
#96
I can't remember seeing an 8 string bass under $1600 which truly played well throughout its range. Conklin grove tools 7s are about $500, 700(used) after a pickup change it's an excellent instrument.

Typically, regardless of the price most aren't engineered specifically for 8, 7, 9 ect. More of a 4, 5 or 6 string design with a wider fingerboard and or closer spacing for more strings.

For the record; I've never owned one. A 6 string is enough for almost everything I can think to play. Even 90% of that wicked djent stuff will fit on a 6 with different fingerings. 8 strings are needed to play music written for piano or full voice guitar chords over counterpoint bass lines simultaneously. If you can't play "the vision" by Victor Wooten (or similar song) with a 4 string
6 or more strings would be absolutely unnecessary.

My friend has a couple 8 strings and a 7. The only one that plays effortlessly enough to make use of every string and actually stands up to my 4 and 5 strings is an MTD usa 8str.. The other two are pretty and collect dust on the wall.
 
#97
@Caastg I can't reiterate enough how much you should completely ignore everyone responding to this thread. I'm sure every one of these posters would be as equally eager to dismiss the tired notion that bass is "easier" than guitar because it has 2 fewer strings. So why should only 2 more suddenly become an impossible task?

If an 8 string is calling to you, go for it. I guarantee it will take you no more time to learn the basics on, and it could potentially take you a lot less time to find your voice on.
 
#98
What is your goal as a bass player? Do you want to:
a) lay down a solid foundation, give your band a strong groove that fills the dance floor and gets plenty of gigs, or do you want to:
b) step out and dazzle with flashy extended range solos that catch all the attention but then do fewer gigs.
If a) - fix up the bass you have or get a squire and work on your playing.
If b) - get an 8 string, work on your playing, sit by the phone and try not to gather cobwebs while you wait for it to ring.
If neither is what you want to do and exploration is your goal, an 8 string sounds like a great way to go. If your just starting out, the number of strings is probably less relevant than your willingness to practice and learn.
 
#99
gebass6 said:
Not if you shut everyone up by playing stuff like this.

Yeah...this is a twelve string.But the technique applies.
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We have to come up with a new name for an instrument like this. It has such an extended range that the name “bass” seems inadequate. Especially when most of what he played for the first few minutes was way out of the bass register. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking this concept but it’s making music in a way most of us probably aren’t going to even try - a whole other world that seems to me to be less about bass and more about solo musical expression in a more orchestral way if you like, as you might see from a pianist who works alone as many do.
 
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#100
retslock said:
We have to come up with a new name for an instrument like this. It has such an extended range that the name “bass” seems inadequate. Especially when most of what he played for the first few minutes was way out of the bass register. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking this concept but it’s making music in a way most of us probably aren’t going to even try - a whole other world that seems to me to be less about bass and more about solo musical expression in a more orchestral way if you like, as you might see from a pianist who works alone as many do.
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He's playing a whole lot of electronics, too.

Four strings is plenty for me, but I'm CroMagnon.
 
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