This is a discussion about extended range guitars - 7 string guitars, 8 string guitars, and even baritone 6 string guitars. Do you really need this extended range and these extra strings or are 6 strings enough and these are overhyped gimmicks? This unsponsored discussion goes over the pros and cons of these types of instruments to provide information in case you’re wondering if this type of guitar is right for you.
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Over the years I’ve used both downtuned 6 string guitars as well as 7 and 8 string guitars to create music that’s both performed on YouTube and distributed on streaming services such as Spotify. There’s no denying the utility extended range guitars provide. Even if you’re not playing heavy metal, which is where they’re most common, you can still use them to freely create music. For example, background music used in this video was recorded on the 8 string Abasi Larada Master Series you see (Contexture Campaign EP on all streaming services).
Extended range guitars push the physical limitations of the guitar both mathematically (see the acoustic beating phenomenon) and practically, stepping on the toes of the bass. You will need to rethink your guitar tone and choice of notes. If you do, a world of octaves below the standard is available to you and you can create any kind of music from hard hitting modern metal to free meandering jazz.
There are difficulties when picking up an extended range guitar. The extra strings demand both improved muting technique as well as increased attention as the additional string will get in the way of seeing what you’re playing. The difficulty is compounded by any non-standard features such as a multiscale fretboard. These strings will always be present even if you’re not playing them for most of your set, so take into consideration whether you really need those lower notes and whether they’ll fit into your recorded song’s mix or your band’s frequency space.
00:00 Intro and not sponsored
00:39 Use both drop tunings and extended range guitars
00:50 Discussing guitars with either longer scale length or more than 6 strings
01:06 Not reviewing these guitars
Why Extended Range Guitars?
01:17 Benefits of extended range
01:22 No Substitute for hitting the actual low notes
01:51 Trick to get low notes on a 6 string
02:15 Access to low notes without downtuning the standard 6 strings
02:42 Don’t have to play the lowest strings every song
03:03 Baritone 6 strings have the same width neck as standard 6 string guitars
03:10 Guitars with more strings have a wider, flatter neck
03:22 Longer scale lengths for better intonation, tension, and more space at the higher frets
03:28 Multiscale fretboards
Disadvantages of Extended Range Guitars
04:15 Disadvantages
04:26 Thin wide necks back if you prefer thick round necks
04:48 Some songs not possible on extended range guitars if they rely on 6 string tunings
05:34 Looking at more strings takes more thought
06:05 Multiscale shifts top fret markers away from treble side fret positions
06:52 Extended range guitars feel like a different instrument than a typical 6
07:07 Acoustic beating makes close intervals between low notes sound dissonant
07:45 Pitch drift on lower strings
08:07 Evertune is helpful but feels different
08:57 Lowest notes overlap with bass
09:26 Baritone 6 strings long scale length long stretches
09:44 Tuning really low because inaudible clanging
My Preferences
10:19 My preferences based off of my experiences
10:30 Extended range guitars are usable
10:43 6 string guitars will always feel like home
10:59 Use 7 strings if the song calls for it
11:23 My tunings
11:38 8 string as last resort
11:50 Why 1 whole step down tuned
12:07 Mixing low tuned guitars becomes a challenge
12:31 Pitch drift is a big factor
Overall
13:00 Do you need an extended range guitar?
13:04 Yes if you need to hit the low notes
13:24 Otherwise definitely not
14:13 Outro
14:36 Cat
