Seven string guitar with a high A string, the sound

Garry Goodman · 08-12-2007, 08:00 PM

I spent time improving strings that tune to A440 at 26" etc. We talk about them and tunings and so on.
Last night I decided to actually PLAY my x27 through some reverb.

The tuning is
Eb2 Ab2 C#3 F#3 B3 E4 A4- straight 4ths.

As I start to finger pick some chords I really heard how the A4 string brightens up the sound. The entire guitar sounds different, like a 12-string guitar, a mandolin and other higher pitched instruments. The bass strings sound lower because I am playing up a 4th from the regular tuning.

Playing at the 5th fret sounds like playing at the 10th fret on a high E4 guitar.
This is more comfortable for me because the frets have wider spacing there.
The great thing is an open A4 string at 26" can really ring out. It would be nice to be able to post audio samples here.

After playing with the high A, I really can hear (in my head) a D5 string above that.IMO, this is a real valid reason to have 7 and 8-string (and 9) guitars. My Adler 12 has open C0 in 4ths up to the G4 below the A4. It is 34"-32". It is nice playing on the 25.5" scale. I am trying for a D5 string at 25.5". The C5 is sounding very nice. I think going higher without having to play on frets spaced close together is a good thing.

08-12-2007, 08:31 PM

Any clips ?
Videos would be great.

08-13-2007, 04:07 PM

How "thick" would that high D5 string be ?

Does your strings work on a kahler bridge ?

How are things going with the ball-ends ?

Durero · 08-13-2007, 06:02 PM

Fantastic Garry.

And I totally agree about the high D5 string, that would be totally awesome!

Keep us posted on your progress.

And on a side note - I'm ready to order more strings from you - is it best to order through your octave4plus site or pm you or doesn't matter?

And would it still be helpful to you to send you my spare ball-ends?

Garry Goodman · 08-14-2007, 01:27 AM

I will make some videos soon. The D5 string is still being developed. It is really a Db5 string. The first Ab4 string I had was a .003 and now it is a .009. So the C-Db-D may be a .005.
The ball ends are going to be awesome.

I am not releasing any strings that are actually made as C5+ strings yet.

I am just making a few strings that work as A4,Bb4 B4 and depending on the guitar,C5. Limited production for a little while longer.

The new wire is tuning up to the notes right away, unlike the wire used on the strings from the last winter NAMM show. They should bend up at least a whole step.

The point of my post was just to say I have been so busy developing strings, I haven't spent time hearing what they can do and that high A opens up a whole new world of sound for guitar.
The strings seem to stand up to most whammy bars. My next video will be a demo of an A string played with the whammy bar engaged.

Cool711 · 08-14-2007, 02:04 AM

Indeed.
Good news there.

Similar question as before though (clarifying the limited production for now):
Is it possible to get any of the 9's for the high A as yet?
(Sorry if I'm misunderstanding the post)

Thanks.

Garry Goodman · 08-14-2007, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cool711

Indeed.
Good news there.

Similar question as before though (clarifying the limited production for now):
Is it possible to get any of the 9's for the high A as yet?
(Sorry if I'm misunderstanding the post)

Thanks.

The .009 A440 strings will be available soon. There are about five different versions of the .009 A440 string. Some work better for 30+" scale and some work better for the 25.5" scale. I am only making strings for the limited demand.Not everyone wants high A4,Bb4 and B4 strings. I will better know in a few weeks where I am at with all this. Just check http://octave4plus.com from time to time.

08-14-2007, 08:21 AM

Thanks for the info.

Cool711 · 08-14-2007, 11:08 AM

Ok cool, sounds good.

Another question: will they work for the high A on a short scale guitar (22.75")?
I don't see any reason they would not, but you said that there were a couple versions, some that worked better at different scales.

Apophis · 08-14-2007, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cool711

Ok cool, sounds good.

Another question: will they work for the high A on a short scale guitar (22.75")?
I don't see any reason they would not, but you said that there were a couple versions, some that worked better at different scales.

I have the same question, but I want tune to D5 at 23"
Thanks

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08-12-2007, 08:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
Garry Goodman 8-0ctaves Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: CA&HI Posts: 322 Main Seven: 1987 Tobias 7-string bass & 8 octave Adler 12 Rig: Basson B310SC Thanked: 6	Seven string guitar with a high A string, the sound I spent time improving strings that tune to A440 at 26" etc. We talk about them and tunings and so on. Last night I decided to actually PLAY my x27 through some reverb. The tuning is Eb2 Ab2 C#3 F#3 B3 E4 A4- straight 4ths. As I start to finger pick some chords I really heard how the A4 string brightens up the sound. The entire guitar sounds different, like a 12-string guitar, a mandolin and other higher pitched instruments. The bass strings sound lower because I am playing up a 4th from the regular tuning. Playing at the 5th fret sounds like playing at the 10th fret on a high E4 guitar. This is more comfortable for me because the frets have wider spacing there. The great thing is an open A4 string at 26" can really ring out. It would be nice to be able to post audio samples here. After playing with the high A, I really can hear (in my head) a D5 string above that.IMO, this is a real valid reason to have 7 and 8-string (and 9) guitars. My Adler 12 has open C0 in 4ths up to the G4 below the A4. It is 34"-32". It is nice playing on the 25.5" scale. I am trying for a D5 string at 25.5". The C5 is sounding very nice. I think going higher without having to play on frets spaced close together is a good thing.

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08-12-2007, 08:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
Desecrated Dirty Lurker Posts: n/a	Any clips ? Videos would be great.

08-13-2007, 04:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
Desecrated Dirty Lurker Posts: n/a	How "thick" would that high D5 string be ? Does your strings work on a kahler bridge ? How are things going with the ball-ends ?

08-13-2007, 06:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
Durero prototyping... Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Vancouver, B.C., Canada Posts: 3,545 Real Name: Leo Pedersen Main Seven: Raven 7 - my design Main ERG: Ergo 10, Ergo 9, Stick 8 Rig: 2101LTD>TS100>2x1936 Thanked: 36	Fantastic Garry. And I totally agree about the high D5 string, that would be totally awesome! Keep us posted on your progress. And on a side note - I'm ready to order more strings from you - is it best to order through your octave4plus site or pm you or doesn't matter? And would it still be helpful to you to send you my spare ball-ends?

08-14-2007, 01:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
Garry Goodman 8-0ctaves Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: CA&HI Posts: 322 Main Seven: 1987 Tobias 7-string bass & 8 octave Adler 12 Rig: Basson B310SC Thanked: 6	I will make some videos soon. The D5 string is still being developed. It is really a Db5 string. The first Ab4 string I had was a .003 and now it is a .009. So the C-Db-D may be a .005. The ball ends are going to be awesome. I am not releasing any strings that are actually made as C5+ strings yet. I am just making a few strings that work as A4,Bb4 B4 and depending on the guitar,C5. Limited production for a little while longer. The new wire is tuning up to the notes right away, unlike the wire used on the strings from the last winter NAMM show. They should bend up at least a whole step. The point of my post was just to say I have been so busy developing strings, I haven't spent time hearing what they can do and that high A opens up a whole new world of sound for guitar. The strings seem to stand up to most whammy bars. My next video will be a demo of an A string played with the whammy bar engaged.

08-14-2007, 02:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
Cool711 ss.org Regular Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Trinidad Posts: 173 Thanked: 0	Indeed. Good news there. Similar question as before though (clarifying the limited production for now): Is it possible to get any of the 9's for the high A as yet? (Sorry if I'm misunderstanding the post) Thanks.

08-14-2007, 08:21 AM	#8 (permalink)
Desecrated Dirty Lurker Posts: n/a	Thanks for the info.

08-14-2007, 11:08 AM	#9 (permalink)
Cool711 ss.org Regular Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Trinidad Posts: 173 Thanked: 0	Ok cool, sounds good. Another question: will they work for the high A on a short scale guitar (22.75")? I don't see any reason they would not, but you said that there were a couple versions, some that worked better at different scales.


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Seven string guitar with a high A string, the sound