[ctr88x]

Hey all you adventurous ERGers.

The tuning I have in mind for a potential custom 8 string is something like
E A D G C F Bb Eb
with the thought process being the lowest string down an octave from standard guitar and then fourths all the way across (or f# standard down a whole step w/ the top two up a half step)

I'm sure someone's already typing "BBUBUTT THATT'S THE BASSIST'S RAAANGE", but being able to cover some of that ground is actually what I'm after.

I'm also well aware of the need to get something in the neighborhood of 30" scale length to pull off the low E, which is something I'm more than willing to do. The question that's stumping me is if the higher strings are going to work at all with that kind of length. Am I basically looking for a fanned-fret instrument if I want this tuning?

[Variant]

Originally Posted by ctr88x

Hey all you adventurous ERGers.

The tuning I have in mind for a potential custom 8 string is something like
E A D G C F Bb Eb
with the thought process being the lowest string down an octave from standard guitar and then fourths all the way across (or f# standard down a whole step w/ the top two up a half step)

I'm sure someone's already typing "BBUBUTT THATT'S THE BASSIST'S RAAANGE", but being able to cover some of that ground is actually what I'm after.

I'm also well aware of the need to get something in the neighborhood of 30" scale length to pull off the low E, which is something I'm more than willing to do. The question that's stumping me is if the higher strings are going to work at all with that kind of length. Am I basically looking for a fanned-fret instrument if I want this tuning?

Well, my RG2228 is tuned E1 A1 D2 G2 C3 F3 A3 D4, and I actually "guitar tune" my bass (E0 A0 D1 G1 C2 E2 A2) because my brain thinks with that Maj 3rd interval in there between the second and third strings. I suppose you could go that route if you're used to fourths all the way up.

[Ishan]

You can do that kind of tuning on a straight 30" scale, just get a custom set of strings.
And almost no one here is going to rant about the bassist range or whatever.

[Apophis]

30" scale will be fine

[ctr88x]

Originally Posted by Ishan

You can do that kind of tuning on a straight 30" scale, just get a custom set of strings.
And almost no one here is going to rant about the bassist range or whatever.

Thanks for the replies, guys. I was just afraid that a high Eb would sound odd or just be a general pain at 30" scale.

And Ishan, that's what I thought too, then I read that thread full of nonsensical complaining about the 2228 from people who haven't played it . Oh well, no skin off my back.

[Ishan]

Originally Posted by ctr88x

And Ishan, that's what I thought too, then I read that thread full of nonsensical complaining about the 2228 from people who haven't played it . Oh well, no skin off my back.

Yea, a few guys from the 7 strings part of the forum don't like us "strings nuts" too much
I played a RG2228, liked it, but ultimatly it wasn't ideal for what I wanted to do (standard E tuning with light gauges)