[ellengtrgrl]

This is a weird place for me to be. First a little background. I've been playing guitar for 30 years. For the first 29 plus years, other than fiddling around on the occasional 7-string at a music store, and a little bit of bass playing when I was young, I pretty much exclusively played 6-strings. Last year, I got into baritone guitars (a couple of lower end Danelectros, and an Eastwood Sidejack Baritone - all were sold during money crunches). They were cool. I liked being able to play the lower sort of semi-subsonic stuff, while still being able to play up in the guitar range. When I sold my last bari, I told myself, that it wasn't going to be the last one. But, after I sold it, I realized that while I liked the snappy lows I got from it, I missed the high end my guitars gave me. So, I decided to go 7-string.

I joined sevenstring.org, and learned to my surprise that 8-strings had become more than just a novelty instrument, and that you could get your hands on some of them, without paying prices that were up in the stratosphere. I was intrigued even more by them, than 7-strings. Seeing vids, and hearing sound clips of 8-strings in action, gave me serious 8-string GAS. I bought a 7-string several weeks back, as an interim measure (to help get my chops up to speed, and break out of the 6-sting mindset). As a result, my 6-string basically became a dust collector. I hit a money crunch, and I had to sell my 7-string (my 6-string is a very nice, semi-high end guitar - A Gretsch Country Club, so I didn't want to sell it). I didn't have several weeks to spend trying to sell a guitar here in the FS section, on Craigslist, or on eBay. So I took a hit on Gumby (my DeArmond Sevenstar) by selling it at Music Go Round. While I was there, I saw an Intrepid Pro 828 hanging on the wall. I tried it out, and in spite of it's EMG 808, it sounded pretty good. The neck felt good too. Itwas great to be able go up to the typical single note lead stuff I play, and then be able to drop down to some seriously looowwww chord work! If I hadn't been in such a rush to get to the bank with the check for the sale of Gumby, I would have probably spent at least the next half hour playing the Intrepid!

Now I have a dilemma. I don't know if this is a case of "honeymoon period" syndrome, or if I'm starting to see a paradigm shift in the mindset for my playing. It's like this. After playing Gumby, I started to find 6-strings to be lacking. Now after finally getting a chance to play an 8-string, I'm starting to feel like 6-strings are toys! As a result of this, I'm starting to contemplate doing what would have been unthinkable to me a few weeks ago - trading my very nice, Gretsch Country Club, for the Intrepid! The Intrepid is a nice guitar, but it is not in the same league qualitywise as my Gretsch! But, I feel absolutly no motivation to play the Gretsch. By the same token, I don't know if I'll end up doing a massive facepalm down the road, if I get rid of the Gretsch.

I need to do some thinking about this, so I don't end up doing something stupid/impulsive. Not many 8s show up around here, and my next opportunity for an 8 will be months down the road. But, I would take a huge hit on my Gretsch (which is admittedly a very good guitar in its own right).

So this brings up the thread question:

Once you get into ERGs, can you even go back to playing 6s (or 7s for that matter)? Or, do 6s, feel inadequate by comparison?

Your thoughts (even with regards to 7s vs 6s) will be appreciated.

[WannaBeGuitarPr]

currently i own a seven stringer and i don't think i will ever own a 6er' regardless how good it is.
I'm seriously gassing for an 8 stringer and i pretty sure I'll move to 8 stringers only and sell the 7.

[Metal Ken]

Originally Posted by ellengtrgrl

Now I have a dilemma. I don't know if this is a case of "honeymoon period" syndrome, or if I'm starting to see a paradigm shift in the mindset for my playing. It's like this. After playing Gumby, I started to find 6-strings to be lacking. Now after finally getting a change to play an 8-string, I'm starting to feel like 6-strings are toys! As a result of this, I'm starting to contemplate doing what would have been unthinkable to me a few weeks ago - trading my very nice, Gretsch Country Club, for the Intrepid! The Intrepid is a nice guitar, but it is not in the same league qualitywise as my Gretsch! But, I feel absolutly no motivation to play the Gretsch. By the same token, I don't know if I'll end up doing a massive facepalm down the road, if I get rid of the Gretsch.

I need to do some thinking about this, so I don't end up doing something stupid/impulsive. Not many 8s show up around here, and my next opportunity for an 8 will be months down the road. But, I would take a huge hit on my Gretsch (which is admittedly a very good guitar in its own right).

So this brings up the thread question:

Once you get into ERGs, can you even go back to playing 6s (or 7s for that matter)? Or, do 6s, feel inadequate by comparison?

Your thoughts (even with regards to 7s vs 6s) will be appreciated.

I'm not gonna tell you weather or not to trade in your sixes, especially ones that would have sentimental value. However, i will tell you this: I started playing seven strings around 2004. I ended up selling all my 6s and replacing them with 7s. Other than the one fretless six string i had bought in 2006 that i hung on to for about 2 years, i havent owned any 6 strings since then. The only reason i even bought that 6 string was that it was 100$ and was fretless. If i could have found a cheap fretless 7, i wouldnt have bothered.

As far as 8 string goes... Personal conjecture altert:
I think they're kinda stretching where guitar is supposed to go too far. If you want your low F# to sound really awesome, you need at least a 28" scale. But when you get to that scale, the high B and E sound too shrill. However, i think a good compromise would be a 25.5" scale 8 string tuned from A to high G. But then you cant tune to standard tuning without using specialty strings that are a bitch to find. alternately, you could just go all out and get a 30" Scale and tune it B to B with a Low F#. But i still dont like low F#'s.

I think if you're gonna do something with 8 strings or more, i'd look into stuff like chapman sticks and other touchstyle instruments. (I owned a 10 string stick at one point, i REALLY wish i had hung on to it)

[metallisuk]

certainly not, I love sixes, sevens, and eights
it's all about how you approach it.

[ellengtrgrl]

Thanks for the input guys! I would probably go to a 28" scale (like my old baris) for an 8-string. As of now, I'm just mulling over things, since I've gotten burned in the past, from making impulsive decisions. When this whole financial mess occurred, I had planned on going to a variation of my original plan: hang onto my 6-string, and get a basic low cost 7-string for now (I know from having played Gumby, my DeArmond Sevenstar that adapting to 7-strings has been fun and easy for me to do), and then get an 8-string down the road. I had never expected to run into an 8-string, that I could actually try out. It's thrown everything for a loop - especially since the encounter went much better than I expected it to. Like I said earlier, I need to seriously think about this some more.

[Ckackley]

When I made the move to 7's I found my 6's collecting dust as well. Anything you play on a six, you can play on a seven. Not the other way around. :-( I recently went to playing Schecter 7's with the longer scale lengths and now my Ibby sevens are collecting dust.
I'm not an F# fan either and I kind of agree with Metal Ken on 8 strings. I used to play bass in a jazz band and still own a 5 string, so the F# on an 8 always seems to be sonically heading too much towards bass territory.
For doing the touch style stuff I think you can't beat an 8. It's almost the perfect self accompaniment instrument for solo stuff. We fight frequency problems all the time in my current band between 7 string guitars , the bass , and the kick drum . I can only imagine an 8 making that a nightmare.
Personally I'd get an Agile and try it out. They're cheap enough and I imagine that it would sell well if you found it wasn't your thing.

[Scar Symmetry]

If you do trade the Gretsch for the Agile make sure you get money for it too! They are definitely not of the same value.

[Fred the Shred]

Quite honestly, I do feel like I have too little strings when playing on a 6 these days, but I still use them, mind you. As far as 7's are concerned, I really made that extra string a very important part of the way I play, and I miss it when an instrument doesn't have it there.

As far as 8's are concerned, it's not as dramatic: I can switch from 7's to 8's and back without any adaptation issues, and even though I love the extra range from an 8th string, it's not the end all be all factor. I do love it for comping and it does complement the wider interval reach of the 7 admirably. As far as scale length goes, I never complained about anything between 25,5" and 27", the later giving great definition to the low end without making the high strings sound too sterile and aggressive. As far as larger scale lengths are concerned, it just didn't work for me, due to my small hands and the way they made the high B and E string sound impossibly shrill for my personal tastes.

I did try a couple 9's a million years ago in the UK (can't remember the maker's name, only that it started with a "Z"... ), and those are not my thing. While the whole F# or E to high A range is appealing, my hands didn't cope with them, and the fan had a very steep angle that became a hinderance instead of an advantage to me, so I'll stick to 8's.

As far as the whole ERG argument is concerned, I respect everyone's opinion, just like in every other matter, but I do say this: 7's were once the red headed bastard child of the guitar community. So were flying V's. So was the solid body electric guitar.

[troyguitar]

I still play my 6-string RR almost half of the time in large part because it sounds and feels better than my RG7420 and my RR-8. If/when I get a 7 or 8-string that compares to my RR, I might quit playing it so much but that has yet to happen...

[ellengtrgrl]

Hmmmm, some VERY good points being made here. The frequency battle issue I'm familar with, having gone through it to an extent, with my baritone guitars in the past. It wasn't fun, since the other band members had a tendecy to view my baris, as being like mutant basses. Yep, I'm definitely going to have to do some more thinking on this issue.

[Apophis]

So i will share mu thought also

Firts of I'm a collector guy, so I never sell my guitars, I still have my firts 6 string guitar and I won't sell it for sure So personally I think Ellen you SHOULD keep that Gretsch !!! Really.
I saw to many situations where customer wanted something more, he sold his gear to have that and when he received what he wanted, he was disappointed later, cause after some time he realized it was ONLY a GAS and that extra things are awesome, but just not for him

So I think keeping that instrument will make you safe. It may take some more time to have your desired 8 string, but you will be able to compare for days, weeks, months, years what is really better for YOU. And when you decide you will be able to sell it, keep it or anything else.

I shouldn't talk like this being a luthier cause I'm killing potential buyers now, but I joined this forum as a person, not for making money, so it think it's my fair, honest opinion.

talking about using erg I have all those guitars because I always looks for something else, but for me main thing I love is a possibility to play more doing less - what I mean - I can play many more in the same position up and down without big stretches, shifting positions etc. Also extended range itself is really nice, but as said above, not for everyone

[JPhoenix19]

I'm relatively new to the electric guitar. I switched to a 7 very shortly after buying my first serious 6-string. I had quite an adjustment period, because I was going from bass to guitar, from 6 to 7, and from a PRS SE to an Ibanez 7321 all at the same time.

My experience with guitar is the same as with bass. I started on a 4-string and after I switched to a 5'er I just got too attached to the low B. I only used a 4-string when I needed drop C tuning, so I've really never looked back. In fact, I plan on moving up to a 6-string bass when funds allow.

[Demiurge]

I have a 7 and an 8 but still play 6's primarily.

[AngelVivaldi]

i'd never go back to a 6'er \m/

[ellengtrgrl]

Originally Posted by Apophis

So i will share mu thought also

Firts of I'm a collector guy, so I never sell my guitars, I still have my firts 6 string guitar and I won't sell it for sure So personally I think Ellen you SHOULD keep that Gretsch !!! Really.
I saw to many situations where customer wanted something more, he sold his gear to have that and when he received what he wanted, he was disappointed later, cause after some time he realized it was ONLY a GAS and that extra things are awesome, but just not for him

So I think keeping that instrument will make you safe. It may take some more time to have your desired 8 string, but you will be able to compare for days, weeks, months, years what is really better for YOU. And when you decide you will be able to sell it, keep it or anything else.

I shouldn't talk like this being a luthier cause I'm killing potential buyers now, but I joined this forum as a person, not for making money, so it think it's my fair, honest opinion.

talking about using erg I have all those guitars because I always looks for something else, but for me main thing I love is a possibility to play more doing less - what I mean - I can play many more in the same position up and down without big stretches, shifting positions etc. Also extended range itself is really nice, but as said above, not for everyone

Sebastian, you've convinced me - Charlotte (my Gretsch Country Club) stays. You've made very good arguments for keeping her. I will stick with my original plan - get a basic, lower cost 7-string for now, and if you are still up to trying it, I'll come to you for having a semi-hollow bodied 8-string built. Thanks for your thoughts!

Originally Posted by JPhoenix19

I'm relatively new to the electric guitar. I switched to a 7 very shortly after buying my first serious 6-string. I had quite an adjustment period, because I was going from bass to guitar, from 6 to 7, and from a PRS SE to an Ibanez 7321 all at the same time.

My experience with guitar is the same as with bass. I started on a 4-string and after I switched to a 5'er I just got too attached to the low B. I only used a 4-string when I needed drop C tuning, so I've really never looked back. In fact, I plan on moving up to a 6-string bass when funds allow.

Originally Posted by Demiurge

I have a 7 and an 8 but still play 6's primarily.

Originally Posted by AngelVivaldi

i'd never go back to a 6'er \m/

Thanks for your input guys!

[daemon barbeque]

Don't sell anything till you feel safe.
I owned a 7 and two 6ers for 2 years, now sold the 2 6 stringers and moved to 8 strings. The next purchases will be 2 new customs, one frettles 7 or 8, and a fanned fret carbon headless.

It takes time to sit and try new stuff, see how you evolve musically and technically. Using new tuning would help you out to find some new ideas, and of course identify you needs. I for example, tune my guitars to 5ths/4ths now, and maybe I will end up with only 7s and tune them to all 5ths.

You can lurk around and find a good deal on an old Ibanez 7.

[vansinn]

I totally agree with others saying don't sell a guitar you love. It's the same with my primary 6-er; been with me too long, holding me up during shitty times

Which BTW I have at the moment, financially holding me from ERG's. I just felt the need for more lows and flexibility. Then signed up in here.. bad call! Joking, of cause.. but seriously, I now ever so often find myself reaching for non-existent strings and my game stops.

Even though I'm still awaiting that fanned 8-stringer, I know it'll feel perfectly natural in no time. My mindframe has already adjusted, and is subconciously discussing just which tuning..
But I also know I'll keep playing certain things on my old Duesenberg; however, I believe I'll acquire no more 6-ers: It's a matter of progression, moving on..

[MF_Kitten]

i will keep the 6 string and 7 string in different tunings in order to justify owning them now that i have an 8 string. just so i don´t end up with redundant instruments :P

[ellengtrgrl]

Man you guys are great!!! Yep my Gretsch is staying! I'll get another 7 to tide me over, and then an 8-string. Thanks guys!

[lobee]

Originally Posted by ellengtrgrl

Man you guys are great!!! Yep my Gretsch is staying! I'll get another 7 to tide me over, and then an 8-string. Thanks guys!

Another GASoholic gearhead conversion-ah! Prepare to always be wanting more, just like the rest of us. Because more = more.

[ellengtrgrl]

Yuppers!! I've been there before with standard guitars. Now, it's hit me evn worse with 7 & 8-string guitars!

[GorillaSalsa]

I only own an 8-string, and my next guitar purchase will also be an 8-string. It would take a lot for me to want to own a 6-string.

[cyril v]

Originally Posted by WannaBeGuitarPr

currently i own a seven stringer and i don't think i will ever own a 6er' regardless how good it is.
I'm seriously gassing for an 8 stringer and i pretty sure I'll move to 8 stringers only and sell the 7.

i kinda agree with you to a point... there are two exceptions though, i'd definitely be up for a Parker or a Steinberger. But, i'll be damned if i wouldn't prefer them to be 7's.

[Krauthammer]

In my opinion, I wouldn't sell my six-strings. Though they are rarely played, (and never more than 10 minutes..), they are my 1st axes I've ever owned. Have a fender Jag-stang that I never play, but I know down the road I will like to have that in the family. I have a few 7-strings that I obtained 2 years after I first started playing guitar(1996), and never looked back. Then, mid-2008, I ran across the Ibanez 8, had been listening to ALOT of meshuggah, and decided to do the lay-away. I loved the ibby so much I got a complimenting Agile the next year(2009). Point is, I have 6's, 7's, and now 8's. They are staying with me for life or until they break in half. Don't sell your Gretsch!!! Even if you get the agile and never play the Gretsch, I believe that you would miss it.

[ellengtrgrl]

Yeah, I would. My affinity for Gretsches started in the weirdest way back in 2002. I was going through some hard times. I'd sold all of my good Mesa, and Gibson stuff to help pay bills. I HATED the crappy Epiphone Slasher I was playing at the time, and wanted it gone! A friend of mine who also plays guitar (she's such a Strat nut, that she won't even consider any other electrics) and I went to a blowout sale. I started looking at the Squiers and Epis (all I could afford), when she pointed at a dust collecting Gretsch Synchromatic Jet Club. I blew it off (up until that time, all I envisioned Gretschs as being, were Chet Atkins, and rockabilly guitars, with a little Beatles thrown into the mix). While I was looking, I heard this great sounding guitar. It was my friend, playing the Gretsch through an amp with some overdrive. It got my attention. I plugged in and played, and liked the sound much better than my Epi Slasher. It wasn't like my old Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion, or any of the Fenders I used to have, but it had potential. The $125 price ($60 after trade-in) made it a no-brainer. So I bought the guitar. It served me well for tne next 3 years playing everything from gigs to jam sessions, - hard driving indie rock to metal. In 2005, I had a better paying job, and enough cash to get a semi-hollow body guitar (during the past 25 years, 60 to 70% of the time, my main guitars have been semi-hollows). I wasn't in a band at the time, so I couldn't see any reason to have 2 guitars. So I foolishly traded the Gretsch Jet Club for an Ibby Artcore. It was a nice guitar, but didn't have the character of my old Gretsch. When I finally had a little extra income, I decided last year to get a Gretsch again. I've went through 3 of them to get to a sound that really was what I was looking for, and finally settled on my Country Club several months ago. It's a hollowbody, but I've even played it through stacks (easy enough to do, if you know how to control feedback). It just plain rips.

Gretsches have a bit of an image problem (as do Rickenbackers - I used to have a 360). Too many players assume (as I once did), that they're only good for rockabilly, oldies, Chet Atkins, or Duane Eddy style music. Unfortunately, Gretsch seems to go out of its way to cultivate this image. And, it doesn't help when every greaser and wanna be greaser says that they want to twang away on a Gretsch (I HATE twang!). This is not true. There are more players than Malcolm Young, who like to crank and blast away on a Gretsch. I know a few metal heads, and punk rockers, that have made Gretsches their, main guitars.

I like the playability, and the sound of Gretsches at high gain. It's not muddy like some guitars, but not shrill like some Fenders can get. I can go from jazz (one of my guilty musical pleasures - grampa [who along with being a luthier, was a jazz guitarist] would approve) to full on thrash. I consider my Gretsch to be that versatile. If Gretsch made an 8-string, I'd seriously consider getting it. I'd even buy a Gretsch George Van Eps model (as I mentioned in another thread, it's probably one of the first production 7-strings ever made [from 1968 to the late 70s]), if they were easier to come by, and didn't cost a bundle on the vintage market. But neither 7, or 8-string Gretsches are possible at this time. So I have to look elsewhere.