Anyone tried mixing an 8 string bass?

[iekobrid]

I've wanted that vintage Doug Pinnick sound for years, but never cared for Dean's models or Hamer's prices. ESP offers an affordable... and fun-to-play... and easy-on-the-eyes... eight string LTD model now, though, so I may be mere hours away from pulling the trigger.

Has anyone here tried getting an 8- or 12- to sit in a mix before? I'm sure working with it in a single guitar part groove rock power trio setting would be straightforward enough, but how about something more layered, like prog-ish metal?

 

[AudioPhile777]

I think it might sound really good if you mix it in like a guitar underneath the guitars... but of course with more low end to it...

...IMO .

 

[Noumenon]

G.A.S.

 

[ThatGuitarGuy]

Easy on the eyes I'd say! Sweet looking bass!

 

[sparkyness]

pity they don't make a 12-string version, otherwise I'd grab one....

 

[stringy_]

Forgive my ignorance, but what's up with these things?

What are they tuned to? What gauge are the strings? What do they sound like?

 

[iekobrid]

Same principle as a 12 string guitar. Standard tuning (if that's your scene) with each string doubled an octave higher. Dean's 34" scale models ship with:

G .045
g .020p

D .065
d .025w

A .080
a .035w

E .100
e .045w


Depending on how you dial your amp in, the sound can be anywhere from running a grand piano through a chorus pedal to mixing some gritty Steve Harris-y hi-mids clank in without sacrificing a fat bottom.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCVkbIJBkJY



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPF_re3oHOk

(1.30 - 2.00)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YgprjU9Jfo

 

[EdwardPayne]

Just listen to Manowar, isn't that bass player using double strings?

 

[Pman]

Grand Stick FTW!!!1ONE

 

[Jaymz]

An 8 string bass is used at the start of Horrorscope by Overkill.

 

[sparkyness]

Doug Pinnick from King's is a fairly regular "12er", although not as much as he used to. There's 12 string bass all over the first three King's X albums.

It has a certain "eastern" quality to it due to the natural chorusing effect of the octave strings. It's virtually impossible to get them completely in tune, which is part of the sound. I've been GASsing for one for years and haven't as I tend to move (countries) quite regularly and my current setup is hard enough to get mobile. I need to hurry up and just do it.

A lot of dudes split the high/low end with 12ers and run the high end through a distorted guitar amp (Doug used to) and the lows relatively clean through a bass rig.

Best tone I heard was Paul Malinowksi from the now defunct indie-rock band, Shiner. He played both 8's and 12's almost exclusively. Simply massive sound (he was their producer as well) on their last two albums "The Egg" and "Starless". Probably my favourite bass tone ever (well, for today at least!).