Series 8 string

[xlrogue6]

Saw this on one of the Alembic FB groups.http://www.musicgoround.com/product/40051-S000093540/used-alembic-1981-msb-i-8-string-bass-series-1-bass-guitar

[BeenDown139]

Yikes!
not a bad price.  if i hadn't just bought a new bass yadda yadda yadda...

[hieronymous]

Saw that one too. Alembic 8-string is still one of the only things I wish I could get but I'll let someone else grab it! 

[edwardofhuncote]

The tailpiece is kinda' similar to the one they recently made for Rob's Alembicized Starfire.

[matbard]

Oh My God!

That's my dream bass.

I would not sleep for weeks, right now

[BeenDown139]

i just had a chunk of money drop outta the sky, land in my lap and start wiggling.  it said to me - ya know, that 8-string looks like it's still for sale.  You've already got 2 top-of-the-line instruments in your bass corner and you need a third one like you need another hole in your head.  BUT - it's got 8 strings and it looks really cool and at least it's listed by a semi-reputable dealer as opposed to some flake on ebay or whatever.

so my question is, should i decide to pursue this quixotic foolish adventure:

i play fingerstyle almost exclusively. I notice that the strings on this one are eE aA dD gG.  is this setup conducive to fingerstyle playing?

[matbard]

i play fingerstyle almost exclusively. I notice that the strings on this one are eE aA dD gG.  is this setup conducive to fingerstyle playing?

It's very very uncomfortable. 8-stringers are intended to be played with a pick.

[BeenDown139]

It's very very uncomfortable. 8-stringers are intended to be played with a pick.

ok, thanks - i was kinda hoping that wasn't the case.

my last 8-string bass was a spyder (once owned by the venerable senmen, i lost it in a divorce, yadda, yadda, yadda) and it was strung Ee Aa Dd Gg.  I played it fingerstyle and it played just like a 4-string but sounded like something else entirely.  I was sorta hoping to relive those glory days, but alas...

oh well, maybe i'll just have to be sensible with my $

[gearhed289]

It's very very uncomfortable. 8-stringers are intended to be played with a pick.

While comfort level will vary from player to player, I do agree that playing multi-course basses with anything but a pick is kind of counterproductive. You don't really get the full effect.

[xlrogue6]

When I had an 8 string I played it mostly with fingers. As long as you pull across the pair it works fine IMHO. I found that in most contexts the 8 string took up too much sonic real estate, to my ear anyway. YMMV.

[edwardofhuncote]

John McVie only needed... ah, nevermind. 

[BeenDown139]

I found that in most contexts the 8 string took up too much sonic real estate,

well for me, that's the raison d'etre for an 8-string.  i could pretty much push everyone else off the stage when i played mine.  holy crap, what a monster that bass was!

but narcissism aside, i really liked the sound of it.  ah well...

[senmen]

Guys,
yes, you are right. 
This string setup is mainly suitable for playing with a pick. 
If you try play fingerstyle on this setup (octave/bass) you definitely loose a big
part of the octave harmonics.   
For finger style the opposite, today more often used reverse setup (bass/octave ),
is much more convenient as you first hit the octave string first with your
plucking finger and develop the full harmonics. 
My experience. 
Greetz
Oliver (Spyderman)

[garyhead]

I have an 8-string Spyder and Rickenbacker (fundamental over octave) and an 8-string Zon with the opposite (octave over fundamental)  With fingerstyle plucking, I find the Zon more satisfying  / mellow.  With the Spyder......cranked up Entwhistle-style...woah!...ler 'er Rip!

The Rickenbacker......meh....

I've never been a good picker....I'll have to revisit this soon to compare.  One bass that has slipped by me was a 12-string Waterstone.  That Really needs a pick to bring out the sound.

[jazzyvee]

Here is an example of a series 8 string.